Can you still get a Golden Visa by buying property in Portugal?
Last updated: 2026-10-02
No. Since October 2023 buying property no longer qualifies for Portugal's Golden Visa. The real-estate route was removed by the Mais Habitação law. You can still buy property freely, it just no longer comes with residence. The routes that still work are investment funds, scientific research, cultural support, and creating a company or jobs.
What changed, and when
Portugal's Golden Visa (officially the ARI) used to let non-EU buyers gain residence by buying property, and this was hugely popular on the Algarve. That ended with the Mais Habitação law (Lei 56/2023), in force from 7 October 2023. Buying a home, and the old capital-transfer route, no longer qualify. Applications already in progress and existing holders renewing were protected, but new property purchases do not count.
Why so many people still get this wrong
Older articles, and plenty of current ones, still describe 'buy a €500,000 property and get a Golden Visa'. That advice is out of date. If residence through investment is your goal, a property purchase will not get you there, and it is worth knowing that before you buy rather than after.
The routes that still qualify in 2026
If you want the Golden Visa through investment, the remaining routes are: an investment fund of €500,000 (regulated, with no real-estate exposure); scientific research of €500,000; support for cultural or artistic heritage from €250,000; or creating a company and jobs. Amounts and conditions change, so take current professional advice before committing.
You can still buy, and other visas exist
None of this stops you buying property in Portugal. Many people who want to live here use other routes instead, such as the D7 (for those with a stable passive income) or the digital-nomad visa, and simply buy a home as their place to live rather than as an investment-for-residence. If residence is your aim, decide the visa route first, then buy to suit it.
Common questions
Can you still get a Golden Visa by buying a house in Portugal?
No. Since 7 October 2023 buying property no longer qualifies for the Portuguese Golden Visa. The real-estate route was removed by the Mais Habitação law. You can still buy freely, but the purchase no longer grants residence.
What are the Golden Visa options in Portugal now?
The routes that still qualify in 2026 are an investment fund of €500,000, scientific research of €500,000, support for cultural heritage from €250,000, or creating a company and jobs. The property and capital-transfer routes were removed in October 2023.
Can I move to Portugal if I buy a house there?
Buying a house does not by itself give you residence. People who want to live in Portugal usually apply for a visa such as the D7 (passive income) or the digital-nomad visa, and buy a home to live in separately. Decide your visa route first, then buy to suit it.
Local expert: This guide references Villas Key - Mediação Imobiliária, Lda, a licensed estate agency in Lagos (AMI 10865).