Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa requires only 14 days in Portugal during each two-year residency permit period, offering a low physical stay requirement for maintaining residency.
- Permanent residency is usually available after 5 years of temporary residency, and under the 2026 rules, citizenship generally requires 10 years of residency in Portugal, with reduced timelines for CPLP nationals and EU citizens.
- Careful documentation of trips, including boarding passes and invoices showing your Portuguese Tax ID (NIF), is essential for proving your minimum stay at each renewal.
- Portugal remains one of the only European options that offers a clear pathway to citizenship without relocation, in contrast with countries such as Greece and Spain.
- VIDA Capital, an advisory firm, helps investors in the VIDA Fund navigate Portugal Golden Visa requirements and connect with specialist lawyers; contact VIDA Capital to discuss your Portugal Golden Visa strategy.
Understanding Portugal Golden Visa Minimum Stay Requirements
The 14-Day Rule: Flexibility for Your Portugal Residency
The Portugal Golden Visa requires a minimum of 14 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) within each two-year residency permit period. This averages seven days per year and is one of the most flexible physical stay requirements in Europe.
This low requirement helps investors keep a global lifestyle while maintaining residency in Portugal and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It suits a Plan B strategy for investors who want options in Europe without full relocation.
Evolution of Stay Requirements: Historical Context
The minimum stay rules have changed over time. Initial permits were previously issued for one year and required seven days in Portugal. Since April 2024, initial permits have been issued for two-year periods requiring 14 days of presence, with the same 14 days required for each renewal period.
This shift reduced paperwork while keeping the Golden Visa attractive for globally mobile investors.
Your Golden Visa Journey: Residency Renewal and Path to Citizenship
The Residency Permit Lifecycle: From Initial Grant to Renewals
Your Portugal Golden Visa residency follows a clear structure.
Initial temporary residency permit: Valid for 2 years, with at least 14 days in Portugal during this period.
First renewal: After the first 2 years, you renew for another 2-year period, again needing 14 days in Portugal during the previous 2 years.
Second renewal: After a further 2 years, you may renew for another 2-year period, with the same 14-day requirement tied to the previous period.
Important reminder: As the approval card issuance usually takes about a year, you will most likely only need a single renewal instead of two during the 5-year period before permanent residency.
The overall Golden Visa process, from first application to stable residency status, usually spans 12 to 18 months. A specialized Portuguese immigration lawyer is essential throughout this journey to coordinate documentation, handle interactions with authorities, and avoid costly delays.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship Timelines
Permanent residency eligibility (around year 5): After 5 years of temporary residency, and if you have met the minimum stay and investment requirements, you can generally apply for permanent residency in Portugal.
Path to citizenship (year 10 under the 2026 framework): Portugal’s Parliament approved a new framework in October 2025. Under this framework, Golden Visa residents usually need 10 years of residency in Portugal before qualifying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens benefit from a reduced requirement of seven years.
The new rules are expected to apply to Golden Visa holders except those who submitted their citizenship applications before the new law is officially published.
Documenting Your Stay: Essential Proof for Your Golden Visa
What Counts as Proof of Stay?
Clear documentation of each stay in Portugal is vital for Golden Visa renewals. Key proof typically includes boarding passes for entry and exit, and invoices with your Portuguese Tax ID (NIF) for days spent in Portugal.
Essential documentation:
- Boarding passes: Keep all boarding passes for flights into and out of Portugal.
- Invoices with Portuguese Tax ID (NIF): Request at least one invoice per day stayed in Portugal, from hotels, restaurants, or other purchases, always including your NIF.
Family Applications: Individual Proof for All Dependents
Each family member on the Golden Visa application must independently meet the stay requirement and prove it. Every applicant needs their own boarding passes and NIF-linked invoices, even when sharing accommodation bills.
Spouses or partners, dependent children who are full-time students and not working or married, and qualifying dependent parents each need to demonstrate at least 14 days in Portugal in every two-year period.
The Importance of Expert Legal Guidance
A specialized Portuguese immigration law firm is essential for preparing, reviewing, and submitting your application and renewal files. Legal counsel helps you structure family applications, validate proof of stays, and remain compliant throughout the 5-year residency and beyond.
VIDA Capital connects investors in the VIDA Fund with experienced law firms that understand the Golden Visa process in detail and coordinate closely with your wider financial and family planning.
Golden Visa vs. Other Residency Options: A Stay Requirement Comparison
|
Feature |
Portugal Golden Visa |
Portugal D7/D2 Visa |
|
Primary purpose |
Residency by investment fund participation |
Residency based on income or business activity |
|
Minimum stay requirement |
14 days every 2 years |
Generally requires living in Portugal most of the year |
|
Path to citizenship |
10 years of residency under the 2026 rules |
Also follows the updated 10-year framework |
|
Relocation required |
No full relocation required |
Relocation and tax residency usually required |
The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal and visa-free travel within Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. After obtaining a Portuguese passport, you gain the right to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education across EU and Schengen Zone countries.
Portugal remains one of the few European options offering a route to citizenship without relocation. Spain has closed its Golden Visa program, while Greece requires seven years of living there and paying taxes to qualify for citizenship.
Dispelling Myths and Gaining Confidence with VIDA Capital
Common Misconceptions About Golden Visa Stays
Myth 1: You must live in Portugal full-time
The Golden Visa is structured for minimal physical presence, not full relocation. The requirement of 14 days in each two-year period allows investors to keep their primary base elsewhere while maintaining Portuguese residency and Schengen travel flexibility.
Myth 2: The process is too complex to manage
The process involves several steps, but it becomes manageable with the right team. A coordinated approach between your advisor, your lawyer, and your tax professionals helps you meet documentation standards and deadlines with clarity.
VIDA Capital’s Advisory Support and Asset-Backed Focus
VIDA Capital is an advisory firm that supports investors in the VIDA Fund from initial assessment through residency renewals and, where relevant, citizenship applications. The advisory approach includes:
- Direct access to experienced advisory team members
- Transparent explanation of fees, risks, and typical timelines
- Introduction to trusted immigration and tax lawyers in Portugal
- Ongoing support throughout your residency journey
The VIDA Fund invests in Portugal’s hospitality sector. The fund buys and transforms existing hospitality assets, giving them a second life and aiming to preserve capital while meeting the current €500,000 Golden Visa investment requirement. Historical performance has been positive, but historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Visa Minimum Stays
How many days do I need to stay in Portugal for the Golden Visa?
You need to stay at least 14 days, consecutive or non-consecutive, during each two-year residency permit period. This equates to an average of seven days per year.
How do I prove my minimum stay in Portugal?
You prove your stay with boarding passes for entry into and exit from Portugal, along with invoices that include your Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF) for each day spent in the country. These invoices can be hotel bills, restaurant receipts, or other purchases. Keep all records and aim for at least one NIF-bearing invoice per day of your stay.
Can my family members also apply for the Golden Visa with the same minimum stay requirements?
Your spouse or qualifying partner, financially dependent children who are full-time students and not working or married, and dependent parents or in-laws can be included in your application. Each family member must meet the 14-day stay requirement and provide their own documentation, including boarding passes and NIF-based proof of presence.
Does the minimum stay requirement for citizenship differ from residency?
Yes. To maintain Golden Visa residency, you need only 14 days every two-year period. For citizenship under the updated framework, you generally need 10 years of residency in Portugal, or seven years for CPLP nationals and EU citizens.
Why is the Portugal Golden Visa considered a flexible option regarding residency?
The Portugal Golden Visa combines a low physical stay requirement with a long-term path to permanent residency and, for many applicants, eventual citizenship. It is suited to investors who want European mobility and a future option in Portugal without changing their primary base.
Conclusion: Building a Practical Path to Portugal Residency
The Portugal Golden Visa minimum stay rules offer a clear, low-commitment framework for securing residency in Portugal. Fourteen days every two years is usually enough to keep your permit active, provided you also maintain your qualifying investment and meet renewal requirements.
Portugal stands out in 2026 as one of the few European options that still link residency by investment to a defined citizenship route without mandatory relocation, even with the updated 10-year residency framework.
VIDA Capital helps investors in the VIDA Fund understand and plan for these requirements, from minimum stays and documentation to legal coordination in Portugal’s hospitality-focused investment landscape. With structured advisory support and experienced legal partners, you can approach the Golden Visa as a practical, long-term component of your global strategy.
