Portugal Golden Visa 2026: Eligible ARI Investment Routes

No. The investment-residence permit (ARI) remains available under Article 90-A through specifically defined investments. It is incorrect to equate the removal of new property investment pathways with abolition of the entire programme. G1, G4

Property acquisition is not an eligible route for a new ARI application under the post-2023 framework. Older submissions and renewals may raise transitional questions and should be evaluated on their own legal history. G1

It depends on the route. The public AIMA guidance includes €250,000 for qualifying culture, €500,000 for specified research, funds and company-capital routes, and a job-creation option without the same headline capital transfer. Each has additional conditions. G1

No. The collective-investment vehicle must satisfy Portuguese-law, non-real-estate, maturity and Portuguese-company investment rules. The investor also must satisfy personal and documentary conditions. G1

For the qualifying collective investment route, AIMA describes at least 60% of investment allocated to commercial companies with registered offices in Portugal. This is a fund-level condition; independent legal review is needed to test the actual portfolio and governing documents. G1

AIMA discusses investment in units of multiple qualifying funds where the combined value and other applicable conditions are satisfied. It is not permission to combine qualifying and non-qualifying holdings indiscriminately. G1

No. Securities regulation is not the immigration eligibility test. Verify the fund and manager with CMVM, then independently assess the specific ARI criteria and indirect property exposure. G1, G7

No general capital-protection guarantee exists in the ARI law. Funds and company investments may decline, be illiquid or fail. Examine legal terms, fees and risks before subscribing.

Yes, through a qualifying route involving at least €500,000 applied to eligible scientific or technological research activities, subject to documented institutional requirements. AIMA identifies a potential €400,000 option in qualifying low-density circumstances. G1

No. The law specifies qualifying investment/support through designated public or public-interest channels with proper confirmation. General charitable giving or purchase of an artwork is not enough. G1

No. AIMA identifies reductions in particular pathways, such as eligible job creation and research. The cultural-page euro example is internally inconsistent; obtain route-specific written verification rather than relying on an advertised discount. G1

A qualifying corporate route includes company formation or capital increase coupled with legally prescribed permanent job creation or maintenance. Merely registering a company or moving €500,000 to its account is insufficient. G1

ARI has a comparatively limited minimum physical-presence requirement: AIMA states seven days in the first year and fourteen days in subsequent two-year periods. Correct individual-period calculations and travel evidence matter. G3

AIMA describes residence and work rights for valid ARI holders, subject to other applicable professional and tax rules. The permit is not a substitute for regulated-profession licensing. G1

AIMA describes ARI family procedures in its portal and notes family approval depends on the investor’s approval. Which relatives qualify requires checking the relationship, age, dependency and applicable law. G1, G2

The 2025 reform names Article 90-A investment-residence holders among exceptions to the ordinary waiting period. Other eligibility and documentation requirements still apply. G9

Sometimes, subject to the particular dependency, marital status, student and ARI-related conditions. Adult children are not automatically eligible simply because their parent holds ARI. G9

AIMA checks the digital submission and supporting documents, processes fees and, when appropriate, issues instructions for attendance and biometrics. Portal submission is not a positive residence decision. G2

If renewing on the original investment basis, AIMA expects evidence of continuing compliance and maintenance of the relevant investment as applicable. Exiting an investment prematurely may jeopardise status. G3

AIMA moved ARI renewal submissions to its renewal portal from 16 February 2026; an in-person visit may still be requested for biometrics. Current portal requirements take precedence over older generic renewal instructions. G2, G8

Not automatically, and the blanket five-year citizenship claim is outdated after Organic Law 1/2026. New naturalisation rules refer generally to seven years for EU/CPLP nationals and ten for other nationalities, with additional requirements and transitions for pending matters. G6

It can: permanent residence follows the distinct Article 80 framework, with additional legal requirements. Permanent residence should not be confused with nationality, and special ARI permanent-residence rules must be assessed in context. G5

Not by itself. Physical presence, habitual residence and other tax tests must be analysed separately. Keeping an ARI without living full-time in Portugal can have very different tax consequences from relocating permanently.

No. Commercial agents and legal advisers cannot guarantee decisions by AIMA, and a claimed “government pre-approved fund” should be verified against actual documentary evidence and official sources.

AIMA analysis/issuance/renewal charges, legal representation, document legalisation/translation, banking, fund fees, custody, tax and family charges may apply. Obtain current written quotes; we do not publish stale fixed figures.

Historical property-route applications and issued permits can have transition and renewal questions. Preserve proof of filing and investment maintenance, and commission a targeted legal audit rather than using 2026 new-application checklists. G1

No. AIMA explicitly distinguishes the two investment-related residence routes, including different rights concerning permitted absences. Ask for the actual article under which you would be authorised. G10

The proposed process separates eligibility, financial-investment diligence, document provenance and continuing compliance. Recommendations are evidenced and risks are disclosed; investment, legal and tax advice should come from appropriately qualified professionals.

No. The property acquisition option was removed for new ARI applications. A purchase may have other private or tax implications, but it does not by itself generate new Golden Visa eligibility. Historic cases under former rules require a different review.

No. The Article 90-A collective-investment route includes a €500,000 threshold, non-real-estate character, Portuguese-law structure, a minimum remaining maturity criterion at investment and a minimum share of investments in Portugal-based companies. An advertised “Golden Visa fund” label is not legal certification.

No. The cultural route involves legally specified bodies and support for artistic production or national cultural heritage. The amount alone is not enough. Any advertised low-density reduction requires an up-to-date legislative and AIMA check because public summaries can be inconsistent.

AIMA describes a simultaneous family submission mechanism conditional on granting the investor’s ARI. Family identity, relationship, dependence and the specific statutory ARI exception still require documentary analysis.

No. Naturalisation is a separate application under the nationality law in force when relevant, with legal-residence duration and other criteria. The May 2026 reform introduced a seven-year or ten-year ordinary threshold depending on nationality group, with transitional treatment for pending procedures; do not equate this with ARI card validity.

AIMA states that from 16 February 2026 ARI renewal applications are processed electronically via its renewal portal. A later in-person biometrics appointment can still be required in specific circumstances.