Residency & Golden Visas / Portugal / Route
Portugal · Residency route
Invest in a Portuguese business, create jobs, or capitalise a company to qualify for Portuguese residency.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Advising UAE residents on Portuguese residency from our Dubai office.
Overview
The Business Investment route enables non-EU nationals to obtain Portuguese residency by investing in a Portuguese company or creating at least 10 full-time jobs. Family members, including spouse, dependent children (≤26), and dependent parents, can be included. Minimal physical presence is required: 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period. This route supports active entrepreneurs and investors looking to contribute to Portugal’s economy.
Investment Overview
- Job Creation: Create at least 10 full-time jobs in Portugal. Business plan approval is required; holding period ~5 years.
- Company Capitalisation: Inject €500,000 into an existing qualifying Portuguese company; maintain operations and employment; 5-year holding period.
Comparison with Capital Transfer Route
| Feature | Business Investment Route | Capital Transfer Route |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | €500,000 (company capitalisation) or 10 jobs created | €250,000–€500,000 |
| Type of Investment | Active business / job creation | Passive capital / funds |
| Ideal For | Entrepreneurs / active investors | Passive investors / philanthropists |
| Residency Stay | 7 days in year 1, then 14 per 2 years | 7 days in year 1, then 14 per 2 years |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse, children ≤26, dependent parents | Spouse, children ≤26, dependent parents |
| Path to Citizenship | Permanent residence at 5 years; citizenship at 10 years for Indian nationals | Permanent residence at 5 years; citizenship at 10 years for Indian nationals |
| Risk Level | Business and operational risk | Fund or project risk; returns not guaranteed |
| Tax Consideration | Portuguese corporate/personal tax | Income tax on passive returns |
The citizenship timeline
Portugal changed its nationality law on 19 May 2026 (Lei Orgânica 1/2026). Naturalisation now requires seven years of legal residence for nationals of EU member states and Portuguese-speaking countries, and ten years for everyone else — including Indian nationals. It was five years for everyone before that date. Applications already pending on 19 May 2026 keep the old five-year rule.
Permanent residence is unaffected and remains five years (Lei 23/2007, art. 80.º).
If Portuguese citizenship on a five-year horizon is the reason you are considering this, plan on ten years instead, and weigh that before you commit.
Note also that India does not permit dual citizenship: acquiring Portuguese citizenship would end your Indian citizenship under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955. Portuguese residency does not.
Talk to a Portugal immigration consultant in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has guided families into Portugal since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents applying from the Emirates. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the full timeline to permanent residence and citizenship in Portugal.
Sources
- Decreto-Lei n.º 14/2021 — golden visa fund route, €500,000
- Decreto Regulamentar 84/2007, art. 65.º-C — physical presence
- Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 — Diário da República
Verified against Diário da República and DGERT on 30 September 2026.
What you getالمزايا
Portuguese residency, and permanent residence after five years.
Flexible investment in business or job creation.
Family inclusion: spouse, dependent children (≤26), dependent parents.
Access to Schengen travel and Portuguese public services.
Supports entrepreneurship and active investment in Portugal.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
Company capitalisation
Before application submission · Capital into a qualifying Portuguese company. The job-creation route instead requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs; must meet regulatory approval.
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals as main applicant.
Valid passport and clean criminal record.
Evidence of legitimate source of funds and AML compliance.
Creation of at least 10 full-time jobs or capital injection into a qualifying company.
Attendance at biometric appointment and minimal physical presence.
Proof of funds
Who cannot apply
Serious criminal convictions or ongoing criminal proceedings.
Listed under international sanctions.
Failure to demonstrate legitimate source of funds or AML compliance.
The processكيف نعمل
Select qualifying business route
Choose between job creation or company capitalisation and confirm eligibility.
Obtain NIF & open bank account
Obtain Portuguese tax number and bank account if required.
Execute investment
Complete capital transfer or company investment.
File ARI application
Upload documents and pay government fees.
Authority review
Respond to requests for additional information.
Biometrics & issuance
Attend biometric appointment; pay issuance fees and receive residence card.
Maintain investment & renew
Keep investment for minimum 5 years; comply with presence requirements.
Document checklistالوثائق
Identity
Translated and apostilled/notarised if required.
- ✦Valid passport (certified copy)
- ✦Passport-sized photos
- ✦Civil status proof (birth/marriage certificates)
Financial
Amounts must be traceable and AML compliant.
- ✦Bank statements (last 6–12 months)
- ✦Proof of investment / capital transfer
- ✦Source of funds documentation
Compliance
Additional documents may be requested by authorities.
- ✦Criminal record certificate(s)
- ✦CV / professional background (if requested)
Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.
Family scopeالأسرة
All eligible dependants can be included in one application or added after approval.
Age limits, dependency definitions, and addition fees vary by jurisdiction. Your advisor confirms exact rules at onboarding.
Approved projectsالمشاريع
Company Capitalisation
Capital into an existing qualifying Portuguese company; operations and jobs must be maintained.
Project availability and inventory change. Your advisor confirms current options and any exclusive allocations at onboarding.
Risk notes
Business investments carry financial and operational risks, and returns are not guaranteed; seek independent advice.
Job creation must be maintained, and the investment kept for the required period — typically five years.
Real estate has not qualified for the Golden Visa since October 2023, and no route may target real estate directly or indirectly.
Compliance
Golden Visa physical presence: 7 days, consecutive or not, in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period (Decreto Regulamentar 84/2007, art. 65.º-C).
AIMA application-analysis and residence-permit issuance fees are charged at the official rates in force; XIPHIAS confirms the current schedule before filing.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
€500,000 for company capitalisation. The job-creation route instead requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs in Portugal.
Start the Portugal route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.