Portugal Golden Visa · €500k research

Capital transfer of at least EUR500,000 (≈ $559,000) applied to research activities carried out by public or private scientific research institutions in the national science and technology system. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) · Capital transfer applied to research by public or private scientific institutions integrated in the national science and technology system. ¹
• A fee of EUR 842.8 (≈ $940) · Application review fee for the investment residence permit, which also covers the holder's family reunification applications; EUR 632.10 (≈ $710) when filed digitally. ³
• A fee of EUR 8,418.9 (≈ $9,400) · Fee for granting the investment residence permit; EUR 6,314.20 (≈ $7,050) when applied for digitally. ³
• A fee of EUR 4,210.3 (≈ $4,700) · Fee for each renewal of the investment residence permit; EUR 3,157.80 (≈ $3,530) when applied for digitally. ³

Requirements

• The research is carried out by public or private scientific institutions in the national science and technology system. ¹
• The applicant is a third-country national. ¹
• The investment is made personally or through a company set up in Portugal, or in another EU state with a permanent establishment in Portugal. ¹
• The investment activity may not be directed, directly or indirectly, at real estate. ¹
• Capital transfer of at least EUR500,000 (≈ $559,000) applied to research activities. ¹
• In low-density territories the minimum can be 20% lower, which is EUR400,000 (≈ $447,000). ²
• Documents: valid travel document, health cover, criminal record certificate and tax number. ¹
• An honour declaration is required. ¹
• The applicant must have a clean tax and social-security status. ¹
• The residence authorization is applied for within 90 days of first entry into Portugal. ²
• The quantitative and time conditions of the investment must be met. ¹
• The investment activity must run for at least five years, per the honour declaration. ¹
• The investment is assessed every two years for its scientific, cultural and employment impact. ²

Stay

• The temporary ARI authorization is valid two years from issue and is renewed in two-year periods while an investment requirement is maintained. Required presence is at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in later years.
• Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Third-country nationals; the ARI regime does not apply to Portuguese, EU, EEA, Andorran or Swiss nationals. Not open to: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Holder may reside and work in Portugal and travel in Schengen without a visa.

Family

Spouse, minor and dependent children, unmarried adult children who are studying, dependent ascendants and minor siblings under guardianship may join through family reunification, which can be requested with the ARI application; the two-year wait for family reunification does not apply to ARI holders. Your spouse or partner may work in Portugal without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Residence Authorization for Investment Activity (ARI), Art. 90-A · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
2. Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Law, REPSAE), consolidated text current to Lei n.º 62/2026 of 10 September 2026 · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-09-10
3. AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-01
4. AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
5. Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11