Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €500,000 into eligible investment funds, since personal properties no longer qualify.
- Most applicants should expect the process from initial submission to receiving the first residency card to take about 12 to 18 months.
- The Golden Visa grants Portuguese residency and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Permanent residency is generally available after 5 years, while citizenship now usually requires 10 years of residence for most applicants under the rules introduced in October 2025.
- VIDA Capital provides advisory services focused on asset-backed hospitality fund investments that qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa; contact VIDA Capital for personalized guidance.
1. Portugal Golden Visa 2026 Requirements: Who Qualifies and How
The Portugal Golden Visa in 2026 targets non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals aged 18 or older who wish to obtain Portuguese residency and, eventually, Portuguese citizenship. A key requirement is a qualifying investment of at least €500,000 into eligible investment funds from outside Portugal. Direct investment into personal properties has not been a qualifying option since October 2023, so regulated funds have become the primary route.
VIDA Capital focuses on advisory services for asset-backed investments in Portugal’s hospitality sector. The VIDA Fund buys existing hospitality assets, such as hotels and related properties, and gives them a second life through refurbishment and operational improvements.
This fund-based, asset-backed approach aligns with current Golden Visa rules and prioritizes capital preservation while taking advantage of Portugal’s growing tourism sector. Portugal hosted a record 31 million visitors in 2024, generating €27 billion in revenue, which supports the long-term relevance of hospitality-focused strategies.
Core eligibility documentation includes a valid passport and copies, recent criminal background checks from your home country and any country where you have lived for more than a year, proof of legal entry into Portugal, proof of financial self-sufficiency, and Portuguese tax and social security good standing certificates.
Selecting a robust, asset-backed fund is an important element of risk management. Hospitality assets that can be independently valued help provide security for Golden Visa investors who prioritize capital preservation alongside residency goals.
2. Golden Visa Application Steps: From Investment to First Residency Card
Successful Golden Visa applications follow a clear sequence. Applicants first obtain a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and open a Portuguese bank account, usually with the help of a local lawyer who can often complete these steps remotely under a power of attorney. After that, the applicant makes the €500,000 investment into an eligible fund such as the VIDA Fund.
Your lawyer then submits the initial Golden Visa application online through the ARI portal for you and any eligible family members. This submission includes legalized and, when necessary, apostilled documents, certified Portuguese translations, proof of investment, criminal record certificates issued within three months, and copies of passports. Having an experienced Portuguese immigration lawyer oversee each step is essential to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of refusals or delays.
Once AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) grants preliminary approval, applicants attend an in-person appointment in Portugal for biometric data collection. The first temporary residency permit, valid for two years, is then issued. You must renew the permit for two further two-year periods, always maintaining the qualifying investment and meeting the minimum stay requirement of 14 days in Portugal every two years.
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. This low physical presence requirement makes Portugal’s Golden Visa a practical “Plan B” for global mobility without full relocation.
3. Portugal Golden Visa Processing Time: What to Expect in 2026
Most applicants should expect the Portugal Golden Visa process, from initial submission to receiving the first residency card, to span roughly 12 to 18 months. This period covers document preparation, online filing through the ARI portal, AIMA’s assessment, and biometric scheduling and issuance of the first residency card.
Delays often arise from incomplete files, issues documenting the origin of funds, or difficulties obtaining recent criminal record certificates. Meticulous preparation of documents, proper legalization or apostille where required, and certified translations into Portuguese can significantly reduce these risks. Close coordination with a specialized Portuguese immigration lawyer is critical throughout the process, particularly when AIMA requests clarifications or additional documentation.
4. Portugal Golden Visa Costs: Fees Beyond the €500,000 Investment
Golden Visa investors need to account for several mandatory government fees in addition to the minimum €500,000 fund investment. These typically include an initial application fee of €618.60 per family member, an issuance fee for each residency card of €6,179.40 per family member, and renewal fees of €3,023.20 per family member. A citizenship application fee of €250 per family member applies when you eventually qualify and decide to apply.
Legal fees for a specialized law firm commonly fall in the €16,000 to €20,000 range for a family, depending on complexity and the number of applicants. Investment funds may also charge subscription or entry fees.
For the VIDA Fund, the subscription fee is 1 percent of the invested amount, payable to the fund manager. A clear view of these costs in advance is essential for accurate planning. VIDA Capital emphasizes transparent advisory services and helps investors understand all expected government, legal, and fund-related fees. Contact VIDA Capital to obtain a detailed Golden Visa cost outline for your specific situation.
5. Residency, Permanent Residency, and Citizenship: Long-Term Outcomes
The Portugal Golden Visa grants temporary Portuguese residency and allows investors and their families to live, study, and work in Portugal. It also provides visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
When you receive your Golden Visa, you obtain a temporary residency permit valid for 2 years. You must then renew it for two additional 2-year periods, maintaining both your qualifying investment and the minimum stay requirement of 14 days in Portugal every two years. At the 5-year point, you can usually apply for permanent residency in Portugal.
Citizenship now follows a longer timeframe. In October 2025, Portugal introduced a new framework under which most applicants must reside in Portugal for 10 years before qualifying for citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens benefit from a reduced requirement of 7 years. The new law should apply to all Golden Visa applicants except those who had already submitted their citizenship application before the new rules were published. Once granted, Portuguese citizenship provides full rights to live, work, study, and access public healthcare and education in any EU or Schengen Zone country.
Portugal remains one of the only European countries where a Golden Visa can provide access to citizenship without the need to relocate here full-time. At the same time, Greece and Spain require you to live there to keep long-term residency, and Spain has closed its Golden Visa to new applicants. Greece also requires at least 7 years of living there and paying taxes to access citizenship.
In contrast, Portugal’s 14-day stay requirement every two years helps maintain flexibility for investors seeking a European “Plan B,” while the longer residence requirement for citizenship guides long-term planning.
Family members, including a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children who are full-time students and not working, and dependent parents, can usually be included in one family application, which helps support multi-generational planning.
Discuss your residency and long-term citizenship objectives with VIDA Capital’s advisory team to understand how a fund-based, asset-backed Golden Visa strategy can fit your broader plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Portugal Golden Visa
What are the main Portugal Golden Visa requirements regarding investment?
As of late 2025 and into 2026, the primary requirement is a minimum investment of €500,000 in eligible investment funds, because personal properties no longer qualify. Applicants must be non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss adults with clean criminal records and must complete all due diligence and documentation steps.
How long does the Portugal Golden Visa process usually take?
The Portugal Golden Visa process typically spans 12 to 18 months from the initial online application submission to receipt of the first residency card. Timelines depend on document completeness, how quickly you and your lawyer respond to AIMA requests, and overall government workload.
What are the minimum stay requirements to keep my residency?
Golden Visa holders must spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each 2-year residence period. This low physical presence requirement distinguishes Portugal from many other options and allows investors to maintain their primary base elsewhere while keeping Portuguese residency active.
Can my family members also obtain residency through my Portugal Golden Visa application?
Yes. You can normally include your spouse or common-law partner, using either a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship, as well as economically dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and unmarried throughout the residency program. Dependent parents and in-laws can also be included when they meet age or financial dependency criteria. Each family member must supply individual documents and attend biometric appointments in Portugal.
With the new rules from October 2025, how long does it take to get Portuguese citizenship after starting the Golden Visa?
Under the framework introduced in October 2025, most Golden Visa residents must reside in Portugal for 10 years before they become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens may qualify after 7 years. The Golden Visa itself grants residency only in Portugal, not across the EU, but Portuguese citizenship later provides full EU and Schengen rights.
Conclusion: Using the Portugal Golden Visa as a Structured Plan B
Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa’s requirements, timelines, and costs in 2026 is essential for anyone planning a structured “Plan B” in Europe. A compliant €500,000 fund investment, combined with careful legal support and organized documentation, can provide a clear path to Portuguese residency, permanent residency after 5 years, and eventual citizenship under the updated 10-year framework.
Contact VIDA Capital to explore an asset-backed, hospitality-focused Golden Visa strategy tailored to your goals and to receive coordinated advisory support across investment selection and the full immigration process.
