Independent index: figures taken from official tariffs, not from agents
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The most requested route in the index

Portugal residence
by investment

Full cost including government fees and legal work, realistic timelines, and the firms that actually run this programme.

Investment from
€250,000
Time to status
12–18 mo.
Stay requirement
7 days a year
Citizenship after
10 years

Three ways to qualify

Direct residential property purchase was removed from the programme in 2023. What remains is funds, cultural heritage and research. A fourth route — creating ten jobs — requires no contribution but does require an operating business in the country.

ROUTE
AMOUNT
WHAT TO KNOW
Cultural heritage support
AMOUNT€250,000
Cheapest entry. The contribution is non-refundable and generates no return.
Investment fund units
AMOUNT€500,000
Capital is returned after 6–8 years; fund yields range from 3 to 10% a year.
Scientific research
AMOUNT€500,000
Contribution to accredited research institutions, also non-refundable.

What the full cost consists of

The investment itself is roughly 85% of the budget. The rest is government fees per family member plus legal work. The calculator on the right adds it up.

COST ITEM
RATE
APPLIES TO
AIMA application processing
RATE€632.10
per applicant
Residence card issuance
RATE€6,314.20
per applicant
Legal representation
RATE€12,000
per family, market average
Renewal, every 2 years
RATE€3,157
per person, not in the quote

How the process runs

01
Tax number and bank account
The NIF and a Portuguese bank account can be arranged remotely under power of attorney. Two to six weeks.
02
Making the investment
Transfer to the fund or the recipient of the contribution. The bank checks the source of funds — the most common cause of delay.
03
Filing with AIMA
Online, together with every family member. The filing date starts the five-year clock to citizenship.
04
Biometrics in Portugal
An in-person visit for every family member over six. Appointment queues are the main reason the process stretches to 18 months.
05
Receiving the residence cards
Cards are valid for two years, then renewed for three. The clock toward citizenship now starts from the date your first residence card is issued.

A good fit if

You want EU status without moving — seven days a year in the country is enough.
You have a five-year horizon and want an EU passport by naturalisation.
You want your capital back: funds suit those unwilling to make a non-refundable gift.
You have children — they join one application and study in the EU at local rates.

A poor fit if

You need a result within months — this takes a year at minimum, usually longer.
Your budget caps out around €200,000 once all side costs are counted.
You need visa-free entry to the US: Portuguese residence does not provide it.
Your source of funds is hard to document — the bank will stop you at step one.

Who runs this programme

Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.

This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.

Frequent questions

Do you have to live in Portugal?

Seven days in the first year and fourteen in each subsequent two-year period. It is one of the mildest requirements in Europe, though citizenship applications require basic Portuguese at A2 level.

Can you still buy property and get residence?

No. The direct residential purchase option closed in October 2023. Property exposure is available indirectly through funds, but such a fund may not invest in residential real estate directly.

How many years until citizenship?

As of 19 May 2026, ten years of lawful residence for applicants who are not EU or CPLP (Portuguese-speaking country) nationals — seven years for CPLP nationals such as Brazil or Angola. The clock now runs from the date your first residence card is issued, not from your application date as before. Source: Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026.

Who can be included in the application?

A spouse, children under 18, children under 26 if studying and financially dependent, and parents over 65. Each member pays fees separately; the investment amount does not increase.

What about taxes?

Residence alone does not make you a tax resident. Tax residency arises after 183 days a year in the country or with a permanent home there. The former NHR regime has been closed to new applicants since 2024.

Can Russian nationals be refused?

The programme is open to Russian and Belarusian citizens. The difficulty is rarely the application itself but bank compliance: the bank must accept your proof of source of funds. The firms listed above run a pre-check before filing.

Sources

Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.