Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) vs Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Lower capital: Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) (500,000 USD) vs 1,090,000 for Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP).
Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) Ireland · investment | Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) Portugal · investment | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Ireland | Portugal |
| Category | Investment | Investment |
| Application Fee | $1,500 | $5,400 |
| Minimum Income | — | — |
| Minimum Investment | $1,090,000 | $500,000 |
| Processing Time | 6 months | 6 months |
| Family Included | Spouse and dependent children were included under the programme when it was active | No additional investment required for dependent family members |
| Path to PR | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Physical Presence | No minimum physical presence requirement was imposed under this programme — one day's presence in Ireland per year was sufficient to maintain the permission. | Only 7 days per year in the first year, and 14 days per every subsequent 2-year period |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Ireland's tax residency rules apply based on physical presence (183 days in a year, or 280 days across two years). Since the programme imposed no minimum presence requirement, many holders did not become Irish tax residents. | Minimal physical presence means most holders do not trigger Portuguese tax residency; those who do may qualify for NHR status |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | — | $2,700 |
About Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
The Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was a residency-by-investment route granting Stamp 4 permission, but it has been closed to new applicants since 15 February 2023; the government cited anti-money-laundering and due-diligence concerns, and no replacement exists (alternatives are now the Critical Skills Employment Permit or Start-up Entrepreneur Programme). When active it required a minimum qualifying investment of EUR 1,000,000 (about USD 1,090,000) via enterprise, an investment fund, a REIT, or endowment, plus proof of at least EUR 2,000,000 in legally acquired net worth. Spouse and dependent children were included. It imposed no minimum physical presence: one day in Ireland per year sufficed, so many holders never became Irish tax residents (residency triggers at 183 days in a year, or 280 across two). The pathway led to permanent residence and citizenship eligibility after 5 years, with an oath and dual nationality permitted. Pre-February 2023 approved applicants continue to be processed.
Full Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) profile →About Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)
Portugal's Golden Visa (Autorização de Residência para Investimento, or ARI) is an investment-based residency permit for non-EU/EEA nationals, notable for one of Europe's lowest physical-presence requirements: just 7 days in year one and 14 days per subsequent two-year period. Since an October 2023 reform, real estate no longer qualifies; current routes include €500,000+ in an approved investment fund, a €500,000+ capital transfer combined with job creation, or €250,000+ toward cultural heritage or the arts, maintained for the full 5-year period. No additional investment is required for family members. The Golden Visa leads to permanent residency and, since the 2026 Nationality Law, citizenship eligibility after 10 years of legal residence (applications pending before 19 May 2026 keep the former 5-year timeline), with an A2 Portuguese language test. Because minimal time in Portugal is needed, most holders never trigger Portuguese tax residency (183-day threshold), and the narrower IFICI regime that replaced NHR in 2024 generally doesn't apply to passive investors. The main practical obstacle is administrative: AIMA has faced severe backlogs since its 2023 reorganisation, and residence-card issuance can take a year or more beyond official timelines.
Full Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
- ⚠CLOSED TO NEW APPLICATIONS since 15 February 2023
- ⚠Irish government cited concerns over anti-money-laundering and due diligence as closure reasons
- ⚠No direct replacement programme — Ireland does not currently have a residency-by-investment path
- ⚠Alternative routes: Critical Skills Employment Permit, Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)
- ⚠Real estate investment no longer qualifies as of October 2023 reform
- ⚠AIMA backlog means residence card issuance currently takes 1-2+ years
- ⚠Investment must be maintained for minimum 5 years (citizenship eligibility window)
- ⚠IFICI tax regime generally does not apply to passive investors
- ⚠Source-of-funds AML documentation is strictest among EU Golden Visas
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.