11 Aug What are the main steps in the Golden Visa process?

1. Choose your investment route

Portugal’s Golden Visa program remains one of the most attractive pathways to European residency. With minimal stay requirements and a clear route to citizenship, the process is structured — but it requires careful planning. The first step is selecting a qualifying investment route. Since 2023, real estate is no longer accepted. Instead, applicants can choose from investment funds with a minimum of €500,000, donations of at least €250,000 to support national heritage or the arts, contributions to scientific research starting from €500,000, or investments in job creation or business development. Each route has specific documentation requirements, but all are designed to support Portugal’s economic, cultural, or social priorities. 

2. Obtain a Portuguese NIF and open a bank account

Once the investment path is chosen, the next step is to obtain a Portuguese tax identification number, known as the NIF. This number is necessary for any legal or financial transaction in Portugal. At the same time, the applicant must open a local bank account where the investment funds will be deposited. These two steps can usually be completed remotely through legal representation, and they are mandatory before proceeding with the actual investment. 

3. Make the qualifying investment

With the NIF and bank account in place, the applicant proceeds to transfer the necessary funds and complete the investment. For those investing in a qualifying fund, this means submitting proof of subscription and confirmation from the fund manager. For donations or research contributions, an official receipt or institutional letter is required. At this stage, the investment must be fully finalized and compliant with program rules before the application can move forward. 

4. Gather and legalize all required documents

This is one of the most important and time-consuming steps. Applicants must collect and prepare a complete set of documents to be submitted with their application. This includes a valid passport, criminal record certificates from the country of origin and from any country where the applicant has lived for more than 12 months in the last five years, proof of legal entry into Portugal such as a visa stamp, the Portuguese NIF and bank account confirmation, official proof of the completed investment, a declaration stating the intention to maintain the investment for a minimum of five years, a sworn statement of compliance with investment requirements, valid health insurance coverage for Portugal, and proof of residence in the country of origin such as a utility bill or lease agreement. All documents not originally in Portuguese must be officially translated and either apostilled or legalized according to international standards. 

5. Submit your application online through AIMA

Once all documents are gathered, translated, and legalized, the applicant submits the full application through the official platform managed by AIMA (Agência para a Imigração e Mobilidade). This submission marks the beginning of the formal review process. Depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of the file, this stage may take several months. During this time, authorities will assess the investment’s validity and verify the background of the applicant. 

6. Attend the biometric appointment in Portugal

If the initial review is successful, the applicant will be invited to schedule and attend a biometric appointment in Portugal. During this in-person meeting, fingerprints, photographs, signatures, and the original versions of all submitted documents are collected. Appointments typically take place in Lisbon, Porto, or other designated regional offices. This is a mandatory step to finalize the issuance of the residence permit. 

7. Receive your Golden Visa residence permit

After the biometrics appointment and final approval, the applicant receives their first Golden Visa residence card. This card is valid for two years and grants legal residency in Portugal. To maintain the status, the cardholder must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal during each two-year period. The residence permit can be renewed at the end of each term as long as the investment is maintained and the minimum stay requirement is fulfilled. 

8. Renew and maintain your status

From the moment the initial card is issued, Golden Visa holders must comply with program conditions over a five-year period. Every two years, the residence card must be renewed, which involves submitting updated documentation confirming that the investment remains active and that the applicant continues to meet the program’s requirements. This five-year period culminates in the opportunity to apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship, assuming the other legal requirements are met.

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