Portugal Golden Visa: Complete 2026 Fee Guide

Key Takeaways

• The Portugal Golden Visa in 2026 requires a minimum investment of €500,000 into eligible investment funds, usually over a 12 to 18 month process from application to first residency card.
• Government fees per person include an initial application fee of €618.60, a card issuance fee of €6,179.40, renewal fees of €3,090.40 per card, and a citizenship application fee of €250, based on current digital filing rates.
• Legal, tax representative, and bank fees add a meaningful layer of cost on top of the investment itself, making early budgeting and clear fee quotes from service providers essential.
• Golden Visa-eligible funds typically charge subscription, management, and performance fees, and the VIDA Fund applies a 1% subscription fee while focusing on buying and transforming hospitality assets to give them a second life. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
• For tailored guidance on structuring your Portugal Golden Visa investment and understanding total costs, contact VIDA Capital.

1. Government Fees You Should Plan For

Government fees form the backbone of your Portugal Golden Visa budget. AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum, charges application and residency card issuance fees for every applicant and dependent.

Digital filings in 2025 include an intake fee of €618.60 and a grant fee of €6,179.40 per person after approval. These amounts cover application processing and the issuance of your first temporary residency card.

For a single applicant, the current reference costs are:

• €618.60 for the initial Golden Visa application submission
• €6,179.40 for the issuance of the first residency card

Each family member included in your application incurs the same government fees, so total cost scales with family size. These values are subject to change by Portuguese authorities, so investors should confirm the latest figures before filing.

2. Legal Fees: Why Dedicated Counsel Matters

Specialized legal support is essential for a successful Golden Visa journey. A dedicated immigration lawyer guides you through every step, from preparing documentation to renewals and permanent residency.

Key services usually include:

• Structuring your application strategy and family inclusion
• Preparing and submitting all application forms and supporting documents
• Obtaining a Portuguese NIF (tax identification number)
• Opening and maintaining a local bank account
• Handling communication with AIMA and monitoring your file

Typical fees for a single applicant range from €5,000 to €10,000, with full-family packages often reaching €16,000 to €20,000 for support through to permanent residency. Professional fees in Portugal include VAT, and a €10,000 legal invoice becomes €12,300 once the 23% VAT is added.

Clear engagement letters and itemized fee schedules help avoid surprises. A lawyer who stays with you from the first application through renewals, permanent residency, and finally citizenship is a practical safeguard, as the Portugal Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months, and the full residency path now extends to 10 years before citizenship eligibility.

3. Investment-Related Fees Beyond the €500,000

The Golden Visa now relies on investment funds rather than personal properties. The minimum required investment is €500,000 into a qualifying fund, but that figure does not include fund-level fees and ongoing costs related to compliance.

Golden Visa-eligible funds often apply:

• Subscription fees of 1% to 3% of the invested capital
• Annual management fees of 1% to 2%
• Performance fees of 10% to 20% of profits, where applicable

The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount. The fund focuses on buying hospitality assets and transforming them to give these properties a second life, instead of building new assets from the ground up. Any figures or examples that refer to past performance are illustrative only, and historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

Beyond fund fees, investors should budget for tax compliance. Portugal generally requires non-residents to appoint a tax representative, which often costs between €500 and €1,000 per year. Banks may also charge modest account maintenance fees. These recurring items continue for as long as you hold the investment and maintain your residency.

4. Renewal Costs and Residency Requirements

The Golden Visa grants a temporary residency permit valid for two years. You then renew this permit twice, each time for another two years, while maintaining your qualifying investment and meeting the minimum physical presence rule.

Government renewal fees currently stand at €3,090.40 per person for each digital filing. These are payable at each renewal stage and apply to the main applicant and all dependents.

To keep your residency status, you must:

• Maintain the required €500,000 investment for at least five years
• Spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal every two years

As the approval card issuance usually takes about a year, you will most likely need only one renewal within the five-year period before applying for permanent residency, rather than two. This structure keeps Portugal competitive as a Plan B option. Greece requires seven years of living there and paying taxes to qualify for citizenship, and Spain no longer offers a Golden Visa program, while Portugal allows you to qualify without relocating full-time.

5. Citizenship Fees and the New 10-Year Timeline

Many Golden Visa investors aim for Portuguese citizenship as the long-term objective. The Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal and visa-free travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Full rights to live, work, and study across the European Union only come with Portuguese citizenship.

The current path is:

• Obtain a temporary residency permit valid for two years
• Renew it twice for an additional two-year period, maintaining the investment and stay requirements
• Apply for permanent residency after five years of legal residence
• Apply for citizenship once you reach the required residence period

Portugal’s Parliament introduced a new framework in October 2025. Applicants now need 10 years of residence before becoming eligible for citizenship, while nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens can apply after seven years. This new rule should apply to Golden Visa holders, except for those who submit their citizenship applications before the new law is published.

The citizenship application fee is currently €250 per person, payable when you submit your request. While modest compared with earlier stages, this fee marks the final administrative step before you can obtain a Portuguese passport, subject to language and other legal requirements. Portugal remains one of the few European options that offer a path to citizenship without full relocation, thanks to its relatively low stay requirement of 14 days every two-year period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum investment required for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026?

The minimum investment is €500,000 into eligible investment funds under the post-October 2023 rules. This investment must remain in place for at least five years while you hold temporary residency.

How long does it take to reach permanent residency?

You can apply for permanent residency after five years of legal residence under the Golden Visa, as long as you have maintained your investment and met stay requirements. The Golden Visa process from initial application to receiving your first residency card usually spans 12 to 18 months.

Can I include family members in my Golden Visa application?

Your spouse or partner, economically dependent children, and financially dependent parents or in-laws can join the main application. Document-wise, you can use a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship for a common-law partner. Children must be full-time students, not working, and cannot be married at any time during the residency program until the Golden Visa application process is complete.

Are there additional ongoing costs besides the investment?

Beyond the fund investment, you should plan for government fees, legal fees, fund fees, and annual tax representative fees, often €500 to €1,000 per year. Banks may charge account maintenance fees, and citizenship and language exam costs will apply later in the process.

What happens after I obtain permanent residency?

After five years of temporary residency and then permanent residency, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship once you complete 10 years of residence, or seven years if you are a CPLP national or an EU citizen, following the October 2025 law change. Successful applicants gain full EU citizenship rights, including access to live, work, study, and use public healthcare and education anywhere in the EU and Schengen Area.

Does the Golden Visa let me work in other EU countries immediately?

No. The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Broader EU mobility and work rights only begin once you obtain Portuguese citizenship.

Why work with VIDA Capital on your Golden Visa strategy?

VIDA Capital is an advisory firm that focuses on guiding investors into structured, asset-backed opportunities in Portugal’s hospitality sector, primarily through the VIDA Fund. The fund acquires and transforms existing hospitality assets, giving them a second life rather than building new properties. VIDA Capital helps you understand fees, select suitable advisors such as immigration lawyers, and navigate the Golden Visa process with a clear, transparent cost framework.

Conclusion: Planning a Clear, Long-Term Residency Path

The Portugal Golden Visa in 2026 offers a defined route to Portuguese permanent residency and, over a longer horizon, citizenship. By mapping government, legal, investment, renewal, and citizenship fees in advance, you can align your capital commitment with your long-term Plan B objectives. For many investors, total costs over five years for a single applicant can fall in the €520,000 to €540,000 range, depending on fund selection, family size, and professional fees.

Portugal’s position as the 7th safest country in the Global Peace Index 2025 and the expectation that travel and tourism could reach 22.6% of national GDP by 2035 support the long-term outlook for its hospitality sector. For a personalized view of how the VIDA Fund and the Portugal Golden Visa could fit into your broader residency and citizenship planning, contact VIDA Capital.