Retirement Planning With Real Estate Investment Strategies

Key Takeaways

• High-net-worth individuals in 2026 face rising costs and macroeconomic uncertainty, which place pressure on traditional retirement plans.
• Asset-backed investments, especially in sectors with strong demand such as hospitality, can help preserve capital and hedge inflation.
• The Portugal Golden Visa, via eligible investment funds, offers Portuguese residency, visa-free Schengen travel, and a defined path to eventual EU citizenship.
• Portugal remains one of the few European options where investors can work toward citizenship without relocating, with only 14 days of stay required every two years.
• VIDA Capital advises investors on the VIDA Fund, an asset-backed hospitality strategy aligned with Golden Visa eligibility; speak with VIDA Capital about your Portugal Golden Visa plan.

The Evolving Landscape of Retirement for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Navigating the New Economics of Retirement

High-net-worth individuals face a different retirement reality in 2026. Rising housing, healthcare, debt, and caregiving costs absorb more income, while retirement expenses are projected to grow 4% annually through 2043. Traditional portfolios built only on domestic equities and fixed income can struggle to keep pace.

Global conditions add further pressure. More than half of senior executives expect economic decline in 2025–2026, and concerns about unemployment and market volatility continue to rise. Diversification beyond local markets becomes a key tool for protecting long-term wealth.

The Imperative for a Global Plan B

Growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty is increasing demand for alternative residency options. For many HNW families, a Plan B combines three goals:

• Global mobility and easier travel
• Access to an alternative residency base
• Capital preservation through tangible, asset-backed investments

Discuss how a Portugal Golden Visa can support your Plan B. VIDA Capital advises on asset-backed strategies in Portugal’s hospitality sector that qualify through eligible funds.

Asset-Backed Investments: A Foundation for Secure Retirement Planning

Capital Preservation and Inflation Protection

Retirement affordability is under pressure as inflation persists and costs compound over time. Wealth can erode when it sits in cash or low-yield instruments. Asset-backed investments, supported by tangible underlying assets, can help preserve purchasing power while still offering long-term growth potential.

Global Diversification for Risk Management

Allocating part of a portfolio to international asset-backed strategies reduces exposure to any single currency, economy, or political system. For HNWIs already heavily concentrated in their home country, targeted exposure to a stable European market like Portugal can balance risk and smooth portfolio volatility.

Residency-by-Investment as a Dual-Benefit Strategy

Residency-by-investment programs turn capital allocation into both a financial and lifestyle decision. Eligible funds for the Portugal Golden Visa provide:

• Portuguese residency tied to a regulated investment
• Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
• A structured route toward eventual Portuguese citizenship, subject to residency rules

Explore asset-backed fund options aligned with your retirement strategy with VIDA Capital.

Portugal Golden Visa: Strategic Residency Through Eligible Funds

How the Portugal Golden Visa Works

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU nationals. Investors commit at least €500,000 into eligible investment funds and, after approval, receive a temporary residency permit valid for two years. This permit can be renewed for a further two-year period as long as investment and minimum stay requirements are maintained.

The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal. It does not grant residency rights across the European Union, although it allows visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for short stays.

Benefits for Investors and Families

The program is designed for investors who want flexibility rather than relocation. Key features include:

• Visa-free travel across Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
• Ability to include a spouse or partner, dependent children, and financially dependent parents, with proof of relationship such as a marriage certificate or other documentation. For children to remain eligible throughout the residency program, they must generally be full-time students, financially dependent on the main applicant, not employed, and not married at any point until the Golden Visa process is complete.
• Low stay requirement of just 14 days in Portugal every two years, attractive for HNWIs with global lifestyles

Portugal is currently one of the only countries in Europe offering a structured path to citizenship without requiring you to move there. Spain has closed its Golden Visa program, and Greece requires at least seven years of living in the country and paying local taxes to qualify for citizenship, with more demanding ongoing residency requirements than Portugal.

The Updated Path to EU Citizenship

Portugal’s Parliament introduced a new citizenship framework in October 2025. Most applicants must now reside in Portugal for 10 years before applying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens can qualify after seven years. The new rules apply to Golden Visa investors unless they submitted a citizenship application before the law was published.

The overall Golden Visa process, from investment to initial residency approval, usually spans 12 to 18 months.

Speak with VIDA Capital about structuring your investment and residency plan under the current rules.

Why Invest in Portugal’s Hospitality Sector for the Golden Visa?

A Resilient Tourism Market

Portugal continues to attract international visitors at record levels. The country welcomed 31 million visitors in 2024, generating €27 billion in tourism revenue, with non-residents representing over 70% of overnight stays. Travel and tourism are projected to reach 22.6% of national GDP by 2035, and preparations for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup add further demand potential.

The Advantage of Eligible Asset-Backed Funds

After the October 2023 changes, direct investment in personal properties no longer qualifies for the Portugal Golden Visa. This shift increased demand for eligible investment funds. Portugal’s hospitality market remains fragmented, with many independently owned hotels, which creates opportunities for specialized funds to buy and improve under-managed assets.

Capital Protection with Tangible Assets

Hospitality-focused, asset-backed funds support operating companies that control hotels and related physical assets that hold intrinsic value. If needed, these underlying assets can often be sold to help recover capital, which distinguishes them from purely speculative or cash flow–dependent strategies. This structure aligns well with retirement goals focused on capital preservation and measured growth.

A Step-by-Step Guide: Navigating the Portugal Golden Visa Process with VIDA Capital

The Golden Visa Application Journey

A specialized lawyer is essential at every stage of the Golden Visa process. A typical sequence looks like this:

• Pre-application: Engage a Portuguese immigration lawyer, obtain your NIF remotely, open a local bank account, and complete the €500,000 commitment into an eligible fund.
• Application and biometrics: Your lawyer submits your online application for you and your family. After pre-approval, you attend biometric appointments in Portugal.
• Initial residency card: You receive a two-year residency permit that allows visa-free Schengen travel for short stays. 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.
• First renewal: You prove that the investment is maintained, confirm at least 14 days of presence in Portugal over the previous two years, update criminal records, and repeat biometrics.
• Second renewal: You meet the same requirements for the next two-year period, including presence and documentation.
• Permanent residency: After five years of maintaining the investment and meeting stay requirements, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal.
• Citizenship application: After 10 years of residency (or seven years for CPLP and EU nationals), you can apply for Portuguese citizenship, subject to language and other legal requirements. The new rules should apply to all Golden Visa applicants except those who have already submitted their citizenship application before the new law is published.

Key Costs to Plan For

Investors should budget for several cost categories:

• Government fees: Application submission, residency cards, renewals, and citizenship application fees for each family member.
• Legal fees: Commonly in the €16,000 to €20,000 range per family, depending on the law firm and services included.
• Investment subscription fees: The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount.

How VIDA Capital Supports Your Journey

VIDA Capital acts as an advisory partner throughout the process. The team coordinates with your chosen legal counsel, explains the fund structure, and maintains clear investor relations, so you understand both the immigration steps and the underlying asset-backed investment.

Comparing Golden Visa Investment Pathways: The VIDA Fund Advantage

Clarity about the underlying investment is essential for retirement planning. The table below outlines key differences between the VIDA Fund’s hospitality focus and other approaches.

The VIDA Fund is regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM) and audited twice a year by Deloitte. The strategy focuses on investing in existing hospitality operating companies, transforming and professionally managing the underlying hotel businesses, and effectively giving these assets a second life. Historical performance seeks to balance capital preservation with income and appreciation, though historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

Request details on the VIDA Fund’s Golden Visa eligibility and hospitality strategy from VIDA Capital.

Conclusion: Building a Strategic, Global Retirement Plan

High-net-worth individuals in 2026 benefit from approaching retirement as a global, multi-decade project. Combining asset-backed investments with a structured residency pathway in a stable country like Portugal can support capital preservation, diversification, and family mobility.

The Portugal Golden Visa, accessed through eligible funds such as the VIDA Fund, offers this blend of financial and lifestyle advantages, while Portugal’s legal framework provides a clear route to permanent residency and, over time, citizenship. VIDA Capital’s advisory team provides a personalized, concierge-style experience to help you navigate both the investment and immigration steps with confidence and clarity. Contact VIDA Capital to discuss how the Portugal Golden Visa and the VIDA Fund can fit into your long-term retirement planning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Retirement Planning with the Golden Visa

What is the role of a Plan B in retirement planning?

A Plan B combines alternative residency, global mobility, and diversified asset-backed investments. For HNW families, this structure can protect against political shifts, policy changes, and concentrated exposure to a single country while supporting long-term retirement and succession planning.

How do asset-backed investments differ for the Golden Visa?

Asset-backed Golden Visa investments, such as those in the VIDA Fund, are supported by physical hospitality assets. These assets can be sold if needed, which can provide more downside protection than purely speculative or highly leveraged structures.

What is the impact of the new citizenship timelines?

The move to a 10-year residency requirement (or seven years for CPLP and EU nationals) lengthens the path to citizenship. Even with this change, Portugal remains one of the few European options that allows investors to pursue citizenship without relocating, supported by a minimal stay requirement.

What is the scope of rights under the Golden Visa?

The Portugal Golden Visa grants residency rights in Portugal only. It also allows visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Full rights to live, work, and study across the EU and Schengen countries arise only after obtaining Portuguese citizenship.

How can VIDA Capital support investment security?

VIDA Capital focuses on regulated, audited structures and on hospitality assets with clear business plans for operational improvement. The VIDA Fund’s CMVM registration and Deloitte audits add oversight, while the asset-backed approach aligns with retirement strategies centered on capital preservation. Historical returns are monitored closely, with the understanding that past performance does not guarantee future results.