The world's most flexible residency. 7 days per year.
Pathway to one of Europe's most powerful passports.
Portugal's Golden Visa requires just 7 days of physical presence in year one and 14 days every two years thereafter. For internationally mobile families who want EU residency on their terms, no programme on earth comes close. Aegir Global manages the entire process from your home country.
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Key Fact Regarding Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal has held the top position in global residency advisory for good reason. A unique combination of Atlantic lifestyle, political stability, EU membership, and one of the most respected passports in the world — with almost no presence requirement whatsoever.
€250,000 (arts/cultural donation) / €500,000 (fund or research)
12–24 months (government processing backlog exists; we will advise on current timelines at consultation)
2-year initial permit, renewable in 2-year increments
7 days in year 1; 14 days per subsequent 2-year period
Spouse, children, dependent parents and in-laws
Yes, full Schengen zone
Subject to recent legislative changes. See Tax & Financial section below.
Why Portugal Commands a Premium
Four Active Routes
Portugal's Golden Visa real estate route closed in October 2023 and is no longer available. The programme now operates four qualifying investment categories.
- Investment into a qualifying Portuguese venture capital or private equity fund regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).
- This is the most commonly used active route and the one Aegir Global most frequently advises for HNW clients.
- The investment must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.
- Establishment or reinforcement of a commercial company with headquarters in Portugal, combined with the creation of a minimum of 5 permanent jobs.
- This route suits clients with existing business operations who wish to establish a genuine European operating presence.
- A donation to a qualifying arts production, maintenance, or cultural heritage restoration entity in Portugal.
- This is the lowest-cost entry point currently available and the only route with a sub-€500,000 threshold.
- Qualifying recipients include entities managed by public services of arts and heritage. Subject to availability of qualifying projects; discuss at consultation.
- Investment into a research activity conducted by public or private scientific research institutions that are part of the national scientific and technological system.
- This route suits clients with interests in the life sciences, technology, or academic sectors.
What Your Permit Covers
A 2-year initial permit, renewable in 2-year increments, with almost no physical presence obligations and full Schengen zone travel rights from day one.
2-year initial residence permit, renewable in 2-year increments
Minimum 5-year investment maintenance period required
7 days physical presence required in Portugal in year one; 14 days per 2-year renewal cycle thereafter
Full Schengen zone travel rights across 26 countries
Permit extended to spouse and all children regardless of age in education or financial dependency
Dependent parents and in-laws of both the applicant and spouse included
Access to Portuguese public healthcare and education for family members who establish actual residence
Citizenship pathway available after 5 years, subject to recent legislative changes
How the Application Works
- We review your nationality, family structure, investment objectives, and timeline. We advise on the optimal investment route given your financial profile and the current state of processing timelines.
- You require a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account. Aegir Global coordinates this remotely on your behalf via power of attorney arrangements, meaning you do not need to travel to Portugal at this stage.
- We coordinate the qualifying investment: fund, business, or donation entity. We verify all investment documentation, compliance requirements, and confirmation documentation for the application.
- Your completed application is submitted to the Portuguese immigration authority. We manage all correspondence, respond to requests for additional documentation, and track your position in the processing queue.
- Once your application reaches the scheduling stage, we arrange your biometric appointment in Portugal. This is the primary point at which you will travel. Family members complete biometrics in a coordinated appointment sequence.
- Your 2-year permit is issued. We immediately schedule your renewal calendar and minimum presence obligations so that your residency timeline stays on track throughout the 5-year pathway to permanent residency.
Tax Positioning for Portugal Residents
IFICI Non-Habitual Resident Successor
Portugal replaced its original Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime with the IFICI scheme at the start of 2024. IFICI applies a 20% flat tax on qualifying professional income for new tax residents in specified high-value fields, including technology, research and development, and certain professional services. For Golden Visa holders who do not become Portuguese tax residents (fewer than 183 days a year), IFICI does not apply. The program's residency rights are entirely separate from tax residency.
Treaty Network
Portugal holds tax treaties with over 80 countries, including the UAE, China, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. They govern how your home-country income is treated if you become a Portuguese tax resident.
Important Note on the Citizenship Pathway
As of April 2026, the Portuguese Parliament has approved a measure extending the citizenship eligibility period from 5 to 10 years for most non-EU nationals. It awaits presidential signature and is not yet in force. The formal standard remains 5 years for now, but it may change. We give updated guidance on the applicable standard at the time of each client's citizenship application, and we do not commit to a fixed timeline until the legislative position is confirmed.
Your residency situation is specific. The advice you receive should be too.
A free, confidential consultation gives us the information we need to assess your options accurately.
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Roberta Wende Client Coordinator
Your Portugal Residency Specialists
Eduardo Sousa Ferreira
Portugal Programme Director
Natasha Kovalenko
Senior Advisor, CIS and Eastern European Desk
James Whitfield
Fund Investment Specialist
Questions About the Portugal Golden Visa
No. The real estate investment route was officially closed in October 2023 and is not available for new applications. Existing approved applications made before the cutoff are unaffected. All new applicants must use one of the four current routes: fund investment, business creation, arts/cultural donation, or research investment.
The Portuguese immigration authority has operated with a significant processing backlog since the volume of applications increased substantially after 2020. Processing times have improved but remain longer than most comparable European programmes. Aegir Global monitors current queue positions and will advise on realistic timelines at your consultation.
No. The 7-day and 14-day thresholds are far below the 183-day threshold that typically triggers tax residency. The overwhelming majority of Portugal golden visa holders do not become Portuguese tax residents and therefore do not fall under Portuguese personal income tax rules. Your home country tax position remains unchanged unless you choose to relocate.
This is the most active question we receive on the Portugal programme as of April 2026. A measure extending the citizenship eligibility period from 5 to 10 years for most non-EU nationals passed parliament but is awaiting presidential signature. The current statutory standard is 5 years, but this may change. We will not commit to a specific citizenship timeline until the position is legally confirmed. We will advise each client individually as the situation develops.
Qualifying investment funds are commercial vehicles and carry standard investment risk. The investment is not a government bond or guaranteed instrument. Fund managers are regulated by the Portuguese securities authority. Aegir Global recommends clients review full fund documentation with their financial advisors before committing. The fund investment serves a dual purpose: qualifying for residency and generating a potential financial return. But the return is not guaranteed.