Key Takeaways
- The Portugal Golden Visa now focuses on regulated investment funds, as investments in personal properties and property-related funds no longer qualify.
- The citizenship framework that took effect in October 2025 increased the standard residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years, with a seven-year pathway for CPLP and EU nationals.
- The Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months and grants a renewable temporary residency permit in Portugal, plus visa-free travel within Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Portugal remains one of the only European jurisdictions offering a path to citizenship without relocation, supported by low physical presence requirements of 14 days every two years.
- Investors can work with VIDA Capital through a contact request at VIDA Capital’s advisory team to explore Portugal Golden Visa-compliant fund options in the hospitality sector.
Understanding the Evolution of the Portugal Golden Visa Program
The Portugal Golden Visa program, launched in 2012, has shifted its focus over time. The October 2023 “Mais Habitação” bill reshaped the rules to prioritize investments that support the local economy while easing pressure on the housing market.
Investment Shifts from Personal Properties to Funds
As of October 2023, investments in personal properties and property-related funds no longer qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa. This change moved the program away from direct property acquisition toward business-oriented investments.
The emphasis now sits on regulated investment funds that channel capital into sectors such as hospitality, infrastructure, and innovation. These funds can offer diversification, professional management, and a clearer economic impact for Portugal.
Citizenship Timelines and the October 2025 Framework
A new citizenship framework approved in October 2025 extended the standard residency requirement for citizenship to 10 years. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens can qualify after seven years of residency.
The new framework should apply to Golden Visa holders unless they have already filed a citizenship application before the new law is published. Legal advice is essential to interpret how these rules apply to individual timelines.
The Investment Fund Pathway as the Core Route
Investment funds now form the core route for Portugal Golden Visa eligibility. This option suits investors who prefer regulated structures, diversified holdings, and professional oversight aligned with Portuguese law.
Minimum Investment and Fund Eligibility
The minimum qualifying investment in eligible funds is €500,000. Funds must be regulated in Portugal and invest in activities that benefit the Portuguese economy.
Regulation covers fund registration, reporting, and supervision, which helps protect investors and support program integrity.
Benefits of Using Funds for Golden Visa Residency
Fund investments can reduce concentration risk by spreading capital across multiple assets instead of a single property. Professional managers handle asset selection, compliance, and local market analysis.
Many funds focus on asset-backed strategies, such as hospitality assets, which can add a layer of security for capital preservation. This approach appeals to investors who favor tangible assets over purely speculative projects.
Residency obtained through this route grants the right to live, study, and work in Portugal, along with visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
For tailored guidance on fund selection and Golden Visa planning, you can contact VIDA Capital’s advisory team.
Why Portugal’s Hospitality Sector Attracts Golden Visa Investors
Tourism remains a key driver of Portugal’s economy. Portugal received about 31 million visitors in 2024, generating around €27 billion in tourism revenue, with non-residents accounting for more than 70 percent of overnight stays.
The country is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, and projections indicate an economic impact exceeding €800 million. Forecasts from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicate that travel and tourism could represent more than 22 percent of national GDP by 2035.
The hospitality market still features many fragmented and independently owned hotels. This creates room for consolidation and professional management, which fund strategies can target through asset-backed acquisitions and operational improvements.
Navigating the Portugal Golden Visa Application Process in 2026
The Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months from investment to residency card issuance. A clear plan and experienced legal support can reduce delays and errors.
Pre-Application Preparation and Legal Support
A specialized Portuguese immigration lawyer is essential at every stage of the process. Your lawyer can help you obtain a NIF (Portuguese tax number), open a Portuguese bank account remotely, and confirm that your chosen fund is eligible.
Applicants must complete the €500,000 fund subscription and hold evidence of this investment before submitting their Golden Visa application.
Digital Submission and Biometric Steps
All application documents are now uploaded through the ARI portal, which removes the need for paper files. The primary investor and all dependents are included in the same online submission.
From early 2025, biometric appointments began to be scheduled automatically after document upload. This system reduces manual scheduling and can make planning trips to Portugal simpler.
Residency Card Validity, Renewals, and Long-Term Options
The initial Golden Visa residency card is valid for two years. Holders must maintain the qualifying investment and spend at least 14 days in Portugal in each two-year period.
When you receive your Golden Visa, you hold a temporary residency permit that can be renewed for two further two-year periods, as long as you keep the investment and residency requirements. 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.
After five years of legal residency under the Golden Visa, investors can apply for permanent residency in Portugal. Citizenship rules are now based on 10 years of residency for most applicants, or seven years for CPLP and EU nationals, and professional legal guidance is strongly recommended for planning this longer path.
Cost Overview and Financial Planning for the Portugal Golden Visa
Golden Visa costs include the fund investment itself plus government, legal, and fund-related fees. Clear estimates up front help you plan capital needs for the full five-year residency period.
Government Fees
Core government fees typically include:
- An initial application fee of about €618.60 per family member
- A residency card issuance fee of about €6,179.40 per family member
- Renewal fees of about €3,023.20 per family member for each two-year renewal
- A citizenship application fee of about €250 per family member when you later apply for citizenship
Legal and Professional Fees
Legal fees for full support often range from €16,000 to €20,000 per family, depending on the firm and scope of services. This can cover NIF issuance, bank account opening, fund investment support, application preparation, and representation with Portuguese authorities.
Fund Subscription Fees and the VIDA Fund Example
Fund managers charge subscription and management fees, which vary by strategy. The VIDA Fund charges a 1 percent subscription fee on the invested amount, paid to the fund manager.
The VIDA Fund focuses on acquiring underperforming hospitality assets in Portugal, transforming and repositioning them to give these properties a second life. This approach aims to combine capital preservation with potential returns through operational improvement and asset value growth. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
To discuss whether the VIDA Fund or similar strategies align with your goals, you can contact VIDA Capital for dedicated advisory support.
Comparing Golden Visa Programs and Portugal’s Position
Several European countries have adjusted or closed their residency-by-investment programs. Spain has closed its Golden Visa route, while Greece now ties long-term residency and citizenship to living there for at least seven years and paying taxes locally.
Portugal remains one of the only jurisdictions in Europe that still offers a path to citizenship without relocation, combined with low physical presence requirements.
|
Feature / Program |
Portugal Golden Visa (2026) |
Greece Golden Visa (2026) |
|
Minimum Stay |
14 days every two years |
Stay in Greece required to progress to long-term residency and citizenship |
|
Investment Options |
Regulated investment funds (€500k) |
Property purchases (about €250k–€800k), certain financial instruments |
|
Residency Rights |
Live, work, and study in Portugal; visa-free Schengen travel up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
Live, work, and study in Greece; visa-free Schengen travel up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
|
Relocation Requirement |
No relocation needed to maintain Golden Visa residency |
No relocation for initial residency, but residency in Greece needed for long-term status and citizenship |
Portugal’s combination of a fund-based route, minimal stay requirement, and eventual access to EU citizenship through a Portuguese passport continues to make it a strong Plan B option for internationally mobile families.
Conclusion: Using the Portugal Golden Visa as a Long-Term Plan
The updated Portugal Golden Visa framework for 2026 centers on regulated investment funds and longer citizenship timelines. Investors who accept a 10-year horizon for citizenship, or seven years in the case of CPLP and EU nationals, can still secure a clear, rules-based path to European mobility.
Asset-backed funds in sectors such as hospitality provide a way to meet Golden Visa rules while participating in Portugal’s economic growth. Careful fund selection, structured legal support, and clear expectations about timelines are the keys to a successful outcome.
To explore fund options that qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa, you can reach out to VIDA Capital for personalized advisory guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026
Definition of Portugal’s Golden Visa
Portugal’s Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that grants a renewable temporary residency permit to non-EU investors who make qualifying investments, now primarily through regulated funds. The permit is valid for two years at a time, can be renewed for additional two-year periods, and can lead to permanent residency after five years and citizenship after the required residency period under the 2025 framework.
Status of the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026
The Portugal Golden Visa remains active and valid in 2026, with the main eligible route now being regulated investment funds. Advisory firms such as VIDA Capital guide investors into qualifying funds and coordinate with immigration lawyers managing the application itself.
Relocation Requirements for Golden Visa Holders
Golden Visa holders do not need to relocate to Portugal. They must spend at least 14 days in Portugal during each two-year residency period to keep their status, which makes the program suitable for investors who want a Plan B without changing their primary residence.
Main Rule Changes Since October 2023
The key changes include the removal of personal properties and related funds as eligible investments and the increase of the minimum fund investment to €500,000. The citizenship framework that took effect in October 2025 now requires 10 years of residency for most applicants or seven years for CPLP and EU nationals.
Role of VIDA Capital in the Golden Visa Process
VIDA Capital is an advisory firm that connects investors with asset-backed, Portugal-based fund opportunities, especially in the hospitality sector. The firm supports clients through the investment decision and coordination with their chosen immigration lawyers, helping align the fund selection with current Golden Visa elegibility rules.
Key Features of the VIDA Fund
The VIDA Fund acquires and transforms existing hospitality assets in Portugal, giving these properties a second life through renovation, repositioning, and improved management. The strategy focuses on capital preservation, backed by tangible assets, with potential upside from value creation. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Family Members Eligible Under One Application
Family reunification can include a spouse or partner, with either a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship, economically dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and who remain unmarried throughout the residency program and until the submission of the Golden Visa citizenship application, and dependent parents or parents-in-law who are either over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant.
