Golden Visa (Investment): Timeline for Nigerians ₦9,087,396
Processing time for the Golden Visa (Investment) for Nigerian applicants is 6–12 months (approval), up to 39.6 months backlog at peak, though clearing. Below is what to expect at each stage, plus the verified fees you pay along the way.
Golden Visa (Investment) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦9,087,396 (~$6,652 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦783,396,175 (~$573,446 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦9,087,396 (~$6,652 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 21 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦9,087,396 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦9,087,396: Paid to the Portugal immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Proof of funds — ₦783,396,175: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 6–12 months (approval), up to 39.6 months backlog at peak, though clearing
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the Golden Visa (Investment) requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦9,087,396 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 6–12 months (approval), up to 39.6 months backlog at peak, though clearing.
Expert tip
Golden Visa (Investment)
Major change: since October 2023, you can NO longer buy property for the Golden Visa. The remaining routes are: €500,000 into qualifying investment funds (must allocate 60%+ to Portuguese businesses), €250,000 into cultural heritage, €500,000 into scientific research, or creating 10+ jobs. The fund route is most popular — expect 4–6% annual returns over the 6–8 year fund life. AIMA processing hit 39.6 months at peak in mid-2025, though AIMA has since cleared a significant portion of the backlog, with 20,000+ applicants waiting. The Golden Visa still leads to permanent residency and, under current law, citizenship after 5 years — but proposed nationality law changes could extend this to 10 years. The current 5-year rule is still in effect as of March 2026.
Where Nigerians settle in Portugal
Once your Golden Visa (Investment) is approved, most Nigerians head to Lisbon or Porto. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Lisbon: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,862,916/month · Lagos–Lisbon flights from ~$500 · Nigerian community: Medium
- Porto: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,521,355/month · Lagos–Porto flights from ~$520 · Nigerian community: Small
- Braga: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,150,026/month · Lagos–Braga flights from ~$550 · Nigerian community: Very Small
Life in Lisbon
Lisbon is Portugal's capital and most expensive city — a 1-bed apartment in the center costs €1,200–1,500/month ($1,380–$1,725), dropping to €900–1,000 outside the center. The African community is significant, rooted in Portugal's former colonies (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau). Neighborhoods like Arroios, Amadora, and Martim Moniz have African shops and restaurants. Lisbon's tech scene is booming — it hosts Web Summit and has a growing cluster of startups. Public transport is excellent with a monthly pass at €40. Get your NIF tax number as your first priority — you need it for everything.
3% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Portugal as their destination. Average Japa Score: 60/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦500K–₦1.5M.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Golden Visa (Investment) cost for Nigerians moving to Portugal?
- Total government fees for the Golden Visa (Investment) are ₦9,087,396 (about $6,652). This covers the visa application fee, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Golden Visa (Investment) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Golden Visa (Investment) is 6–12 months (approval), up to 39.6 months backlog at peak, though clearing. Apply from the Portugal High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Golden Visa (Investment)?
- You need to show ₦783,396,175 ($573,446) in savings for the Golden Visa (Investment). This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the Golden Visa (Investment) application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦783,396,175 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Portugal.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 21 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02