Portugal
Spain
Italy
Greece
Grenada
The Portugal Golden Visa costs roughly €525,000–€555,000 in Year 1 for a single applicant taking the investment-fund route. That's €500,000 invested in a qualifying CMVM-regulated fund, plus €8,060.20 per adult in AIMA government fees, plus €5,000–€10,000 in legal fees, plus smaller setup charges. Across the full five-year programme, expect €15,000–€25,000 beyond the investment for a single applicant, or €25,000–€45,000 for a family of four. The €500,000 fund subscription may be returned at fund maturity, subject to the fund's actual performance, fees, liquidity terms, and the specific fund agreement — the AIMA fees and legal fees are not.
This guide breaks down every line item using AIMA's official fee table (current AIMA Tabela de Taxas) and the underlying Portaria n.º 307/2023. Updated 17 May 2026.
How much does a Portugal Golden Visa actually cost in 2026?
Here's the headline scorecard.
| Cost category | Single applicant | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying investment (may be returned at fund maturity, subject to fund performance and terms) | €500,000 | €500,000 |
| Year 1 AIMA government fees | €8,060.20 | ~€32,240 |
| Legal fees (5-year programme) | €5,000–€10,000 | €10,000–€20,000 |
| 2 renewal cycles (Year 2 + Year 4) | ~€6,300–€8,100 | ~€25,200–€32,400 |
| Hidden & ancillary costs (5yr) | €5,000–€10,000 | €8,000–€15,000 |
| 5-year programme cost beyond investment | ~€24,700–€36,500 | ~€76,800–€101,000 |
Two things to anchor before going further. First, the €500,000 is an investment, not a fee — it remains your capital and may be returned (with whatever performance the fund delivered) when the fund matures, typically 6–8 years later, subject to the fund's actual performance, fees, and terms. Second, AIMA fees are paid per adult applicant, so the per-person fees stack quickly with a family. Children typically pay reduced fees that the law firm confirms before each biometrics appointment.
If you want to model your own scenario, our Golden Visa cost calculator walks through every line item with your specific family size and route.
The €500,000 qualifying investment (and what changed in 2023)
The Portugal Golden Visa — formally Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI) — is governed by Article 90-A of Lei n.º 23/2007. Five investment routes remain open in 2026:
- Investment fund (subalínea vii): €500,000 in CMVM-regulated, non-real-estate collective investment funds, with at least 5 years to maturity and at least 60% deployed into companies headquartered in Portugal. Most common route in 2026.
- Cultural / artistic-heritage investment or support (subalínea vi): €250,000 (€200,000 in designated low-density territory) to qualifying cultural-heritage or artistic-production projects. Legal wording is "investment or support"; most contributions are structured as donations. Generally non-recoverable.
- Job creation (subalínea ii): 10 jobs in Portugal (8 in designated low-density territory). No minimum capital threshold.
- Scientific research (subalínea v): €500,000 (reduced to €400,000 in designated low-density territory) to qualifying research institutions.
- Company setup (subalínea viii): €500,000 to set up or recapitalise a Portuguese commercial company, combined with creating 5 permanent jobs.
The 20% low-density reduction applies only to the cultural (vi), research (v), and job-creation (ii) routes, per Article 65-A of Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007 (consolidated). The fund (vii) and company-setup (viii) routes do not have a low-density discount.
What ended: Real-estate purchase and real-estate-fund subscription were removed from Article 90-A by the Mais Habitação Law (Lei n.º 56/2023, 6 October 2023). Pre-existing real-estate applications continue under the prior rules; new applications must use one of the five routes above.
Legal update: May 2026 nationality-law amendment
On 3 May 2026, the President of the Republic promulgated Decreto da Assembleia da República n.º 48/XVII, which amends Lei n.º 37/81 (the Portuguese Nationality Law) and would extend the minimum legal residence period for naturalisation from five to ten years for most applicants. The diploma was a revised version of an earlier text that the Constitutional Court found partly unconstitutional (Acórdão n.º 1133/2025).
The change is not yet in legal effect. Promulgation is one step; entry into force depends on publication in Diário da República, the entry-into-force language in the diploma itself, and any transitional rules. As of this update, the consolidated Nationality Law on Diário da República still shows its latest alteration as 2024-03-05, with the May 2026 amendment not yet incorporated. The President separately flagged that pending applications should not be affected by the change and that delays caused by the State should not count against citizenship timelines — but that is a presidential note, not a binding transitional rule. The actual treatment of in-flight applications will be set by the published text and any implementing regulation. The cost figures throughout this guide use the current five-year citizenship clock; the ten-year-to-citizenship table below shows the longer outcome for completeness.
For most fund-route investors, the €500,000 is wired to the fund manager within 30–60 days of opening a Portuguese bank account and NIF, after which the fund issues a subscription confirmation that becomes the central piece of evidence in your AIMA application.
What are the Portugal Golden Visa government fees in 2026?
AIMA government fees for the Golden Visa are set by Portaria n.º 307/2023 of 13 October 2023, with values auto-adjusted every March 1 based on the prior year's consumer price index (excluding housing) published by INE. Portugal's 2025 IPC excluding housing came in at 2.2%, so the 1 March 2026 update applied that index.
| AIMA fee (ARI line) | Portaria 307/2023 base | Current AIMA fee table (2026) | Paid by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application processing (receção e análise) | €773.74 (Ponto 3.a) | €806.80 | Each applicant — once |
| Initial approval / concessão | €7,730.11 (Ponto 3.b) | €8,060.20 | Each adult — once |
| Renewal / renovação (every 2 years) | €3,865.79 (Ponto 3.c) | Per current AIMA table | Each adult — twice over 5 years |
| Family reunification approval | €7,730.11 (Ponto 3.d) | Per current AIMA table | Each reunited family member |
The two definitive figures from the current AIMA Tabela de Taxas are €806.80 análise + €8,060.20 concessão = €8,867 per adult in Year 1. Renewal and family-reunification line items in the same table; your law firm confirms the day-of figure before each biometrics appointment.
The concessão fee surprises investors most because it is paid in person, by card, at AIMA on the day of biometrics — not invoiced in advance. For a couple, budget roughly €16,120 (2 × €8,060.20) for biometrics day alone.
How much do Portugal Golden Visa lawyers cost?
Portuguese law firms structure Golden Visa engagements as full-programme retainers covering the initial application, biometrics preparation, the two-year card renewals, and (optionally) the citizenship application five years in. Expect:
- Single applicant, full programme: €5,000–€10,000 typical
- Family package (couple + 2 children): €10,000–€20,000 typical
- Complex case (unusual income source, prior visa refusal, restructured fund vehicle): up to €35,000
Three questions to ask before retaining:
- Is your fee fixed or hourly, and does it cover both renewals plus the citizenship submission?
- What's included for family members vs billed separately?
- Who is your named lead lawyer on my file, and what's their Portuguese Bar number? (Verify any Portuguese lawyer at portal.oa.pt.)
For a curated list of firms with verifiable credentials, see our best Portugal Golden Visa law firms guide.
Portugal Golden Visa cost by family size
Each family member generates a separate AIMA fee stack, so total programme cost climbs sharply with family size — but the qualifying investment stays at €500,000 regardless. This is one of the strongest features of the programme for families.
| Family configuration | Year 1 AIMA fees (concessão at €8,060.20/adult) | 5-year programme cost* | 10-year-to-citizenship cost** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | €8,060.20 | ~€24,700–€36,500 | ~€38,000–€55,000 |
| Couple (no children) | ~€16,120 | ~€45,000–€65,000 | ~€65,000–€90,000 |
| Couple + 1 child | ~€24,180 | ~€60,000–€85,000 | ~€85,000–€115,000 |
| Couple + 2 children | ~€32,240 | ~€76,800–€101,000 | ~€105,000–€140,000 |
| Multi-generational (couple + 2 children + 2 parents) | ~€48,360 | ~€115,000–€150,000 | ~€155,000–€200,000 |
*Beyond the €500,000 investment. Includes AIMA fees + legal + renewals + hidden costs.
**Adds citizenship fees, certified translations, A2 Portuguese certificate (~€75 per adult via CIPLE), and additional legal work for the IRN submission.
Children's AIMA fees are reduced relative to adults; the precise current-year amount is confirmed by your law firm before each biometrics appointment. Family-size totals above use the adult concessão rate as a conservative upper bound.
For dependents added later, see our Portugal family reunion guide.
What hidden costs does the Portugal Golden Visa have?
Six categories of cost don't show up in headline numbers but reliably add €5,000–€10,000 for a single applicant over five years.
Annual and recurring costs
- Fund management fees: 1–2% of NAV per year, deducted from fund returns rather than billed separately. On a €500,000 holding that's €5,000–€10,000 per year of forgone return.
- Portuguese bank account maintenance: €100–€500 per year, depending on bank and balance.
- Fiscal representative: €250–€500 per year if you don't have a Portuguese tax address.
- Private health insurance: Required for the initial application. Roughly €400–€2,000 per adult per year depending on age and coverage.
One-time setup costs (often missed in initial quotes)
- NIF (Portuguese tax number): €100–€250 if obtained through a service provider.
- Document apostille + certified translation: €500–€1,500 depending on origin country and document volume.
- FX spread on the €500,000 transfer: 0.5–1.5% — that's €2,500–€7,500 on a €500K transfer. Using a specialist FX provider rather than your retail bank materially reduces this.
- Travel for biometrics: AIMA assigns the appointment location — you don't choose. Budget €1,500–€3,000 per adult for flights and accommodation around the appointment.
Want these hidden costs mapped to your specific situation? Speak to a Movingto Golden Visa adviser and we'll line-item the full programme cost for your family, country of origin, and target investment route.
What is the true 10-year Portugal Golden Visa cost to citizenship?
The Golden Visa is a five-year residency programme that becomes a path to citizenship at year five under current law, or year ten if the May 2026 amendment to the Nationality Law takes effect (promulgated 3 May 2026; entry-into-force and transitional rules pending — see the Legal update section above). The realistic cost picture across the full path looks like this for a single applicant in the fund route:
| Stage | Cost | Recoverable? |
|---|---|---|
| €500,000 fund subscription | €500,000 | May be returned at fund maturity (subject to performance, fees, liquidity) |
| Year 1 AIMA fees (analysis + concessão) | €8,867 (€806.80 + €8,060.20) | No |
| Year 1 legal retainer (programme) | €5,000–€10,000 | No |
| Year 2 + Year 4 renewals (2× renovação) | ~€6,300–€8,100 | No |
| Fund management fees, years 1–5 | €25,000–€50,000 | No (reduces fund NAV) |
| Year 5 permanent residence or naturalisation prep | €1,500–€3,500 | No |
| Citizenship: IRN fees + translations + A2 certificate + legal | €2,500–€5,000 | No |
| Travel, document costs, fiscal rep, banking, health insurance (5–10 yrs) | €7,500–€20,000 | No |
| Total to passport | ~€555,000–€620,000 | Up to ~€500K may be returned if fund performance, fees, and terms allow |
| Net non-recoverable cost | ~€55,000–€120,000 | — |
If you stop at permanent residence (the five-year mark) rather than naturalising, you save the citizenship-stage costs (~€4,000–€8,500) and the costs of any years 6–10. Most investors aiming at an EU passport push through.
For the citizenship pathway itself, see how to get Portuguese residency.
How does Portugal Golden Visa cost compare to other European programs?
| Programme | Min. investment | Physical presence | Path to citizenship | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | €500K (fund) / €200–€250K (cultural) | 7 days Y1, 14 days/yr after | 5 yrs (10 yrs under May 2026 amendment, pending entry into force) | Open, fund-only since Oct 2023 |
| Greece | €250K–€800K (real estate, zone-dependent) | None | 7 years | Open |
| Italy | €250K (startup) – €2M (government bonds) | None | 10 years | Open |
| Malta | €600K+ (direct citizenship by exceptional services) | 1 year residence | Direct (1–3 yrs) | Open, EU scrutiny |
| Spain | — | — | — | Ended April 2025 |
| Cyprus | €300K (PR only, no citizenship) | Visit every 2 yrs | Separate citizenship process | PR open |
For a Greece-specific picture see our Greece Golden Visa guide.
Portugal Golden Visa cost in USD and GBP
| Component | EUR | USD (approx.) | GBP (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fund investment | €500,000 | $555,000 | £426,000 |
| Year 1 AIMA fees (single adult) | €8,060.20 | ~$8,950 | ~£6,870 |
| Legal fees (single, full programme) | €5,000–€10,000 | $5,500–$11,100 | £4,300–£8,500 |
| 5-year cost beyond investment (single) | ~€24,700–€36,500 | ~$27,400–$40,500 | ~£21,000–£31,100 |
| 5-year cost beyond investment (family of 4) | ~€76,800–€101,000 | ~$85,200–$112,100 | ~£65,400–£86,000 |
Conversion rates approximate as of May 2026.
When are Portugal Golden Visa fees paid?
| Stage | Cost item | Approximate amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-application (weeks 0–8) | NIF, bank account, fund subscription paperwork, FX transfer of €500K | €500K + setup ~€2,000 |
| Legal engagement | Law firm retainer (often staged) | €5,000–€10,000 (single) |
| Pre-registration on Portal ARI | Application processing fee (análise) | €806.80 per applicant |
| Biometrics day | Concessão fee per adult — paid by card at AIMA office | €8,060.20 per adult |
| Year 2 + Year 4 | Renovação fee per adult | Per current AIMA fee table |
| Year 5 | Permanent residence or citizenship-prep submission | €1,500–€3,500 |
| Year 5+ (citizenship) | IRN submission + translations + A2 certificate + legal | €2,500–€5,000 |
AIMA fees are not refundable. The €500,000 fund subscription may be returned at fund maturity, subject to performance, fees, liquidity, and fund terms.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa worth the cost?
Across the full programme, the non-recoverable cost for a single applicant is roughly €55,000–€120,000 over five years, in exchange for EU residency that becomes citizenship at year five under current law, or year ten if the May 2026 nationality-law amendment enters into force. For a family of four, that non-recoverable cost roughly doubles, but the residency outcome covers every family member.
Where the maths works best:
- Plan-B residency seekers who want EU access without giving up their current home — Portugal's 7-day Year 1 / 14-day annual physical presence is the loosest in Europe.
- Families with EU education plans — children in Portuguese (or any EU) schools at EU tuition rates is worth a multiple of the programme cost over a university lifetime.
- US investors hedging passport concentration — a Portuguese passport adds visa-free access to 180+ countries and an independent EU base.
Where it doesn't work:
- Capital-constrained investors who need to preserve every euro — the non-recoverable cost is real, even if the principal returns.
- Investors who won't use EU access — paying €55K+ for an unused right is dead money.
- Anyone needing fast citizenship — Portugal's 5-year clock is one of Europe's faster, but Malta (1–3 years) is faster still at higher cost.
If you're working out whether the maths works for your family, book a consultation and we'll model your specific scenario from your country, family configuration, and target residency outcome.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Portugal Golden Visa application cost in 2026?
A single applicant in the fund route should budget roughly €525,000–€555,000 in Year 1 — the €500,000 fund investment plus €8,060.20 in AIMA government fees plus €5,000–€10,000 in legal fees. The 5-year programme cost beyond the investment runs €15,000–€25,000 for a single applicant. The fund subscription may be returned at fund maturity, subject to performance, fees, liquidity, and fund terms.
How much does a Portugal Golden Visa cost for a family of 4?
About €620,000–€640,000 in Year 1: €500,000 investment + ~€32,240 in AIMA fees across the family + €10,000–€20,000 in family-package legal fees. Over five years, expect €76,800–€101,000 beyond the investment.
What are the Portugal Golden Visa fees in 2026?
Per the current AIMA Tabela de Taxas (issued under Portaria n.º 307/2023): €806.80 per applicant for receção e análise (application processing) and €8,060.20 per adult for concessão (initial approval), paid at biometrics. Fees auto-adjust every March 1 based on Portugal's prior-year consumer price index excluding housing.
How much do Portugal Golden Visa lawyers charge?
€5,000–€10,000 for a single applicant covering the full 5-year programme through citizenship. Family packages run €10,000–€20,000. Complex cases can reach €35,000.
Are Portugal Golden Visa fees refundable?
No. AIMA government fees are not refundable. Legal fees are typically non-refundable per the law firm's engagement terms. The €500,000 fund subscription is a separate matter — it may be returned at fund maturity, subject to the fund's actual performance, fees, liquidity, and the fund agreement.
What are the renewal costs for a Portugal Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa residence card is valid for two years, so you renew at Year 2 and Year 4 of the 5-year programme. Renewal fees are set in the current AIMA Tabela de Taxas under Portaria n.º 307/2023 and are subject to the same March 1 indexation as the initial approval fee.
What are the hidden costs of a Portugal Golden Visa?
Six categories: fund management fees (1–2% NAV/yr), Portuguese bank account maintenance, fiscal representative, private health insurance, document apostille + certified translation, and FX spread on the €500K transfer. Typically add €5,000–€10,000 over a 5-year programme for a single applicant.
Can I get my Portugal Golden Visa investment back?
The €500,000 fund subscription may be returned at fund maturity, subject to the fund's actual performance, fees, liquidity terms, and the fund agreement. Most Golden-Visa-eligible funds are structured with 6–8 year holds. Cultural-heritage contributions and job-creation deployments are generally not recoverable.
How does Portugal Golden Visa cost compare to Greece or Italy?
Portugal's €500,000 fund route sits between Greece (€250K–€800K real estate, depending on zone) and Italy (€250K startup to €2M government bonds). Portugal's strongest advantage is the 5-year path to EU citizenship under current law — Greece needs 7 years, Italy 10 years. Spain's Golden Visa ended April 2025.
What is the cheapest Portugal Golden Visa option in 2026?
Cheapest upfront is the cultural-heritage support route at €200,000 (designated low-density territory) or €250,000 elsewhere, but the contribution is generally non-recoverable. The fund route at €500,000 has a higher headline number but the principal may be returned at fund maturity, making its real non-recoverable cost (~€55,000–€120,000 for a single applicant) substantially lower than the cultural route over the long run.
Sources
- AIMA — Autorização de Residência para Investimento (Art. 90.º-A)
- AIMA — Tabela de Taxas (current fee table PDF) — €806.80 análise / €8,060.20 concessão (ARI line)
- Diário da República — Portaria n.º 307/2023 — underlying AIMA fee structure and annual indexation rule
- Presidência da República — Promulgação do Decreto 48/XVII (3 May 2026)
- Diário da República — consolidated Lei n.º 37/81 (Nationality Law) — latest alteration shown as 2024-03-05
- Diário da República — consolidated Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007 — Article 65-A low-density-territory thresholds
- Lei n.º 23/2007 de 4 de julho (REPSAE) — Article 90-A statutory framework
- Lei n.º 56/2023 de 6 de outubro (Mais Habitação) — removed real-estate route from Article 90-A
- CMVM — Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários — fund regulatory framework
- INE — Instituto Nacional de Estatística — 2025 IPC excluding housing variation (2.2%)
Last verified: 17 May 2026.
