Portugal Citizenship by Investment: Your Complete Guide for 2026

Portugal Citizenship by Investment in a Nutshell

Foreign nationals must first obtain residency, often through programs like the Golden Visa program or family reunification, and become eligible for citizenship after five years of legal residence. There is no direct Portugal citizenship by investment program.

As a foreigner, you get a temporary Portuguese residence permit that can be converted into permanent residency. Permanent residence (PR) is different from Portugal citizenship. A PR allows you to live and work in Portugal indefinitely, but it can be revoked.

A Portuguese citizenship cannot be revoked and provides a Portuguese passport. As a legal citizen, you can access all public sector jobs and can vote in national and European elections.

So, the first step of the immigration process is to choose a pathway that best suits your needs and grants you a temporary residency permit. You hold the permit for at least five years of continuous legal residence before applying for permanent residency. After meeting certain requirements, you can become eligible for obtaining citizenship in Portugal through naturalization.

⚠️ Portuguese Nationality Law Update: October 2025

On 28 October 2025, Portugal's parliament approved key amendments to the Portuguese Nationality Law. This includes increasing the residency requirements for citizenship from five to ten years - and to seven years for EU citizens and CPLP nationals. This is a significant change that impacts how visa holders and residents can acquire citizenship. 

These changes are not yet law as they need to undergo Presidential review. The President may promulgate the law, issue a veto, or request a review by the Constitutional Court. The final text can still be amended to reflect any transitional provisions or potential grandfathering rules. Changes are not yet in effect, as the law will only become official once it is promulgated.

Read the latest updates on the Portugeuse Nationality Law.

Benefits of Portugal Citizenship by Investment

There are many advantages that come from being a Portuguese citizen. These include:

• Schengen access: As a citizen of Portugal, you get visa-free travel to over 180 countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solution (GCS), the Portuguese passport ranks 28^th, for its mobility and investment potential.
• EU rights: You can live, work, and study freely in any country in the European Union. As a citizen, you have the right to vote in national and European elections, and run for public office.
• Extensive social security system: Portugal’s welfare system provides unemployment benefits, pensions, family benefits, and social assistance. The world-class public healthcare system (SNS) offers universal coverage to legal residents and citizens.
• Safety: Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, with relatively low crime rates, ranking 7^th in the Global Peace Index for 2025.
• Dual citizenship: Portugal allows for dual citizenship, which means you can become a dual citizen without having to renounce your original nationality.

What are the Portuguese citizenship investment options in 2026?

Although there is no direct citizenship by investment program in Portugal, the country offers various immigration programs that provide residency, which can eventually lead to citizenship. The main pathway is through residency by investment (RBI) in Portugal’s Golden Visa.

The Portugal Golden Visa program requires you to make a qualifying investment. You then maintain that legal residence for at least five years, after which you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship through naturalization.

Here are the available investment options for RBI through the Portuguese Golden Visa:

Golden Visa investment funds

You need a minimum investment of €500,000 to qualify for the Portuguese investment funds. The qualifying funds must be regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).

The Portuguese fund investment route is best for investors who want a hands-off approach to securing a path to permanent residency, rather than managing a business.

Since 2023, property investments no longer qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa. Real estate investments were removed from the eligibility criteria. Before the Golden Visa changes were implemented, buying property in Portugal qualified for residency, which, in five years, provided a pathway to citizenship. The main reason these changes were implemented was to encourage investment in other sectors and promote regional development.

Scientific research

You can invest in the Portugal Golden Visa by donating at least €500,000 in scientific research and technology. Portugal’s national research system provides a list of qualifying research institutions that investors can choose from.

Qualifying institutions must be part of Portugal’s R&D system, such as public universities, private labs, and projects that support innovation.

Golden Visa arts and culture

With €250,000 investment, you can support the Portuguese arts, cultural production, or heritage preservation through the Portugal Golden Visa program. However, you can also get a 20 percent discount and reduce the threshold to €200,000 by investing in low-density areas in Portugal.

Company set-up option

If you want to manage a business and boost the local economy, you can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa program.

The minimum investment requirements vary from €350,000 to €500,000, depending on the region and business type. The investment can go into a new or existing business and include equipment, capital, or other assets that benefit that company.

You must create and maintain at least five full-time jobs for three years.

Check our guide to know whether you can buy property in Portugal and get citizenship.

Job creation

If you don’t use the €500,000 company investment route, you can qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa by creating at least 10 full-time jobs. The job-creation requirement is lower in low-density areas, at eight full-time jobs.

For more information, check our guide for starting a business in Portugal.

Portugal's Citizenship by Investment Eligibility Requirements

Portugal citizenship by investment programs are different from those of many other countries. Since there is no citizenship in Portugal by investment, your eligibility requirements vary based on the immigration program you select.

For example, if you choose the Portugal Golden Visa program, you must provide a qualifying investment, have a clean criminal record, and demonstrate basic Portuguese language proficiency. You must also pay taxes in Portugal for any income you earn inside the country.

Who can apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal?

To apply for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Have a clean criminal record
• Be a non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss citizen
• Make a qualifying investment
• Spend at least seven days in Portugal during your first year, and at least 14 days each year for the following two years to keep your residence card valid

Portugal Golden Visa eligibility criteria

Portuguese language requirements for citizenship

As a main applicant for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must show basic proficiency in Portuguese. That means you need to pass a test or show proof of an A2 level based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To obtain a passing grade, you must understand basic Portuguese, use it regularly, and sign paperwork with the Portuguese bureaucracy.

Getting a Portuguese tax identification number

The NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is your tax identification number in Portugal. It is a unique identifier assigned by the Portuguese tax authorities and is essential for several transactions, such as opening a bank account, buying property, signing a contract, and paying taxes.

You can apply for an NIF by attending an appointment at the local tax office (Finanças), citizen shop, or at a counter that provides the Citizen Card. When you appoint a legal representative, such as a lawyer or an accountant, they will also apply for it on your behalf. For more information, check our article on how to get a Portugal NIF.

Opening a Portuguese bank account

You’ll need to open a Portuguese bank account to apply for the residency by investment. Although it is not strictly mandatory, you can use your local bank account to transfer funds and prove your capital investment.

Portugal Citizenship by Investment Application Process and Timeline

From the moment you submit the application online to the biometric appointment, the average processing time is 18 months for residency by investment via Portugal’s Golden Visa. However, since the AIMA (Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo) is facing backlogs, the approval time can take over 39 months.

How long does it take to get citizenship by investment in Portugal?

While there isn’t a direct EU citizenship by investment in Portugal, for each of the non-investment residency options, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years. This process is known as citizenship by naturalization.

How much does Portugal citizenship by investment cost?

Even though you cannot directly purchase Portuguese nationality by investment, you can apply for citizenship after five years of holding your investment. The amount you invest depends on the investment amount you choose from the Golden Visa. To qualify for citizenship, you must remain in the country for at least seven days per year and pass the Portuguese language test.

Naturalization and Other Non-Investment Paths to Portugal Citizenship

There are other ways to get Portuguese residency, these include:

• D7 Visa (Passive Income Visa): If you prefer to retire or have a stable income (€11,040 per year for a single applicant), then the D7 Visa can be an excellent choice. It is designed for people with income from pensions, investments, rental properties, or remote work. It allows you to live in Portugal if you can financially support yourself and your dependents.
• Family reunification: If you already have close family members living in Portugal, you could apply for Portuguese residency.
• D8 Visa (Digital Nomad Visa): If you are a remote worker or a digital nomad with a monthly income of at least €3,680, you can move to Portugal via the D8 Visa. It is a great choice for anyone with a monthly income that’s at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which is €920 as of 2026.
• Portugal Startup Visa: If you are a non-EU founder, then the D2 Visa may be for you. It is perfect for professionals with an innovative and scalable business plan.
• Portuguese citizenship by descent: If you have Portuguese parents, grandparents, or a spouse, you may get residency, which can lead to a faster citizenship process.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.

Why choose Goldcrest?

• Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
• Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
• Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
• Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
• Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.