Is It Worth Reuniting Golden Visa Children?
Joana Loureiro Veríssimo | Lawyer
Why Bringing Your Children Under the ARI Scheme Is a Strategic Move for Citizenship and Family Security.
Portugal’s Golden Visa programme, officially known as the Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento (ARI), is widely regarded as one of the most flexible and advantageous residence-by-investment programmes in Europe. It not only offers foreign investors the right to reside in Portugal but also opens a clear path to permanent residency and, eventually, citizenship. While most investors are aware that they can include immediate family members in their application, later reunited through family reunification, one critical legal detail is often overlooked: under Portuguese nationality law, minor children can only apply for citizenship once at least one parent has acquired Portuguese nationality.
This single clause significantly alters the long-term planning strategy for families pursuing the Golden Visa. It means that including or reuniting children under the ARI programme is not just a matter of convenience; it is often essential if the goal is to secure European citizenship for the entire family within a predictable and streamlined timeframe. According to Portuguese law, foreign nationals are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence, provided they fulfil certain requirements, such as proving basic knowledge of the Portuguese language and demonstrating integration into the national community. However, these rules become more complex when it comes to children.
Minor children, even those who have resided in Portugal for several years, cannot independently apply for citizenship unless one of their parents has already become a Portuguese citizen. If neither parent obtains Portuguese citizenship before the child turns 18, the child must wait until adulthood to apply under the general naturalisation rules. These rules are typically stricter and may involve longer processing times and more rigorous documentation. Therefore, reuniting children under the ARI programme early on is not simply an administrative choice; it’s a long-term strategic decision that can help avoid legal and logistical complications in the future.
By reuniting children early under the Golden Visa (ARI) programme, families ensure that their children begin accumulating a documented history of legal residence in Portugal. This history plays a vital role when the time comes to apply for citizenship, as the child must still demonstrate an effective connection to the Portuguese community. This connection is far easier to prove when the child has held a valid residency permit for over five years. Without this legal residency background, the child may face difficulties meeting the citizenship criteria, even if a parent has already naturalised.
The importance of this legal connection is often underestimated, but it becomes a central issue during the nationality application process. In this context, holding a valid residence permit from an early age becomes one of the most reliable and straightforward ways to demonstrate integration. It positions the child to benefit from the simplified citizenship procedure available to minor children of naturalised citizens.
Aside from long-term citizenship goals, there are immediate and tangible benefits to including children in the Golden Visa scheme. Children who hold residence permits can enrol in public or private schools in Portugal, often benefiting from reduced tuition fees compared to foreign students without legal status. They also gain access to Portugal’s public healthcare system, which is known for being efficient and affordable. Additionally, a residence permit grants visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, making it easier for children to participate in school exchanges, family vacations, or academic programmes across Europe.
Moreover, once naturalised, Portuguese citizens enjoy full rights as European Union citizens, including the freedom to live, work, and study in any EU member state. Children who are included in the process early can access these same benefits sooner, without needing to restart or duplicate efforts later in life. This creates a much smoother and more advantageous path to European citizenship and all the opportunities it brings.
Under current Portuguese law, family reunification is allowed for minor children under the age of 18, as well as for dependent children up to 25 years old, provided they are unmarried and in full-time education. However, these legal provisions are subject to age limits, and once a child surpasses those thresholds, they must apply for residence through a separate legal route, such as a student visa or work permit. These paths typically involve more bureaucracy and fewer long-term guarantees.
Of course, there are costs involved in regrouping family members under the Golden Visa scheme. These include government application fees, legal assistance, and possibly restructuring the initial investment to accommodate additional dependents. Yet, these expenses are generally modest when compared to the financial and procedural burdens of applying for separate visas later, facing delays in naturalisation eligibility, or losing access to public services, such as education and healthcare. Furthermore, with increasing unpredictability in immigration laws across Europe, securing your family’s legal status as early as possible is a wise and protective move.
In summary, including your children in the Golden Visa process from the beginning is not simply an administrative detail; it is a strategic legal decision that shapes their future. It creates a direct and efficient path to citizenship, accelerates integration, and opens access to rights and services that can significantly enhance their quality of life. More importantly, it places children in a strong legal position to benefit from everything the European Union has to offer, from education and healthcare to professional and personal mobility.
At a time when global migration pathways are becoming more competitive and legal frameworks increasingly strict, taking early action to include your children under the ARI programme is an investment not only in their future but in your family’s long-term security and stability in Europe.
