Key Takeaways
- Portugal’s 2026 Golden Visa rules center on a €500,000 minimum investment into qualifying Portuguese funds with a required holding period of at least a five-year maturity, not personal property purchases.
- Golden Visa holders gain residency rights in Portugal and visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, with a long-term path to EU citizenship after 10 years of residence.
- Maintaining the investment and meeting Portugal’s low physical stay requirement of 14 days every two years keeps residency active and supports later applications for permanent residency and citizenship.
- Compared with other European programs, Portugal remains one of the few options that offers a path to citizenship without relocation, while Spain has ended its Golden Visa and Greece requires seven years of residence and tax residency.
- Investors who want structured support with fund selection and the application process can contact VIDA Capital for guidance on Golden Visa–eligible fund strategies.
1. Meet the €500,000 Minimum Capital Investment Threshold
The cornerstone of Portugal’s Golden Visa program is the €500,000 capital investment requirement for qualified financial investments with a minimum five-year maturity. The investment must be made through CMVM-regulated Portuguese funds that focus predominantly on Portuguese companies, with at least 60% of their capital allocated to companies headquartered in Portugal.
This threshold marks a clear shift away from personal property routes and toward regulated fund vehicles. Qualifying strategies now include venture capital, private equity, and other CMVM-regulated fund structures that comply with Golden Visa rules.
Investors should budget above the €500,000 minimum. Additional costs include legal fees, fund subscription fees, government charges, and bank and document expenses. At VIDA Fund, for example, there is a subscription fee of 1% applies to the total amount invested. Legal representation often ranges from €16,000 to €20,000 for a family, depending on complexity.
2. Choose CMVM-Regulated Funds with a Portuguese Focus
Fund selection has a direct impact on both Golden Visa eligibility and investment outcomes. Applicants must invest in CMVM-registered Portuguese funds that are focused predominantly on Portuguese companies, follow the Portuguese Securities Market Authority rules, and provide transparent reporting.
Many investors now prefer the fund route because of its operational simplicity and lower stay requirement compared with previous options. Qualifying funds are usually structured as venture capital or private equity vehicles and often have a proven track records and institutional oversight.
The VIDA Fund follows this framework by focusing on Portugal’s hospitality sector. The fund acquires and transforms undervalued hospitality businesses, giving these assets a second life. This asset-backed strategy aims to preserve capital while participating in the country’s tourism economy. Portugal generated around €27 billion in tourism revenue in 2024 and welcomed a record 31 million visitors, which supports long-term demand for quality hospitality assets.
3. Understand Documentation Requirements for Source of Funds
Thorough documentation is essential for proving the legal source of your investment. Authorities typically request bank statements, tax declarations, and documents that verify the origin of funds, in line with anti-money laundering regulations.
Most applicants prepare a package that can include audited financial statements, sale contracts for assets, inheritance or gift documentation, or proof of business income. These documents must clearly show that the €500,000 investment comes from legitimate and traceable sources.
Family inclusion also requires careful documentation. Spouses or partners can be included by presenting either a marriage certificate or other formal proof of relationship in the case of a common-law partner. Dependent children can normally be included if they are full-time students, not employed, and remain unmarried throughout the Golden Visa residency period until the citizenship or permanent residency application is submitted.
4. Complete Investment Before Application Submission
Golden Visa rules require that the qualifying investment is completed and verified prior to submitting the application. Authorities only accept applications that include proof confirming the investment has already been made in a compliant fund.
The usual sequence is straightforward. Investors select a qualifying fund, perform due diligence, open a Portuguese bank account, obtain a NIF (tax identification number), transfer the €500,000 into the fund, and secure official proof of subscription. Only then can a lawyer submit the Golden Visa application.
Maintaining ongoing oversight of the investment is important throughout the residency period to ensure continued compliance. A specialized lawyer is essential at each step, from structuring the investment to preparing and submitting the application file. Advisory support from VIDA Capital can complement legal work by helping align fund selection with your risk profile and residency objectives.
The overall Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months from initial planning to receiving the first residency card, although exact timelines depend on official processing speeds.
5. Maintain Investment and Residency for Long-Term Compliance
The qualifying investment must have a minimum maturity of five years. This five-year commitment aligns with the residency path: Golden Visa investors first receive a temporary residency permit valid for two years, then renew it for two additional two-year periods while keeping the investment and meeting stay requirements.
Investors must maintain the investment for at least five years to remain eligible for residency renewals. During each renewal, you must show proof that the fund investment is still active and compliant. Portugal requires Golden Visa holders to spend a minimum of 14 days in the country in each two-year period, which remains one of the lowest stay requirements in Europe. Since the approval card issuance usually takes a year issue, most investors will most likely only need to do a single renewal instead of two in the 5-year period.
After five years, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal if you have met all legal and stay requirements. For citizenship, Portugal’s Parliament approved a new framework in October 2025 that requires 10 years of legal residence before most applicants can apply for Portuguese nationality. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens generally have a reduced requirement of seven years. The new law should apply to all Golden Visa applicants except those who have already submitted their citizenship application before its publication.
Golden Visa residency grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal only. Holders can also travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but residency rights remain limited to Portugal. Once you obtain a Portuguese passport, you can live, work, and study across the EU and Schengen Zone and access public healthcare and education systems.
Portugal stands out in Europe as one of the few countries where investors can pursue citizenship without relocating full-time. Spain has closed its Golden Visa program, and Greece requires seven years of residence and tax residency to seek long-term status. These differences make Portugal a competitive Plan B strategy for international families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Current capital investment requirements for Portugal’s Golden Visa in 2026
The minimum investment is €500,000 into qualifying investment funds. The funds must be CMVM-registered and primarily focused on Portuguese companies, with at least 60% of the portfolio invested in companies headquartered in Portugal. The investment must remain in place for at least five years and meet all regulatory criteria for Golden Visa eligibility.
Splitting a €500,000 investment across multiple funds
Investors may divide the €500,000 across several qualifying funds as long as each fund satisfies CMVM registration, Portuguese focus, and Golden Visa program requirements. The total subscribed amount must equal or exceed €500,000, and all subscriptions must be completed and documented before the application is submitted.
Investment treatment after permanent residency or citizenship
Once you hold permanent residency or citizenship, you may dispose of the investment without affecting your status. During the first five years, you must maintain the qualifying investment and demonstrate this during each renewal. After five years, the focus shifts from investment maintenance to meeting ongoing residency rules for permanent residency and, over a longer period, citizenship.
Financing options and the €500,000 threshold
Some investors explore financing structures to manage liquidity. Any structure must still result in a full €500,000 subscription into qualifying funds in your name to comply with Golden Visa rules. Independent legal advice is essential before using leverage or third-party financing so that residency eligibility is not put at risk.
Verifying that a fund qualifies for Golden Visa requirements
Qualifying funds must be CMVM-regulated, invest at least 60% of capital into Portuguese companies headquartered in Portugal, and avoid direct investments in personal properties. Documentation from the fund manager should confirm alignment with Golden Visa rules. Advisory firms such as VIDA Capital can work alongside your lawyer to review fund materials and help you select options that fit both regulatory and portfolio objectives.
