How to Apply for EU Long-Term Residency After 5 Years

Key Takeaways

1. Most EU permanent residency routes require 5 years of continuous residence with strict absence limits, while Portugal’s Golden Visa needs only 14 days in Portugal every two years through €500,000 fund investments.
2. Portugal offers a lighter physical stay requirement and a clear 5-year path to permanent residency compared with Germany’s full-time residence rules and Greece’s 7-year living requirement.
3. The Portugal Golden Visa roadmap includes remote setup, AIMA application with 12-18 month processing, an initial 2-year card, one renewal, then a permanent residency application in year 5 while you keep the investment.
4. Typical costs beyond the €500,000 investment range from €20,000 to €30,000 per family for government fees and legal services, and 2026 updates mainly improve processing efficiency without changing core rules.
5. VIDA Capital’s asset-backed hospitality funds give investors a practical route to EU permanent residency, and VIDA Capital can provide tailored guidance for your situation.

How EU Permanent Residency Works After 5 Years

EU permanent residency generally requires at least 5 consecutive years of continuous residence with valid residence permits. Applicants must avoid any single absence longer than 6 to 12 consecutive months, and total time outside the country usually cannot exceed 18 to 24 months over five years. Standard criteria include being over 18, having a clean criminal record, proving stable financial means, holding health insurance, showing accommodation, and documenting the purpose of residence.

Finland added stricter rules from January 2026, including work history and language skills for permanent residence permits. Germany expects full-time residence plus language proficiency, and the Netherlands requires continuous living during the full five-year period. These conditions make traditional EU permanent residency demanding for investors who want a Plan B without relocating their families or businesses.

The difference between national permanent residency and EU long-term resident status shapes mobility rights across member states. Third-country citizens can obtain EU long-term resident status after 5 years of continuous temporary residence followed by a permanent residence permit. Portugal’s Golden Visa offers a more flexible route that softens strict residence expectations through qualifying fund investments.

Why Portugal’s Golden Visa Fits Minimal-Stay Investors

Portugal’s Golden Visa program gives investors a rare combination of low physical presence requirements and a fund-based investment structure. Germany and the Netherlands expect full-time residence, and Greece requires seven years of continuous living for permanent residency. Portugal instead asks Golden Visa holders to spend only 14 days in the country during every two-year period.

Spain closed its Golden Visa program, and Greece ties permanent residency to seven years of actual residence plus tax residency. Portugal remains one of the few European countries where investors can reach citizenship without relocating full-time. The 2023 reforms shifted the program to a minimum €500,000 investment through eligible funds, removed direct property options, and increased demand for carefully structured investment vehicles.

Portugal’s hospitality and tourism sectors create a strong backdrop for fund investments. In 2024, tourism contributed €60.6 billion to the Portuguese economy and supported 1.2 million jobs. By September 2025, tourist accommodation revenue reached €5.7 billion, a 7.6% year-over-year increase. The 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosting role is projected to add more than €800 million, and tourism is forecast to contribute over €74.6 billion by 2035.

VIDA Fund focuses on this growth through asset-backed hospitality investments that aim to preserve capital while satisfying Golden Visa rules. The strategy centers on acquiring and revitalizing undervalued hospitality assets that align with Portugal’s tourism expansion and current regulations.

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

Step-by-Step Portugal Golden Visa Path to Permanent Residency

Pre-Application Setup and Investment

The process starts with obtaining a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and opening a Portuguese bank account, which legal counsel can complete remotely. VIDA Capital can connect you with specialized law firms that handle Golden Visa cases daily. You then complete your €500,000 investment in VIDA Fund, which carries a 1% subscription fee paid to the fund manager. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Submitting the AIMA Application

Your lawyer files the initial online application with AIMA, the Portuguese immigration authority, for you and eligible family members. Professional legal support helps you handle documentation, translations, and compliance checks. AIMA processing usually takes 12 to 18 months. After approval, you schedule biometric appointments for each family member to issue the residence cards.

Years 1–2: First Residence Card

You receive a two-year residence card that requires at least 14 days of presence in Portugal during that period. The card grants visa-free travel across the Schengen area and starts your official residence clock for permanent residency eligibility.

Years 2–4: Renewal and Ongoing Compliance

You apply for renewal 30 to 90 days before the card expires and show that you maintained the investment and met the minimum stay rules. Because card issuance after approval can take about a year, most investors complete only one renewal within the five-year period. You provide updated biometrics and recent criminal record certificates during renewal.

Year 5: Permanent Residency Application

You apply for permanent residency after completing five years of legal residence while keeping your VIDA Fund investment in place. Family members included in the original Golden Visa application can apply alongside you. Golden Visa holders remain eligible for permanent residency after 5 years of temporary permits, even with ongoing citizenship reform debates.

A typical example involves a US executive who invests €500,000 in VIDA Fund, visits Portugal for a total of 28 days over five years, and secures permanent residency for a spouse and dependent children while continuing US business activities without disruption.

Documents, Costs, and 2026 Program Updates

Core documents include valid passports for all applicants, proof of the VIDA Fund investment, criminal background checks from each country of residence, and evidence of family relationships. Spouses provide marriage certificates or partnership proof, children provide birth certificates, and parents provide dependency documentation. Children must stay unmarried and enrolled as full-time students throughout the residency period to remain eligible.

Government fees currently total €618.60 per family member for the initial submission, €6,179.40 per person for card issuance, and €3,023.20 for each renewal. Legal fees usually range from €16,000 to €20,000 depending on the law firm. VIDA Fund charges a 1% subscription fee on invested capital. Overall, most families spend €20,000 to €30,000 in additional costs beyond the €500,000 investment.

Program updates for 2026 focus on smoother AIMA processing and removal of the health insurance proof requirement. The Golden Visa remains active, and the permanent residency pathway stays stable under the current legal framework.

Frequent mistakes include withdrawing or changing the investment before the five-year mark, missing biometric appointments, and failing to document time spent in Portugal. VIDA Capital’s concierge-style advisory service helps investors track deadlines, maintain compliance, and keep paperwork in order.

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

How Portugal Compares With Other EU Residency Options

Portugal’s Golden Visa offers a more flexible route to permanent residency than most EU investor options for those who want minimal lifestyle disruption. Germany expects full-time residence and language exams, and the Netherlands requires five years of continuous living with integration steps. Greece’s investor route ties permanent residency to seven years of actual residence and tax residency, which rarely suits Plan B strategies.

Spain has removed its Golden Visa, and most other EU countries do not offer investor-specific permanent residency routes with such light stay requirements. Portugal currently provides the most straightforward path to EU permanent residency for non-EU investors.

VIDA Fund stands apart from generic funds through its asset-backed hospitality strategy, which offers tangible underlying assets instead of purely equity-based exposure. The team’s focus on Portugal’s expanding tourism market, combined with experienced managers overseeing about €4 billion in collective assets, supports a strong capital preservation profile for Golden Visa investors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to get EU permanent residency?

Portugal’s Golden Visa through qualifying funds such as VIDA Fund offers one of the most accessible routes to EU permanent residency for non-EU investors. The program requires only 14 days in Portugal every two years, while countries like Germany and the Netherlands expect full-time residence. After five years of maintaining the investment and meeting stay rules, investors can apply for permanent residency without language exams or heavy integration demands.

Can I get EU permanent residency without living there full-time?

Portugal’s Golden Visa allows investors to reach EU permanent residency with only minimal time on the ground. The rule requires 14 days in Portugal every two years, which suits US and global investors who want a Plan B but cannot relocate. Other EU countries usually require continuous residence, full-time living, or language and integration tests that do not fit a part-time presence.

What is the Portugal Golden Visa permanent residency timeline?

The full timeline runs about five years from the initial application to permanent residency eligibility. Investors receive a two-year residence card, then move through renewal periods. Because AIMA processing often takes 12 to 18 months, many investors complete only one renewal before they qualify for permanent residency in year five. The investment must remain in place for the full period, and VIDA Fund offers an asset-backed structure during that time.

What costs apply beyond the €500,000 investment?

Investors should budget government fees of roughly €10,000 to €15,000 per family, which covers submission, issuance, and renewal charges. Legal representation usually ranges from €16,000 to €20,000, and VIDA Fund applies a 1% subscription fee. In practice, most families spend €20,000 to €30,000 in additional costs from the first application through permanent residency eligibility.

Are there any 2026 changes affecting the Portugal Golden Visa?

The Portugal Golden Visa remains active in 2026 with the same core permanent residency rules. AIMA has improved processing efficiency, and fund investments continue as the primary route after 2023 reforms removed direct property options. Proposed citizenship changes do not affect the five-year permanent residency pathway for Golden Visa holders.

Conclusion: Move From Plan B Idea to EU Residency Action

Portugal’s Golden Visa through VIDA Fund gives US and global investors a practical route to permanent residency without uprooting their lives. The 14-day stay requirement every two years, combined with asset-backed investments and family coverage, creates a clear and manageable path to European residency rights.

VIDA Capital’s concierge advisory model simplifies each step, from NIF registration and bank account opening to the permanent residency application in year five. The firm’s focus on Portugal’s hospitality sector, supported by strong tourism numbers and 2030 World Cup exposure, positions VIDA Fund as a solid option for meeting Golden Visa rules while aiming to preserve capital.

Start your EU permanent residency plan now. Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa. VIDA Capital guides you from investment selection through permanent residency approval so your family can build a European future with minimal disruption to your current lifestyle.