Portugal Golden Visa Stay Rules: 14 Days Every 2 Years

Key Takeaways

• The Portugal Golden Visa in 2026 focuses on regulated investment funds with a minimum €500,000 commitment to qualify for Portuguese residency.
• The program requires only 14 days in Portugal every two years, which supports a viable Plan B without full relocation.
• The application process usually takes 12 to 18 months, with professional legal support playing an essential role at each step.
• New rules from October 2025 extend the general residency requirement for citizenship to 10 years, with shorter periods for some nationalities.
• Investors can navigate Golden Visa rules and fund options with VIDA Capital’s advisory support by contacting the team here.

Understanding Portugal Golden Visa Investment Requirements

The current structure of Portugal’s Golden Visa centers on regulated investment funds rather than personal properties. The minimum qualifying investment is €500,000 in Private Equity or Venture Capital funds regulated by CMVM, which forms the main route for non-EU investors seeking Portuguese residency.

Qualifying funds must follow strict rules. They must have a minimum maturity of five years and deploy at least 60% of capital in Portugal. This structure directs capital toward Portuguese businesses and projects, rather than direct personal property purchases, and provides investors with exposure to productive assets.

Secure Portuguese residency and a future path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa by working with specialists who understand compliant fund options.

Eligibility Criteria and Family Inclusion

Core eligibility focuses on nationality, age, and background. Applicants must be non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens, at least 18 years old, and have a clean criminal record.

Family inclusion allows one application to cover multiple generations. Spouses or recognized partners, unmarried dependent children who are full-time students and not working, and financially dependent parents or in-laws over 65 can all be included. Children must remain unmarried throughout the residency period until the Golden Visa application process concludes. Document-wise, families can submit a marriage certificate or other valid proof of relationship for partners.

Residency obligations remain light. Golden Visa holders must spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each two-year period, which suits investors who maintain careers or businesses elsewhere.

Investment Fund Pathway Specifications

Eligible funds must direct capital into Portuguese companies and avoid entities whose main activity involves personal properties for individual use in Portugal. This focus keeps investment tied to productive sectors of the economy and limits speculative exposure.

Investors need to hold their fund units for the full five-year Golden Visa residency period, unless they receive permanent residency or citizenship earlier. CMVM supervises these funds under European standards, which adds layers of governance, disclosure, and investor protection.

Golden Visa Process Timeline and Requirements

The Portugal Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months from first investment to issuance of the initial residency card. Investors begin by securing a Portuguese tax number, opening a local bank account, and subscribing to a qualifying fund. Support from an experienced Portuguese lawyer is essential at each stage to avoid delays or errors.

Lawyers then submit the application online and arrange biometric appointments for all family members. Applicants provide documents such as criminal record certificates, proof of investment, and evidence of family ties. As the approval card issuance usually takes a year, you will most likely only need to do a single renewal instead of two in the 5-year period.

When you get your Golden Visa, you receive a temporary residency permit, valid for two years. You must then renew it for two additional two-year periods, maintaining your investment and residency requirements throughout the five-year period. At that point, you can apply for permanent residency. During this time, the Golden Visa grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, as well as visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Secure Portuguese residency with a Portugal Golden Visa by working with legal and investment advisors who coordinate the process end-to-end.

Citizenship Pathway and New Regulations

Citizenship rules changed significantly in October 2025. Applicants who obtain residency through the Golden Visa now generally need to reside in Portugal for 10 years before applying for citizenship, rather than the shorter periods used in the past. The new rules apply to Golden Visa holders unless they submitted a citizenship application before the new law was published.

Nationals of Portuguese-language countries in the CPLP and citizens of other EU states benefit from a reduced seven-year residency requirement. These adjusted timelines acknowledge closer cultural and political ties while keeping the overall framework consistent.

The Golden Visa should now be seen primarily as a long-term residency solution. It offers immediate advantages such as living, working, and studying in Portugal, plus Schengen travel flexibility. The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal, not across the European Union. Once a Portuguese passport is granted, holders can then live, work, and study across EU and Schengen countries and access public healthcare and education there.

Financial Obligations and Fee Structure

Total costs include the fund investment itself plus government, legal, and fund fees. Government fees typically reach around €13,000 per person across the full five-year residency period, covering the initial application, card issuance, and renewals.

Legal fees usually range from €16,000 to €20,000 for a family, depending on the law firm and the number of applicants. Skilled legal support is critical, as it covers document collection, application strategy, and ongoing renewals.

Fund managers often charge annual management and performance fees. Many structures involve management fees of roughly 1–2% of committed capital, which support ongoing asset management, reporting, and regulatory compliance.

Strategic Benefits and Considerations

The Portugal Golden Visa offers a blend of lifestyle and strategic advantages. Portugal consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, which appeals to families seeking stability and a secure environment.

Investment in funds that acquire and transform hospitality assets can tap into Portugal’s strong tourism sector, including growth tied to events such as the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Funds like the VIDA Fund buy and give hospitality assets a second life rather than building them from scratch, which can align with sustainability and regeneration goals. Any historical return figures from such funds do not guarantee future results.

Portugal also stands out in Europe by offering an attainable path to citizenship without requiring full relocation, in contrast to countries such as Greece, which requires seven years of living there and paying taxes, and Spain, which no longer offers a Golden Visa. The light 14-day-per-two-year stay requirement makes Portugal a competitive Plan B for global investors.

Discuss Portugal Golden Visa strategies with VIDA Capital, an advisory firm that helps investors evaluate fund routes aligned with residency goals.

Conclusion

The Portugal Golden Visa in 2026 remains a structured, regulated path to Portuguese residency and, over the long term, a potential route to EU citizenship. Investors must commit at least €500,000 to compliant investment funds, maintain their residency and investment over a five-year period, and plan around the updated 10-year citizenship timeline (or seven years for some nationalities). With light physical presence requirements, strong lifestyle benefits, and a focus on productive, asset-backed investments, the program continues to be an attractive Plan B for globally mobile families. For tailored guidance on structuring your investment and navigating each legal step, you can speak directly with VIDA Capital’s advisory team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the minimum investment requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026?

The minimum qualifying investment is €500,000 in CMVM-regulated Private Equity or Venture Capital funds. These funds must have at least a five-year maturity and invest at least 60% of capital into Portuguese companies while excluding entities tied to personal properties for individual use. Investors must keep their investment for the full five-year residency period.

Which family members can join a Portugal Golden Visa application?

Applicants can include a spouse or recognized partner, unmarried dependent children who are full-time students and not working, and financially dependent parents or in-laws over 65. Children must remain unmarried throughout the program until the Golden Visa application is completed. All included family members receive Portuguese residency under the same application and must follow the stay requirements.

What are the physical presence rules for keeping a Portugal Golden Visa status?

Golden Visa holders must spend at least 14 days in Portugal every two-year period. This requirement applies to each family member on the application. It allows investors to maintain a primary base elsewhere while retaining Portuguese residency and Schengen travel rights.

What is the Golden Visa processing time and renewals?

The typical timeline from making the qualifying investment to receiving the first residency card is 12 to 18 months, depending on document readiness and administrative backlogs. The card is valid for two years and then renewed for two further two-year periods, with proof of maintained investment, clean criminal records, and minimal stay compliance. As the approval card issuance usually takes a year, you will most likely only need to do a single renewal instead of two in the 5-year period.

What are some of the changes to citizenship timelines that were introduced in 2025?

Portugal now generally requires 10 years of residence before Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries within the CPLP and EU citizens benefit from a reduced requirement of seven years. The new rules apply to Golden Visa holders unless they had already submitted a citizenship application before the law took effect in October 2025.