The Portugal Golden Visa needs a qualifying investment of €500,000 into a regulated investment fund, or a €250,000 cultural donation (€200,000 in a low-density area). On top of that, budget around €14,500 per person in AIMA government fees across the first five years at the online rate — the first card and two renewals — plus legal fees, typically €5,000 to €10,000 for the main applicant, documents, insurance and, on the fund route, the fund’s own charges.
For a single applicant on the fund route, a realistic five-year cost is €25,000 to €35,000 on top of the €500,000. That €500,000 stays invested and is not a fee.
AIMA fees went up on 1st March 2026 and rise again every 1st March in line with inflation. The figures below are the ones in force today.
The qualifying investment
| Route | Minimum | What happens to the money |
|---|---|---|
| Investment fund | €500,000 | Invested in a Portuguese-regulated fund, at least 60% in Portuguese companies. Returned when the fund exits, subject to performance |
| Cultural donation | €250,000 (€200,000 low-density) | A donation to an approved cultural project. Not returned |
| Scientific research | €500,000 (€400,000 low-density) | A contribution to a recognised research institution. Not returned |
| Company capital | €500,000 plus five permanent jobs | Invested in a Portuguese company |
| Job creation | Ten jobs | Cost depends on the business |
Property has not qualified since October 2023.
Most of Jason’s clients use the fund route. The capital is kept and can grow, and the fund manager handles the investment side. If the fund route is the one you’re weighing, here’s how to choose a Portugal Golden Visa fund, and every qualifying route is side by side on Portugal Golden Visa investment options.
AIMA government fees, 2026
These are charged per person, so a family of four pays four times. They are set by AIMA’s fee table and updated every 1st March.
| Fee, per person | Standard rate | Online rate |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt and analysis, charged on the first application and on each renewal | €842.80 | €632.10 |
| First residence card | €8,418.90 | €6,314.20 |
| Each renewal | €4,210.30 | €3,157.80 |
| Total, first five years (first card plus two renewals) | €19,367.90 | €14,526.10 |
The online rate applies to requests submitted through AIMA’s online portals. Golden Visa applications go through the ARI portal, and since 16th February 2026 renewals are online too. Your lawyer will confirm which rate applies to your file.
Family members pay the same card and renewal fee as the main applicant.
A family of four, worked through
Two adults and two children, fund route, online rate.
| Cost | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Qualifying investment (retained, not a fee) | €500,000 |
| AIMA fees, four people, first five years | €58,104 |
| Legal fees, main applicant plus family add-ons | €8,000 to €15,000 |
| Documents, apostilles, translations | €1,500 to €3,000 |
| Health insurance, bank and NIF set-up, biometrics travel | varies by family |
| Fund charges | per the fund’s documents, usually an annual management fee plus a performance fee |
The family shares one qualifying investment. Adding a spouse and children adds fees, not investment.
Professional and third-party costs
Legal fees. Typically €5,000 to €10,000 for the main applicant with a reputable Portuguese immigration lawyer, with an add-on per family member. Ask for the scope and fee in writing before you commit.
Fund charges. Each fund sets its own subscription fee, annual management fee and performance fee. Management fees are commonly around 1.5% a year. Read the fund’s documents for the exact figures.
Due diligence, bank and NIF. Opening a Portuguese bank account, getting a NIF (tax number) and the fund’s onboarding checks.
Documents. Criminal record certificates, apostilles, certified translations and powers of attorney. Small on their own, but they multiply with each family member.
Biometrics and travel. Each applicant attends a biometrics appointment in Portugal, and the minimum stay is seven days in the first year and fourteen days in each following two-year period.
Health insurance. Private cover for each applicant.
After year five: permanent residence and citizenship
At five years you can apply for permanent residence, or keep renewing the Golden Visa. Many investors can also exit the fund investment at this point, depending on the fund’s term.
AIMA’s fee for granting permanent residence to a Golden Visa holder or family member is €11,786.70 per person at the standard rate.
Citizenship is a separate step with its own clock. Since Lei Orgânica 1/2026 came into force on 19th May 2026, the requirement is ten years of legal residence, or seven for EU and CPLP nationals, counted from the issue of your first residence card. The naturalisation application fee is €250 per person, plus the A2 Portuguese language certificate and the civic knowledge test, whose regulation hasn’t been published yet.
If you are budgeting for a passport, budget to year ten, not year five.
Where people overspend
Paying retail fund fees when an institutional share class is available. Paying two advisory layers for the same work. Budgeting to the first card and forgetting the renewals.
Part of what Jason does is introduce clients directly to regulated fund managers and vetted legal partners. You pay the people doing the work, with no marked-up middle layer.
For the routes, timeline and eligibility in full, see the complete Portugal Golden Visa guide. For the fund options side by side, see Portugal Golden Visa investment options. If your budget is closer to €175,000, the HQA route is a residence permit with different stay rules — see the HQA programme page.
