What documents are needed for a Portugal Golden Visa application?

What Documents Are Needed for Portugal’s Golden Visa Application in 2025?

Required Documents for the Main Applicant

1. Valid Passport:
   • A copy of the passport’s main page (showing photo, personal details, and expiry date).
   • Must be valid for at least six months beyond the application date.
   • Additional pages showing entry/exit stamps may be requested later for residency tracking.
2. Proof of Qualifying Investment:
   • Documentation varies by investment type, which must be maintained for at least five years:
     • Investment Fund (€500,000): Subscription agreement, proof of fund transfer (bank receipt), and a certificate from the fund manager confirming CMVM approval and investment in Portuguese companies.
     • Scientific Research (€500,000): Contract with an accredited research institution (e.g., university), bank transfer receipt, and a letter confirming the funds’ allocation to research.
     • Business Investment (€500,000 or 10 Jobs): Business registration, bank transfer receipt (if applicable), Social Security records proving job creation (five jobs for three years or 10 jobs), and a business plan.
     • Cultural Donation (€250,000 or €200,000 in low-density areas): Donation agreement with a government-approved cultural project, bank transfer receipt, and a letter from the recipient confirming the donation’s purpose.
   • Proof must show the investment was made from the applicant’s own legally sourced funds.
3. Clean Criminal Record:
   • A criminal record certificate from:
     • The applicant’s country of citizenship.
     • Any country where they have resided for over one year in the past five years.
   • Must be issued within 90 days of application submission.
   • AIMA conducts a separate Portuguese criminal record check during processing.
4. Proof of Health Insurance:
   • A private health insurance policy valid in Portugal, covering medical expenses during stays.
   • Must include the applicant’s name, policy number, and coverage details (e.g., hospitalization, outpatient care).
   • International policies are acceptable if they explicitly cover Portugal.
5. Proof of Legal Source of Funds:
   • Documents demonstrating the investment funds’ legitimacy, such as:
     • Bank statements (last 3–6 months).
     • Tax returns or income declarations.
     • Sale agreements (e.g., property, business) if funds derive from asset sales.
     • Employment contracts or business ownership records if applicable.
   • AIMA requires transparency to prevent money laundering, so comprehensive records are critical.
6. Application Forms:
   • Completed Golden Visa application form (available on AIMA’s ARI portal).
   • Signed declaration of commitment to maintain the investment for at least five years.
   • Authorization for AIMA to conduct background checks.
7. Proof of Financial Means:
   • While not strictly quantified, evidence of sufficient resources to support oneself in Portugal (beyond the investment), such as bank statements or investment portfolios.
   • Typically satisfied by the investment documentation and source-of-funds proof.
8. Recent Photograph:
   • A passport-sized color photo meeting AIMA’s specifications (plain background, recent, clear).
9. Payment of Application Fees:
   • Receipt for the processing fee (€533 per person, approximate, subject to change).
   • Note: The residence card issuance fee (€8,000 per person, approximate) is paid post-approval after biometrics.

Documents for Included Family Members

1. Valid Passport:
   • Copy of the main page, valid for at least six months.
2. Relationship Proof:
   • Spouse: Marriage certificate or civil union document.
   • Children: Birth certificate linking to the main applicant or spouse; for 18–26-year-olds, proof of full-time education (e.g., university enrollment) and financial dependency (e.g., affidavit, bank transfers).
   • Parents: Birth certificate of the applicant or spouse to establish the link, plus proof of dependency (e.g., financial support records, medical dependency if under 65).
   • All documents must be apostilled and translated if issued abroad.
3. Clean Criminal Record:
   • Required for family members over 16, from their country of residence/citizenship and any country of residence over one year in the past five years.
   • Issued within 90 days of submission.
4. Health Insurance:
   • A policy covering each family member in Portugal, similar to the main applicant’s.
5. Photograph:
   • A recent passport-sized photo for each family member.
6. Dependency Evidence (if applicable):
   • For adult children: University letters, proof of unmarried status (e.g., affidavit).
   • For parents: Financial records showing support or medical documents for dependency under 65.

Application Process and Document Submission

1. Preparation: Choose an investment (e.g., fund, donation), make the investment, and collect all documents with apostilles/translations.
2. Submission: Apply via AIMA’s ARI portal or a Portuguese consulate, typically through a lawyer to ensure accuracy. Pay the processing fee.
3. Due Diligence: AIMA verifies documents, investment compliance, and backgrounds, coordinating internationally if needed.
4. Biometrics: Approved applicants and family members attend a biometrics appointment in Portugal (fingerprints, photos).
5. Residence Card: Cards are issued (two-year validity) after paying the issuance fee.

Key Considerations

• Document Authenticity: All documents must be original or certified copies, with apostilles from Hague Convention countries or legalization otherwise. Translations must be notarized.
• Timeliness: Criminal records and other time-sensitive documents should be recent (within 90 days) to avoid resubmission requests.
• Family Inclusion: Each family member’s documents add complexity, increasing the risk of errors. Later additions (e.g., newborns) require separate applications with extra fees.
• Legal Assistance: A certified immigration lawyer can streamline document preparation, verify compliance, and liaise with AIMA, reducing delays. Legal fees typically range from €5,000–€15,000.
• Language Barriers: Non-Portuguese documents need professional translation, which can take days to weeks depending on the country.
• Costs: Beyond application fees, expect costs for apostilles (€50–€200 per document), translations (€20–€50 per page), and courier services.

Updates as of April 2025

• No Document Changes: The document list remains consistent post-2023 reforms, which eliminated real estate but left administrative requirements intact.
• AIMA Efficiency: AIMA’s digital upgrades since 2023 ensure smoother document processing, keeping timelines at 6–12 months, though complex cases (e.g., multiple family members) may lean toward 12.
• Stable Program: No reported plans to alter document requirements, maintaining clarity for applicants.

Tips for a Successful Application

1. Engage a Lawyer: A specialist ensures documents meet AIMA’s standards, saving time and avoiding rejections.
2. Start Early: Begin collecting documents (e.g., criminal records, apostilles) 2–3 months before applying, as some countries have slow bureaucracies.
3. Verify Investment Proof: Ensure investment documents (e.g., fund certificates, donation receipts) are detailed and AIMA-compliant.
4. Double-Check Family Documents: Confirm dependency proofs for children/parents are robust to prevent scrutiny.
5. Organize Digitally: Keep scanned copies of all documents for easy submission via the ARI portal and future reference.

Conclusion