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- Portugal Golden Visa: Funds and Culture
Portugal Golden Visa: Investment Funds and Culture
A residence permit by investment that does not require you to live in the country. Since 2023 the main routes are investment fund units and contributions to cultural projects.
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residence-by-investment program with a very light presence rule: on average, about 7 days a year in the country is enough. Buying a home no longer qualifies, because real estate was removed from the program in 2023. Two main routes remain: a contribution of at least €250,000 to cultural projects and heritage preservation, or buying investment fund units for at least €500,000. You must hold the investment for at least 5 years. The investment itself is paid separately from our support.
The main drawback right now is timing. The AIMA agency takes a long time to process applications: a realistic estimate from filing to the residence card is 12–18 months. EU sanctions also limit some applicants from Russia and Belarus, so we check eligibility before any work starts. For everyone else, we help choose the instrument, check the fund and put together the file.
Who it is for
- Investors who want EU residence without relocating
- Families who want status for everyone at once
- Entrepreneurs who want a backup option for living in Europe
- People ready to keep capital in Portugal for at least 5 years
Requirements
- A contribution of at least €250,000 to cultural projects or fund units of at least €500,000
- Holding the investment for at least 5 years
- Proof that the funds come from a legal source
- Presence in Portugal of about 7 days a year on average
- Health insurance and a clean criminal record
- A Portuguese tax number (NIF) and an account with a Portuguese bank
What we do
- Check whether your nationality and the history of your funds allow this route
- Help you choose an instrument and review the fund or project
- Get your NIF and support you in opening a bank account
- Gather documents: apostilles, translations and proof of source of funds
- File the application with AIMA and support you at biometrics
- Handle renewals and documents for your family
Key documents
- Passport
- Proof of investment: fund subscription agreement or cultural project documents
- Proof of source of funds
- Criminal record certificates from your country of citizenship and countries of residence
- Health insurance
- Marriage and birth certificates for family members
How it works
- Eligibility checknationality, source of funds and choice of instrument
- NIF and bank accounttax number and an account with a Portuguese bank
- Investmenttransfer of funds and the agreement with the fund or project
- Filing with AIMAan online application, then biometrics
- Residence cardapproximately 12–18 months from filing
Timeline
Preparation and the investment usually take 2–3 months; from filing with AIMA to the residence card, a realistic estimate is 12–18 months.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Under EU sanctions, citizens and residents of Russia and Belarus without a residence permit in the EU, EEA or Switzerland cannot buy units of funds that invest in securities, and their deposits in one bank are capped at €100,000
- Selling the investment before 5 years removes the basis for your residence permit
- Funds differ in risk and exit terms, so we review them before you invest
- AIMA processing times are long and can shift
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $36,500. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How much do I need to invest for the Portugal Golden Visa?
At least €250,000 for a contribution to cultural projects and heritage preservation, or at least €500,000 for investment fund units. You hold the investment for at least 5 years. The investment is paid separately from our support, as are government fees.
Can I get a Golden Visa by buying an apartment?
No. Real estate was removed from the program in 2023. Today the main routes are funds and cultural projects. If your goal is to live in Portugal and buy a home, other residence options are worth considering.
How much time do I have to spend in Portugal?
About 7 days a year on average. That is the program's main advantage over permits that require you to actually live in the country. If you plan to apply for citizenship, keep in mind that since May 19, 2026, most foreigners need 10 years of legal residence and proof of language skills.
Are there restrictions based on nationality?
Yes, for some applicants. Under EU sanctions, citizens and residents of Russia and Belarus who do not hold a residence permit in the EU, EEA or Switzerland cannot buy units of funds that invest in securities, and their deposits in one bank are capped at €100,000. We check your case, including any residence permit in another EU country, before taking any steps.
How long does the Portugal Golden Visa process take?
Preparing documents and making the investment usually takes 2–3 months. AIMA review is slow: from filing to the residence card, a realistic estimate is 12–18 months. Timing depends on the agency's workload, so plan your travel with a buffer.
Who can I include in the application?
Your spouse, children and parents. Adult children are included if they are studying and financially dependent on you; parents if they are dependent or meet the age condition. Each family member gets their own residence permit, and proof of family ties needs an apostille and translation.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
