How does Golden Visa (Residence Permit for Investment / ARI) work in Portugal, and who qualifies?

The Golden Visa, formally the Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI), is Portugal's residence-by-investment permit, known for requiring only minimal physical presence in the country. It still exists, but the qualifying routes have changed significantly.

Under Law 56/2023 ("Mais Habitação"), in force from October 2023, real-estate acquisition and standalone capital transfer are no longer eligible — this is an important point, as property purchase was previously the best-known route. The remaining options centre on eligible investment or venture-capital fund subscriptions, company capitalisation combined with job creation, job creation, scientific research, and cultural-heritage support. You generally need to make a qualifying investment, maintain it for the required period, meet the minimal annual physical-presence requirement, hold a clean criminal record and valid health insurance, and apply for the permit with AIMA.

Because the eligible categories and thresholds were reshaped recently, confirming the current accepted routes is essential before committing any funds. ACME can help you understand which routes remain open and how they fit your goals, and we recommend verifying the latest position with AIMA on aima.gov.pt.