Golden Visa Investment Requirements by Country: 2026 Guide

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Key Takeaways

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• Golden visa decisions hinge on three figures: all-in cost, physical-presence rules, and realistic citizenship timelines. The headline minimum investment is only the entry point.
• Portugal’s €500,000 fund route requires only 14 days every two years and offers a path to EU citizenship without relocation, which makes it the standout option among active European programs.
• Ancillary costs such as government fees, legal representation, and fund charges typically add €45,000–€100,000 over the first five years for a family of four.
• Most competing programs either demand extended physical presence (Greece), lack a citizenship path (UAE, Hungary), or grant non-EU citizenship (Turkey).
• VIDA Capital guides investors through Portugal’s fund route with transparent fees and personalized advisory focused on capital preservation.

Speak with VIDA Capital about Portugal Golden Visa options.

Golden Visa Investment Requirements By Country (2026)

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The programs below are compared on minimum investment, eligible investment type, physical presence to maintain residency, and citizenship path. The pattern that emerges is clear: most competing programs fall short on at least one of these dimensions, whether through demanding residence, offering no citizenship route, or providing a non-EU passport. Note that Spain no longer offers a golden visa program, having terminated it in April 2025 under Organic Law 1/2025.

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• Portugal: €500,000 into a qualifying regulated fund. Only 14 days of physical presence every two years are required to maintain residency. Portugal's property route was removed in October 2023. Portugal is currently one of the only countries in Europe offering a path to citizenship without the need to relocate. For more detail, see VIDA Capital's dedicated guide: Golden Visa Investment Minimums 2026: How Portugal Compares.
• Greece: Tiered thresholds of €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversions and listed-building restoration, €400,000 in most regions, and €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with more than 3,100 residents. No minimum stay is required to hold the permit. Citizenship requires seven years of continuous lawful residence plus integration and a Greek language and civics examination.
• Hungary: €250,000 into an approved fund held for five years. The permit grants 10-year renewable residency. The program does not provide a direct citizenship path.
• Italy: €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in a limited company, €1,000,000 as a philanthropic donation, or €2,000,000 in government bonds. Citizenship is generally available after 10 years of legal residence.
• Malta: The Permanent Residence Programme requires a government contribution plus a property purchase or lease. It grants permanent residency, with naturalization available on the standard route.
• Cyprus: Category F permanent residency from a €300,000 investment in new-build residential property plus an annual foreign-source income test. Naturalization is generally possible after 7 years of residence.
• UAE: AED 2,000,000 (approximately $545,000) for a 10-year renewable residency. No citizenship path exists by investment alone.
• Turkey: $400,000 in property held at least three years, granting citizenship directly in roughly 6 to 9 months. Turkey operates a citizenship-by-investment program that issues a non-EU passport.

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For a broader country-by-country breakdown of minimums, see VIDA Capital's Golden Visa Minimum Investment 2026: Country Comparison.

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Compare Portugal Golden Visa investment requirements with VIDA Capital.

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What the Minimum Does Not Include: The True Cost of a Golden Visa

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The headline minimum covers only the qualifying investment. Ancillary costs commonly add 5% to 15% on top of the qualifying investment, depending on the program and route. Property routes usually carry the heaviest additional charges.

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The cost layers investors should budget for include government application and processing fees, legal representation fees, fund subscription or management fees, renewal costs at each permit cycle, and tax and accounting costs. Government and renewal fees tend to be fixed and predictable, while legal and fund fees vary by provider. Because the mix differs by country and program, investors should model the full stack before committing capital.

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Portugal's published fee schedule illustrates the structure clearly:

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• Initial application fee: €618.60 per family member, paid with the submission of the Golden Visa application.
• Card issuance fee: €6,179.40 per family member, paid at the biometrics appointment.
• Renewal fee: €3,023.20 per family member at each renewal.
• Citizenship fee: €250 per family member, paid with the citizenship application.
• Legal fees: Typically €16,000 to €20,000, varying by law firm.
• Fund subscription fee: Varies by fund. The VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee of the total amount invested, paid to the fund manager.

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A realistic all-in budget for an EU golden visa beyond the qualifying investment is typically €45,000 to €100,000 over the first five-year cycle for a family of four. This range covers government fees, legal and advisory fees, fund costs, and cross-border tax and accounting. These figures vary significantly by program, family size, and route chosen. Portugal's fund route is the clearest example of how those costs and requirements come together in practice.

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Get a transparent breakdown of Portugal Golden Visa costs.

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Portugal Golden Visa: The Fund Route

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Portugal's Golden Visa program grants legal residency in Portugal to non-EU nationals. The physical-presence requirement is 14 days every two years. Citizenship has historically been possible after five years of legal residence, though a new framework approved in October 2025 may extend that to 10 years, or 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals, once implemented. The program also allows family inclusion, covering a spouse or partner, economically dependent children who are full-time students and not working, and parents or in-laws who are either over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant. The qualifying investment is €500,000 into a regulated fund.

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Key advantages of the fund route include:

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• The 14-day rule mentioned above, which makes the program an effective Plan B for investors who do not intend to relocate.
• A path to EU citizenship without relocation, in contrast with Greece's 7-year residency and tax requirement and Spain's closed program.
• Family inclusion under a single application, covering a spouse or partner, dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and unmarried throughout the program, and dependent parents.
• Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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The VIDA Fund is an example of an eligible fund. It focuses on acquiring and transforming undervalued hospitality businesses in Portugal, giving these assets a "second life" through asset-backed investments. VIDA Capital provides personalized advisory alongside the fund. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

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The process unfolds in clear stages. First, you choose a law firm, as having a lawyer accompany you through every step is essential. Next, you obtain a NIF and open a Portuguese bank account with your lawyer, which both can be done remotely. You then make the €500,000 investment and submit the application. After approval, you receive a temporary residency permit valid for 2 years. You renew it for two additional 2-year periods, maintaining your investment and presence requirements throughout the 5-year period. At that point, you can apply for permanent residency. Because approval card issuance usually takes about a year, many investors complete only one renewal within the 5-year window.

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The Portugal Golden Visa process usually spans 12 to 18 months from initial preparation to card issuance. The Golden Visa grants residency rights only in Portugal, while still allowing visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. For a full breakdown of requirements, see VIDA Capital's Portugal Golden Visa Requirements: The 2026 Investor Guide and the Golden Visa Fund Investment Requirements: 2026 Guide.

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Explore the Portugal Golden Visa fund route with VIDA Capital.

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Residency Vs. Citizenship: What You Actually Get

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A golden visa buys a place in the naturalization queue; the passport comes later. Residency and citizenship are separate legal statuses with different timelines, presence requirements, and conditions. This distinction shapes any long-term strategy built around a golden visa.

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The comparison below shows how the key programs differ on residency and citizenship outcomes:

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• Portugal: You receive a temporary residency permit valid for 2 years, renewable for two additional 2-year periods. At year five, you can apply for permanent residency. Regarding citizenship, Portugal's Parliament approved a new framework in October 2025 introducing longer timelines. The law has not yet entered into force and remains subject to final approval and potential legal review. According to legal analysis, the reform is expected to extend the residency requirement to 10 years, or 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens, once implemented. The new law is expected to apply to future applicants once formally enacted, while those who have already submitted their citizenship application before its publication should remain under the previous framework.
• Greece: The investor permit requires no minimum stay to maintain. Citizenship requires seven years of continuous lawful residence plus integration and a Greek language and civics examination. Greece expects investors to live there and pay taxes, so the program suits relocation rather than a light-touch Plan B.
• UAE: The UAE golden visa is a renewable long-term residence product with no naturalization path by investment alone. UAE citizenship runs through descent, marriage, or a discretionary exceptional-merit nomination, with no purchasable route as of 2026.
• Turkey: Turkey's program grants citizenship directly in roughly 6 to 9 months, without a residency-first stage. The Turkish passport is not an EU passport and does not confer EU rights.

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Portugal's Golden Visa provides a pathway to citizenship without the need to relocate through qualifying investments in regulated funds, which makes it the standout option among active European programs for investors seeking a genuine Plan B.

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Get personalized advice on Portugal Golden Visa citizenship pathways.

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Why Choose Portugal's Golden Visa Via VIDA Capital?

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VIDA Capital is an advisory firm that guides investors through the Portugal Golden Visa process via the VIDA Fund. U.S. investor demand for Portugal's fund-based Golden Visa has grown substantially, and VIDA Capital is positioned to serve that demand with a transparent, personalized approach.

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VIDA Capital's advisory services include:

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• Personalized concierge support with a dedicated point of contact and direct access to the advisory team throughout the entire process.
• Transparent fee disclosure, with all government fees, legal fees, and fund subscription fees clearly outlined before any commitment is made.
• Guidance on whether the Golden Visa is the right fit, including honest advice on alternatives when it is not.
• Connections to trusted, specialized law firms for investors who need legal representation.
• A direct relationship with investors, without commission-driven intermediaries.

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The VIDA Fund focuses on acquiring and transforming undervalued hospitality businesses in Portugal, giving these assets a "second life." It is asset-backed, regulated, and audited. VIDA Fund I raised over €20 million from more than 50 investors, with over 100 Golden Visa applications submitted. VIDA Fund II is now open. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

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Schedule a consultation with VIDA Capital.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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What Is the Minimum Investment for Portugal's Golden Visa?

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The minimum investment is €500,000 via eligible regulated funds. Portugal's property route was removed in October 2023 and is no longer available to new applicants.

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Do I Need to Live in Portugal to Maintain Residency?

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No. The program follows the 14-day rule mentioned above, which is one of the most permissive physical presence requirements of any active European program. This structure makes Portugal's Golden Visa an effective Plan B for investors who do not intend to relocate. Greece and Spain, by contrast, require you to live there to maintain long-term residency, and Spain no longer offers a Golden Visa program.

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Can I Include My Family?

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Yes. A spouse or partner, supported by a marriage certificate or other proof of relationship such as documentation for a common-law partner, can be included. Dependent children who are full-time students, not working, and unmarried throughout the residency program can also be included. Dependent parents are eligible as well. All family members are covered under the same application and receive their own residency permits.

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How Long Does It Take to Get Citizenship?

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Under the previous framework, Portugal citizenship has been possible after 5 years of legal residence. A new law approved in October 2025 may extend this to 10 years, or 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals, once implemented. The law has not yet entered into force and remains subject to final approval and potential legal review. Those who have already submitted their citizenship application before the new law's publication should remain under the previous framework. Investors should check for updates as the legislative process continues.

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What Are the Costs Beyond the Investment?

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Beyond the €500,000 fund investment, investors should budget for government fees such as initial application, card issuance, renewals, and citizenship fees, all charged per family member. Legal fees typically range from €16,000 to €20,000 depending on the law firm. Fund subscription fees also apply, and the VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee of the total amount invested. These costs are detailed in the section above and should be modeled in full before committing.

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Is the Portugal Golden Visa Still Available?

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Yes. As of October 2026, the Portugal Golden Visa program remains open and active. The fund investment route is a legal, approved option. Portugal's property route was closed in October 2023, while the fund route continues with a €500,000 minimum investment.

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Get answers on the Portugal Golden Visa from VIDA Capital.

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Conclusion

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Minimum investment figures are the entry point of a golden visa decision. The real decision rests on three numbers: the all-in cost including government fees, legal fees, and fund charges; the physical presence required to maintain residency; and whether the program leads to citizenship in practice.

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Across those three dimensions, Portugal's fund route stands apart. It pairs a €500,000 asset-backed investment with a light physical-presence rule and a credible path to EU citizenship, without requiring investors to relocate. Greece requires 7 years of living there and paying taxes. Spain's program is closed. The UAE offers no citizenship path by investment. Turkey grants citizenship directly but issues a non-EU passport.

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Investors who want EU residency and a path to EU citizenship as a Plan B, while keeping their current lives intact, often find that Portugal's fund route advised through VIDA Capital fits that brief. VIDA Capital provides transparent, personalized advisory backed by an asset-backed fund focused on capital preservation in Portugal's growing hospitality sector. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.

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Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa.