Portugal, with its attractive quality of life, favourable tax regime, and strategic position as a gateway to Europe, has become a top choice for non-EU investors and professionals worldwide, particularly for those based in the UAE. For many, the ultimate goal is achieving Portugal Permanent Residence, offering indefinite stability and access to European advantages.
The process of obtaining Portugal Permanent Residence usually starts with receiving a temporary Portugal Residence Permit. The most well-known and fastest method for wealthy individuals and their immediate family is the Portugal Residency by Investment program, also called the Golden Visa. While it is straightforward to understand the steps involved to permanent residency, it is important for people currently in Dubai and the rest of the UAE to understand the initial temporary permit process, as it continues to develop.
The Golden Gateway: Starting with a Portugal Residence Permit
The Portugal Residency by Investment program is available for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and allows for a fast-track to receiving a Portugal Golden Visa. The Golden Visa has a very low physical stay requirement compared to various other visa options. In order to keep the temporary residence status, applicants must spend:
14 days (consecutively or non-consecutively) in Portugal in the first two-year permit.
21 days (consecutively or non-consecutively) in Portugal in the second three-year permit. (This is relevant if the person has the permits issued in the $2 + 3$ year format.)
Thus, in practice, this is an average of just seven days per year. This flexibility is very appealing to worldwide investors and business owners that have professional or personal obligations outside of Portugal in the UAE.
In late 2023, the Portuguese government amended the investment criteria by removing the option for the Golden Visa to be granted through the purchase of residential real estate units. This change has intentionally been aimed to refocus the program to include capital contributions that could promote the economy of Portugal, as well as contribute to innovation and culture in Portugal.
Qualifying Investment Options (2026 Focus):
In order to obtain your first Portugal Residence Permit, and to begin to build toward your future Portugal Permanent Residence status, you must complete one of the underlying qualifying investments:
Fund Subscription: Minimum capital transfer of €500,000 for the purchase of units in collective investment schemes that are not real estate related (for example, venture capital or private equity funds) that are regulated under the laws of Portugal and where at least 60% of the fund’s investment is in commercial companies that are domiciled in Portugal; This is the most common route currently.
Scientific Research: Minimum capital transfer of €500,000 to conduct Research by either public or private scientific research institutions that are part of the national scientific and technological system.
Cultural Heritage/Artistic Production: A minimum capital transfer of €250,000 for artistic production or the retrieval or maintenance of national cultural heritage.
Business/Job Creation: Creation of a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business.
Incorporation or increase of minimum €500,000 share capital in a Portuguese business that creates a minimum of five permanent jobs or maintains a minimum of ten jobs (of which a minimum of five are permanent) for a minimum of three years.
The Five-Year Path to Portugal Permanent Residency
The Portugal PR process proceeds along a clear timeline and set of stipulations. The Golden Visa grants a temporary Portugal Residence Permit from Dubai (or wherever you apply from) that you need to maintain for a total of five years before being eligible for Portugal Permanent Residency or citizenship.
PR Timeline Plan Portugal:
Year 0: Acquire your first Portugal Residence Permit (Golden Visa) valid for two years.
Year 2: Extend your residence permit for another three years (or 2 years depending on what card you currently hold). Throughout the entire five years, you must maintain your qualifying investment and fulfill the minimum stay obligation.
Year 5: After your fifth-year holding a valid temporary Portugal Residence Permit, you can apply for PR Residence or acquire Portuguese nationality.
Requirements for applying Portugal PR:
If you desire to apply PR in Portugal, after held a temporary residence permit for five years, applicants must demonstrate:
Live Legally for Five Years: Proof that you held a temporary residence permit for at least five years uninterruptedly.
Financial Sufficiency: Evidence of financial adequacy to sustain oneself.
Accommodation: Evidence of accommodation in Portugal (the relevant documents might be either a lease or deed).
No Criminal History: Isn’t convicted of an offense punishable by a prison sentence of more rather than one year under Portuguese criminal law.
Basic Language Skills: Evidence of basic knowledge of the Portuguese language (A2 level). This is an obligation in the Foreigners Law.
The status of the Portugal permanent residence visa is granted without time limit, the exception is that you must renew your physical residence card every five years, the rights granted are almost identical to citizenship, such as the right to work and study in Portugal, access to social services and cross borders in the Schengen Area without a visa. In addition, Golden Visa holders are not subject to the perpetual residency absences in time intervals of no more than 24 uninterrupted months or 30 correlated months over a period of three years, giving them a great deal of flexibility in international travel.
Making Your Portugal Residence Permit Application from Dubai
Getting a Portugal residence permit from Dubai or the wider UAE is a straightforward process that requires attention to detail. Non-EU nationals will start their application by submitting their investor application through the official portal of AIMA.
The application consists of:
Investment being Completed: Completion of your chosen qualifying investment route and/or option (Fund Transfer, for example).
Documentation Required: All documents required in the investment scheme. This includes copies of your passport, health insurance, certified criminal records checks from your originating country, and current residence country (UAE) and Proof of investment.
NIF and Bank Account: Obtaining a NIF (NIF is the Portuguese Tax Identification Number, necessary for all) and opening a Portuguese bank account to make the qualifying investment is also necessary.
Biometrics Appointment: After the application is submitted online and pre-approved, the applicant/family will be required to attend a mandatory biometrics appointment in Portugal to scan their fingerprints and show original documents (Passport). This step will complete the application for ”Temporary Portugal Residence Permit.”
This legal approval relied on a multi-part Portugal PR process that required careful preparation and attention to the strict timeline laid forth by the schemes. The average processing time from submission to the issuing of the first card is approximately 12-24 months. After the first card is received, renewals are straightforward, so it is best to submit your complete application on time.
How FRR Immigration Can Help You Secure Your Future
Portugal’s PR process has nuances and securing your Portugal Residence Permit through investment can be complicated and it is best to have professionals handle it. FRR Immigration specializes in helping clients with the PR process clearly, ethically and wisely, especially for clients coming from the UAE to secure Portugal Permanent Residence.
Here is how FRR Immigration helps you to be a successful applicant.
Full Oversight of Legal and Process: We cover every element of Portugal PR process from initial due diligence to when your Portugal Residence Permit is submitted. During this time we will be supporting you with any documentation preparation, certification and legalizing your documents for Portugal residency by investment. We will ensure compliance of the submission to the Portugal application requirements and timeframes.
Investment Selection: FRR Immigration can work with trusted and compliant partners in Portugal to help you with selecting a qualifying fund or investment to meet your financial goals and comply with the appropriate minimum fund requirement of €500,000 for your Portugal Residency by investment, as well we ensure any fund of investment complies with any updated regulation moving forward to 2026.
Streamlined Process to Obtain Portugal Residence Permit from UAE: For clients situated in UAE, we can enable a remote process to obtain your Portuguese NIF and bank account, as this will lessen the obligation to travel initially, and make your first step in the application towards the Portugal residence visa process that much easier.
Prepare for Portuguese Language Proficiency: We will assist and facilitate your connections to be able to obtain the A2 level of Portuguese language proficiency in optional order so that you can meet this important legal obligation when you apply for Permanent Residence or citizenship at the five-year milestone.
Family Reunification: We will ensure you include eligible family members (spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents), therefore your family members will be ready to take the Portugal Residence Permit along with the Primary applicant when the time is right.
Post-Residence Process: We will continue to support your ongoing renewals of your Portugal Residence Permit, and provide you a scheduled report of the minimum stays in five years necessary (or allowable) to satisfy the minimum stays to remain compliant with Portugal PR process.
Secure your future in Europe today. Contact FRR Immigration to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward your Portugal permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I apply for Portugal Permanent Residence without living in Portugal full-time?
A: Yes. The Portugal Residency by Investment program requires only a minimal stay of approximately seven days per year to maintain your temporary Portugal Residence Permit status, making the eventual application for Portugal Permanent Residence achievable without full-time relocation.
Q: How long does the initial Portugal Residence Permit take to process?
A: While processing times can vary due to governmental backlog at AIMA, from the time of investment execution and document submission, initial processing for the Portugal Residence Permit (Golden Visa) typically ranges from 12 to 24 months until the first residence card is issued.
Q: What is the main difference between Portugal Permanent Residence and citizenship?
A: Portugal Permanent Residence grants you the right to live, work, and study in Portugal indefinitely, but you remain a foreign national. Citizenship grants you a Portuguese passport, which is an EU passport, giving you the full right to live, work, and study in any EU country, along with political rights.
