Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa provides residency in Portugal and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- A minimum investment of €500,000 in qualifying investment funds, maintained for at least five years, is the core requirement for the program.
- The program allows family inclusion, including spouses or partners, eligible children, and dependent parents or in-laws, under specific dependency and documentation rules.
- Contact VIDA Capital for specialized advisory support on using investment funds such as the VIDA Fund to pursue the Portugal Golden Visa.
Why an EU Residency Card is Essential for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Global Mobility, Security, and Peace of Mind
An EU residency card obtained through the Portugal Golden Visa provides visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This access to 26 European countries reduces visa administration and supports frequent travel for business and personal reasons.
Wealth Diversification and Preservation Strategies
The Portugal Golden Visa enables diversification into regulated European investment funds. These funds focus on tangible assets and operate under Portuguese and EU oversight, which supports capital preservation for investors who prioritize risk control over aggressive growth.
Comprehensive Family Inclusion and Legacy Planning
The program permits inclusion of a spouse or legally recognized partner, with either a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship. It can also include economically dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and not married at any point during the residency program, as well as parents or in-laws who are either over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant. This structure supports long-term family planning and continuity.
Key Considerations for Long-Term Residency Goals
Portugal requires just 14 days of physical presence in the country during each two-year period to maintain residency. Greece and Spain require residents to live there to keep long-term residency, while Portugal remains attractive as a practical Plan B for those who wish to keep their primary base elsewhere.
Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa Program: Your Pathway to EU Residency
What is the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU nationals who invest at least €500,000 in qualifying investment funds. Personal properties in Portugal are no longer eligible for this program. The Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal and a path to eventual citizenship.
Eligibility Requirements for EU Residency through Investment Funds
Applicants must be non-EU citizens, hold a clean criminal record, and invest a minimum of €500,000 in approved investment funds for at least five years. The investment must remain in place during the residency period, and applicants must document the legal origin of their funds.
Minimal Stay Requirements for Maintaining Residency
The program has one of the lowest stay requirements in Europe. Golden Visa holders need to spend only 14 days in Portugal in each two-year period to keep their residency status, which suits globally mobile families.
The Path to Permanent Residency and EU Citizenship
After five years of maintaining the qualifying investment and meeting residency requirements, investors can apply for permanent residency in Portugal. In October 2025, Parliament introduced a new framework under which most applicants must now reside in Portugal for 10 years before applying for citizenship, with a reduced seven-year requirement for nationals of Portuguese-language countries and EU citizens. The new law is expected to apply to Golden Visa holders unless they have already submitted a citizenship application before it is published.
Clarifying Common Misconceptions About the Golden Visa
The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal, along with visa-free travel across the Schengen Area. Full EU rights, including the ability to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education in any EU or Schengen Zone country, come only with Portuguese citizenship after meeting the residency timeframe.
Secure your Portugal residency and a future path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa. VIDA Capital, an advisory firm, provides specialized guidance on asset-backed investment funds aligned with the program.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Secure Your European Union Residency Card via the Portugal Golden Visa
Step 1: Pre-Application and Strategic Preparation
Expert legal counsel is essential from the start. A specialized lawyer helps obtain your Portuguese tax identification number (NIF), open a Portuguese bank account, and prepare documentation. With legal support, you then select and subscribe to a qualifying fund, such as the VIDA Fund, which buys and transforms existing hospitality assets in Portugal, giving them a second life.
Step 2: Formal Application Submission to AIMA
Your lawyer submits the online application to AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, for you and eligible family members. After a preliminary review, AIMA issues appointment dates for biometric data collection.
Step 3: Receiving Your Initial 2-Year Residency Card
After biometrics and final approval, you receive a temporary residency permit valid for two years. This card grants you the right to live in Portugal, travel without visas within the Schengen Area for short stays, and access Portuguese public services.
Step 4: Residency Card Renewals (Years 2 and 4)
You must renew your residency card during the five-year period, prove that the fund investment remains active, and show compliance with the 14-day stay requirement. Renewals require updated biometrics and current criminal records. 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.
Step 5: Applying for Permanent Residency (After 5 Years)
After five years of holding the Golden Visa and meeting all conditions, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency in Portugal. Permanent residency provides long-term security and removes the need for further card renewals.
Step 6: Eligibility for EU Citizenship (After 10 Years)
Under the framework introduced in October 2025, Golden Visa holders generally need to reside in Portugal for 10 years to qualify for citizenship, with a seven-year requirement for CPLP nationals and EU citizens. Citizenship provides full EU rights, including the ability to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education throughout the EU and Schengen Zone.
The Indispensable Role of Professional Guidance
A specialized immigration lawyer is critical at every stage, from structuring the investment to managing renewals and future residency or citizenship applications. Coordinated support from an advisory firm helps align your investment choices with your long-term residency goals.
Investment Options for the Portugal Golden Visa: Focus on Asset-Backed Funds
Overview of Approved Investment Fund Categories
The current program centers on qualifying investment funds that invest in Portuguese companies and projects. These funds must be registered and supervised in Portugal, follow defined risk and reporting rules, and meet eligibility criteria for Golden Visa purposes.
The Asset-Backed Security of the VIDA Fund
The VIDA Fund focuses on acquiring, repositioning, and operating hospitality assets in Portugal. The fund buys existing properties and transforms them operationally, giving these assets a second life through an owner-operator model. This approach emphasizes tangible backing and potential value creation. Any reference to past performance of the VIDA Fund must be read with the understanding that historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Why Portugal’s Hospitality Sector Offers a Unique Opportunity
Portugal welcomed a record 31 million visitors in 2024 and generated €27 billion in tourism revenue. Portugal is also set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with an estimated impact of more than €800 million. Projections from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicate that by 2035, travel and tourism may represent 22.6% of Portugal’s GDP.
Criteria for Selecting the Right Investment Fund
When comparing funds for a Golden Visa strategy, focus on:
- Regulatory approval and clear Golden Visa eligibility
- An asset-backed strategy with defined acquisition and exit plans
- Experience and track record of the management team
- Transparent subscription, management, and performance fees
- Regular reporting and communication with investors
Request a consultation with VIDA Capital to evaluate whether an asset-backed fund approach, including the VIDA Fund, aligns with your residency and portfolio objectives.
Comprehensive Costs Associated with the Portugal Golden Visa Program
The Minimum Investment Amount: €500,000 in Eligible Funds
The core requirement is an investment of at least €500,000 in one or more qualifying funds. This capital must remain invested for the five-year residency period to preserve your Golden Visa status.
Government Fees: Application, Issuance, and Renewal Costs
Typical government charges include €618.60 per family member for the initial submission, €6,179.40 per family member for the first residency card, €3,023.20 per family member for each renewal, and €250 per family member for citizenship applications. Authorities collect these fees at specific stages.
Legal Fees: The Value of Expert Counsel
Specialized immigration law firms usually charge between €16,000 and €20,000 for a full-service family application, depending on complexity and family size. This cost reflects document preparation, communication with AIMA, and ongoing support through renewals.
Fund Subscription Fees: Transparency with the VIDA Fund
The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount, paid to the fund manager. This fee is separate from ongoing management costs and should be factored into the overall budget for your Golden Visa strategy.
Important Considerations for Your EU Residency Journey
Comparing Portugal Golden Visa with Other EU Residency Programs
Europe’s leading residency options in 2026 each have distinct rules and timelines.
|
Program |
Minimum Investment |
Path to Citizenship (Years) |
Minimum Stay Requirement |
|
Portugal Golden Visa |
€500,000 (funds) |
10 |
14 days per 2 years |
|
Greece Golden Visa |
€250,000–€800,000 (property) |
7 or more, with tax residence |
Continuous residence required |
|
Hungary Golden Visa |
€250,000 (funds) |
8 |
Low |
|
Malta Residency Programme |
€375,000 (property) plus contributions |
Available via a separate program |
Low |
The Critical Importance of Expert Advisory Services
Portugal is currently one of the only European countries that offers access to citizenship without requiring relocation, as long as the 14-day stay requirement every two years is met. Spain has closed its Golden Visa program, and Greece expects seven years of residence and tax presence for citizenship. Independent legal and investment advice is important when comparing these paths.
Differentiating Residency Rights vs. EU Citizenship Rights
The Portugal Golden Visa grants residency only in Portugal and short-stay travel across the Schengen Area. After meeting the 10-year residency requirement and other criteria, Portuguese citizenship opens full rights across the EU and Schengen Zone, including residence, employment, education, and public healthcare access.
Navigating Changes in the Regulatory Landscape
The Portugal Golden Visa has evolved through the removal of some investment routes and the extension of citizenship timelines. Ongoing legislative updates mean that close coordination with legal counsel and an experienced advisory firm is vital to remain compliant.
Conclusion: Your Future in the European Union Awaits with VIDA Capital
Summarizing the Strategic Advantages of the Portuguese Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa combines a relatively low physical presence requirement with family inclusion and a defined route to permanent residency and, in time, citizenship. This structure fits investors seeking a long-term European option without immediate relocation.
The Clarity and Security of Guided Asset-Backed Investments
Asset-backed funds, including the VIDA Fund, provide a structured way to meet Golden Visa criteria while investing in tangible hospitality assets. This approach supports clear risk assessment and aligns investment choices with residency objectives. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Taking the Next Step Towards Global Mobility and Peace of Mind
The Portugal Golden Visa can serve as a practical Plan B for global families, combining mobility, security, and portfolio diversification. Careful planning with specialized legal and investment advisers helps integrate this program into a broader long-term strategy.
Contact VIDA Capital to discuss how an investment in qualifying funds, including the VIDA Fund, can support your Portugal Golden Visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Obtaining an EU Residency Card
What is Portugal’s Golden Visa?
Portugal’s Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU citizens who invest at least €500,000 in qualifying funds. Successful applicants receive a temporary residency permit valid for two years, renewable during a five-year period, after which they can apply for permanent residency and later, subject to the new timelines, for citizenship.
How long does the Golden Visa process typically take?
The Portugal Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months from initial application to issuance of the first residency card. Actual timing depends on AIMA processing capacity, the completeness of your documentation, and the effectiveness of your legal representation.
Do I need to relocate to Portugal to maintain my residency?
Relocation is not required. You must spend at least 14 days in Portugal in each two-year period to maintain your Golden Visa. This low-stay model contrasts with countries such as Greece, which expect long-term residents to live and pay taxes there.
What are the additional costs beyond the €500,000 investment?
Beyond the fund investment, you should budget for government fees of roughly €12,844 per family member over five years, legal fees usually between €16,000 and €20,000, and fund-related costs. The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount, in addition to any ongoing fund charges.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa program still active in 2026?
As of 2026, the Portugal Golden Visa remains active. Earlier changes in October 2023 removed eligibility for personal properties, and reforms in October 2025 extended the general citizenship residency requirement to 10 years. Investment funds such as the VIDA Fund continue to qualify as an approved route to residency.
