Portugal Golden Visa Residency Eligibility Requirements

Key Takeaways

• The Portugal Golden Visa grants a temporary residency permit in Portugal in exchange for a qualifying €500,000 investment in eligible investment funds, with personal properties no longer allowed.
• Non-EU applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a clean criminal record, prove the legal origin of funds, and prepare specific documentation with the support of a Portuguese lawyer.
• Family members can usually join the main applicant, including a spouse or partner, dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and unmarried, and financially dependent parents or in-laws.
• The Golden Visa process typically spans 12 to 18 months, leading to a 5-year residency track, possible permanent residency, and, under the post-October 2025 rules, a 10-year residence period before most applicants can seek Portuguese citizenship.
• VIDA Capital advises investors on accessing the Portugal Golden Visa through the VIDA Fund, focused on giving hospitality assets a second life, and offers end-to-end support; contact VIDA Capital to explore this route.

Understanding Portugal Golden Visa Residency: Key Concepts

Definition of the Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is a 5-year residence-by-investment program for non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment in Portugal. The program grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, plus visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The Golden Visa does not grant residency rights in other EU countries. After obtaining a Portuguese passport, holders can live, work, and study across the European Union and Schengen Zone, with access to public healthcare and education systems.

Temporary residency, permanent residency, and citizenship

The initial Golden Visa residency permit is valid for 2 years and is renewable for additional 2-year periods, provided you maintain the qualifying investment and meet the minimum stay requirements. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal, subject to the legal criteria in place at that time.

Permanent residency provides an open-ended right to reside in Portugal without regular Golden Visa renewals, while still requiring compliance with Portuguese law and any residence obligations.

The investment fund pathway and the €500,000 requirement

Since October 2023, the Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €500,000 in eligible investment funds, with direct property ownership no longer qualifying. This change redirected demand toward professionally managed funds that seek to combine Golden Visa eligibility with capital preservation and potential returns.

VIDA Capital focuses its advisory services on the VIDA Fund, which buys and transforms hospitality assets in Portugal, giving them a second life. Any reference to returns relates to historical performance, and historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

Secure your Portuguese residency and a long-term path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa through fund-based investment.

Initial Residency Eligibility: Golden Visa Application Requirements

Core eligibility criteria for main applicants

The Portugal Golden Visa is open to non-EU citizens aged 18 or older who meet specific conditions. Key requirements include:

• A clean criminal record with no serious convictions or Schengen entry bans
• Proof of lawful funds for the €500,000 investment
• Commitment to maintain the qualifying fund investment during the residency period

A Portuguese lawyer plays a central role in assessing eligibility, structuring the investment, and managing all submissions.

Essential documentation for your application

Core documentation typically includes:

• Valid passports for the main applicant and dependents
• Evidence of the €500,000 fund investment
• Clean criminal record certificates from the relevant countries of residence
• Portuguese tax number (NIF) details

All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Portuguese by certified translators. Careful document preparation with your lawyer helps avoid delays or rejections.

Including family members in your Golden Visa application

Family regrouping under the Golden Visa can cover:

• Spouse or common-law partner, supported by a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship
• Children who are unmarried, full-time students, not working, and financially dependent on the main applicant throughout the program, up to and including the Golden Visa application for them
• Parents and in-laws who are over 65, or demonstrably financially dependent on the main applicant

This structure allows a multi-generational approach to residency planning, while still requiring each family member to meet security and documentation standards.

The Golden Visa Journey: From Application to Residency Card

Step-by-step application process with legal guidance

The Golden Visa journey usually starts with obtaining a Portuguese NIF, opening a local bank account, and subscribing to a qualifying investment fund. A specialized lawyer coordinates these steps, verifies compliance, and prepares all immigration forms.

After the investment is in place, your lawyer submits the online application to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum) for all family members. Once preliminarily approved, you attend an in-person biometrics appointment in Portugal, which is a key stage before card issuance. The overall process usually spans 12 to 18 months.

Minimum stay requirements for maintaining residency

Golden Visa residents must spend at least 14 days in Portugal in each 2-year period, which averages 7 days per year. These days can be spread across several short trips or concentrated in longer visits.

This light physical presence requirement distinguishes Portugal from many European options and supports a flexible Plan B strategy for globally mobile investors.

Residency card renewals and practical considerations

Residency cards are renewed every 2 years and require proof that you:

• Still hold the qualifying fund investment
• Have met the 14-day stay requirement for the previous 2-year period
• Maintain a clean criminal record, demonstrated through updated certificates

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. Your lawyer will again manage submissions, biometrics, and any updates requested by AIMA.

Secure your Portuguese residency and a long-term path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa with ongoing advisory support.

Advancing Your Status: Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Path to permanent residency after 5 years

After 5 years of Golden Visa residency, you can usually apply for permanent residency if you have maintained the investment and residency requirements. Permanent residency removes the need for further Golden Visa renewals while preserving your right to live in Portugal.

This status can support long-term family planning in Portugal, including access to local education and healthcare, subject to national rules in effect at the time of application.

Updated path to Portuguese citizenship after October 2025

Portugal’s Parliament approved a new citizenship framework in October 2025. Under this framework, most applicants must now reside in Portugal for 10 years before qualifying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens benefit from a reduced 7-year requirement.

The new law should apply to Golden Visa holders unless they submitted their citizenship application before the law was published. Citizenship also requires an A2-level Portuguese language certificate, a clean criminal record, and evidence of effective ties to Portugal.

Successful applicants become Portuguese and EU citizens, with the right to live, work, and study across the EU and Schengen Zone and to access public healthcare and education in those countries.

Portugal Golden Visa: A Strategic Advantage Among Residency Programs

How Portugal compares with other European residency programs

Portugal remains one of the only European countries offering a clear path to citizenship without relocation, through a low physical presence requirement. Spain has discontinued its Golden Visa program, and Greece requires 7 years of living there, paying taxes, and meeting stricter residence conditions to keep long-term residency.

This structure reinforces Portugal’s role as a competitive Plan B for internationally mobile families who cannot relocate immediately but want a structured route to EU citizenship over time.

Explore Portugal’s Golden Visa with tailored advisory support from VIDA Capital.

Key Points on Portugal Golden Visa Residency

Minimum stay requirements for maintaining Golden Visa residency

Golden Visa holders must spend at least 14 days in Portugal during every 2-year card period. The visits can be flexible in length and timing, provided the total reaches 14 days, and accurate travel records are maintained.

Family inclusion rules under the Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa supports a family-based approach, allowing spouses or partners, dependent children, and dependent parents or in-laws to join the main applicant. Children must remain full-time students, not work, and stay unmarried for the entire residency program, up until their own Golden Visa application is granted.

Impact of recent citizenship timeline changes

The move to a 10-year residence requirement for most applicants extends the horizon for citizenship planning. Applicants who submit their citizenship files before the new law is published may continue under previous timelines, so legal advice is essential for each individual case.

Investment fund options that qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026

The Golden Visa currently accepts only qualifying investment funds with a minimum subscription of €500,000. Many of these funds invest in sectors such as hospitality and infrastructure, including vehicles like the VIDA Fund that buy and transform hospitality assets in Portugal, giving them a second life. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns, so independent financial and legal analysis remains important.

Consequences of not meeting minimum stay requirements

Failure to meet the 14-day stay requirement in any 2-year period can lead to Golden Visa renewal refusal and loss of residency rights. Exceptional situations may receive consideration, but investors should plan trips carefully and keep detailed proof of entry and exit to demonstrate compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portugal’s Golden Visa still available in 2026?

Yes. As of 2026, Portugal’s Golden Visa remains active, with the main route being a minimum €500,000 subscription into qualifying investment funds that meet the legal criteria for residency-by-investment.

Who qualifies for Portugal Golden Visa residency?

Eligible applicants are non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals aged 18 or older who can prove a clean criminal record, demonstrate the lawful origin of the €500,000 investment amount, and complete the process with a Portuguese lawyer who prepares and submits their application.

Which family members can I include in my application?

You can usually include a spouse or common-law partner (with a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship), children who are unmarried, full-time students, not working, and financially dependent on you, and parents or in-laws who are either over 65 or demonstrably financially dependent. Children must keep this status throughout the residency period until their own Golden Visa application is granted.

Do I need to relocate to Portugal or become a tax resident?

You are not required to relocate to Portugal. To maintain the Golden Visa, you must spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal in each 2-year period, but many investors do not become Portuguese tax residents because they do not move their primary residence or spend sufficient time in the country.

How long does the Portugal Golden Visa process take?

From initial preparation to receiving your first residency card, the process usually spans 12 to 18 months. Your lawyer will guide you through each stage, including obtaining your NIF, opening a bank account, subscribing to a qualifying fund, submitting the application, and attending biometrics.

What Schengen travel rights does the Golden Visa provide?

Golden Visa residence in Portugal allows visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The residency rights themselves are limited to Portugal; broader EU rights only apply once you obtain Portuguese citizenship and a passport.

What happens if I fail to maintain the fund investment or stay requirement?

If you sell or redeem the qualifying fund investment prematurely, or if you do not reach the 14 days of presence in Portugal during a 2-year card period, your renewal can be refused, and you may lose Golden Visa residency. Careful planning with your lawyer and advisor helps avoid these issues.

When can I apply for permanent residency and citizenship?

You can typically apply for permanent residency after 5 years of holding the Golden Visa, provided you have met the investment and stay requirements. Under the post-October 2025 framework, most applicants can apply for citizenship after 10 years of residence (7 years for CPLP and EU nationals), subject to language and other legal requirements in place at that time.

Secure Your Future: Partnering with VIDA Capital

Building a successful Portugal Golden Visa strategy requires coordinated legal, tax, and investment planning. Recent shifts in citizenship rules and the exclusive focus on fund investments make experienced, Portugal-focused advice especially valuable.

VIDA Capital is an advisory firm dedicated to guiding investors through the Portugal Golden Visa via the VIDA Fund, which targets asset-backed opportunities in the hospitality sector and gives existing assets a second life. Historical returns of the VIDA Fund are not a guarantee of future returns, and investors should always consider their own risk profile.

The Portugal Golden Visa can support long-term global mobility, multi-generational planning, and diversification, while keeping relocation optional. With light stay requirements, broad family inclusion, and a defined, though longer, route to citizenship, it remains a strong Plan B for internationally active families.

Contact VIDA Capital to discuss how fund-based investments aligned with the Portugal Golden Visa can fit into your broader family and wealth strategy.