Portugal Golden Visa Minimum Investment Requirements 2026

Key Takeaways

• In 2026, the Portugal Golden Visa typically requires a minimum investment of €500,000 into a CMVM-regulated investment fund that allocates at least 60% of its capital to Portuguese companies.
• Personal properties no longer qualify for the Golden Visa, so regulated investment funds, especially those backed by hospitality assets, have become the main pathway for many investors.
• Portugal’s Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal, a low physical stay requirement of 14 days every two years, visa-free travel within Schengen for short stays, and the ability to apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten years under the current framework.
• Asset-backed hospitality strategies, such as the VIDA Fund, focus on buying and transforming existing hotel assets to give them a second life, aiming for capital preservation and regulated oversight; historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
• VIDA Capital acts as an advisory firm, guiding investors through fund selection and the Portugal Golden Visa process; speak with VIDA Capital about your Golden Visa strategy.

The Evolving Landscape of Portugal Golden Visa Minimum Investments

A Shift Towards Strategic Investments

The Portugal Golden Visa framework changed significantly in October 2023, when personal properties stopped qualifying as an eligible investment route. Since October 2023, personal property investment is no longer a qualifying option for the Golden Visa, so investors now focus on alternative routes that better match Portugal’s economic priorities.

This shift redirected capital toward regulated funds and other non-property options. The policy aims to support sectors that drive broader economic development instead of inflating housing markets in major cities. For many investors, this evolution creates access to diversified, professionally managed vehicles aligned with Portugal’s long-term growth.

Navigating the €500,000 Threshold for Fund Investments

The minimum investment for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026 is €500,000 through Private Equity or Venture Capital Funds regulated by CMVM. This threshold is now the main route for most Golden Visa applicants seeking Portuguese residency and, eventually, a path to citizenship.

Fund investments appeal to investors who value regulatory oversight, diversification, and professional management. The €500,000 commitment typically buys exposure to a portfolio of Portuguese assets rather than a single project.

To explore whether this path fits your objectives, request a consultation with VIDA Capital.

Comparing Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund Options

Key Regulatory Requirements for Golden Visa Funds

Golden Visa-eligible financial investments require a minimum of €500,000, a fund maturity of at least five years, and at least 60% of the fund’s capital invested in Portugal. These funds are supervised by CMVM and must follow Portuguese securities regulations and reporting standards.

At least 60% of the fund’s capital must go into companies with a Portuguese head office, so investor capital directly supports the domestic economy rather than broader pan-European portfolios.

Asset-Backed vs. Non-Asset-Backed Funds: Key Differences

Asset-backed hospitality funds often provide stronger capital preservation because the investment is secured by physical assets with independent market value. Equity-only strategies rely more heavily on company performance and market conditions, while asset-backed structures add a layer of security through collateral that can be sold if needed to recover part of the principal.

The Strategic Advantage of Hospitality Sector Funds in Portugal

Portugal’s hospitality sector benefits from long-term tourism growth and rising international visibility. Projections indicate that by 2035, travel and tourism may represent around 22.6% of Portugal’s national GDP, building on record tourism in 2024, when the country hosted about 31 million visitors, and tourism revenue reached roughly €27 billion.

The 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal will co-host, is projected to generate an economic impact of more than €800 million in the country, supporting infrastructure upgrades and hospitality demand.

Specialized funds like the VIDA Fund aim to capture this momentum by buying and transforming undervalued hospitality assets, giving existing hotels a second life rather than building new ones. The owner-operator model focuses on operational improvements and repositioning, with the goal of enhancing both asset value and income potential over time. Any reference to returns is illustrative only, and historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

Navigating the Golden Visa Application Process and Timelines

Step-by-Step Guide: From Investment to Residency

A qualified Portuguese lawyer is crucial at every stage to align your application, investment, and documentation with current requirements. The Portugal Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months from initial application to first residency card issuance.

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. The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal, but it also allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Understanding Associated Costs Beyond Minimum Investment

Most families should plan for roughly €25,000–€35,000 in fees and costs on top of the €500,000 fund investment, depending on family size and legal structure.

For a detailed cost breakdown tailored to your family, contact VIDA Capital for a personalized consultation.

Why Asset-Backed Investments, Like the VIDA Fund, Stand Out

Unique Investor Benefits and Enhanced Security

Capital preservation. Asset-backed strategies provide a buffer against market volatility by holding physical hotel properties with underlying land and building value. If needed, these assets can be sold in the market, which helps reduce the risk of a complete capital loss compared with purely cash-flow-based investments.

Professional management. The VIDA Fund’s team has extensive experience in hospitality asset management, with a track record that includes managing several billion euros in assets and executing more than 100 private equity deals. This background supports disciplined acquisition, repositioning, and operations.

Transparency and regulation. CMVM supervision enforces compliance with Portuguese securities law, and bi-annual audits by Deloitte add a further control layer. This structure helps investors monitor performance and governance throughout the fund’s life. Historical results do not guarantee future outcomes.

VIDA Capital: Advisory Support for Your Portugal Golden Visa Investment

VIDA Capital operates as an advisory firm, connecting investors with asset-backed opportunities in the VIDA Fund and supporting them through the Portugal Golden Visa journey. The advisory team offers dedicated points of contact, clear communication, and coordination with your legal counsel.

The VIDA Fund focuses on buying existing hospitality assets and transforming them to give these properties a second life, rather than building new hotels. This strategy aims to improve underused assets, support sustainable tourism, and create visible value for investors over time.

To learn how this approach could fit your Plan B strategy, begin your conversation with VIDA Capital.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Portugal Golden Visa Minimum Investment

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

The primary investment route in 2026 requires a minimum of €500,000 into a CMVM-regulated investment fund that meets Golden Visa criteria. Investors should also account for government, legal, and fund subscription fees on top of this amount.

Can my family members also obtain residency through my investment?

Yes. Eligible family members typically include your spouse or recognized partner (supported by a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship), economically dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and unmarried throughout the program, and dependent parents or in-laws who are over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant.

How does the VIDA Fund support capital preservation?

The VIDA Fund invests in acquiring and revitalizing existing hospitality businesses, providing hotel assets as tangible security. Asset-backed exposure offers an additional layer of protection compared with structures that rely only on operating cash flow, although all investments carry risk, and historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

What makes Portugal competitive compared to other European residency options?

Portugal offers a minimal physical stay requirement of 14 days every two years and a pathway to permanent residency after five years, with citizenship eligibility after ten years under the current law, without requiring full relocation. Spain has closed its Golden Visa program, and Greece generally requires seven years of physical residence and tax residency to qualify for citizenship, while Portugal remains one of the only countries in Europe offering access to citizenship without relocation.

What are the total costs beyond the €500,000 minimum investment?

Beyond the fund investment, families should plan for government fees of roughly €618–€6,179 per person, legal fees in the €16,000–€20,000 range, a fund subscription fee (around 1% for the VIDA Fund), and renewal fees of about €3,023 per family member. In many cases, total additional costs fall around €25,000–€35,000, depending on family size.

Conclusion: Building a Structured Path to Portuguese and EU Mobility

Clear knowledge of the Portugal Golden Visa minimum investment in 2026 helps you design a structured, long-term plan for your family. The shift away from personal properties toward regulated funds has opened access to diversified, professionally managed, and often asset-backed opportunities.

Hospitality-focused, asset-backed funds such as the VIDA Fund target a balance between capital preservation and growth by buying and transforming existing hotels within a sector that benefits from strong tourism fundamentals. Historical performance can inform expectations, but it never guarantees future results.

Portugal’s Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal, with low stay requirements and a defined route to permanent residency after five years and potential citizenship after ten years under the current framework. A Portuguese passport then enables the right to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education across the European Union and Schengen Zone countries.

If you are assessing whether a regulated, asset-backed fund suits your objectives, contact VIDA Capital for a focused discussion of the VIDA Fund and your Portugal Golden Visa options.