Key Takeaways
- Portugal’s Golden Visa grants legal residency in Portugal, an EU member state, through eligible qualifying investment funds with a minimum investment of €500,000.
- The program requires only 14 days of physical presence in Portugal every two years and usually takes about 12 to 18 months from investment to receiving the first residency card.
- Golden Visa holders can live, work, and study in Portugal and travel visa-free across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Portuguese citizenship is now generally available after 10 years of legal residency, while nationals of Portuguese-language countries and EU citizens can qualify after seven years.
- VIDA Capital advises investors on accessing the Portugal Golden Visa through the VIDA Fund; you can discuss your options at VIDA Capital’s contact page.
Understanding the Portugal Golden Visa Program: Your Path to EU Residency
The Portugal Golden Visa program offers non-EU nationals a route to residency in Portugal through eligible investments. Successful applicants receive a temporary residency permit that can lead to permanent residency and, in time, Portuguese citizenship.
Golden Visa holders gain the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and enjoy visa-free travel across the 26-country Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The program allows family inclusion for spouses or partners, dependent children, and dependent parents, so one investment can support a full family plan.
Portugal’s minimal stay requirement of just 14 days every two years keeps the program practical for internationally mobile investors. Portugal also stands out as one of the few European countries that offers a path to citizenship without relocation. Spain has ended its Golden Visa, and Greece requires seven years of living there and paying local taxes to qualify for citizenship.
Secure legal residency in Portugal and a clear path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa. VIDA Capital provides structured advisory support for asset-backed fund investments in Portugal’s hospitality sector.
Portugal Golden Visa Requirements: The New Focus on Fund Investments
Portugal reshaped the Golden Visa framework in October 2023 and removed several older routes. Personal property no longer qualify, and regulated investment funds now form the main path to eligibility.
The minimum qualifying investment in eligible Portugal-based funds is €500,000. These funds must align with Portugal’s economic development priorities and meet strict regulatory standards.
Asset-backed funds now attract many investors who prioritize capital preservation. They invest in tangible assets rather than highly speculative projects. The VIDA Fund, advised by VIDA Capital, follows this model and focuses on acquiring existing hospitality assets and giving them a second life through operational and physical upgrades, rather than building new properties.
Learn how a qualifying fund investment can support your Portugal residency strategy. VIDA Capital helps investors select suitable structures that comply with Golden Visa rules.
Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility Criteria: Who Qualifies for EU Residency?
The program sets clear baseline requirements while remaining accessible. Applicants must be at least 18, hold non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationality, and present a clean criminal record in Portugal and their country of residence.
The investment capital must come from outside Portugal and have a clearly documented and lawful origin. Typical evidence includes bank statements, sale contracts, and audited financial records.
Physical presence requirements remain light: 14 days in Portugal during each two-year residency period. This schedule suits investors who want a robust “Plan B” without relocating.
Family inclusion usually covers: spouses or common-law partners, economically dependent children enrolled in full-time education, and dependent parents or in-laws who are over 65 or financially dependent. Children need to be full-time students, not working and not married at any time during the residency program, including at the time of the Golden Visa application. Each family member receives their own residency card and must meet renewal and stay requirements.
Discuss your family’s eligibility and documentation needs with VIDA Capital. An experienced lawyer is essential to guide you through each step of the legal process.
The Investment Options for Portugal Golden Visa: Minimums and Types
The current framework centers on fund investments with a minimum of €500,000 per principal applicant. Qualifying funds must comply with the post-2023 legislation and be regulated in Portugal.
The VIDA Fund invests in Portuguese hospitality assets that already exist and need repositioning or improvement. This strategy benefits from Portugal’s status as one of Europe’s safest countries and a leading tourist destination with strong visitor growth.
Portugal’s tourism sector generated €27 billion in revenue in 2024, with non-residents responsible for 70.3% of overnight stays. Forecasts suggest travel and tourism could reach 22.6% of national GDP by 2035. Co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup is expected to add over €800 million in economic impact, reinforcing the case for well-managed hospitality assets.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Your Portugal Golden Visa for EU Residency
Phase 1: Pre-Application & Investment Strategy
You should appoint a Portuguese immigration lawyer before any formal steps. Professional legal representation is a legal requirement during the Golden Visa process, and it is essential for handling documents, submissions, and communication with authorities.
Your lawyer helps you obtain a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and open a local bank account, both of which can usually be arranged remotely. Once the account is active, you transfer funds and subscribe to a qualifying fund that matches your risk profile and residency goals.
The VIDA Fund offers the €500,000 minimum entry and focuses on asset-backed hospitality projects, using existing hotels and guest properties as collateral for the strategy. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Phase 2: Application Submission & Biometrics
Your lawyer submits the online Golden Visa application to AIMA on your behalf and on behalf of any included family members. The file includes proof of investment, identity documents, criminal record certificates, and evidence that you meet all eligibility criteria.
After initial approval, you attend a biometric appointment in Portugal for fingerprints, photographs, and identity verification. As the residency 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. From investment to card issuance, most applicants experience a total process of roughly 12 to 18 months.
Phase 3: Residency Card Issuance & Renewals
Your first residency permit is valid for two years. It allows you to live, work, and study in Portugal and to travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You must keep the qualifying investment and meet the 14 days per two-years period stay requirement.
You then renew your permit twice, for two years each time, to complete five years of temporary residency. Throughout this period, you must maintain your investment and provide updated documentation as your lawyer requests.
Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
After five years, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal, which removes the need for further Golden Visa renewals while preserving residency and travel rights in Portugal and the Schengen Area.
Portugal’s Parliament approved a new citizenship framework in October 2025 that now requires 10 years of legal residency for most applicants. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries and EU citizens qualify after seven years. Applicants need A2-level Portuguese language skills, basic civic knowledge, and a clean criminal record. The new rules should apply to Golden Visa holders unless they filed their citizenship application before the law’s publication.
Understanding the Costs of Your Portugal Golden Visa Journey to EU Residency
Total costs include the €500,000 investment, government fees, legal fees, and fund-related charges. Clear budgeting at the start helps avoid surprises later.
Government fees start at €618.60 per person for application submission, with €6,179.40 per person for card issuance. Each renewal costs €3,023.20 per person, and a citizenship application carries a €250 fee per applicant.
Specialized immigration lawyers often charge between €16,000 and €20,000 per family, depending on complexity and family size. The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on the invested capital, which aligns with many specialized fund structures.
|
Expense Category |
Description |
Estimated Amount |
|
Government Fees |
Initial Submission |
€618.60/family member |
|
|
Card Issuance |
€6,179.40/family member |
|
|
Per Renewal |
€3,023.20/family member |
|
|
Citizenship Fee |
€250/family member |
|
Legal Fees |
Advisory & Application |
€16,000 – €20,000 (Varies) |
|
Investment Fees |
Fund Subscription |
1% of investment (e.g., VIDA Fund) |
Why VIDA Capital is the Premier Choice for Your Portugal Golden Visa & EU Residency
VIDA Capital acts as an advisory firm that guides investors toward qualifying, asset-backed fund investments through the VIDA Fund. The strategy focuses on tangible hospitality assets rather than purely financial instruments, which can support capital preservation alongside residency goals.
The VIDA Fund’s “Giving Hotels a Second Life” approach acquires underused hospitality properties and upgrades operations and positioning instead of building new structures. Portugal welcomed about 31 million visitors in 2024, and the expected impact of the 2030 FIFA World Cup adds further demand potential for well-managed hospitality assets.
The fund is regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM) and undergoes twice-yearly audits by Deloitte, which supports transparency and investor protection. VIDA Capital’s team has experience across more than €4 billion in assets under management and over 100 private equity transactions. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
The VIDA Fund’s 6.5-year lifecycle aligns with the Golden Visa’s five-year minimum holding period, giving investors a clear framework for both residency and capital deployment. VIDA Fund I raised over €20 million from more than 50 investors and supported more than 100 Golden Visa applications for investors and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Portugal Golden Visa Requirements & EU Residency
What is Portugal’s Golden Visa program and how does it provide EU residency?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU nationals who invest in eligible Portuguese funds. It grants a temporary residency permit, which can lead to permanent residency after five years and, under current rules, Portuguese citizenship after 10 years. The program provides the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for short stays.
Do I need to relocate to Portugal to maintain my Golden Visa residency status?
No relocation is required. You need to spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each two-year residency period. This light requirement allows you to maintain your current lifestyle while building a legal residency base in Portugal.
Is Portugal’s Golden Visa program still active and accepting applications in 2026?
Yes. The Golden Visa program remains active in 2026, following the transition to fund-focused investments that started in 2023. Regulated funds such as the VIDA Fund continue to offer a compliant route to residency in Portugal through the program.
What are the key benefits of obtaining EU residency through Portugal’s Golden Visa?
Key benefits include legal residency in Portugal, the right to live, work, and study there, visa-free travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, family inclusion, and a path to eventual EU citizenship after meeting the residency and language requirements. Residency rights apply to Portugal; wider EU rights begin once you obtain a Portuguese passport.
How does VIDA Capital provide guidance for my Golden Visa investment?
VIDA Capital advises investors on accessing the Golden Visa via the VIDA Fund, which focuses on asset-backed hospitality investments that buy and revitalize existing properties. The fund operates under Portuguese regulation and independent auditing, while VIDA Capital coordinates with your lawyer and tax advisors to align the investment with your residency plan. Historical returns are not guaranteed.
Conclusion: Your Secure Pathway to EU Residency Starts Here
The Portugal Golden Visa program remains a practical way to secure residency in an EU country, with low stay requirements, clear rules, and a structured path to permanent residency and, in time, Portuguese citizenship. Its fund-based structure now channels capital into sectors such as hospitality, where tangible assets support both economic impact and potential capital preservation.
VIDA Capital helps investors understand the legal framework, select compliant funds, and coordinate with specialized immigration lawyers throughout the process. This combination of regulatory knowledge and sector focus allows investors to build a long-term “Plan B” for themselves and their families.
