Portugal’s Golden Visa offers a unique blend of flexibility and opportunity for investors seeking EU residency without needing to relocate fully. With a minimum stay of just 14 days every two years, this program stands out as a practical choice for global mobility and long-term security.
This guide breaks down the residency requirements and shows how you can achieve permanent residency and citizenship with minimal disruption to your current lifestyle.
Why Portugal’s Low Stay Requirement Matters for Investors
The minimal stay requirement of the Portugal Golden Visa makes it a standout option for busy investors. Unlike many residency programs that demand significant time or full relocation, Portugal asks for only 14 days every two years. This allows you to keep your existing commitments while securing residency in a stable EU country.
For those with international businesses or family obligations, this flexibility is a key benefit. It offers a reliable backup plan without forcing major life changes. Portugal, ranked as the 7th safest country in the 2025 Global Peace Index, also provides access to strong infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems.
Explore EU residency and a path to citizenship with Portugal’s Golden Visa through VIDA Capital. Our advisory team guides you to secure investments in Portugal’s hospitality sector.
Understanding the Minimum Stay Rules for Portugal’s Golden Visa
How the 2-Year Residency Cycle Works
The Golden Visa follows a simple 2-year cycle for residency permits. Based on legal guidelines like Article 90-A of Law No. 23/2007, you need to spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each 2-year period, fitting easily into a hectic schedule.
You don’t need to stay for 14 consecutive days. Short visits, weekend trips, or a single two-week stay all count. This adaptability lets you plan your time in Portugal around personal or professional needs while staying compliant with residency rules.
Your Path from Initial Permit to Citizenship
Progressing from a Golden Visa to permanent residency and citizenship involves clear stages with specific stay requirements:
- Initial Permit (Years 1-2): Spend 14 days in Portugal over 2 years. As the approval card issuance usually takes a year, you will most likely only need one renewal instead of two in the 5-year period.
- First Renewal (Years 3-4): Another 14 days over 2 years, with proof of continued investment.
- Second Renewal (Year 5): A final 14 days before permanent residency eligibility.
- Permanent Residency (After Year 5): After 5 years, apply for permanent residency.
- Citizenship (After Year 10): A new law from October 2025 extends the timeline to 10 years of residency before applying for citizenship, along with A2-level Portuguese language skills. This applies to all except those who applied before the law’s publication.
You must maintain your qualifying investment for the full 5-year temporary residency period to ensure compliance.
Documenting Your Stay for Compliance with AIMA
The Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (AIMA) requires proof of your time in Portugal for renewals. Valid documents include boarding passes for entry and exit, plus daily invoices with your Portuguese tax ID (NIF).
Key tips for smooth documentation include:
- Separate Proof: Each family member needs individual records, like boarding passes.
- Daily Records: Keep invoices with your NIF from hotels, restaurants, or shops for each day in Portugal.
- Legalization: Non-Portuguese documents need apostille certification and notarized Portuguese translation.
- Organization: Store all travel records and receipts carefully to avoid issues during renewals.
Collecting boarding passes and one invoice per day during your visits ensures you meet AIMA’s standards without stress.
How Portugal’s Flexibility Benefits Global Investors
Comparing Stay Requirements with Other EU Programs
Portugal’s Golden Visa offers distinct advantages over other European residency options due to its low stay requirement. Here’s how it stacks up:
|
Program |
Minimum Stay (per 2 years) |
Relocation Required |
|
Portugal Golden Visa |
14 days |
No |
|
Greece Golden Visa |
None |
No, but 7 years of residency with relocation for citizenship |
|
Spain Golden Visa |
Discontinued |
N/A |
Portugal remains one of the few European countries providing a path to citizenship without mandatory relocation. Greece offers no stay requirement but demands 7 years of residency for citizenship. Spain no longer has a Golden Visa program as of 2025. Portugal’s 14-day rule over two years keeps it highly competitive for investors wanting EU access with minimal commitment.
A Practical Backup Plan for Mobility and Family
The Golden Visa serves as a solid “Plan B” for investors needing flexibility. With just 14 days required every 2 years as of 2025, you can maintain your current lifestyle while securing residency in Portugal.
Families benefit too, as spouses, dependent children, and parents over 65 or financially reliant can join the application. Each gets the same residency rights and must meet the stay requirements individually. Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period adds immediate value for business or leisure. Full EU rights to live, work, and study across member states come only with citizenship after 10 years.
Securing Capital with Hospitality Investments in Portugal
VIDA Capital connects investors to asset-backed opportunities in Portugal’s growing hospitality market. The robust tourism sector, noted by the World Travel & Tourism Council, supports stable investments for Golden Visa eligibility.
The VIDA Fund’s strategy of acquiring and upgrading undervalued hospitality assets offers key benefits:
- Tangible Value: Investments in hospitality provide concrete assets, unlike purely financial instruments.
- Growth Potential: Portugal’s tourism continues to expand, with events like the 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosting expected to drive demand.
- Oversight: Regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM) and audited biannually by Deloitte, ensuring transparency.
Investing in operating companies rather than direct ownership balances exposure to growth with asset security. Note that historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns, but tangible assets often provide better capital protection than speculative options.
Your Golden Visa Journey with VIDA Capital’s Guidance
Tailored Support for a Stress-Free Process
VIDA Capital delivers personalized advisory services to guide you through the Golden Visa process, from first steps to citizenship. We focus on every detail, including stay requirements, to keep your residency on track.
Navigating investment choices, legal paperwork, and immigration rules can be complex. As your central coordinator, VIDA Capital links you with specialized law firms, manages investment placement in the VIDA Fund, and offers support at every stage. Our team is accessible via WhatsApp for quick responses, even on weekends, ensuring help is always available during critical moments like renewals.
We also connect you with experienced legal professionals for Golden Visa applications. While you can choose your own representation, our network includes experts familiar with AIMA’s processes for efficient handling.
Invest in the VIDA Fund for a Reliable Residency Path
The VIDA Fund provides a regulated investment option meeting the €500,000 Golden Visa threshold. Focused on Portugal’s hospitality sector, it offers asset security with key features:
- Compliance: Regulated by CMVM with biannual Deloitte audits for accountability.
- Asset Focus: Targets existing hospitality businesses for lower risk compared to speculative ventures.
- Experience: Managed by a team with over €4 billion in assets and 100+ global deals.
- Track Record: VIDA Fund I raised over €20 million from 50+ investors, supporting 100+ Golden Visa applications.
With a 6.5-year lifecycle matching Golden Visa timelines, VIDA Fund II is open for investors seeking residency through a secure approach. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Start your journey to EU residency and citizenship with Portugal’s Golden Visa via VIDA Capital. We offer expert guidance for investments in Portugal’s hospitality industry.
Common Questions About Portugal Golden Visa Stay Rules
What Is the Required Stay in Portugal for the Golden Visa?
You must spend 14 days in Portugal during each 2-year permit period. This low requirement allows multiple short trips or a single longer stay to comply, fitting easily into busy schedules.
What If I Miss the Minimum Stay?
Not meeting the 14-day stay requirement in any 2-year period risks your permit renewal. AIMA needs proof of presence, and without it, your Golden Visa status could be revoked. Plan visits carefully and keep thorough records to avoid issues over the 5-year residency term.
Do Family Members Have the Same Stay Requirement?
Yes, every family member on your Golden Visa application must meet the 14-day stay rule per 2-year period. This applies to spouses, dependent children, and included parents. Each person needs individual proof, like boarding passes, even if traveling together.
How Do I Show Proof of My Time in Portugal?
AIMA accepts boarding passes for entry and exit, plus daily invoices with your Portuguese tax ID (NIF). Keep boarding passes for all family members, gather receipts for each day spent in Portugal, and organize records well. Non-Portuguese documents require apostille certification and notarized translation into Portuguese.
Can I Get Citizenship After 5 Years with Minimal Stays?
No, a 2025 law change requires 10 years of residency before applying for citizenship, alongside A2-level Portuguese skills and proof of integration. This applies to all except those who applied before the law’s publication. Permanent residency is available after 5 years without maintaining the investment.
What Extra Costs Come with the €500,000 Investment?
Beyond the investment, expect government fees of about €12,845 per family member for the full process, legal fees of €16,000 to €20,000 depending on the firm, and a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount with the VIDA Fund. Factor these into your planning.
Is Portugal’s Golden Visa Program Still Running?
Yes, the program is active as of 2025, accepting applications. Changes in October 2023 set a €500,000 minimum for fund investments, but options like the VIDA Fund remain a valid route to residency with notable flexibility.
Do I Need to Move to Portugal for the Golden Visa?
No, relocation isn’t necessary, which is a core strength of this program. The 14-day stay every 2 years lets you maintain your current life while gaining EU residency, ideal for investors who value mobility without major upheaval.
How Long Does the Golden Visa Process Take?
The process generally spans 12 to 18 months from application to receiving your initial residency card. This covers investment, documentation, submission, AIMA review, and approvals. Partnering with advisors like VIDA Capital and experienced lawyers helps keep delays minimal.
Wrapping Up: EU Residency with Flexibility and Security
Portugal’s Golden Visa provides a rare chance for investors to gain EU residency and a path to citizenship with minimal stay obligations. Requiring fewer than 35 days over 5 years, it supports your lifestyle while offering a solid backup plan.
Beyond low stay rules, Portugal’s safety ranking as Europe’s 7th safest nation in 2025, growing tourism, and stable economy make it a strong choice for residency and investment. The VIDA Fund’s asset-backed focus in hospitality adds financial security while meeting program needs.
Meeting the 14-day stay every 2 years is straightforward but requires planning and documentation. VIDA Capital’s advisory support helps you handle these obligations while guiding secure investments in hospitality assets.
For investors balancing global mobility, family security, and capital protection, Portugal’s Golden Visa is a practical solution. It accommodates varied lifestyles with a clear route to permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years.
Begin your EU residency journey with Portugal’s Golden Visa through VIDA Capital. Our guidance ensures a secure, flexible path to residency with investments in Portugal’s hospitality sector.
