What a Portugal Golden Visa lawyer does for an American investor, how to check that the lawyer is registered in Portugal, which US documents AIMA asks for and how fees are quoted. Every rule links to AIMA, the Diário da República or the IRS.
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Short answer
Choose a lawyer registered with the Portuguese Bar (Ordem dos Advogados) to handle your Golden Visa. The Golden Visa (ARI) is an AIMA procedure under Portuguese law, and you can check any lawyer’s registration in the Ordem dos Advogados public search in a minute. We do not name, rank or recommend individual lawyers.
This guide is for American investors who searched for a ‘US-based’ or ‘best’ Golden Visa attorney. It covers what to check before you hire, the routes open in 2026, the US documents AIMA asks for, the US tax points to raise with your own adviser, and how fees are quoted. For the general process, read our Golden Visa Portugal guide; for every requirement in one list, read the Golden Visa requirements checklist.
The same routes apply to US citizens as to every other non-EU national. AIMA publishes them on its ARI page (Article 90.º-A), under Lei n.º 23/2007. AIMA states that the investment may not go, directly or indirectly, into real estate.
| Route | Minimum | Main condition (AIMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Investment fund | €500,000 | Units in non-real-estate collective investment undertakings under Portuguese law, with a maturity of at least 5 years when you invest and at least 60% of the investment in companies with their head office in Portugal. |
| Company and jobs | €500,000 | Setting up a company with its head office in Portugal and creating 5 permanent jobs, or increasing the capital of an existing one and creating 5 permanent jobs or keeping 10 jobs (5 of them permanent), for at least 3 years. |
| Research | €500,000 | Research by public or private scientific institutions in the national scientific and technological system (€400,000 in low-density areas). |
| Culture | €250,000 | Artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage through eligible entities (lower in low-density areas). |
| Job creation | — | At least 10 jobs (8 in low-density areas). |
Considering the fund route? Read our €500,000 investment fund guide before you subscribe.
Portugal and the United States are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH status table). Ask your lawyer which form of authentication AIMA accepts for each document before you order it. For consulates and US-specific visa steps, see our Portugal visa guide for US citizens.
We do not give US tax advice. Take these two points to a US tax adviser before you subscribe:
Each lawyer sets their own fees, so we do not publish figures. A clear quote separates the lawyer’s fee from the costs that go to others:
Ask whether the fee includes renewals and family members, and whether any part of it depends on which fund you choose. Our Golden Visa cost guide lists the cost items with their official sources.
AIMA requires at least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each following year, and the first permit is valid for 2 years (AIMA). AIMA renews ARI permits through its Portal de Renovações. After five years of temporary residence you can apply for permanent residence under Article 80 of Lei n.º 23/2007.
For citizenship, Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026) requires ten years of legal residence for nationals of countries outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking countries, which includes US citizens (Diário da República). See our citizenship requirements guide.
Expert Review: send us your route, your family members and your timeline. With your consent, a Portuguese partner lawyer contacts you and gives you their own written fee proposal before any work starts. We are not a law firm.
We checked each rule on this page against these sources on 23 October 2026. Rules change, so check the current version before you act.
FAQ
Short, plain answers based on official sources. For your own case, send us your question.
A US attorney can help with your US tax, estate planning and US documents. The Golden Visa (ARI) is an AIMA procedure under Portuguese law, so the legal work in Portugal is done by a lawyer registered with the Portuguese Bar (Ordem dos Advogados). Check any Portuguese lawyer in the Ordem dos Advogados lawyer search before you sign.
No. Since the October 2023 reform (Lei n.º 56/2023), the routes are a qualifying investment fund, research, culture, company investment with job creation, and job creation. AIMA states that the investment may not go, directly or indirectly, into real estate (AIMA ARI page).
Search the lawyer’s name in the Ordem dos Advogados ‘Pesquisa de Advogados’ page. Compare the name and professional registration number (cédula profissional) with the engagement letter you receive.
AIMA asks for the criminal record certificate to be translated and certified by a Portuguese diplomatic or consular post. Portugal and the United States are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH status table). Ask your lawyer which form of authentication AIMA accepts for each document before you order it.
Each lawyer sets their own fees, so we do not publish figures. Ask for a written engagement letter with the fee for each stage (the ARI application, each family member, renewals, permanent residence or citizenship) and a statement of whether the lawyer receives anything from a fund manager. See our Golden Visa cost guide.
AIMA requires at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each following year. The first permit is valid for 2 years (AIMA ARI page).
Under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026, nationals of countries outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking countries need ten years of legal residence. That includes US citizens. Other requirements apply; see our citizenship requirements guide and the Diário da República.
Send your question for an Expert Review, or call +351 923 297 575.
Send your question →Golden Visa guides
The routes, the AIMA process and where a lawyer adds value.
Read the guide →Every requirement in one checklist, with AIMA sources.
Read the guide →The €500,000 fund route and what to check before you subscribe.
Read the guide →Investment, AIMA fees, legal fees and fund costs.
Read the guide →D7, D8 and Golden Visa routes for Americans.
Read the guide →The 2026 rules on residence time, language and more.
Read the guide →