Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa grants Portuguese residency rights and Schengen visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while keeping minimum stay requirements at 14 days every two years.
- Personal properties are no longer eligible for the Golden Visa; in 2026, the standard qualifying route is a minimum investment of €500,000 in eligible investment funds.
- Government application processing fees apply per family member and cover submission, residency card issuance, renewals, and the citizenship application after the required residence period.
- A realistic budget goes beyond the €500,000 investment and should also include legal fees, tax representation, and fund subscription fees, with the overall process usually spanning 12 to 18 months.
- VIDA Capital provides advisory support and access to the VIDA Fund, helping investors understand all Portugal Golden Visa costs and structure a clear path to residency and, eventually, citizenship.
Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026
Portugal’s Golden Visa remains one of the few European programs that can lead to citizenship without relocation. Spain no longer offers a Golden Visa, and Greece requires seven years of living there and paying taxes to qualify for citizenship. Portugal keeps a comparatively light physical presence requirement of 14 days in every two-year residency period, which suits investors who want a Plan B without moving immediately.
Since October 2023, the minimum qualifying investment has been €500,000 in eligible funds. Personal properties no longer qualify as an investment option. The Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal only, along with visa-free travel across the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
A realistic total budget for a single applicant, including government, legal, and basic professional fees, often ranges from €550,000 to €600,000 when the €500,000 investment is included. The application and approval process usually spans 12 to 18 months.
Portugal Golden Visa Government Application Processing Fees (2026) Breakdown
Government fees are mandatory and apply per family member. They follow the main stages of the Golden Visa journey, from initial submission to long-term residency and citizenship.
Initial Application Submission Fee
The initial submission fee is €618.60 per family member. Your lawyer pays this when submitting your Golden Visa application to AIMA. This covers document processing and the initial review of your file.
Card Issuance Fee After Approval
After approval, each family member pays €6,179.40 at the biometrics stage. This fee covers the issuance of the first residency card, which proves your Portuguese residency status.
Residency Card Renewals and Path to Permanent Residency
The first residency card is valid for two years. During that period, you must maintain your investment and meet the 14-day presence requirement across each two-year cycle.
- First renewal fee: €3,023.20 per family member
- Second renewal fee: €3,023.20 per family member
These renewals extend your temporary residency in additional two-year period. 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 before becoming eligible for permanent residency. At the five-year mark, you can apply for permanent residency if you continue to meet investment and presence conditions.
Citizenship Application Fee After 10 Years
The citizenship application fee is €250 per family member, payable when you submit your citizenship request. Portugal’s Parliament approved a new framework in October 2025 that requires Golden Visa residents to live in Portugal for 10 years before qualifying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens have a reduced residence requirement of seven years. The new rules should apply to all Golden Visa holders except those who submit their citizenship application before the new law is published.
Legal and Advisory Fees for Your Portugal Golden Visa Journey
Legal Representation Costs
A dedicated immigration lawyer is essential for a Golden Visa application. Legal teams handle key steps such as obtaining your NIF (tax number), preparing and validating documents, submitting the application, and interacting with AIMA.
Baseline legal fees often range from €5,000 to €10,000 for single applicants, with higher fees for families. In practice, complex or multi-family applications often range from about €16,000 to €20,000, depending on the law firm’s experience, the number of family members, and documentation requirements.
VIDA Capital can introduce you to specialized Portuguese law firms with consistent Golden Visa track records, so you work with professionals who understand the latest rules and timelines.
Tax Representation and Other Professional Costs
Tax representation usually costs between €500 and €1,000 per year. Portugal applies 23% VAT to professional services, including legal and tax representation. A legal invoice of €10,000, therefore, becomes €12,300 after VAT, which should be included in your budgeting.
Investment-Related Fees: Focus on the VIDA Fund
Fund Subscription Fees
Most Golden Visa-eligible funds apply a subscription fee that covers management and administrative costs. The VIDA Fund has a subscription fee of 1% of the invested amount, payable to the fund manager. A standard €500,000 investment results in a €5,000 subscription fee.
Other Fund Costs and the Role of VIDA Capital
Some funds include additional one-off or ongoing charges. VIDA Capital takes an advisory approach and explains these fee structures clearly, so investors see the total cost of ownership before proceeding.
Through VIDA Capital’s advisory services, investors can access the VIDA Fund’s portfolio of hospitality assets. The fund buys and transforms existing hospitality businesses, giving these assets a second life while aiming for capital preservation. Any reference to historical returns reflects past performance, and historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Example Cost Scenarios (Excluding the €500,000 Investment)
Estimated Total Fees for a Single Applicant
The following table summarizes approximate costs for one applicant, excluding the core €500,000 investment and ongoing tax representation:
|
Fee Category |
Amount |
Description |
|
Government Fees (Total) |
€13,094.40 |
Submission, issuance, renewals, and citizenship |
|
Legal Fees (Estimated) |
€16,000 |
End-to-end legal representation |
|
Fund Subscription Fee |
€5,000 |
1% of a €500,000 investment |
|
Estimated Total |
€34,094.40 |
Excludes investment and tax representation |
Estimated Total Fees for a Family of Four
For a family of two adults and two dependent, full-time student children who are unmarried and not working, fees scale mainly through government charges:
|
Fee Category |
Amount |
Description |
|
Government Fees (Total) |
€52,377.60 |
€13,094.40 per family member |
|
Legal Fees (Estimated) |
€20,000 |
Additional complexity for family applications |
|
Fund Subscription Fee |
€5,000 |
1% of €500,000 investment |
|
Estimated Total |
€77,377.60 |
Excludes investment and tax representation |
Important disclaimer: These figures are illustrative and can change. Government fees, legal fees, and tax representation costs vary, so each family should request updated, personalized estimates from professionals.
Navigating Portugal Golden Visa Costs With VIDA Capital
VIDA Capital operates as an advisory firm, not as a fund manager or investment firm. Its role is to clarify the full cost structure of the Golden Visa, coordinate with trusted legal partners, and guide investors toward options that suit their risk profile and timelines.
Through this advisory support, investors gain organized visibility over government fees, legal and tax costs, and VIDA Fund subscription fees. The VIDA Fund focuses on asset-backed hospitality investments and gives existing properties a second life, aligning immigration goals with a transparent investment structure that meets Golden Visa requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Golden Visa Application Processing Fees
What is the minimum Golden Visa investment in Portugal for 2026?
The minimum qualifying amount remains €500,000 invested in eligible funds under the current rules. Personal properties no longer qualify for the Golden Visa.
Are application processing fees charged per person or per family?
Government fees apply per family member. Eligible family members usually include spouses, economically dependent children who are full-time students, unmarried, and not working, and parents or in-laws who are either over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant. Relationship proof can be a marriage certificate or other valid evidence in the case of common-law partners.
How do legal fees typically vary for Golden Visa applications?
Legal fees depend on the law firm, case complexity, and the number of family members. Single applicants often see fees around €16,000, while larger families may pay closer to €20,000. A lawyer should accompany you from the initial strategy through submission, approvals, and renewals.
When are the key government fees paid?
The submission fee is due when your application is filed, the issuance fee at the biometrics appointment, renewal fees at each card renewal, and the citizenship fee at the time of your citizenship application after the required residence period.
Can investors reduce Golden Visa application processing fees?
Government fees and card costs are fixed and mandatory. Fund subscription fees are standard in Golden Visa-eligible funds. Investors can still optimize overall costs by comparing legal quotes, confirming what is included, and working with transparent advisors such as VIDA Capital, who clarify every fee in advance.
Conclusion: Planning Your 2026 Portugal Golden Visa Budget
Successful Portugal Golden Visa planning in 2026 starts with understanding that the €500,000 fund investment is only one part of the overall cost. Government processing fees are charged per family member, legal and tax professionals add VAT to their invoices, and Golden Visa-eligible funds typically apply subscription and other management-related charges.
By mapping out these costs in advance and working closely with a dedicated immigration lawyer, you can build a realistic budget, avoid surprises, and align your Plan B strategy with Portugal’s residency and citizenship timelines. An asset-backed fund such as the VIDA Fund can complement this plan by connecting your immigration goals to a clearly structured investment approach in Portugal’s hospitality sector.
