---
title: "Portugal Golden Visa · €500k research requirements 2026"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-research-500k/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Portugal · Investing

# Portugal Golden Visa · €500k research

**Investment needed:** €500k+ ≈ $559k

Residence Authorization for Investment Activity (ARI): EUR500,000 research funding (Art. 90-A, sub-paragraph v)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Rule changed 18 May 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-05-18-portugal-c53a9d/) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** €500k+ ≈ $559k (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. 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 when filed digitally. A fee of EUR 8,418.9 (≈ $9,400) · Fee for granting the investment residence permit; EUR 6,314.20 when applied for digitally. A fee of EUR 4,210.3 (≈ $4,700) · Fee for each renewal of the investment residence permit; EUR 3,157.80 when applied for digitally.)
- **First stay:** 2 yrs (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.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; the ARI regime does not apply to Portuguese, EU, EEA, Andorran or Swiss nationals.)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (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.)

## Key facts

Golden Visa · €500k research is an investing route for Portugal. Applicants need an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k. You can stay 2 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €500k+ ≈ $559k
- **Government fees:** €843 ≈ $940 · +2 more
- **Processing:** Up to 90 days
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 3 government fees listed below; investment €500k+ ≈ $559k; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €843 ≈ $940 · +2 more**

- 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.
- EUR 8,418.9 (≈ $9,400) Fee for granting the investment residence permit; EUR 6,314.20 (≈ $7,050) when applied for digitally.
- 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.

**Invested and held: €500k+ ≈ $559k**

- EUR 500,000 (≈ $559,000) Capital transfer applied to research by public or private scientific institutions integrated in the national science and technology system.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Valid two years from issue and renewed in two-year periods while one of the investment requirements is still met; the investment must run at least five years.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Permanent residence needs five years on a temporary residence authorization, no serious recent conviction, means of subsistence, housing and basic Portuguese.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)

**Citizenship: After 10 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence on any residence title or visa (7 years for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU states), plus Portuguese language and culture, and means of subsistence.

[Diário da República / Assembleia da República](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)

**Processing: Up to 90 days**

AIMA must decide a residence permit application within 90 days, extendable by 30 days in exceptional cases; renewals within 60 days. The ARI file also requires prior online pre-registration.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)

**Where to apply: Inside the country**

Enter Portugal on a valid Schengen visa and apply to AIMA within 90 days of first entry; no residence visa is needed.

[Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) [AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)

**Presence rules: At least 7 days in year 1**

Stay in Portugal at least 7 days in the first year and at least 14 days in each later year.

[AIMA](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-a)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports, or passports from Andorra

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The research is carried out by public or private scientific institutions in the national science and technology system.
- The applicant is a third-country national.
- The investment is made personally or through a company set up in Portugal, or in another EU state with a permanent establishment in Portugal.
- The investment activity may not be directed, directly or indirectly, at real estate.

#### What you must show

- Capital transfer of at least EUR500,000 (≈ $559,000) applied to research activities.
- In low-density territories the minimum can be 20% lower, which is EUR400,000 (≈ $447,000).

#### Documents

- Documents: valid travel document, health cover, criminal record certificate and tax number.
- An honour declaration is required.
- The applicant must have a clean tax and social-security status.

#### Steps

1. The residence authorization is applied for within 90 days of first entry into Portugal.

#### After you arrive

- The quantitative and time conditions of the investment must be met.
- The investment activity must run for at least five years, per the honour declaration.
- The investment is assessed every two years for its scientific, cultural and employment impact.

## What happens at day 183

How Portugal decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in any 12-month period starting or ending in the tax year** Residence by presence.
- **Foreign-source income:** Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

[All tax rules for Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/tax/) Tax records checked 11 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Documents: valid travel document, health cover, criminal record certificate and tax number
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Documents: valid travel document, health cover, criminal record certificate and tax number

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

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. (sources 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 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. (source 3)

#### Requirements

- The research is carried out by public or private scientific institutions in the national science and technology system. (source 1)
- The applicant is a third-country national. (source 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. (source 1)
- The investment activity may not be directed, directly or indirectly, at real estate. (source 1)
- Capital transfer of at least EUR500,000 (≈ $559,000) applied to research activities. (source 1)
- In low-density territories the minimum can be 20% lower, which is EUR400,000 (≈ $447,000). (source 2)
- Documents: valid travel document, health cover, criminal record certificate and tax number. (source 1)
- An honour declaration is required. (source 1)
- The applicant must have a clean tax and social-security status. (source 1)
- The residence authorization is applied for within 90 days of first entry into Portugal. (source 2)
- The quantitative and time conditions of the investment must be met. (source 1)
- The investment activity must run for at least five years, per the honour declaration. (source 1)
- The investment is assessed every two years for its scientific, cultural and employment impact. (source 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](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-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](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · 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)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-03-01
4. [AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/reagrupamento-familiar-com-familiar-em-territorio-nacional-art-98-o-n-o-2) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

## Golden Visa · €500k research and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Golden Visa · €500k research | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Golden Visa · €250k arts](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-arts-250k/) | Needs an investment of €250k+ ≈ $279k | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Golden Visa · €500k funds](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-funds-500k/) | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Golden Visa · €500k company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/ari-company-500k/) | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [D5 · Property over $150k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d5-real-estate-residence/) Georgia | Needs assets of $150k+ | 1 yr, renewable | No |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Golden Visa · €500k research?

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. 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. 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. 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.

### How long can I stay on the Golden Visa · €500k research?

The temporary ARI authorization is valid two years from issue and is renewed in two-year periods while an investment requirement is maintained.

### How long does the Golden Visa · €500k research take to process?

AIMA must decide a residence permit application within 90 days, extendable by 30 days in exceptional cases; renewals within 60 days.

### Can I work on the Golden Visa · €500k research?

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

### Can I bring my family on the Golden Visa · €500k research?

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.

### Who can apply for the Golden Visa · €500k research?

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.

### Does the Golden Visa · €500k research lead to permanent residence in Portugal?

Time on the Golden Visa · €500k (≈ $559,000) research counts toward permanent residence in Portugal, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Golden Visa · €500k (≈ $559,000) research counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

### How are Golden Visa · €500k research holders taxed in Portugal?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Golden Visa · €500k (≈ $559,000) research. The standard rules apply: Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income, at progressive rates from 12.5% up to 48% on the 2026 brackets set by the 2026 State Budget (Lei 73-A/2025: first bracket up to EUR 8,342, (≈ $9,320) top rate above EUR 86,634 (≈ $96,800)), plus an additional solidarity rate of 2.5% on taxable income above EUR 80,000 (≈ $89,400) and 5% above EUR 250,000 (≈ $279,000); non-residents are taxed on Portuguese-source income.

## More in Portugal

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/working-holiday-youth-mobility/) [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) [D8 nomad (temporary stay)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-temporary-stay-remote-work/) [D7 passive income visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/retirement-own-income-visa/) [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) [D2 freelancer visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/independent-d2-89-1/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [Cultural activity permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/cultural-art90/)

## Investment visas elsewhere

[🇮🇹 Investor Visa · €1M donation](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/investor-philanthropy-1m/) [🇬🇷 Golden Visa · Heir of property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/golden-visa-inherited-property/) [🇫🇷 Talent · €300k investment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-economic-investment/) [🇨🇾 PR · €300k fund units](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/invest-fund-units/) [🇦🇱 Strategic investor residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/strategic-investor-permanent/) [🇲🇪 Property owner residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/property-owner/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Residence Authorization for Investment Activity (ARI), Art. 90-A](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-investimento-art-90-o-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](https://www.pgdlisboa.pt/leis/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=920&tabela=leis) · Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated legislation) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AIMA table of fees for residence and stay procedures (Portaria 307/2023 as consolidated, in force from 1 March 2026)](https://aima.gov.pt/documents/tabela-de-taxas-e-demais-encargos-a-cobrar-pelos-procedimentos-administrativos.pdf) · Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [AIMA family reunification, Article 98(2) in Portugal](https://aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/reagrupamento-familiar-com-familiar-em-territorio-nacional-art-98-o-n-o-2) · AIMA · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 of 18 May (amends the Nationality Law, Law 37/81)](https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/1s/2026/05/09500/0000200020.pdf) · Diário da República / Assembleia da República · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.