Key Takeaways
- Portugal’s Golden Visa offers residency in Portugal and visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with one of the most flexible family inclusion frameworks in Europe.
- Spouses, legally recognized partners, minor children, qualifying adult children, and dependent parents can often be included in a single application when relationship and dependency rules are clearly documented.
- Adult children must be full-time students, unmarried, not working, and financially dependent throughout the residency period, while dependent parents generally need to prove financial reliance or be at least 65 years old.
- The Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months and leads to a 2-year residence permit, two further 2-year renewals, and, after 10 years of residence, potential eligibility for citizenship under Portugal’s updated nationality law.
- VIDA Capital is an advisory firm that helps families structure their Portugal Golden Visa strategy and connect with the VIDA Fund; contact VIDA Capital to discuss your family’s options.
Understanding Portugal Golden Visa: Family Inclusion at its Core
Portugal’s Golden Visa program gives investors and their families a path to Portuguese residency, with visa-free access to the Schengen Area and, over time, eligibility for permanent residency and citizenship. The residency rights apply to Portugal only, but residents can travel within Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The program allows investors to include spouses or partners, children, and, in many cases, parents, while meeting a minimal physical presence requirement of 14 days in Portugal every two years. Portugal ranked as the 7th safest country on the Global Peace Index 2025, which strengthens its appeal as a long-term “Plan B” destination.
Clear institutional definitions, applied by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), govern who qualifies as a family member. Careful planning with an experienced lawyer helps families align their structure and documentation with these rules and avoid delays during a process that usually takes 12 to 18 months.
Defining “Spouse” and “Partner” for the Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal recognizes both formal marriages and certain long-term partnerships for Golden Visa purposes. Correctly classifying and documenting the relationship is the first step to including a partner in your application.
Legally Married Spouses
Legally married spouses qualify when the marriage is recognized in the country of origin and accepted by Portuguese law, including same-sex marriages. Authorities request a marriage certificate or comparable proof of relationship, translated into Portuguese and apostilled.
The document package typically includes the original marriage certificate or equivalent proof of relationship, a certified Portuguese translation, and an apostille validating the document for international use. These records support the spouse’s right to remain attached to the main applicant for the full Golden Visa period.
Legally Recognized Partners (De Facto Unions)
De facto unions, or long-term partnerships, can also qualify. The relationship generally must show at least two years of stability, with shared residence and financial interdependence. Same-sex partnerships receive equal treatment.
Evidence often includes joint lease or ownership records, utility bills for a shared address, joint bank accounts, insurance policies listing both partners, and sworn statements that confirm the duration and nature of the relationship. A lawyer can help select the most persuasive combination of documents for Portuguese authorities.
Children as Dependents: Navigating Age and Financial Dependency
Children represent a central part of Golden Visa planning. Different categories apply to minor children, adult dependent children, and children born in Portugal during the family’s residency.
Minor Children (Under 18)
Children under 18 usually qualify as dependents when they are the biological, adopted, or stepchildren of the main applicant or spouse, with the legal relationship clearly documented.
Key documents include birth or adoption certificates translated and apostilled, valid passports, compliant photographs, and, when required, criminal record certificates for older minors, according to the rules of the country of origin.
Adult Dependent Children (18–26)
Unmarried children up to age 26 can remain on the application if they are full-time students, not working, and financially dependent on the main applicant. They can study in Portugal or abroad, provided they maintain dependency.
For including adult children in your application, the child needs to be a full-time student and not working; they also cannot be married at any time during the Golden Visa residency program.
Authorities look for proof of full-time enrollment, evidence of ongoing financial support, and confirmation that the child has not married and does not have significant independent income. These conditions must hold for the entire Golden Visa residency period. A child who marries or becomes financially independent during this time generally loses dependent status and can no longer remain under the same application.
Children Born in Portugal
Children born in Portugal to Golden Visa holders may qualify for Portuguese citizenship if the parents have met specific residence requirements at the time of birth. This option can add another layer of security for families who spend more time in Portugal while holding residency.
Including Parents and Parents-in-Law: Proving Financial Dependency
Parents and parents-in-law can sometimes join the application, which can be especially important for families who already support older generations.
Parents (First-Degree Lineal Ascendants)
Parents of the main applicant or spouse can typically be included when they are financially dependent or are at least 65 years old. Documentation must first establish the family link, usually through birth certificates translated and apostilled.
For parents under 65, additional evidence must show that they rely on the main applicant for living expenses, housing, or care. Parents who are 65 or older usually face more straightforward dependency assessments.
Proving Financial Dependency
Financial dependency is closely examined. Authorities commonly accept records of regular bank transfers from the investor to the parent, evidence of shared housing, medical reports that justify ongoing support, or official declarations that recognize dependency.
The goal is to show that the parent does not have sufficient independent means and that the main applicant covers essential costs. A lawyer can help structure this evidence clearly and consistently.
Additional Family Members: Special Considerations
Some family situations require extra attention, especially when legal guardianship or adoption is involved.
Siblings Under Legal Guardianship
Minor siblings under the main applicant’s legal guardianship may be eligible as dependents. The guardianship must be formal and recognized by a competent court.
Authorities will expect to see the guardianship order, plus translations and apostilles where needed. The documentation must show that the applicant is the legal guardian, not simply providing informal care.
Adopted Children
Adopted children are treated the same as biological children once the adoption is legally recognized in the country of origin and in Portugal. Proper adoption certificates, legal confirmations, translations, and apostilles establish this status.
The Application Process for Dependents: Key Steps and Documentation
A well-planned application considers every qualifying family member from the start and relies on legal guidance to avoid errors and omissions.
Initial Application Submission
Most families benefit from including all eligible relatives in the initial Golden Visa submission. This approach keeps everyone on the same residency timeline and simplifies future renewals.
Legal representation is essential for each step, from investment selection to application filing and interactions with AIMA. VIDA Capital can introduce investors to experienced Portuguese lawyers who specialize in family-based Golden Visa applications.
Required Documents for Dependents (Overview)
Each dependent typically needs a valid passport, compliant photographs, a criminal record certificate where required, and a Portuguese tax number (NIF). Relationship and dependency documents vary by category, as described above.
All foreign documents should be translated into Portuguese by certified translators and apostilled. Consistent formatting, clear dates, and matching names across documents help prevent questions from authorities.
Biometrics, Residency Cards, and Renewals
All family members must attend biometric appointments and later renew their residence permits together. The first residence card is valid for two years, followed by two additional cards of two years each, provided the investment and minimum stay requirements are maintained. 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.
Throughout this time, the family must keep the investment in place and meet the 14-day-every-two-years physical presence rule.
Family Reunification vs. Golden Visa Submission
Family members can be included from the beginning of the process so that one qualifying investment supports the entire household’s residency path. This unified structure simplifies renewals and aligns future eligibility for permanent residency and, later, citizenship.
Compare: Portugal Golden Visa vs. Other Programs for Family Inclusion
Portugal remains one of the only European countries that offers a structured path to citizenship without requiring relocation, while still allowing broad family inclusion.
|
Feature |
Portugal Golden Visa |
Greece Golden Visa |
Spain Golden Visa |
|
Spouse/Partner |
Yes (including de facto) |
Yes (including de facto) |
Yes (including de facto) |
|
Dependent Children (Age) |
Up to 26 |
Up to 21 |
Up to 24 or 26 if dependent or studying |
|
Parents |
Yes (financially dependent) |
Yes (financially dependent) |
Yes (financially dependent) |
|
Minimum Stay |
14 days every 2 years |
Residence is required for long-term residency and citizenship |
Residence is required for long-term residency and citizenship |
*Spain’s Golden Visa program was discontinued for new applicants in April 2024. Greece requires at least seven years of living there and paying taxes to qualify for citizenship, and both Greece and Spain require ongoing residence to preserve long-term residency rights.
Explore how Portugal’s framework compares to other European options with guidance from VIDA Capital.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Visa Relationship Definitions
How are spouses and partners recognized for the Golden Visa?
Portugal accepts both legally married spouses and legally recognized partners (de facto unions). Document-wise, you can present either a marriage certificate or any other proof of relationship (in the case of a common-law partner, for example), such as joint lease agreements, shared bank accounts, or official registrations that evidence a stable, long-term union.
Can adopted children be included as dependents?
Adopted children can be included when the adoption is legally recognized in the country of origin and by Portuguese authorities. Once recognized, they are treated the same as biological children, with adoption certificates, translations, and apostilles confirming the relationship.
What conditions apply to adult dependent children?
For including adult children in your application, the child needs to be a full-time student and not working; they also cannot be married at any time during the residency program. Adult dependent children do not need to live in Portugal to qualify, but they must remain full-time students, unmarried, not working, and financially dependent for the entire Golden Visa period.
What evidence is needed to prove parental financial dependency?
Parents may demonstrate dependency through regular bank transfers, proof of shared housing, medical reports that justify ongoing support, or official dependency declarations. Applicants should expect stricter evidence standards for parents under 65, while older parents usually face simpler requirements.
What is the impact of marriage on dependent children?
A dependent child who marries during the Golden Visa residency period generally loses dependent status and cannot remain under the main applicant’s file. They must remain unmarried from the time of the initial Golden Visa application until the point when the family secures permanent residency or citizenship.
Do all family members follow the same citizenship timeline?
All family members follow the same citizenship timeline as the main applicant. Portugal’s updated nationality framework, introduced in October 2025, requires Golden Visa residents to complete 10 years of residence before applying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens benefit from a reduced seven-year requirement. The new law is expected to apply to Golden Visa holders unless they submit a citizenship application before the law is formally published.
Conclusion: Structuring Your Family’s Portugal Golden Visa With VIDA Capital
Clear knowledge of the relationship and dependency rules is central to building a successful Portugal Golden Visa strategy for your family. The program offers flexible inclusion for spouses or partners, children, and parents, while maintaining low stay requirements and a defined path from temporary residency to permanent residency and, later, citizenship.
The complexity of documentation and ongoing compliance makes qualified legal advice essential. VIDA Capital operates as an advisory firm focused on guiding families through these decisions and connecting them with the VIDA Fund, which acquires and transforms hospitality assets in Portugal, giving these properties a second life. Any reference to historical returns of the VIDA Fund does not guarantee future performance.
With structured planning, the right legal team, and careful attention to relationship definitions, families can use the Portugal Golden Visa to secure long-term residency in Portugal and, over time, the option of EU citizenship.
