UK investor route-fit memo
A written view of family scope, timing, capital path, the fund route, and whether it is worth pursuing for your situation.
Portugal Golden Visa for UK citizens
Portugal Golden Visa for UK citizens, with in-house Portuguese lawyers.
Yes, UK citizens can get the Portugal Golden Visa: since Brexit, British investors apply as non-EU nationals, usually through a EUR 500,000 subscription to a qualifying investment fund, with at least 7 days in Portugal in the first year. The Portugal Golden Visa is a residence permit for investment (ARI), issued by AIMA, that lets non-EU investors and their families live in Portugal and travel in the Schengen area while the investment is held.
Movingto is a Portugal-first immigration firm that puts a named, Bar-registered lawyer from its in-house legal team on your case and publishes its fees.
Updated .
Reviewed by David Simoes Fitas, Portuguese Bar Association registration no. 67185P.
Movingto has worked with more than 50 Portugal Golden Visa clients. First call: leave with route fit, family scope, the UK tax points to settle, evidence gaps, and the next decision mapped before any capital moves.
Researching the route first? Read the full Portugal Golden Visa guide
What you get
What Movingto handles for UK applicants.
The first job is the route. Your Movingto lawyer confirms the route fits a UK investor, your Case Lead closes evidence gaps, and one team carries the file from fund subscription and banking to the AIMA filing.
Fund-route evidence checklist
The documents AIMA will actually expect from a fund subscription, separated from fund marketing material.
Source-of-funds documentation map
A clear path showing how investment capital moves from origin to subscription, with proof points marked early.
UK tax question pack
Reporting-fund status, the 2025 non-dom and FIG changes, the Statutory Residence Test, and IHT and domicile questions reviewed by Movingto's in-house tax counsel, with a brief for your UK tax adviser before you subscribe.
AIMA filing and renewal plan
One timeline for NIF, banking, translations, your Movingto lawyer's review, AIMA filing, biometrics, the residence card, and renewals.
EU access, as an option
UK citizens lost automatic EU free movement. The Golden Visa is one way back to EU residency optionality with a lower physical-stay requirement.
Reporting vs non-reporting
Whether a fund has UK reporting-fund status changes how a UK investor is taxed on disposal. Check it before you subscribe, not after.
The non-dom regime moved
The remittance basis was abolished from 6 April 2025 and replaced by the residence-based FIG regime. Settle how it affects you before you move capital.
Legal and tax in one team
Movingto's in-house lawyers handle the Portuguese legal case, and Movingto's in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax. Your UK tax adviser handles HMRC filings, and we brief them. Investment advice stays with a regulated adviser.
Who this fits
Why use Movingto for a UK Golden Visa fund case?
UK fund-route cases can stall when route fit, fund subscription, banking evidence, Portuguese legal filing, and UK tax questions are handled separately. At Movingto they sit in one file: your in-house lawyer owns the legal filing, in-house tax counsel covers Portuguese and cross-border tax, and your Case Lead keeps the evidence aligned before capital moves.
Good fit for
- UK citizens seeking EU residency optionality after Brexit
- British investors comparing Golden Visa funds before subscribing
- Families who want a low-stay route to Portugal
- Investors who need to check fund reporting-fund status and the 2025 non-dom changes with an adviser
- Anyone who has spoken to a fund manager but not had an independent route review
- Applicants who want a lawyer's route review before wiring EUR 500,000
Not the right fit for
- Anyone seeking regulated investment advice from Movingto
- Applicants looking for an approval or fund-performance guarantee
- Anyone expecting a specific fund recommendation
Service scope
How the case is managed.
You get a managed case plan. Your Movingto lawyer handles the Portuguese legal work, in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax, and investment advice stays with a regulated adviser.
- Included workstreams
- 5
- Professional scope
- Clear
Delivery scopeMovingto delivery and specialist scope
Managed by Movingto
Private route and family-scope review
We map nationality, family scope, timing, capital path, the fund route, likely blockers, and the next decision.
Managed by Movingto
NIF, banking, and fund-route evidence file
We coordinate NIF, banking steps, translations, identity and family records, and the evidence AIMA expects from a fund subscription.
Managed by Movingto
Source-of-funds documentation map
We map how investment capital moves from origin to subscription so proof points are ready before filing.
Handled by Movingto's in-house Portugal legal team
Immigration legal work and filing
For Portugal, Movingto's in-house licensed Portuguese immigration lawyers handle legal analysis, filing strategy, preparation, filing, representation, and authority responses within the agreed professional scope.
Managed by Movingto
Portuguese and cross-border tax
Movingto's in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax and flags the UK points for your file: reporting-fund status, the Statutory Residence Test, the 2025 non-dom and FIG changes, and IHT. Your UK tax adviser handles HMRC filings, and we brief them.
Handled by the relevant specialist
UK tax returns and HMRC filings
Your UK tax adviser files your UK returns and confirms UK-only points such as ISA, SIPP and CGT treatment. Movingto's in-house tax counsel briefs them on the Portuguese side.
Handled by the relevant specialist
Investment advice, fund recommendations, and performance
Investment suitability, fund recommendations, and performance expectations are reviewed with the qualified investment adviser responsible for that scope. No provider can guarantee fund performance.
Case path
From route review to residence card.
Each stage ends with a decision or output so the case keeps moving. Plan for 12 to 24+ months from submission to an AIMA decision; AIMA controls processing and appointment dates.
Case path05 managed stages
- Step 1 of 5
Route review
Confirm Portugal, the fund route, your timeline, family scope, and capital path fit together.
- Step 2 of 5
NIF and banking
Sequence the Portuguese tax number and bank account, with CRS onboarding handled at the right point.
- Step 3 of 5
Fund diligence and subscription
Organize fund facts and subscription requirements. Suitability and risk questions go to a regulated investment adviser, and our tax counsel briefs your UK tax adviser before you subscribe.
- Step 4 of 5
Evidence file and AIMA filing
Prepare source-of-funds and family evidence; your Movingto lawyer reviews the file and handles the AIMA filing.
- Step 5 of 5
Biometrics, card, and renewals
Track biometrics, the residence card, renewals, and stay-day planning as part of the same path.
Compare the routes
Golden Visa vs D7 vs D8
| Route | Minimum investment | Physical-stay requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Visa (fund route) | EUR 500,000 | Low: 7 days in year 1, then 14 days per 2-year period | Investors who want EU residency with minimal time in Portugal |
| D7 | None (proof of passive income) | High: intended for people who actually live in Portugal | Retirees and others with passive income relocating to Portugal |
| D8 (digital nomad) | None (proof of remote income) | High: intended for people who actually live in Portugal | Remote workers and founders earning income from outside Portugal |
Indicative comparison; qualifying and stay rules are set by law and can change. Confirm the current position with your Portuguese legal team.
AIMA: residence-by-investment rulesWhat it costs
What the Golden Visa cost is made of
| Cost component | What it covers | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | The qualifying fund subscription (fund-route minimum is EUR 500,000) | EUR 500,000 |
| Movingto service fee | Legal assistance from Movingto's in-house lawyers, Movingto administration, bank account opening and NIF | EUR 6,000 flat |
| Government fees | AIMA analysis and concession fees, charged per applicant | EUR 6,946.30 initial (EUR 632.10 analysis + EUR 6,314.20 concession) |
| Fund subscription fees | Charged by the fund, separate from the investment itself | Varies by fund |
| Tax adviser fees | UK and Portuguese tax review where relevant | Quoted per case |
| Banking and FX | Account setup and the cost of moving capital across currencies | Varies by bank |
| Family members | AIMA fees apply per applicant, so each dependant adds their own | Per the AIMA table |
| Renewals | Periodic renewal stages over the life of the route | EUR 3,789.90 per applicant (EUR 632.10 analysis + EUR 3,157.80 renewal) |
| Translation and apostille | Certifying and translating documents for use in Portugal | Varies by document count |
Indicative components, not a quote. Your total depends on family size, the fund, legal scope, and tax complexity. Government fees follow the applied AIMA fee table effective 1 March 2026.
Read the full Portugal Golden Visa cost breakdownEvidence
Evidence you can check.
Scope, professional ownership, and credential claims stay tied to source pages instead of sitting as unsupported marketing copy.
Fund evidence
Movingto Funds
View sourceMovingto Funds
Fund evidence
HS265 Offshore funds (reporting vs non-reporting)
View sourceGOV.UK / HMRCChecked 16 October 2026
Credential register
Portuguese Bar registration
View sourceOrdem dos Advogados
Fund evidence
AIMA: residence permit for investment (ARI), EUR 500,000 fund route and 7/14-day stay rule
View sourceAIMAChecked 16 October 2026
Source
AIMA fee table applied from 1 March 2026 (Portaria 307/2023)
View sourceAIMAChecked 16 October 2026
Source
Living in Portugal: visas and residency for UK nationals
View sourceGOV.UK / FCDOChecked 16 October 2026
Common questions
Questions before you engage.
Can UK citizens still apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. British citizens can apply. After Brexit it is one of the main routes back to EU residency optionality, though the work around the application is more involved than for an EU national.
How does Brexit affect using the Golden Visa?
UK citizens lost automatic EU free movement when the UK left the EU. The Golden Visa is one way to regain a low-stay EU residency option through Portugal, which is why many British investors now look at it.
Is the fund route still available?
The investment fund route is one of the main options UK investors use. Exact qualifying criteria are set by law and can change, so we confirm the current position with your Portuguese legal team rather than rely on older summaries.
Do all Portugal Golden Visa funds accept UK investors?
Most accept UK investors, but acceptance is not the main question for a UK person. The bigger question is whether a fund has UK reporting-fund status, which affects how you are taxed. Confirm both before you subscribe.
What is UK reporting-fund status and why does it matter?
Reporting-fund status is a UK tax classification for offshore funds (HMRC helpsheet HS265, checked 16 October 2026). Whether a fund has it can change how a UK investor is taxed when they dispose of their interest. Ask the fund manager whether the fund holds it, and settle the treatment with Movingto's tax counsel and your UK tax adviser before investing.
Do I need UK tax advice before investing?
Yes. Settle reporting-fund status, the Statutory Residence Test, the 2025 non-dom and FIG changes, and IHT and domicile before you subscribe. Movingto's in-house tax counsel advises on Portuguese and cross-border tax; your UK tax adviser handles HMRC filings, and we brief them.
Who recommends specific funds?
Movingto's lawyers check that a fund fits the Golden Visa route and help you ask the right diligence questions. Regulated investment advice, fund recommendations, and suitability assessments are handled by a qualified investment adviser. You can compare fund facts yourself at funds.movingto.com; Movingto may receive commissions from some funds, disclosed at funds.movingto.com/how-we-get-paid.
Can my spouse and children apply with me?
Eligible family members can usually be included in the same application. Who qualifies and what evidence each person needs is part of the family-scope review we do up front.
Do I need to live in Portugal full-time?
The Golden Visa carries a lower physical-stay requirement than standard residence routes, which is a large part of its appeal. If full relocation is your plan, the D7 or D8 may suit you better.
How long does AIMA take?
Plan for 12 to 24+ months from submission to a decision. In Movingto case observations, 13 cases submitted between September 2025 and September 2026 had AIMA biometrics scheduled a median 11.7 months after submission. AIMA controls processing and appointment dates, so we keep your file complete and consistent so delays are not coming from your side.
How much does the Portugal Golden Visa cost for UK citizens?
There is no single number. Movingto's fee is EUR 6,000 flat, and AIMA charges EUR 6,946.30 per applicant at grant (AIMA fee table, checked 16 October 2026). Budget for the investment amount, government fees, fund subscription fees, UK tax adviser fees, Portuguese tax review (quoted per case), banking and GBP-to-EUR FX costs, per-dependant family costs, renewal costs, and document translation and apostille. Your total depends on family size, the fund, and how complex your UK tax position is. We help you build an all-in estimate for your case.
Should I choose a fund before speaking with a lawyer?
No. Choosing the fund first is the most common and most expensive mistake. Confirm the route and the sequence first, then choose the fund.
UK investor route review
Before you wire EUR 500k into a fund, check the full route.
For UK citizens, the Portugal Golden Visa is not only an immigration decision. It involves fund eligibility, UK tax questions like reporting-fund status and the 2025 non-dom changes, family planning, source-of-funds evidence, banking, and AIMA documentation. Movingto's lawyers check the full route before you commit capital.
First call covers
Leave with a clearer decision, not another generic checklist.
- Route fit
- Country, visa category, family members, and timing.
- Scope
- Documents, legal work, tax points, and investment boundaries.
- Next steps
- What to prepare for the Movingto team and any relevant specialists.