Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa program remains active in 2026, with applications processed under a fund-focused framework introduced in 2023.
- Only qualifying investment funds, not personal properties, now count for eligibility, with a minimum investment of €500,000 maintained for at least five years.
- The Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal and visa-free travel across the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, plus a long-term pathway to permanent residency and, for eligible applicants, citizenship.
- Recent legal changes in October 2025 extended the residence requirement for citizenship to 10 years for most investors, with reduced timelines for EU and CPLP nationals.
- Investors can use regulated, asset-backed funds such as the VIDA Fund and receive tailored guidance from VIDA Capital’s advisory team by contacting them.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa Still Active in 2026? A Definitive Answer for Investors
The Portugal Golden Visa program remains active in 2026 and continues to accept and process applications. Portugal’s immigration authority continues to process applications and issue residency permits to qualified investors.
Legislative changes in October 2023 shifted the focus away from personal properties and toward qualifying investment funds with a minimum threshold of €500,000. These changes removed investments in personal properties as an eligible route and established regulated funds as the primary pathway for residency through investment.
For investors seeking a reliable Plan B, the program combines Schengen visa-free travel, family inclusion, and a clear structure for long-term residency in Portugal, without any obligation to relocate full-time.
Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa Program: Key Concepts and Eligibility
What is the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU citizens who invest in qualifying Portuguese funds. Successful applicants receive a temporary residency permit that can be renewed, visa-free travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and a pathway to permanent residency after five years. The program grants residency rights only in Portugal.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, and hold a clean criminal record. Investment funds must originate from outside Portugal, and applicants must document the legal source of their funds.
Key Requirements for Maintaining the Visa
Investors must spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal, totaling at least 14 days during each two-year residency card validity period. The qualifying investment must be kept for at least five years. This low physical presence requirement supports investors who want residency flexibility while maintaining their primary base elsewhere.
What are the Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa offers:
- Residency rights in Portugal for the main investor and eligible family members
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- A path to permanent residency in Portugal after five years
- Eligibility for Portuguese citizenship for those who meet the updated residence and legal requirements
Once an investor acquires Portuguese citizenship, they gain full rights to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education across the European Union.
Navigating the 2023 Changes: Why Funds Now Drive the Portugal Golden Visa
The October 2023 rules removed investments in personal properties from the Golden Visa and directed qualifying capital into regulated funds. The minimum investment is now €500,000 into a qualifying investment fund that aligns with the program’s legal framework.
This structure has increased demand for professionally managed vehicles that can balance regulatory compliance, capital preservation, and potential growth. Many investors now favor asset-backed strategies that focus on operating sectors of the Portuguese economy.
Request an overview of Golden Visa–eligible fund options with VIDA Capital.
Investment Funds: A Strategic Route for Your Portugal Golden Visa
Why Qualified Funds Are Now the Core Option
Qualified funds operate under Portuguese regulatory oversight, with rules on reporting, custody, and investor protection. This structure gives Golden Visa investors a clear, standardized route to maintain eligibility while delegating day-to-day management to regulated professionals.
The Role of Asset-Backed Funds
Asset-backed funds link investor capital to tangible assets, which can reduce downside risk compared with purely speculative strategies. In sectors such as hospitality, this approach can combine income generation with potential capital appreciation over time.
The VIDA Fund: Giving Hospitality Assets a Second Life
The VIDA Fund focuses on acquiring and transforming undervalued hospitality assets in Portugal, giving existing properties a second life rather than building new ones. The fund follows an owner-operator model, improving operations and repositioning assets to enhance long-term value while complying with Golden Visa rules.
Disclaimer: Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Learn how the VIDA Fund’s asset-backed strategy can fit your Golden Visa plan.
Step-by-Step Guide: The Portugal Golden Visa Application Process
Step 1: Pre-Application Essentials
A specialized lawyer is essential throughout this process. With your lawyer, you will:
- Obtain a Portuguese NIF (tax identification number), usually remotely
- Open a Portuguese bank account
- Select a qualifying fund and subscribe at least €500,000, for example, into the VIDA Fund
Step 2: Submitting Your Application
Your lawyer submits your online application and those of included family members. The overall Golden Visa process, from investment to first residency card, usually spans 12 to 18 months. Once AIMA approves the file, you attend an in-person biometrics appointment with each family member.
Step 3: Receiving Your Initial Residency Card
Your first Golden Visa residency card is valid for two years and confirms your temporary residency in Portugal. It also allows visa-free travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 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 4: Residency Card Renewals
You must renew your temporary residency permit for two additional two-year periods, maintaining your investment and minimum stay requirement. Each renewal requires updated documentation, including criminal records and proof that you spent at least 14 days in Portugal in the previous two-year period.
Step 5: Applying for Permanent Residency
After five years of maintaining temporary residency and your qualifying investment, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal, again with the support of a lawyer.
Step 6: Pathway to Portuguese Citizenship
Under the framework introduced in October 2025, Golden Visa holders generally must reside in Portugal for 10 years before qualifying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens have a reduced residence requirement of seven years. The new law should apply to all Golden Visa applicants except those who submitted their citizenship applications before the new law is published.
Throughout each stage, legal guidance is critical to manage documentation, deadlines, and compliance with evolving rules.
Cost Breakdown of the Portugal Golden Visa Program (Beyond the Investment)
- Government fees: approximately €618.60 per family member for the initial application, €6,179.40 per family member for card issuance at biometrics, €3,023.20 per family member for each renewal, and €250 per family member at the citizenship application stage.
- Legal fees: typically between €16,000 and €20,000 per family, depending on the firm and case complexity.
- Fund subscription fees vary by fund. The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount, paid to the fund manager.
Portugal Golden Visa vs. Other EU Residency Programs
Why Portugal Remains a Practical Option
Portugal is currently one of the only European countries offering a route to citizenship through investment without requiring relocation. Spain has discontinued its Golden Visa, and Greece requires investors to live there and pay taxes for seven years to maintain long-term residency.
Portugal’s requirement of just 14 days in-country every two years helps investors keep their primary base elsewhere while maintaining a credible Plan B.
|
Program |
Min. Stay Requirement |
Path to Citizenship |
Program Status |
|
Portugal Golden Visa |
14 days / 2 years |
10 years (standard) |
Active |
|
Greece Golden Visa |
7 years of residence |
7 years + tax residency |
Active |
|
Spain Golden Visa |
N/A |
N/A |
Discontinued |
Request a Portugal-focused residency strategy that fits your mobility and time constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026
Is the Portugal Golden Visa program still active in 2026?
Yes. The program is active, and fund investments remain a legal and approved route to residency for eligible investors.
What is the minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa now?
The minimum investment is €500,000 into a qualifying investment fund, kept for at least five years to maintain Golden Visa status.
Do I need to live in Portugal to maintain the Golden Visa?
No full relocation is required. You must spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each two-year residency card period to stay compliant.
How long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa?
Under the rules introduced in October 2025, most Golden Visa holders must reside in Portugal for 10 years before applying for citizenship, while EU and CPLP nationals may qualify after seven years. Applicants who filed for citizenship before the new law may remain under the prior five-year rule.
Can my family be included in my Golden Visa application?
Yes. You can include your spouse or common-law partner (with a marriage certificate or equivalent proof of relationship), economically dependent parents or in-laws, and economically dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and unmarried at any time during the residency program until the citizenship or permanent residency application is submitted.
Why choose asset-backed funds for my Golden Visa investment?
Asset-backed funds ground your investment in tangible assets, often with operating cash flows, which can lower volatility and support capital preservation while meeting Golden Visa criteria.
Does VIDA Capital help find a lawyer for the Golden Visa process?
Yes. VIDA Capital can introduce you to specialized Portuguese law firms experienced in Golden Visa work, while you remain free to choose your preferred legal representative.
What makes the VIDA Fund a secure option for the Golden Visa?
The VIDA Fund invests in existing hospitality assets in Portugal, giving them a second life through operational and structural improvements rather than new construction. The fund is regulated by CMVM and audited bi-annually by Deloitte, providing structured oversight and transparency for investors.
Conclusion: Using the Portugal Golden Visa and VIDA Capital to Build a Long-Term Plan
The Portugal Golden Visa remains a structured, fund-based route to Portuguese residency in 2026, with clear rules on investment size, stay requirements, and long-term paths to permanent residency and potential citizenship.
VIDA Capital supports investors who seek an asset-backed, hospitality-focused strategy through the VIDA Fund, while coordinating with specialized legal partners to manage each step of the application.
