Portugal Golden Visa from Dubai
Portugal Golden Visa from $559,000, with Schengen access.Popular, but expect long delays and a 10 year citizenship path.
Portugal’s Golden Visa (ARI) gives residence to investors who put at least about $559,000 (EUR 500,000) into qualifying Portuguese investment funds or choose another approved route. Property no longer qualifies. The immigration agency AIMA has a large backlog, and since May 2026 citizenship takes 10 years for most nationalities.
- Main route about $559,000 in regulated funds held 5 years, culture donation from about $279,500
- Stay only 7 days in the first year, then 14 days in each 2 year period
- About 46,000 golden visa files were pending in October 2026, so plan for years, not months
Two big changes in 2026: a 10 year citizenship rule and higher fees.
Portugal’s new nationality law (Organic Law 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026) raised the residence period for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most nationalities, counted from when your first card is issued. AIMA fees rose by about 9% from 1 March 2026, and the government told parliament in October 2026 that about 46,000 golden visa files were still pending. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything.
Up to 90 days in any 180 in the other Schengen countries once your card is issued.
Live in Portugal as long as you like.
7 days in the first year, then 14 days in each 2 year period, to keep the permit.
A European residence permit does not change UK or US visa rules. If your passport needs a UK or US visa today, it still will.
Portugal Golden Visa at a Glance
- Programme
- Residence permit for investment activity (ARI, Golden Visa), managed by AIMA
- Fund route
- About $559,000 (EUR 500,000) in Portuguese regulated investment funds that do not invest in real estate, held 5 years
- Culture route
- About $279,500 (EUR 250,000), or about $223,600 (EUR 200,000) in low density areas
- Research route
- About $559,000 (EUR 500,000), or about $447,200 (EUR 400,000) in low density areas
- Business routes
- About $559,000 in company capital plus 5 permanent jobs, or a company creating 10 jobs
- Property
- No longer qualifies since October 2023
- Government fees
- About $7,800 to $10,400 per person for the first card in 2026, depending on whether the reduced online rate applies
- Permit
- First card for 2 years, then renewals
- Minimum stay
- 7 days in year one, then 14 days in each 2 year period
- Family
- Spouse or partner, minor children, dependent students aged 18 to 25 and dependent parents
- Processing
- Long backlog. A survey of investors in 2026 found an average wait of about 50 months.
- Citizenship
- 10 years from the first card for most nationalities
Portugal Golden Visa Changes in 2025 and 2026
- Organic Law 1/2026 (published 18 May 2026, in force 19 May 2026) raised the citizenship residence period to 10 years for most nationalities, after the Constitutional Court struck down parts of an earlier version in December 2025.
- Time for citizenship now counts from when the first card is issued, not from the application date.
- AIMA fees rose by about 9% from 1 March 2026, and renewals have been online since 16 February 2026.
- Golden visa families are exempt from the new 2 year wait for family reunification under Law 61/2025.
- The investment amounts did not change. Talk of raising the fund minimum has not become law.
How to Apply for the Portugal Golden Visa from Dubai
- Eligibility check. Nationality, source of funds, family and how long you can wait.
- Portuguese tax number and bank account. A Portuguese lawyer can arrange both remotely.
- Invest. Subscribe to a qualifying fund regulated by the Portuguese securities regulator (CMVM), or make the donation or business investment.
- Online application to AIMA. Your lawyer files the application and pays the analysis fee.
- Biometrics in Portugal. AIMA schedules an appointment for fingerprints. This is where most of the waiting happens.
- Card issued. Then renew while you keep the investment and meet the stay rule.
Portugal Golden Visa Costs and Fees
- Investment
- From about $559,000 in funds, see above
- AIMA first card
- About $7,800 to $10,400 per person, family members included
- Renewals
- Several thousand dollars per person at each renewal
- Lawyer
- Firms report about $5,600 to $11,200 per couple, plus VAT
- Fund fees
- Set by each fund. Ask for subscription, management and exit fees in writing.
- Not included
- Travel to Portugal, translations, health insurance and our fee
Amounts are set in euros by law. USD figures use the European Central Bank rate of 3 November 2026 (1 EUR = 1.1179 USD) and are rounded, so the dollar amount you pay will move with the exchange rate.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa Investment Refundable?
Fund route: you own fund units. The value is not guaranteed and your money is locked for the fund’s term, often longer than the 5 year minimum.
AIMA fees are not refunded, and a donation is not refundable.
Who Can Be Included in the Portugal Golden Visa
- Your spouse or partner
- Minor children
- Children aged 18 to 25 who study and depend on you
- Dependent parents of you or your spouse
Each family member pays the same AIMA fees as the investor.
Does the Portugal Golden Visa Lead to Permanent Residence or Citizenship?
Permanent residence is possible after 5 years from the first card, with A2 Portuguese.
Citizenship now needs 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities, counted from the first card. With a 2 to 3 year wait for the card, that can mean 12 years or more from investing to a passport. The government told parliament in May 2026 that some consultants had misled investors about how fast a passport would come.
Portugal Golden Visa Risks to Weigh Before You Decide
- Backlog. Waits of several years are common, and investors have taken legal action over delays.
- Longer path to a passport. 10 years from the first card for most nationalities.
- Fund risk. No guaranteed return and a long lock up.
- Repeat fees. High AIMA fees for every family member at every stage.
- Rule changes. Portugal has changed the programme several times since 2023.
Portugal Compared With Other Residency Routes
How Visa Doctor Will Help
Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone). We are not a government authorised agent for any programme, and we do not sell property or fund units or take investment money.
We explain the rules, the backlog and the real costs honestly, check your eligibility and documents and, if you decide to proceed, help you reach an independent Portuguese lawyer who files with AIMA. You choose and contract any fund directly. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything. We never promise approval, which belongs to the government involved.
Portugal Golden Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Portugal Golden Visa cost?
The main route is EUR 500,000 (about $559,000) in qualifying Portuguese investment funds, held for 5 years. A culture or heritage donation starts at EUR 250,000 (about $279,500), or EUR 200,000 in low density areas. AIMA fees in 2026 are about $7,800 to $10,400 per person for the first card. Lawyer and fund fees and our fee are extra, and Visa Doctor gives its fee in writing before you pay anything.
Can I buy property for the Portugal Golden Visa?
No. Real estate purchases stopped qualifying in October 2023, and funds used for the golden visa cannot invest in real estate.
Does the Portugal Golden Visa allow Schengen travel?
Yes, once the card is issued you can travel to the other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 day period.
How long does the Portugal Golden Visa take?
Much longer than advertised. About 46,000 golden visa files were pending in October 2026, a survey of investors found an average wait of about 50 months, and newer files are reported at 18 to 24 months just to reach the biometrics appointment.
How many days must I spend in Portugal?
7 days in the first year and 14 days in each 2 year period after that.
How long until Portuguese citizenship?
Under Organic Law 1/2026, in force from 19 May 2026, citizenship needs 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities (7 for EU and Portuguese speaking countries), counted from when your first card is issued.
Who can be included?
Your spouse or partner, minor children, children aged 18 to 25 who study and depend on you, and dependent parents of you or your spouse.
Is Visa Doctor a licensed agent for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Portugal does not license golden visa agents. Applications are filed with AIMA, usually by a Portuguese lawyer. Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01) and is not a government authorised agent for any programme.
Sources and Last Check
Last checked 4 November 2026. Sources: the Portuguese Ministry of Justice notice on the new nationality law; AIMA’s ARI research route guide and fee table; reporting on the October 2026 backlog figures given to parliament and the March 2026 fee increase; and the ECB euro reference rate. This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.
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