Portugal's Golden Visa (ARI) is one of Europe's most popular residency by investment programmes. It requires as little as 7 days per year of physical presence in Portugal while providing full Schengen zone access and a direct path to Portuguese citizenship — and one of the world's strongest passports — after 5 years.
⚠️ Real Estate Route Closed
Effective October 2023, real estate purchases no longer qualify for the Golden Visa. The remaining qualifying routes are investment fund contributions and job creation / business investment.
Available Routes (2026)
- Investment Fund (€500,000): Qualifying Portuguese venture capital or private equity fund — by far the most popular current route
- Business Creation (€500,000): Investment in an existing business + maintaining 5+ jobs for 3 years
- Job Creation: Establishing a company that creates at least 10 jobs in Portugal
Tax — NHR 2.0 (IFICI Regime)
Portugal replaced the original NHR (Non-Habitual Residency) regime with IFICI (Incentivo Fiscal à Captação de Residentes) in 2024. Key points:
- 20% flat rate on Portuguese-sourced qualifying income for 10 years
- Available to new residents who have not been Portuguese tax residents in the prior 5 years
- Targeted sectors: science, R&D, innovation, qualified skilled professions
- Certain foreign-sourced income may remain exempt — verify with a Portuguese tax advisor
Quality of Life
Portugal consistently ranks among the world's best countries for quality of life, safety, and expat friendliness. Lisbon and Porto are vibrant, affordable European capitals with thriving digital nomad communities. The Algarve remains one of Europe's most desirable coastal destinations.