Residence in Portugal: Pick the Route That Fits Your Money, Your Work and Your Family
You want a home base in Portugal, and you want to know which route fits you. Portugal has an investment route, an income route and a business route, each with its own rules. Real estate is not an official route for the Golden Visa.
Compare the three routes
| Golden Visa (investment) | Passive income | Independent work and entrepreneur | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Investment residence | Income-based | Business route |
| Money | From EUR 250,000 invested | Regular income, no investment | Means from a contract, or investment proof for entrepreneurs |
| Who it suits | You can invest and want family cover | You have steady income from property, assets or a pension | You run or will start an independent activity or business |
| Key rule | 7 days in year one, then 14 per two-year period | Based on the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 920 a month | Documents depend on the consulate checklist |
| Page | Golden Visa | Passive income | Independent work and entrepreneur |
How the income test works. Portugal's means of subsistence rule uses the minimum monthly salary, EUR 920 for 2026 (Decree 139/2025), net of social security deductions. The first adult counts 100%, each other adult 50%, and children and dependent young people 30%.
What the consulate asks for. All four visa types need the national visa form, two photos, a passport valid 3 months beyond the return date, travel insurance, a criminal record certificate with an Apostille, and proof of financial resources. Passive income adds a document certifying revenue from property, intellectual or financial assets. Retirement adds a document certifying the pension amount. Entrepreneurs add evidence of investment operations executed, proof of means available in Portugal and proof of intent to invest. Independent work adds a service contract or written proposal. The visa is valid for 4 months with two entries, and then you apply to AIMA for the residence permit.
Setting up a business instead? Read Open a company in Portugal as a foreigner for the registry fees, the NIF and the deadlines after registration.
Portugal Golden Visa: is it right for you?
An honest answer before you move funds.
| A good fit if | Consider another route if |
|---|---|
| You want to live and work in Portugal and travel the Schengen Area without a visa | You want to buy a home and have it count for the visa: real estate is not an official route |
| You can document where your funds come from | Your funds cannot be documented |
| You can visit Portugal for 7 days in year one and 14 days in each later two-year period | You want citizenship soon: the clock is 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities |
| You want your spouse, children and dependent parents covered | You do not want your money tied to a fund or company investment |
Not sure Portugal is the best fit? Compare all European routes, or use Find my program and we match your goals to the right one.
Portugal Golden Visa: what you need
You need a qualifying investment, a clean record, health cover and a tax number. AIMA also asks for proof of legal entry and stay and for your passport.
Full details, with the official source for each rule, are on the Portugal Golden Visa page.
Portugal Golden Visa: what it costs
The investment is EUR 250,000 or more. The government fees below sit on top. Set both against the cost of a wrong start: a file built on a route that no longer qualifies, repeated fees and a delayed move.
| Step | Table rate | With the 25% digital-channel reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis of the request (grant or renewal, including the family request) | EUR 842.80 | EUR 632.10 |
| Grant of the investment residence permit | EUR 8,418.90 | EUR 6,314.20 |
| Renewal of the investment residence permit | EUR 4,210.30 | EUR 3,157.80 |
| Permit for each family member joining you: grant | EUR 8,418.90 | EUR 6,314.20 |
| Permit for each family member: renewal | EUR 4,210.30 | EUR 3,157.80 |
| Permanent residence for an investment permit holder or family member: grant | EUR 11,786.70 | EUR 8,840.00 |
| Permanent residence: renewal | EUR 5,894.10 | EUR 4,420.70 |
Source: AIMA fee table under Portaria 307/2023, point XIV, read 22 October 2026. The table applies a 25% reduction to requests filed through the digital channel, and says the same 25% reduction applies to in-person requests until the digital channel is available. It also lists a 10% reduction for assisted in-person service. AIMA updates the table, and your partner checks it on the day you file.
Not included here:Processing time depends on the authority and on how complete your file is.Three steps from your first answers to your permit.
- Step 1: Find your route. Use Find my program. You get a shortlist of routes and a cost view for your family in a few minutes.
- Step 2: We do the heavy lifting. We qualify your case and check your funds, family and documents. When your case is qualified, we bring in the right local partner, who registers you on the ARI Portal and files. You move the funds into the route you chose.
- Step 3: Your permit in hand. AIMA decides, family requests follow yours, and you keep the investment, meet the stay rule and renew on time.
Processing time depends on the authority and on how complete your file is. Waiting depends on the agency's workload.
Portugal Passive Income Residence: is it right for you?
An honest answer before you move funds.
| A good fit if | Consider another route if |
|---|---|
| You earn regular income from property, intellectual or financial assets, or a pension | You want to work for a Portuguese employer: this route rests on passive income |
| You can document that income | Your income is irregular or cannot be documented |
| You can take out the insurance the portal asks for | You want a route with a long fixed investment: see the Golden Visa |
| You want residence without an investment | You want citizenship soon: residence is the first step only |
Not sure Portugal is the best fit? Compare all European routes, or use Find my program and we match your goals to the right one.
Portugal Passive Income Residence: what you need
You need proof of passive income or a pension, travel insurance, a clean record and proof of financial resources. The Portuguese visa portal lists the documents below.
Full details, with the official source for each rule, are on the Portugal Passive Income Residence page.
Portugal Passive Income Residence: what it costs
You pay no investment, and the government fees for the visa and the permit are set by Portugal. The fee pages for this route were checked case by case for this page, and your partner checks them before you file.
| Item | What we have verified |
|---|---|
| Income test | EUR 920 a month base for 2026, with the percentages above |
| Visa | Valid 4 months, two entries |
| Professional fees | Agreed with the local partner |
Source: Portugal national visa portal (means of subsistence and necessary documentation pages).
Status: what changed and when
Reviewed 22 October 2026. Sources: AIMA, Portugal national visa portal, Diario da Republica.
- Golden Visa: no real estate route in AIMA's list.
- Naturalisation: 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities, 7 for Portuguese-speaking and EU nationals, under Lei Organica 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026.
- Means of subsistence: based on the EUR 920 minimum wage for 2026.
Portugal Golden Visa: after you have the permit
You keep the permit by keeping the investment, visiting the required days and renewing on time. Renewal also depends on proof of means of subsistence, accommodation, regular tax and social security, and no relevant criminal conviction.
Full details, with the official source for each rule, are on the Portugal Golden Visa page.
Portugal Passive Income Residence: after you have the permit
You keep the permit by keeping the income and renewing on time. Renewal also depends on accommodation, regular tax and social security, and no relevant criminal conviction.
Full details, with the official source for each rule, are on the Portugal Passive Income Residence page.
How Portugal compares with other routes
These are the closest alternatives to the Portugal route. The money column shows the lowest qualifying route, in the currency of each programme, so it does not move with exchange rates. Use the family cost calculator for your household.
| Programme | Money you need | Type | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal Golden Visa (this page) | EUR 250,000 (culture and heritage route); other routes start at EUR 500,000 | Investment | The Portugal Golden Visa is a temporary residence permit that starts at EUR 250,000 in a qualifying investment. |
| Portugal Passive Income Visa (this page) | No investment; income of EUR 920 a month for the first adult (2026 test) | Income or retirement | A residence visa for people who live on passive income or a pension, with the income test set on the 2026 minimum wage. |
| Greece Golden Visa | EUR 250,000 (listed building or conversion); EUR 400,000 or EUR 800,000 for other property | Investment | The Greece Golden Visa is a residence permit for investors who buy qualifying real estate, from EUR 400,000 or EUR 800,000 by area, and from EUR 250,000 for listed buildings and conversions. |
| Spain Non-Lucrative Visa | No investment; income of EUR 28,800 a year (2026 test) | Income or retirement | The non-lucrative visa asks for means of 400% of Spain's public income indicator, which is EUR 28,800 a year in 2026, and it bans all work, including remote work. |
| Malta Permanent Residence Programme | Capital assets of EUR 500,000 or EUR 650,000, a qualifying property and government fees | Investment | The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) asks for an administration fee, a government contribution, a qualifying property, capital assets and a small donation. |
Why Portugal's rules need a date on them
Portugal's rules have moved more than most guides admit: a route list that lost real estate, a nationality law rewritten in 2026 and a visa portal that names routes differently from the brochures. We read each one on the official page and date it.
Which route fits your family?
Answer eight short questions and the finder ranks all 17 residence programmes against your goals, funds and family. You see your shortlist and the cost for your family first, and a form only if you want it emailed with a fact sheet.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases. 3rd generation in the immigration industry. We bring in qualified local partners in each country, so you deal with one accountable team from first question to filing.
One point of contact
We qualify your case first, then bring in the right local partner. You deal with us throughout.
A strategy built for your family
We match routes to your goals, funds and family, not a template.
Application accuracy
Document and source-of-funds review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track rule, fee and regulator changes across every program for you.
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From your first question to your permit in hand, we guide every step.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Portugal route is cheapest to start?
The Golden Visa starts at EUR 250,000. The passive income route needs no investment but needs regular income at a level set from the minimum wage.
Can I buy property for the Golden Visa?
No. AIMA’s list of qualifying routes has no real estate route.
Do these routes lead to citizenship?
Residence comes first. Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities, or 7 for Portuguese-speaking and EU nationals, plus a language and culture test and the other conditions of the Nationality Law.
Who files my application?
We qualify your case and stay your point of contact. When your case is qualified, we bring in a local partner who files.
How much do I need to invest?
The lowest amount is EUR 250,000 for the culture and heritage route. Research, fund and company routes start at EUR 500,000, and the job creation route sets no amount but needs at least 10 jobs.
Can I work in Portugal?
Yes. AIMA lists the right to live and work in Portugal among the rights of an investment permit holder.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse, children up to 17, unmarried children aged 18 to 25 who study, and dependent parents can be included. Minor siblings under your legal guardianship can also be included.
How much income do I need?
The base is the 2026 minimum monthly salary of EUR 920, net of social security deductions. The first adult counts 100%, each further adult 50% and each child or dependent young person 30%.
Can I work in Portugal on this visa?
This route rests on passive income. Your partner sets out the work rights for your case before you commit.
Does it lead to citizenship?
Residence comes first. Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence for most nationalities, or 7 for Portuguese-speaking and EU nationals, under the rule in force since 19 May 2026.
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Last reviewed: 22 October 2026 · Last updated: 22 October 2026
