Portugal Golden Visa Fund Investment Requirements 2026

Key Takeaways

• Portugal’s Golden Visa now relies on qualifying investment funds, as personal property purchases no longer count toward eligibility.
• The minimum qualifying investment is €500,000 in a CMVM-regulated fund that meets strict maturity and allocation rules.
• The Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with a long-term pathway to permanent residency and, under current rules, citizenship.
• The full cost of a Golden Visa strategy includes government, legal, and fund fees, so planning must look beyond the headline €500,000 figure.
• VIDA Capital advises investors on asset-backed hospitality fund opportunities that qualify for the Golden Visa; contact the team to review your Portugal Golden Visa fund options.

Why Minimum Investment Amounts are Crucial for the Portugal Golden Visa Fund Option

Introduction to the Golden Visa Fund Option

The Portugal Golden Visa fund option offers residency in Portugal, an EU member state, without requiring relocation. Investors can live, study, and work in Portugal while keeping their main base elsewhere, and can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The program also creates a pathway to long-term residency and, under current rules, eventual citizenship, subject to meeting stay and language requirements.

Regulatory Shifts and Fund Focus

Personal property purchases for Golden Visa eligibility ended in October 2024. This change positioned regulated investment funds as the main passive route for the program and increased demand for funds that are specifically structured to comply with Golden Visa rules.

Defining “Minimum Investment Amount”

The minimum investment amount is the legal threshold set by Portuguese law for Golden Visa-eligible fund investments. This figure is a hard requirement for both fund selection and application approval, not a suggested minimum.

The Path to Residency in Portugal and Future Citizenship

Compliance with the minimum investment opens access to a Portugal Golden Visa, which grants a temporary residency permit valid for 2 years. Investors who maintain their investment and residency requirements can renew for additional 2-year periods and apply for permanent residency after 5 years. Current rules require 10 years of legal residence before a standard applicant can apply for citizenship, with a reduced 7-year requirement for nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens. Speak with VIDA Capital to understand how a fund investment can support your Portugal residency and long-term planning.

Importance of Due Diligence

Careful verification of fund eligibility is essential. Only CMVM-regulated funds that meet Golden Visa criteria, including maturity and allocation requirements, can be used for an application. Experienced legal and financial advisors help confirm that a fund complies before any capital is committed.

Current Minimum Investment Requirements for Portugal Golden Visa Funds

The €500,000 Requirement

The current minimum investment for qualifying venture capital or private equity funds under the Portugal Golden Visa is €500,000. This amount must be invested in one or more eligible funds and kept in place throughout the 5-year temporary residency period.

Key Fund Eligibility Criteria

Golden Visa-eligible funds must meet several core conditions:

• Minimum legal maturity of at least five years
• At least 60% of capital invested in Portuguese commercial companies, excluding entities whose primary activity is holding or managing personal properties
• Regulation and supervision by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM)

Evolution of Requirements

Earlier versions of the program allowed fund investments of €350,000. Subsequent reforms increased the minimum to €500,000 and removed direct personal property purchases from the list of eligible investments.

Types of Qualifying Funds

Qualifying funds often focus on sectors such as hospitality, renewable energy, and other operating businesses, and many are structured with Golden Visa investors in mind. VIDA Capital focuses on asset-backed hospitality strategies through the VIDA Fund, giving investors exposure to operating properties rather than personal properties, while aligning with Golden Visa regulations.

Comprehensive Cost Breakdown: Beyond the Minimum Investment

Government Application Fees

Beyond the €500,000 investment, Golden Visa applicants should plan for government fees for each family member, including:

• Application submission fee of approximately €618.60
• Initial residency card issuance fee of approximately €6,179.40
• Renewal fees of approximately €3,023.20 per renewal cycle
• Citizenship application fee of approximately €250 at the end of the process

Legal and Advisory Fees

Specialized legal support is essential at every stage, from fund selection to application submission, renewals, and eventual permanent residency and citizenship filings. Comprehensive legal representation for a family typically ranges from €16,000 to €20,000, depending on family size and complexity.

Fund Management Fees

Most Golden Visa-compliant funds charge an annual management fee of about 1–2%, and many also apply performance fees if returns exceed a defined threshold. These charges are separate from the €500,000 capital requirement and should be factored into long-term planning.

Total Financial Commitment

Effective planning looks at the full cost structure, not only the investment minimum. Typical budgets include:

Strategic Advantage: Asset-Backed Investments in Portugal’s Hospitality Sector via VIDA Capital

Growth of Portugal’s Tourism

Portugal welcomed around 31 million visitors in 2025, with tourism revenues approaching €27 billion and continued growth expected as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Projections from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicate that tourism could represent more than 22% of Portugal’s GDP by 2035, supporting long-term demand for quality hospitality assets.

Security of Asset-Backed Funds

Funds backed by operating hospitality properties give investors exposure to tangible assets rather than purely financial instruments. The VIDA Fund buys existing hospitality assets and gives them a second life through repositioning and operational improvement, instead of building from the ground up. The underlying properties offer collateral for investor capital, and any historical returns from the fund are not a guarantee of future results.

The VIDA Capital Advisory

VIDA Capital operates as an advisory firm that connects Golden Visa applicants with the VIDA Fund and other carefully reviewed opportunities in Portugal’s hospitality sector. Investors gain access to professional management, Golden Visa-compliant structures, and an investment thesis aligned with Portugal’s tourism growth. Contact VIDA Capital to evaluate whether an asset-backed hospitality fund fits your Portugal Golden Visa strategy.

Step-by-Step: Navigating the Portugal Golden Visa Process with Fund Investments

Pre-Application Essentials

The process usually starts with two key steps, both best handled through a Portuguese lawyer: obtaining a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and opening a Portuguese bank account, which can often be done remotely. After that, the investor, together with legal and financial advisors, selects a qualifying CMVM-regulated fund and prepares the investment subscription.

Investment and Application Submission

Investors transfer the €500,000 minimum (or more, if desired) into the chosen fund. Legal counsel then compiles and submits the Golden Visa application online for the main applicant and eligible family members, ensuring that documentation, fund proofs, and family dependency evidence meet current standards.

Biometrics and Initial Residency

Once the application is pre-approved, the immigration authority schedules in-person biometrics appointments for each applicant. After biometrics and final approval, the authorities issue a 2-year temporary residence card. This card grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. The Golden Visa itself grants residency rights only in Portugal.

Renewals and the Citizenship Pathway

Holders must renew their residence card every 2 years, maintain the qualifying investment, and spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each 2-year period. As the approval card issuance usually takes a year, investors will most likely only need to complete a single renewal instead of two in the 5-year period. After 5 years, applicants can seek permanent residency. Citizenship eligibility now generally requires 10 years of legal residence for Golden Visa holders applying after October 2025, with a 7-year requirement for CPLP and EU nationals. Portugal is currently one of the only European countries that offers a path to citizenship through investment without requiring relocation, while Greece requires 7 years of residence, and Spain has ended its Golden Visa program.

The Indispensable Role of Legal Counsel

Specialized Portuguese immigration lawyers help manage each step: fund checks, document gathering, online submission, biometrics scheduling, renewals, and later residency or citizenship applications. Their role is particularly important as rules evolve and timelines vary. Work with VIDA Capital to coordinate your legal, banking, and fund-selection teams for a smoother Golden Visa process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal Golden Visa Minimum Investment

What is the current minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa fund option?

The minimum investment requirement is €500,000 in one or more CMVM-regulated venture capital or private equity funds. Eligible funds must have a minimum maturity of five years and invest at least 60% of their portfolio in Portuguese commercial companies that do not primarily hold or manage personal properties.

Can I still invest directly in personal properties for the Portugal Golden Visa?

No. Direct purchases of personal properties no longer qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa as of October 2024. Investment funds now represent the main passive route, so applicants must select from funds that comply with Golden Visa legislation.

What are the key eligibility requirements for a fund to qualify for the Golden Visa?

A qualifying fund must be regulated by the CMVM, have a minimum term of five years, and invest at least 60% of its capital into Portuguese commercial companies. The structure must exclude direct investment in entities whose primary activity is owning or managing personal properties and comply with ongoing reporting and supervision rules.

What types of asset-backed funds does VIDA Capital advise on for the Golden Visa?

VIDA Capital advises on asset-backed strategies through the VIDA Fund, which acquires and revitalizes existing hospitality assets across Portugal, giving them a second life through repositioning and active management. These projects offer exposure to operating properties in a growing tourism market while meeting Golden Visa fund requirements. Any past performance of the VIDA Fund does not guarantee future returns.

Do I need to maintain my investment for the entire Golden Visa duration?

Yes. Investors must keep the €500,000 investment in a qualifying fund throughout the full 5-year temporary residency period to remain compliant. Many investors consider exit options only after securing permanent residency or, later, citizenship, although exact timings and terms depend on each fund’s legal documents.

Conclusion: Building a Focused Plan for Portugal Residency and Long-Term Options

A clear understanding of the €500,000 minimum fund eligibility rules and full cost structure is essential for a successful Portugal Golden Visa strategy. Asset-backed funds in Portugal’s hospitality sector can offer a balance between regulatory compliance and capital preservation, provided investors recognize that historical results are not a guarantee of future performance.

Portugal continues to stand out in Europe by offering Golden Visa holders a path to permanent residency and, under current law, citizenship without requiring relocation, while only asking for 14 days of presence every two years. With thoughtful fund selection and strong legal support, international investors can use the Golden Visa to secure residency in Portugal, maintain global flexibility, and participate in the country’s ongoing development.

Begin your Portugal Golden Visa planning and discuss qualifying fund options with VIDA Capital’s advisory team so you can align your investment, family objectives, and long-term residency or citizenship goals.