Portugal golden visa renewal and minimum stay rules
Portugal golden visa renewal in 2026: the 7 and 14-day stay rules, the five-year investment hold, renewal documents, family members and permanent residence.
Portugal’s residence permit for investment, the ARI or golden visa, has operated since October 2012 and was reshaped by Law 56/2023, which removed real estate as a qualifying investment. For families who already hold a permit, or who are about to invest through a fund or another remaining route, the practical questions are how much time they must spend in Portugal, what renewal involves and what happens after five years.
Our overview of European residence by investment programmes places Portugal alongside Cyprus, Greece and Malta. The routes that remain, and how they compare with the D7 visa, are covered in our article on the Portugal golden visa and D7 visa. This guide focuses on renewal, using the information published by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) as of October 2026.
Key takeaways
- The temporary ARI permit is valid for two years from the date the card is issued.
- AIMA requires a stay of at least 7 days in the first year and at least 14 days in subsequent years.
- Applicants undertake to maintain the investment for at least five years.
- Investments may not be directed, directly or indirectly, at real estate.
- Holders may later apply for permanent residence or, subject to the nationality law, for citizenship.
The minimum stay requirement
The main attraction of the ARI is its light presence requirement. AIMA states that holders must stay in Portugal for at least 7 days in the first year and at least 14 days in subsequent years. In practice, the later requirement is usually measured over each renewal period, so families should keep clear evidence of their entry and exit dates, such as passport stamps or travel records.
The permit also allows the holder to live and work in Portugal, and to travel within the Schengen area without a visa.
Keeping the investment in place
Every applicant signs a declaration on their honour that they will meet the quantitative and time requirements of the investment for at least five years. The remaining routes listed by AIMA are:
| Route | Minimum amount | Low-density reduction |
|---|
|—|—|—|
| Non-real-estate investment fund units | €500,000 | Not applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific research | €500,000 | €400,000 |
| Arts or national cultural heritage | €250,000 | Reduced by 20% |
| Job creation | 10 jobs | 8 jobs |
| Company formation or capital increase with five permanent jobs | €500,000 | Not applicable |
Funds must be Portuguese collective investment undertakings with a maturity of at least five years at the time of investment and at least 60% of their investments in companies based in Portugal. Low-density territories are those defined in Ordinance 208/2017.
For help planning the renewal timetable and documents for your family, our Portugal residency page explains how we support ARI holders.
What renewal involves
AIMA operates a dedicated renewal portal for ARI holders. At renewal, the holder must show that the investment is still in place and that the general conditions continue to be met, including valid travel documents, health cover, a clean criminal record and a regularised position with the tax and social security authorities. The fees are set by Ordinance 307/2023, which also covers analysis and issuance fees for the ARI.
The renewal period that applies after the first two years should be confirmed at the time of filing, as AIMA notes that special legal provisions on renewal periods apply.
Family members
Family reunification can be requested at the same time as the investor’s application, although it always depends on the investor’s permit being granted. AIMA lists the following family members:
- the spouse;
- children aged up to 17, or dependent children who are incapacitated;
- dependent, unmarried children aged 18 to 25 who are studying;
- dependent parents of the investor or the spouse;
- minor siblings under the investor’s legal guardianship.
The approach in Greece, Cyprus and Malta is compared in our article on family members in European residence programmes.
Permanent residence and citizenship
ARI holders and their family members who meet the conditions of Article 80 of the Foreigners Act may apply for permanent residence, for which AIMA issues a permanent investment activity permit. AIMA notes that the absence rules which normally cancel permanent residence do not apply in the same way to this permit.
Citizenship is governed separately by the Nationality Law. As explained in our Portugal comparison, the 2026 amendment generally requires ten years of legal residence for nationals of countries outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking community. Naturalisation also requires knowledge of Portuguese and other conditions, so the golden visa should be viewed as a residence route first.
If you would like to talk through how these rules might apply to your own circumstances, our team would be glad to help. You can call +357 979 42 388 or write to us through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many days must I spend in Portugal?
AIMA states at least 7 days in the first year and at least 14 days in subsequent years.
Can I sell my fund units before renewal?
The applicant undertakes to maintain the investment for at least five years, so selling early would put the permit at risk.
Can my adult children be included?
Yes, if they are unmarried, dependent on the family and studying, up to the age of 25.
Sources
- AIMA, Residence permit for investment, Article 90-A, as of October 2026.
- AIMA, ARI portal, as of October 2026.
- Diário da República, Law 56/2023 of 6 October.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Figures are stated as of 2026 and may change; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and an independent adviser before acting. AT Express is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government or official programme.
Featured image: “Cais da Ribeira in Porto (1)” by Krzysztof Golik, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Please note. This article is for general information only and reflects our understanding at the date of publication. Programme rules, thresholds and fees are set by each government and can change at short notice. It is not legal, tax or financial advice; please check the current position with us or the relevant authority before acting.
By the AT Express editorial team · Published 30 October 2026 · Updated 31 October 2026
