The Residence Permit for Investment (ARI), commonly known as the Golden Visa, allows non-EU citizens to obtain residency in Portugal through financial contributions that promote the country’s development. After the real estate pathway ended in 2023, one of the most accessible modalities has been donations to cultural projects, including museums and historical heritage. This article explains how museum donations can be used to obtain the ARI and outlines the legal and practical requirements to be considered.
It should be noted that the main advantages of the Golden Visa include the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in Portugal, which can be extended to the spouse and dependents, enjoying free movement within the Schengen area, accessing services such as healthcare and
education, and benefiting from a pathway to naturalisation after five years of legal residence. In addition, there is a minimum stay requirement, which can be fulfilled by spending just seven days per year in Portugal.
1. Legal framework
The philanthropic route of the ARI was introduced by Law No. 63/2015, which provides for the eligibility of investments supporting artistic production or the restoration and maintenance
of cultural heritage. To qualify, the investment must:
– Be a minimum donation of €250,000, reduced to €200,000 when the cultural project is located in a low-density area.
– Be allocated to projects in artistic production (film, theatre, music, dance) or in heritage conservation (restoration of museums, monuments, collections).
– Be pre-approved by GEPAC (Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais – Office for Strategy, Planning and Cultural Assessment), a body under the Ministry of Culture responsible for certifying cultural projects.
2. Donations to museums: opportunities and impact
Donations to museums fall within the scope of preserving cultural heritage. Portugal has a diverse network of institutions that can benefit from this type of investment, ranging from internationally renowned foundations to regional projects with strong local impact.
Examples of eligible projects listed in the official GEPAC documentation include:
Fundação Serralves (Porto) – with initiatives such as “Investing for the Future – Art at Park” and the “Performing Arts Programme”, enhancing artistic activity and valuing the natural and architectural heritage of Serralves Park.
Fundação Batalha de Aljubarrota (Leiria) – which promotes the reconstruction of the 1385 battlefield landscape and carries out archaeological work, preserving a cornerstone of Portuguese national memory.
Museus e Monumentos de Portugal, E.P.E. – with programmes such as “Iter Aequitas – Universal Path” in Conímbriga, or “IAzulejo – Digital Preservation with Intelligence”, combining tradition with technological innovation.
Fundação Abel e João Lacerda (Caramulo) – founders of the Caramulo Museum, currently developing a Toy Museum to preserve unique European collections.
Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva (Lisbon) – with its project for the conservation and restoration of a 16th-century palace in the historic centre of Évora, an example of heritage rehabilitation in a UNESCO-classified city.
Fundação Casa de Mateus (Vila Real) – combining tradition and innovation through restoration and digital fabrication workshops, as well as the study and enhancement of its historical archives.
Fundação Mata do Buçaco (Mealhada) – responsible for initiatives such as “The Enchanted Garden”, which merges natural, architectural and cultural heritage in a space of great environmental and historical relevance.
These institutions show how cultural donations can take multiple forms – from preserving architectural and archaeological heritage to promoting artistic events and digitalising collections.
The impact of such donations is twofold:
for Portugal, they represent direct investment in cultural, touristic and economic development; for the investor, they provide access to a legitimate and structured pathway to residency in Portugal in accordance with the law.
3. Application process and requirements Project identification
The investor, usually assisted by legal advisors, selects a museum or cultural project approved by GEPAC. GEPAC issues a statement confirming that the project meets cultural and economic
impact criteria.
Donation agreement – A patronage contract is signed between the investor and the museum’s managing entity, specifying the donation amount, execution phases and transparency guarantees.
Fund transfer – The capital (≥ €250,000 or ≥ €200,000 in low-density areas) must be fully transferred to the cultural project’s account.
The donation is irrevocable, produces no financial return, and must be maintained for five years.
Application submission – With the donation certificate, the applicant files the request with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
Issuance and renewal of residence permit – The residence permit is valid for two years, renewable for successive two-year periods. The holder must prove minimum stays of seven days (consecutive or not) in the first year, and 14 days (consecutive or not) during each subsequent two-year period of validity.
4. Eligible activities according to GEPAC
For application purposes, the Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais (GEPAC), a body under the Ministry of Culture responsible for certifying cultural projects, regularly publishes official information on the cultural activities eligible under the Residence
Permit for Investment (ARI).
The most recent version, dated October 2025, lists the cultural areas that may be supported by investors, including projects in artistic production and in the preservation and enhancement of historical and museological heritage.
This document serves as a guide for investors and legal advisors, setting out the cultural and economic impact criteria to be met. When preparing an application, the investor must ensure the donation falls within one of these eligible activities and is duly validated by GEPAC.
5. Final considerations
Donating to museums under the ARI is a noble and effective way to obtain residency in Portugal while contributing to heritage preservation. However, this is a non-refundable donation: investors
must be aware that the funds will be fully allocated to the cultural project. It is therefore recommended to:
– Carefully assess the project: ensure the museum’s sustainability and cultural relevance.
– Obtain specialised legal advice to ensure compliance with GEPAC and AIMA requirements.
By following these steps, the investor not only secures a residence permit for themselves and their family but also contributes to strengthening Portugal’s cultural heritage, consolidating a more resilient and accessible museum network aligned with the demands of the 21st century.
