European Golden Visa programs offer a strategic path to residency and citizenship for high-net-worth individuals. These residency-by-investment options provide access to global mobility, family security, and long-term financial planning. This guide focuses on investment thresholds and requirements across key European programs, helping you align your decision with personal and financial goals.
Portugal’s Golden Visa stands out with its minimal residency requirements, asset-backed investment options, and a clear route to EU citizenship without needing to relocate permanently. Let’s explore how it compares to other programs and why it might suit your needs.
Understanding European Golden Visa Programs
European Golden Visas attract foreign investment by offering residency to qualifying investors and their families. These programs vary by country, with differences in investment amounts, obligations, and paths to citizenship. Key factors to evaluate include capital security, family inclusion, residency rules, and application processes.
Portugal’s program is notable for its focus on investment funds since the 2023 changes, requiring a minimum €500,000 investment in regulated vehicles. This has increased interest in funds like the VIDA Fund, which targets hospitality assets in Portugal’s growing tourism market.
Investment Requirements Across Key Countries
Portugal: A Flexible Path with Investment Funds
Portugal’s Golden Visa program focuses on a minimum €500,000 investment in regulated funds. This shift away from other asset types emphasizes secure, professionally managed options.
One major benefit is the low residency requirement of just 14 days every two years. This makes it a strong “Plan B” for those who want European residency without changing their current base.
After five years of maintaining the investment and residency rules, you can apply for permanent residency. For citizenship, a new framework from October 2025 extends the timeline to 10 years for most applicants, or 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens. Portugal still offers a unique advantage, as one of the few European countries providing a citizenship path without requiring permanent relocation.
VIDA Capital, an advisory firm, helps investors navigate this program by linking them to the VIDA Fund. This fund acquires and transforms undervalued hospitality assets in Portugal, giving these properties a second life while aligning with Golden Visa rules. Portugal’s tourism sector, with €27 billion in revenue from 31 million visitors in 2024, adds appeal to this investment focus.
Greece: Diverse Investment Choices
Greece’s Golden Visa provides several investment options, mainly centered on property. Minimum amounts range from €800,000 in popular areas like Athens to €250,000 for renovation projects. Other routes include mutual fund shares (€350,000), fixed deposits (€500,000), or corporate bonds (€800,000).
Family inclusion covers a spouse, children under 21, and parents without age limits. No physical presence is needed to maintain residency, offering flexibility. However, citizenship after 7 years requires living there and passing integration tests, including language and civic knowledge.
Other European Programs: Key Differences
Across Europe, Golden Visa programs often involve options like government bonds, funds, or business investments, with thresholds starting around €300,000 and varying by country. Residency stay requirements differ widely, with some demanding yearly in-country time, unlike Portugal’s minimal obligations.
|
Criteria |
Portugal |
Greece |
Other EU (General) |
|
Minimum Investment |
€500,000 (Funds) |
€250,000-€800,000 (Property) |
Varies, often €300,000+ |
|
Primary Investment Types |
Funds |
Property, Funds, Bonds |
Property, Shares, Funds |
|
Minimum Stay Requirement |
14 days / 2 years |
None for residency |
Varies, often yearly |
|
Citizenship Timeline |
10 years (No relocation) |
7 years (Residency needed) |
Varies, often residency-based |
Factors Beyond Investment Costs
Protecting Your Capital with Secure Options
Capital security matters when investing large sums for residency. Funds tied to tangible assets, like those in hospitality, often provide more stability than purely financial ventures. The VIDA Fund, for instance, focuses on acquiring existing hospitality businesses, offering intrinsic value through physical assets. While historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns, this approach helps reduce risks compared to speculative investments.
Accessing EU Citizenship and Family Benefits
Golden Visa residency in Portugal allows you to live, work, and study there, plus visa-free travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Full EU citizenship, achievable after 10 years, extends these rights across all 27 EU countries.
Portugal’s edge is its citizenship path without needing to relocate, unlike Greece, which requires 7 years of residency. Family provisions in Portugal include a spouse or common-law partner with proper documentation, dependent children who are full-time students and unmarried, and parents over 65 or financially reliant on you.
Handling Application Challenges with Support
Golden Visa applications involve detailed steps, from proving a clean criminal record to showing legal fund sources and maintaining investments. The process generally takes 12 to 18 months. A qualified lawyer is essential to guide you through tasks like obtaining a tax ID, opening a bank account, and managing renewals.
VIDA Capital simplifies this by connecting investors to experienced legal partners and offering ongoing support, from initial investment in the VIDA Fund to the final citizenship stage.
Choosing the Right Program for Your Goals
Your ideal Golden Visa depends on personal priorities, risk levels, and family needs. Here’s a framework to help narrow your options.
- If you value capital security, low residency demands, and a citizenship path without relocation, Portugal’s program through regulated funds like the VIDA Fund fits well. Its 14-day biennial stay rule suits those maintaining a global lifestyle.
- If property investments and potential tax residency appeal to you, Greece could be an option. Yet, its 7-year residency demand for citizenship and higher costs in key areas may weigh against the benefits.
- If immediate citizenship is your goal, note that most European programs offer residency first, not instant citizenship. Separate Citizenship by Investment programs exist but differ from Golden Visas.
Weigh investment costs alongside ongoing duties, citizenship timelines, and program reliability to match your long-term plans.
Common Questions About Golden Visas
What Changed in Portugal’s Golden Visa Investment Rules?
Since October 2023, Portugal no longer allows personal properties as qualifying investments for the Golden Visa. The focus is now on a minimum €500,000 investment in regulated funds. This has boosted interest in options like the VIDA Fund, centered on hospitality assets.
Must I Move to Portugal to Keep My Golden Visa?
No, Portugal requires only 14 days every two years to maintain residency. This flexibility supports those who wish to keep their current home base while gaining European access. Since approval card issuance often takes a year, you’ll likely need just one renewal in the 5-year period instead of two.
Can My Family Join My Golden Visa Application?
Yes, Portugal’s program includes a spouse or common-law partner with valid documentation, dependent children who are full-time students and unmarried, and parents over 65 or financially dependent on you.
What Are the Additional Costs for a Golden Visa?
Beyond the €500,000 investment, expect government fees: €618.60 per person for submission, €6,179.40 for card issuance, and €3,023.20 for renewals. Legal fees range from €16,000 to €20,000, and the VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested amount.
Is Portugal’s Golden Visa Still Available?
Yes, the program remains active and effective. Recent updates have reinforced its focus on regulated funds. Options like the VIDA Fund meet requirements while providing exposure to Portugal’s hospitality market.
How Does VIDA Capital Assist With the Process?
VIDA Capital offers full support during the Golden Visa process. This includes advising on investments in the VIDA Fund, linking you with trusted legal experts, aiding with tax ID and bank account setup, and assisting through renewals and citizenship applications. A dedicated contact ensures clear communication at every step.
Planning Your European Future with VIDA Capital
European Golden Visa programs are powerful tools for mobility, family protection, and wealth strategy. As rules evolve, investors must look beyond initial costs to consider obligations, citizenship paths, and program stability.
Portugal’s Golden Visa excels with its low residency needs, asset-focused investments, and citizenship access without relocation. The move to fund-based options has highlighted vehicles like the VIDA Fund, which targets hospitality assets in a booming sector.
As an advisory firm, VIDA Capital goes beyond basic investment advice. With clear guidance, personalized support, and expertise in Portugal’s program and hospitality market, they prioritize your family’s long-term goals. Their focus on asset-backed strategies ensures a thoughtful approach to residency and beyond.
Your choice of program will shape both immediate finances and future family opportunities. Supported by VIDA Capital and the VIDA Fund, Portugal’s Golden Visa offers a practical way to gain European access while maintaining your current lifestyle.
