Simplified Golden Visa Requirements for EU Residency

Key Takeaways

• Portugal’s Golden Visa now focuses on regulated investment funds, with a standard minimum of €500,000 and no eligibility for personal properties.
• The program offers Portuguese residency rights, short stay requirements of 14 days every two years, and visa-free travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Family members, including spouses or partners, dependent children, and dependent parents or in-laws, can be included if they meet specific dependency and documentation rules.
• The usual 12 to 18 month process includes legal support, fund subscription, application submission, and residency card issuance, followed by renewals and a path to permanent residency and, after 10 years, possible citizenship.
• VIDA Capital provides advisory support to help investors use the VIDA Fund and other regulated fund options that comply with Golden Visa rules to pursue the Portugal Golden Visa, with personalized guidance available through a dedicated contact channel at VIDA Capital.

How Portugal’s Golden Visa Works in 2026

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals who want Portuguese residency, visa-free Schengen travel, and a long-term path to citizenship.

Since October 2023, the main qualifying route has been a minimum €500,000 investment into eligible regulated funds. Personal properties are no longer accepted as qualifying investments.

Portugal ranks as the 7th safest country on the Global Peace Index 2025. This safety profile, combined with a stable legal framework, makes the program attractive for families seeking a secure Plan B.

The Golden Visa residency permit allows you and your family to live, work, and study in Portugal. It also offers visa-free travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Residency rights apply only to Portugal. Once you obtain Portuguese citizenship, you gain the right to live, work, and study in any EU or Schengen Zone country and access their public healthcare and education systems.

The program requires a minimum of 14 days in Portugal during each two-year period. This structure suits globally mobile families who want European access without relocating full time.

Who Can Apply and Which Family Members You Can Include

Eligibility for the Portugal Golden Visa is straightforward. Main applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizenship
• Have a clean criminal record
• Make a qualifying investment, with funds coming from outside Portugal

Family inclusion can extend the benefits to several relatives. You may include:

• Your spouse or legally recognized partner, using either a marriage certificate or other valid proof of relationship
• Children who are economically dependent, full-time students, not employed, and unmarried throughout the residency program and until the submission of the Golden Visa application
• Parents or parents-in-law who are either over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant

This structure allows you to protect multiple generations under a single investment.

Required Documentation for the Portugal Golden Visa

The exact documentation list can vary slightly by family situation, but most applicants should expect to provide:

• Valid passports for all applicants
• Proof of the qualifying €500,000 investment in a regulated Golden Visa-elegible fund
• A signed declaration that you will maintain the investment for at least five years
• Clean criminal record certificates from your country of residence and, if applicable, other countries where you have lived
• Proof that you have no outstanding Portuguese tax or Social Security debts
• Payment receipts for the relevant government application fees

There are no education or language requirements for the Golden Visa itself. Basic Portuguese language skills will become relevant later if you decide to apply for citizenship after 10 years of residency.

Using Investment Funds to Qualify: The €500,000 Route

The main Golden Visa route in 2026 is a capital transfer of at least €500,000 into a regulated investment fund that qualifies under the Portuguese Golden Visa program.

The VIDA Fund operates as an investment fund regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM). This regulatory framework sets rules on oversight, reporting, and investor protection.

Fund investments can offer several practical advantages:

• Professional management of the underlying assets
• Built-in regulatory compliance for Golden Visa purposes
• No need to manage assets directly or build local operational teams
• Clear documentation of your qualifying investment for immigration authorities

You can speak with VIDA Capital to understand how a regulated fund can fit into your Golden Visa strategy.

Why Many Investors Focus on Portugal’s Hospitality Sector

Portugal’s hospitality sector has been expanding, supported by sustained tourism growth. The country welcomed about 31 million visitors in 2024, generating roughly €27 billion in revenue, with non-residents accounting for most overnight stays.

Future demand drivers appear strong. Portugal will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with an expected economic impact above €800 million. Forecasts from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicate that by 2035, travel and tourism could represent around 22.6% of Portugal’s GDP.

The VIDA Fund targets this demand by buying and renovating existing hospitality assets across Portugal, giving them a second life as better-managed, higher-quality properties. The fund operates these assets directly as an owner-operator, which gives investors exposure to tangible, asset-backed opportunities that can align with Golden Visa rules. Any discussion of potential or historical returns should be understood as indicative only, because historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

To learn how hospitality-focused funds can support your Portugal Golden Visa, you can request a call with a VIDA Capital advisor.

The Portugal Golden Visa Process: From First Step to Residency Card

1. Preparation With Legal Support

The process usually spans 12 to 18 months from initial planning to receiving the first residency card. Working with an experienced Portuguese immigration lawyer is essential at every stage.

In the preparation phase, you will typically:

• Engage a Portuguese lawyer who specializes in immigration and Golden Visa cases
• Obtain a Portuguese tax identification number, known as a NIF
• Open a Portuguese bank account
• Complete the qualifying €500,000 investment into a Portuguese-regulated fund such as the VIDA Fund

2. Application Submission and Biometrics

Your lawyer submits the online application to AIMA for you and all eligible family members. After preliminary approval, AIMA invites you to an in-person biometrics appointment in Portugal, where you provide fingerprints, photographs, and original documentation. 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.

3. Residency Card Issuance and Renewals

Once approved, you receive a temporary residency permit valid for two years. During this period, you must maintain your qualifying investment and meet the 14-day minimum stay requirement across each two-year cycle. The permit allows you to live, work, and study in Portugal and to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Before the end of the first two-year period, you apply for a renewal, again showing proof of investment maintenance, clean criminal records, and compliance with stay requirements. In practice, most investors complete just one renewal within the standard five-year Golden Visa period.

4. From Golden Visa to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

After five years of maintaining your investment and meeting residency requirements, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal.

For citizenship, the rules introduced in October 2025 require at least 10 years of legal residency in Portugal to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries within the CPLP and EU citizens benefit from a reduced requirement of seven years. The new framework should apply to Golden Visa holders unless they submitted their citizenship application before the new law is officially published.

Key Costs and How Portugal Compares With Greece

Main Government and Professional Fees

While exact costs vary by family size and legal structure, the main cost categories include:

• Government application fee, about €618.60 per family member
• Initial residency card issuance fee, about €6,179.40 per family member
• Renewal card fee, about €3,023.20 per family member, potentially once during the five-year period
• Citizenship application fee, around €250 per person at the citizenship stage
• Legal fees, often in the €16,000 to €20,000 range for full-service Golden Visa support over the initial five-year period
• Fund subscription costs, such as the VIDA Fund’s 1% subscription fee, paid to the fund manager on the invested amount

This table provides a simplified overview and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Regulations can change, and requirements for long-term residency or citizenship may differ from initial residency rules.

Portugal is currently one of the only countries in Europe offering a path to citizenship through investment without requiring full relocation. Spain no longer offers a Golden Visa program, while Greece expects long-term residents to live there and pay taxes for seven years before they can apply for citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026

What are the main recent changes to the Portugal Golden Visa?

The most significant change is the focus on fund investments. Since October 2023, the standard qualifying option is a minimum €500,000 investment in eligible funds. Personal properties and several former routes no longer qualify. The citizenship timeline has also shifted to a 10-year residency requirement, or seven years for CPLP nationals and EU citizens, following the new framework approved in October 2025.

How do fund investments simplify the Golden Visa process?

Qualifying investment funds manage asset selection, operations, and reporting, reducing the need for investors assets directly or run local teams. For Golden Visa purposes, these funds provide clear documentation of the investment that your lawyer can submit to AIMA.

How can I ensure my investment remains compliant with Golden Visa rules?

Working with a specialized advisory firm such as VIDA Capital can help you select regulated funds that meet the program’s requirements. Advisory support typically includes reviewing fund documents for Golden Visa compliance, coordinating with qualified legal counsel, and monitoring key milestones across the residency period.

What is the current minimum stay requirement?

The Portugal Golden Visa requires 14 days of physical presence in Portugal every two years. Many families schedule short annual visits or longer stays every other year to meet this rule while maintaining their usual lifestyle elsewhere.

Is the Portugal Golden Visa still active and attractive in 2026?

Yes, the Portugal Golden Visa remains open in 2026 and continues to accept new applications. The updated focus on regulated investment funds and the possibility of citizenship without full relocation keep Portugal competitive for investors who want a European Plan B based on Portuguese residency.

Conclusion: Using the Portugal Golden Visa as Your Plan B

The Portugal Golden Visa offers a structured way to secure Portuguese residency, visa-free Schengen travel, and, over time, a path toward permanent residency and potential citizenship. The fund route, particularly through hospitality-focused, asset-backed strategies, allows investors to meet immigration rules while delegating day-to-day asset management to professionals.

VIDA Capital acts as an advisory partner for investors who wish to use the VIDA Fund or other regulated funds as their qualifying investment. The firm supports you in coordinating with legal counsel, understanding costs and timelines, and aligning your Golden Visa strategy with your broader family and wealth goals. If you want to explore whether the Portugal Golden Visa fits your situation, you can contact VIDA Capital to discuss your options.