Golden Visa, D2, D7, D8, Startup Visa and Tech Visa answer different questions. NAUPT connects the relevant pathway to the investment, business, tax, family and establishment decision.
Discuss your situationThere is no universal “best” route. Golden Visa (ARI) is investment-linked; D2 is entrepreneur-led; D7 is generally income-and-residence-led; D8 supports qualifying remote work; Startup Visa and Tech Visa address innovation and talent. The correct route depends on nationality, objective, capital, activity, intended presence, family and current law.
Popular labels are useful for discovery, but the legal route must follow the underlying facts. Each pathway below is an orientation—not an eligibility opinion.
For non-EU/EEA/Swiss investors using a qualifying activity under the current Autorização de Residência para Investimento regime. Current routes include defined forms of job creation, investment funds, scientific research, cultural support and company capitalisation with employment conditions.
Investment structure, eligibility, source of funds, holding period and family implications.
For founders, entrepreneurs and independent professionals establishing a credible activity in Portugal. The business case, resources, implementation plan and genuine economic activity matter more than a generic company registration.
Business plan, company structure, capital, operating substance and founder establishment.
Commonly considered by people with stable qualifying income who intend to establish residence in Portugal. It is a residence route, not an investment product, and normally implies a materially different presence model from ARI.
Income evidence, residence intention, tax residence and family context.
For qualifying employees or independent professionals performing remote activity for entities outside Portugal. It may suit an individual decision-maker, but is not a substitute for structuring a Portuguese operating business.
Employment or services evidence, income, intended duration and tax exposure.
A programme linked to innovative entrepreneurial projects and certified incubators. It is relevant where the founder’s project, scalability and Portuguese ecosystem engagement support the route.
Innovation case, incubator pathway, founder team and funding plan.
Relevant to certified Portuguese employers recruiting highly qualified non-EU professionals, alongside broader highly qualified activity and EU Blue Card routes.
Employer eligibility, role, qualifications, employment terms and workforce plan.
A linked route that may allow eligible family members to join a residence-permit holder, subject to the status, relationship, documentation and current procedural rules.
Family perimeter, timing, documentation, housing and establishment dependencies.
Portugal’s investment-residence programme remains in force, but new property-acquisition and simple capital-transfer applications are no longer admitted. Current qualifying activity must be established under the law in force when the application is prepared.
Clarify nationality, objective, investment or business route, presence, family and timing.
Test relevant residence pathways against the commercial and personal plan.
Appoint authorised legal and tax specialists to confirm eligibility and consequences.
Coordinate investment, company, banking, property, documentation and establishment workstreams.
Residence rules, procedures and public programmes can change. This page was reviewed on 19 August 2026 and uses official sources as the starting point. Case-specific advice must be reconfirmed before action.
Clear orientation for high-intent questions, with legal boundaries made explicit.
Yes. Portugal’s Autorização de Residência para Investimento, commonly called the Golden Visa or ARI, remains available through qualifying activities under current law. The available routes and evidence requirements must be checked at the date of application.
Not through a new property-acquisition application under the current ARI rules. Legislation enacted in October 2023 stopped admitting new applications through the former real-estate routes and simple capital-transfer route. Property may still be part of a wider establishment or housing decision, but it does not by itself create current Golden Visa eligibility.
ARI is linked to a legally qualifying investment activity and has its own minimum-stay framework. The D2 route is associated with entrepreneurial or independent professional activity and a genuine establishment plan. The right choice depends on the individual, business model, capital, desired presence and current legal requirements.
No. D7 is generally associated with qualifying own income and residence; D8 concerns qualifying remote work for entities outside Portugal. They can affect an investor or founder’s personal establishment but should not be confused with an investment-residence programme.
NAUPT frames residency and mobility within the investment or establishment decision, identifies dependencies and coordinates the required workstreams. Legal opinions, applications and other reserved activities remain with appropriately authorised immigration lawyers and specialists.
Bring the investor, business, capital, family and intended-presence context. NAUPT will frame the dependencies and coordinate the qualified specialists required to validate the route.
Discuss a confidential mandate