Direct answer: Portugal renews every two years and asks for seven days in the country in the first year and fourteen days in each later two year period. Greece issues five year permits, renews them for five years while you own the property, and sets no minimum stay. Italy issues a two year permit, renews it for three years at a time while the investment is in place, and for the first five years does not require you to live there continuously.
At a glance
| Country | First permit | Renewals | Minimum stay | State renewal fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 2 years | 2 years at a time | 7 days in year one; 14 days in each later two year period | €4,210.30 standard, €3,157.80 reduced, plus €842.80 or €632.10 to receive and review the application |
| Greece | 5 years | 5 years at a time | None | €2,000 |
| Italy | 2 years | 3 years at a time | No continuity requirement for the first five years | Not yet confirmed |
Fees are per applicant. Family members renew too, and in Portugal the family member renewal fee is the same as the investor's. Your lawyer's fees are on top.
Portugal
The permit is renewed for two year periods as long as you prove the qualifying investment is still in place, and you must have spent at least seven days in Portugal in the first year and fourteen days in each later two year period, consecutive or not.
- The renewal rule is Article 90-A(2) of the Foreigners Act. The day counts are in Article 65-C of the regulation, and AIMA's FAQ repeats them, adding that proof of the days may be asked for "where there is well-founded doubt".
- The law gives AIMA 60 days to decide a renewal (Article 82(6)).
- AIMA's FAQ says renewals for cards that expired from 22 February 2020 up to 31 December 2026 are filed on its renewals portal.
- After five years of temporary residence and with basic Portuguese, you can apply for a permanent investment permit; the permanent card is renewed every five years.
Where sources differ: the regulation counts the fourteen days per two year period. AIMA's main ARI page says fourteen days "in subsequent years". We follow the regulation.
The reduced fee column on AIMA's table reflects a 25% reduction for applications filed digitally, which the table says also applies to in person fees until services move fully online. More on the Portugal page.
Greece
The permit lasts five years and is renewed for the same length as long as you still own the property. Article 100 of the Migration Code says periods of absence from Greece do not prevent renewal.
- The renewal fee is €2,000. The Ministry's English page gives this figure for renewal, and the 2025 document list sets an electronic fee of €2,000 for both grant and renewal. We read that list in a reproduction, not the Government Gazette.
- At renewal you declare that the property has not been let short term. If the property was converted from commercial use, you also declare it is still a home and not a business seat.
- If you bought a listed building to restore, the restoration must be finished by the first renewal, or a €150,000 fine applies.
Italy
The first permit lasts two years. It is renewed for three years at a time once the investment committee confirms the money was invested within three months of arrival and is still invested. For five years from the first permit, holders are exempt from the residence continuity obligations.
- That is Article 26-bis, paragraphs 5, 5-bis and 6, of the Immigration Act. The committee sends its approval for the renewal to the Questura (paragraph 7).
- The law does not say, in the text we read, what continuity rule applies from year six.
- The 2021 applicant guide says the renewal application at the Questura is due at least 60 days before the permit expires, and that the committee's clearance has to be requested well before that through the Investor Visa platform. For donors, the committee asks for a declaration from the recipient that the donation has not been revoked.
- The government's 2021 applicant guide describes the permit application at the Questura as an in person step.
More on the Italy page, and route by route: startup, company, bonds, donation.
Portugal, Italy or Greece
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Questions we hear most
- Which golden visa has the lowest minimum stay?
- Greece and Italy. Greek law says periods of absence do not prevent renewal. Italian law exempts investor permit holders from the residence continuity rules for the first five years. Portugal asks for seven days in the first year and fourteen days in each later two year period.
- Do the days have to be consecutive in Portugal?
- No. The regulation says the seven and fourteen days can be consecutive or not.
- Does the investment have to stay in place to renew?
- Yes, in all three countries. Portugal and Italy require proof that the investment is still in place, and Greece renews while you still own the property.
Sources
- Lei n.º 23/2007 (Foreigners Act), consolidated text, Articles 3, 82, 90-A, 98, 99, Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated text of the law published in Diário da República). Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Decreto Regulamentar n.º 84/2007, Articles 65-B to 65-K (ARI rules), Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Autorização de Residência para Investimento (Art. 90.º-A), AIMA, Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Perguntas frequentes: Autorização de Residência para Investimento (ARI), AIMA. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Tabela de taxas e demais encargos a cobrar pelos procedimentos administrativos (fee table, updated 26 February 2026), AIMA. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Law 5100/2024, codified Migration Code text including Article 100 (investor residence), Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Hellenic Republic. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Golden Visa (information page), Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Joint Ministerial Decision 214926/2025 (document list for investor permits), as reproduced, forin.gr. Secondary source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Circular 9 of 24 September 2024 on investor residence permits (golden visa), Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Decreto Legislativo 286/1998, Article 26-bis (entry and residence for investors), text in force, Normattiva, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- Investor Visa for Italy, applicant guide (2021 edition, Ministry of Economic Development), hosted by the Embassy of Italy in Abuja, Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale. Official source. Last checked 28 October 2026.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, immigration or investment advice. Rules and fees change, so check the sources above and the date we last checked them. No approval, permit or timeline is guaranteed. We are paid for introductions; here is how.