Portugal does not have a citizenship-by-investment program; the Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program. However, the Portugal Investment Visa program offers a pathway to becoming eligible to apply for permanent residency and eventually to Portuguese citizenship. The program is known as one of the most popular residency-by-investment programs in Europe, as it leads to eligibility for citizenship after holding your investment for a certain number of years, with a minimum physical residency requirement of 7 days per year.
Applicants need to make a qualifying investment in Portugal. The minimum investment required for citizenship in Portugal is €500,000 for a fund investment or €200,000 for a cultural donation. to obtain Portuguese citizenship by investment. Therefore, the Portuguese Golden Visa stands as a strategic asset for those seeking flexibility, thanks to its flexible path to citizenship by investment.
May Update: Proposed Changes to Portugal Citizenship Law 2026
Portugal has proposed changes to its nationality law. The proposed changes include:
- Extending the citizenship timeline from 5 to 10 years
- Starting the counting period from the issuance of the residency card.
After several months of legislative and constitutional review, Parliament approved a revised version of the law on April 1, 2026, and the President signed it on May 3, 2026.
The law enters into force as of the date of publication in the Diário da República.
Key Takeaways for Investing in Portugal for Citizenship
- The path to Portuguese citizenship through the Portugal Golden Visa currently allows eligible investors to apply for citizenship after holding a valid residence permit for a certain number of years, meeting the minimum stay requirements, and obtaining an A2-level Portuguese language certificate. Historically, this period was 5 years. With the current changes, it increases to 10 years for most applicants and 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals.
- Portugal's Golden Visa residency requirement for citizenship is 7 days per year.
- As of October 2023, due to the “Mais Habitação Law,” you cannot obtain Portuguese citizenship through investment by purchasing property. Eligible investment options now include only fund investments, cultural donations, and company creation.
- Portugal allows dual citizenship, but you must also check whether your country of origin permits it. Otherwise, you must revoke your initial citizenship.
What to Discover in This Guide?
- How to Become a Portuguese Citizen by Investment in 2026?
- Overview of Portugal Citizenship by Investment
- What are the Benefits of Citizenship by Investment in Portugal
- Who Can Apply for Portugal Citizenship by Investment in 2026?
- Investment Options To Get Citizenship in Portugal in 2026
- Portuguese Citizenship by Investment Requirements
- Portugal Citizenship Application Process and Timeline
- How Much to Invest in Portugal to Get Citizenship
Is the Portugal Citizenship Timeline Extended to 10 Years?
Practically speaking, yes.
The revised nationality law has already been approved by Parliament and signed by the President. The final remaining step is its publication in the Diário da República for the law to formally enter into force.
Under the approved version, the minimum period for citizenship eligibility increases from 5 years to 10 years for most applicants, and to 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals.
For more details and updates on Portuguese nationality law and its impact on Portugal Investment Citizenship, please click here.
How to Become a Portuguese Citizen by Investment in 2026?
“Has anyone become a Portuguese citizen by investment through the Golden Visa program?”
This is one of the first questions we get from our clients. And rightfully so.
Until 2019, the answer was a big question mark. As of 2019, there have been numerous precedent-setting cases of individuals obtaining Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa program. Many families have begun to obtain Portuguese citizenship through investment. Check out the best citizenship-by-investment countries.
Although Portugal does not offer a direct citizenship-by-investment program, eligible Golden Visa holders may apply for Portuguese citizenship after meeting the applicable legal residence period and other nationality requirements.* To qualify for Portuguese citizenship by investment:
- You must meet the minimum stay requirements of the Golden Visa program
- Get Portuguese Language Certificate (A2 Level)
Under the revised nationality law approved by Parliament and signed by the President:
- A2-level Portuguese language proficiency (unchanged)
- A new civic knowledge test (covering Portuguese culture, rights, duties, and history)
- Formal declaration of adherence to democratic principles
- Clean criminal record (threshold reduced from three years to two years)
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
- No sanctions from the UN or EU
*Historically, eligibility for Portuguese citizenship has generally arisen after five years of legal residence. Under the revised nationality law approved in 2026, this period is expected to increase to ten years for most applicants and seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, once the law formally enters into force. As the implementation timeline and final details may evolve, applicants are advised to verify the latest information from official Portuguese government sources before applying.
Overview of Portugal Citizenship by Investment
Since 2012, Portugal has been an attractive destination for Golden Visa investors. One of the key attractions of the Portuguese Golden Visa program is that it may provide a pathway to permanent residency and, subject to the applicable nationality laws in force at the time of application, eventual citizenship. Once granted through eligible investment options, Portuguese Golden Visa holders can benefit from visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, the right to reside and work in Portugal, and the inclusion of their family.
In 2026, the available investment options under the Portuguese Golden Visa program include:
- €500,000 for fund investment
- €250,000 for cultural donation option, which can be reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas.
- €500,000 for scientific research
- Creation of 10 jobs
Investors have largely preferred the Portugal Golden Visa investment fund route since the removal of the real estate option in 2023. To support this claim, about €125.5 million was invested in funds, 45.5% higher than in 2023. In 2026, it continues to be one of the most popular Golden Visa investment routes among investors seeking diversification, residency rights, and a potential path to Portuguese citizenship.
By contrast, the Cultural Golden Visa option gained traction in recent years among those seeking affordability rather than capital preservation. However, investors should be aware that it is a donation with no opportunity to realize a return on investment.
What are the Benefits of Citizenship by Investment in Portugal
Obtaining Portuguese residency through investment, with the possibility of future citizenship eligibility subject to Portuguese nationality law, offers several advantages in 2026. Below, you may find the main advantages:
Minimum Physical Residency Requirement: 7 Days per Year
Most European residency and citizenship programs require the investor to spend most of the year in the host country. Portugal, on the other hand, only requires the Golden Visa applicants to spend an average of seven days per year in the country during the qualifying residence period.*
Let’s see some of the key eligibility criteria for Portuguese citizenship below:
- Meeting the minimum stay requirements under the Golden Visa program*
- Having a clean criminal record history
- Complying with applicable tax and legal obligations
- Passing the Portuguese language examination
When it comes to some of the required documents, here is what you need to apply for Portuguese citizenship and a subsequent Portuguese passport through the Golden Visa program:
- Complete the correct forms
- Provide a birth certificate, ID, or a valid passport from your home country
- Prove that you passed the required Portuguese language test (CIPLE)
- Include your clear criminal record certificate
- Get a document from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service, AIMA, to confirm that you completed the stay requirement as a Portuguese resident
* Historically, eligibility for Portuguese citizenship through legal residence has generally arisen after five years. Under the revised nationality law approved in 2026, this period is expected to increase to ten years for most applicants and seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, once the law formally enters into force. As implementation details and transitional rules may evolve, applicants should verify the latest requirements with official Portuguese authorities and their legal advisors before applying.
Family Reunification
In your Portuguese Golden Visa application, you can also include your eligible family members. These are:
- Spouse,
- Children under the age of 18,
- Dependent children above the age of 18, provided that they are full-time students, financially dependent in the main applicant, and not married,
- Parents of the main applicant, if over 65 years of age.
Variety of Investment Methods
There are numerous investment options available to obtain a Golden Visa in Portugal, while making a significant contribution to the Portuguese economy. These include:
- Investment funds
- Company creation
- Donation
You are free to choose the route that best suits you. We will briefly go through the investment options later in this article.
An Option with a Return Potential
Compared to other citizenship-by-investment programs, the minimum investment requirements are relatively affordable for the Portugal Golden Visa Program.
More importantly, Portugal’s economy has been robust over the past couple of years. It has been a sought-after destination for tourists and expats alike. Portugal has remained an attractive destination for international investors seeking residency rights, geographic diversification, and long-term lifestyle benefits. Investors are also drawn to Portugal’s stable business environment, international connectivity, and continued appeal among tourists, expats, and global families.
Certain qualifying investment funds may offer the potential for capital appreciation or distributions, although returns are not guaranteed and investment performance may vary. In 2026, eligible applicants may qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa through a €500,000 investment into qualifying Portuguese funds, among other available routes.
Access to Health Care and Social Security in Europe
Becoming a citizen of Portugal means you are entitled to all the benefits this European country offers. These include social security and health care.
The social security system in Portugal covers employees and self-employed individuals. It offers them various benefits, including:
- Unemployment benefits
- Occupational diseases benefits
- Invalidity benefits
- Maternity benefits
- Pension benefits
- Death benefits
As a citizen or resident of Portuguese territory, you can access healthcare in Portugal. The public health care system is strong, with few exceptions. These include visiting the emergency room or the family doctor, which has modest costs.
Keep in mind that while you’re a temporary resident in Portugal, you’ll need to have private insurance. The cost varies depending on the level of detail.
Who Can Apply for Portugal Citizenship by Investment in 2026?
It’s important to point out Portugal does not offer a citizenship by investment program. The Portugal Golden Visa program may lead to eligibility for Portuguese citizenship after the applicable legal residence period and fulfillment of other nationality requirements.
The main eligibility requirements for Portugal Golden Visa applicants generally include:
- Being a non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss national.
- Being at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
- A clean criminal record is required, both from the applicant’s country of residence and from Portugal.
- Investment funds must originate from lawful sources and comply with applicable due diligence requirements.
- To qualify, applicants must complete an eligible investment route, such as:
- Investing in a qualifying venture capital fund
- Establishing a company and meeting employment creation requirements
- Making an eligible donation
Family Members Included in Portuguese Citizenship Applications
Through Portugal’s family reunification provisions, Portuguese citizenship through investment may be extended to close family members, including:
- A legally married spouse, same sex partners can also be included
- Minor children under 18 years of age
- Dependent children up to the age of 26, provided they are unmarried and enrolled in full-time education
- Parents of the main applicant or spouse, provided they are 65 years of age or older
How to Get Citizenship in Portugal as an American through Investment?
To become a Portuguese citizen as an American, you can follow the Golden Visa path, which initially grants Portuguese residency and may lead to eligibility for permanent residency and, eventually, Portuguese citizenship, subject to the nationality laws in force at the time of application.
Portugal does not offer direct citizenship by investment. However, American citizens may become eligible for Portuguese citizenship through the Portugal Golden Visa program by meeting the applicable residence and nationality requirements, including:
- Meeting the minimum stay requirements under the Golden Visa program
- Investing in one of the Portugal Golden Visa qualifying investment options
- Having a clean criminal record
- Demonstrating lawful source of funds
To later become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship, applicants are generally required to:
- Maintain compliance with the Golden Visa stay requirements during the applicable legal residence period*
- Having a clean criminal record history
- Comply with applicable Portuguese legal and tax obligations
- Passing the Portuguese language examination
*Historically, eligibility for Portuguese citizenship through legal residence has generally arisen after five years. Under the revised nationality law approved in 2026, this period increases to ten years for most applicants and seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, once the law formally enters into force.
Investment Options To Get Citizenship in Portugal in 2026
The scheme allows you to choose from a variety of investment options. The minimum investment amounts and returns on investment vary by method. These are stated below:
Creation of Jobs
You can also choose to establish a company and create ten jobs in Portugal. The number gets decreased to eight if the business is in a “low-density area.”
Portuguese Fund Investment
You can choose to subscribe to a qualifying Portuguese investment fund with a minimum of €500,000 in units.
To get more insight,
Scientific Research Investment
You may select the option to invest €500,000 in scientific research that is conducted by accredited institutions that are part of the national scientific and technological system.
Cultural Contribution
The investors can also invest at least €200,000 in artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage that is conducted by accredited institutions.
Required Documents
- Filled out application form
- Passport, ID, or a Birth certificate from your country of origin,
- Clean criminal record certificate,
- Portuguese residence permit,
- Proof of passed Portuguese language test (CIPLE)
- Document from AIMA to prove that you have been a resident in Portugal for at least the required number of years
Portuguese Language Requirements for Citizenship
Applicants are currently required to pass an A2-level basic Portuguese language test (CIPLE) or to get a qualified certification to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Additional integration or civic knowledge requirements may be introduced under future nationality law reforms or administrative regulations.
The test can be adapted for children under the age of 10. Children aged 10 to 18 may be exempt from the test as long as they attend a Portuguese school or provide a declaration of proficiency.
Portugal Citizenship Application Process and Timeline
Although Portugal does not offer a direct citizenship-by-investment program, there is still a route to potentially becoming eligible to apply for citizenship through the Portugal Golden Visa.
Let’s discover the step-by-step process towards Portuguese citizenship:
Step 1: Deciding on Your Investment Type
First, you need to analyze a list of available investment types and choose a suitable investment for you.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
For yourself, the main applicant, and for your dependents, make sure you have all the necessary documents to submit.
Step 3: Get Your NIF Number and Open a Bank Account
Get your NIF number for further legal steps and open a Portuguese bank account.
Step 4: Finalize Your Investment
After deciding on which investment type to continue with, you can pay for your investment in Portugal.
Step 5: Make Pre-Application
Submit your pre-application with your investment made and ready documentation through the online application system of AIMA.
Step 6: Visit AIMA in Portugal for your Appointment
Visit your biometrics appointment at AIMA on the chosen appointment date.
Step 7: Get Your Golden Visa & Continue Renewals
You and your dependents can get your Golden Visa residence cards at this step.
Step 8: Apply for Portuguese Citizenship & Get Your Passport
After the required number of years have passed from the time you received your residency permit, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. This step also requires a language requirement with basic proficiency.
How Much does it Cost to Apply for Citizenship in Portugal?
The government application fee for Portuguese citizenship is currently relatively modest compared to the overall cost of the Golden Visa process. It costs less than 1,000€ per applicant currently. However, applicants should also budget for additional expenses such as legal fees, document procurement and legalization, certified translations, Portuguese language certification, passport issuance fees, and renewal costs associated with maintaining the Golden Visa residence permit over the years. Depending on the complexity of the case and the service providers involved, the total cost can vary significantly.
How long does it take to get Citizenship in Portugal?
Historically, Portugal Golden Visa holders have generally become eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence, provided they meet the stay requirements and other nationality criteria. Under the revised nationality law approved in 2026, this period increases to ten years for most applicants and seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, once the law formally enters into force. After the citizenship application is submitted, processing times may vary considerably depending on application volume and administrative backlogs, and can often a couple of years before a final decision is issued.
Dual Citizenship in Portugal
Portugal allows for dual citizenship. This means that in order to obtain Portuguese nationality, you do not need to compromise your citizenship status anywhere else. You should, however, check with your country of origin to confirm whether it permits dual citizenship as well.
Other Ways to Get Portuguese Citizenship
Apart from the citizenship by investment scheme, you can go for the following routes if it suits you:
- By birth or descent
- Naturalization after five years of staying in the country (subject to extension to ten years)
- Marriage to a Portuguese citizen (If you have a non-marital relationship with your partner, you can also apply by proving that you have been together for at least three years.)
- Adoption
- Being a citizen of a former Portuguese overseas territory
Get Golden Visa: Who We Are And What We Do
Get Golden Visa is a full-service investment immigration agency & investment advisory company. We provide end-to-end solutions for residence and citizenship-by-investment programs in numerous countries worldwide.
We work with clients worldwide who are interested in obtaining Portuguese Golden Visas.
Contact us and speak with a member of our experienced team to address any questions.
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While we provide advisory services based on the legislation and administrative practice in effect at the time of your consultation, we cannot guarantee that future legal or policy changes will not affect eligibility, timing, or requirements for Portuguese citizenship or residency.
We act as an independent advisory firm, not a government body, and all applications remain subject to Portuguese law and the discretion of the relevant authorities. As the implementation timeline and final details may evolve, applicants are advised to verify the latest information from official Portuguese government sources before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions on Citizenship in Portugal by Investment
Can I buy Portuguese citizenship?
No, you cannot ‘buy’ Portuguese citizenship. However, you may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship indirectly. You become eligible for Portuguese citizenship after obtaining residency through the Portugal Golden Visa, and then become eligible for citizenship once the required number of years has elapsed. The residence permit program then leads to permanent residency and citizenship.
Can I apply for Portuguese citizenship by investment as a UAE citizen?
Yes, you can apply for the portugal citizenship by investment from the UAE. All you need to do is to meet the eligibility criteria we have mentioned above.
How do I apply for a Portuguese passport?
You must first qualify for naturalization by being a legal resident in Portugal for at least the required number of years. Once you are a Portuguese national, you can then apply for a Portuguese passport and typically receive it in a couple of months.
How long do I need to live in Portugal to get Portuguese citizenship?
To be eligible to apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship, applicants generally need to maintain a valid residence permit in Portugal for the applicable legal residence period. Historically, this period was five years. Under the revised nationality law approved in 2026, it increases to ten years for most non-EU and non-CPLP nationals, and seven years for EU and CPLP nationals, once the law formally enters into force. As immigration and nationality laws may change over time, applicants should verify the latest requirements with official Portuguese authorities and their legal advisors.
How strong Is the Portuguese passport?
To start, Portugal is a member of the European Union, meaning that holding Portuguese citizenship grants the holder the right to live, study, and work in the EU. Portugal is ranked 5th according to the Passport Index in 2026. In terms of visa-free travel, it is one of the strongest passports in the world.
Can I work in Canada and the United States with a Portuguese passport?
Portuguese passport grants visa-free travel to Canada, but to be able to work, passport holders go through a different application process.
Can I travel visa-freely to the United States and Canada with a Portuguese passport?
Portuguese passport grants his/her holder the right to freely travel to and from Canada through Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), and USA through Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program. It’s, however, very easy to obtain a visa to travel to the US with your Portuguese passport.
What are the common nationalities that are interested in Citizenship by Investment in Portugal?
In 2026, according to Get Golden Visa’s data, the largest group of Portugal Golden Visa applicants by far is Americans. Following them, the Golden Visa programme is also popular among Chinese, British, Brazilian, and Indian investors. Recently, applicants from the US and the UK have shown increased interest in obtaining a residence permit through investment.
What are the most popular investment types for residency and citizenship in Portugal?
Investors typically choose to make fund investments to apply for a resident visa card via Portugal’s Golden Visa. The country offers many attractive fund investment options for those who are interested in obtaining a European residency card.
Are there other residency and citizenship by investment programs available to investors similar to Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. Besides Portugal, Italy, and Greece each also offers Golden Visa programs to investors. The program in each country allows investors to invest in exchange for a residency visa. Malta has a citizenship and residency by investment program (MEIN). Many countries in the Caribbean and the British Virgin Islands offer investment immigration programs.
What is the easiest way to get citizenship in Portugal?
It depends on your situation and your expectations of getting citizenship in Portugal. You can check out various options and choose among them, including the Portuguese Golden Visa, the first way to secure your residency in Portugal, a route to eligibility for Portuguese citizenship.
Is it hard to get citizenship in Portugal?
It is not considered hard to get Portuguese nationality as long as you follow the requirements.
What are other visa options in Portugal?
You can also get residency in Portugal by applying for the D7 visa, or digital nomad visa, and this can open a path to Portuguese nationality.
