Best EU Residency by Investment Programs 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways

1. Portugal’s Golden Visa leads 2026 EU residency programs with €500,000 fund investments and only 14 days of presence every two years, enabling permanent residency after 5 years.
2. Compared to Greece (€250k–€800k real estate), Malta, and Cyprus, Portugal offers a practical balance of low stay requirements and a clear EU citizenship path in 10 years, or 7 years for CPLP and EU nationals.
3. Portugal removed real estate options in 2023, so asset-backed hospitality funds like the VIDA Fund now provide capital preservation with projected 2x returns and CMVM regulation.
4. Family inclusion covers spouses, children, and dependent parents, with total costs around €550k for a family of four, including fees, Schengen travel rights, and no tax unless you become a tax resident.
5. Simplify your Portugal Golden Visa application with VIDA Capital’s concierge guidance and access secure, asset-backed investments in Portugal’s expanding hospitality sector.

How Portugal Compares to Other 2026 EU Residency Programs

Portugal remains the most attractive European residency-by-investment option, even after recent policy changes. Greece’s Golden Visa requires €250,000 to €800,000 in real estate, depending on location, while Malta and Cyprus provide immediate permanent residency at higher investment levels.

Portugal’s main advantage is flexibility for investors who do not plan to relocate immediately but want eventual citizenship. The tourism sector continues to grow, with tourism revenue reaching €5.7 billion by September 2025, a 7.6% year-over-year increase. This growth supports the value of hospitality-focused investment funds. Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa. VIDA Capital provides smooth, concierge guidance to asset-backed investments in Portugal’s growing hospitality industry.

Portugal Golden Visa Rules After 2025

Portugal’s Golden Visa now operates through €500,000 fund investments and no longer accepts any real estate options. Investors receive an initial 2-year residence permit, then renew and become eligible for permanent residency at year 5. Because card issuance often takes around a year, many investors complete only one renewal within the 5-year period.

The citizenship timeline now extends to 10 years under new legislation. CPLP country nationals and EU citizens benefit from a reduced 7-year requirement, which shortens the overall path to a Portuguese passport.

The program grants Schengen Area visa-free travel for 90 days within any 180-day period. It also grants Portuguese residence rights, including the ability to live, work, and study, with no tax obligations unless you become a Portuguese tax resident. Family inclusion covers spouses, economically dependent children, and parents or in-laws over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant.

Capital preservation remains a key benefit through asset-backed hospitality funds such as the VIDA Fund, which operates under CMVM regulation with Deloitte auditing. The fund targets a 6.5-year lifecycle with projected returns of 2x investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so investors should treat projections as indicative only.

VIDA Capital’s advisory team is based in Lisbon and led by Alex Ohnona and Maria Alvarez. The team has guided investors through more than 100 Golden Visa applications and has been featured in Bloomberg and other major media outlets.

Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa. VIDA Capital provides smooth, concierge guidance to asset-backed investments in Portugal’s growing hospitality industry.

Step-by-Step Path to Portugal Permanent Residency

The Portugal Golden Visa process requires structured planning and strong legal support at each stage. Pre-application tasks include obtaining a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF) and opening a Portuguese bank account, both possible remotely through qualified legal counsel. You must complete the €500,000 fund investment before submitting the application, so choosing the right lawyer and fund partner is crucial.

Your legal representative submits the application online for both the primary investor and eligible family members. After AIMA approval, all applicants attend in-person appointments for biometric data collection. The initial residency card remains valid for two years and grants Schengen Area travel privileges.

Renewals require proof that you maintained the investment and met the 14-day presence requirement during each two-year period. You also provide updated biometrics and current criminal records. Because card issuance often takes around a year, many investors complete only one renewal within the 5-year period before qualifying for permanent residency.

VIDA Capital’s concierge approach simplifies each step through direct coordination with legal teams, clear investment reporting, and ongoing post-investment support throughout the full residency and citizenship timeline.

VIDA Capital and the VIDA Fund Hospitality Strategy

The asset-backed VIDA Fund focuses on revitalizing Portugal’s fragmented hospitality market through targeted acquisitions of undervalued hotel properties. The owner-operator model relies on deep industry experience to reposition these assets as premium, higher-margin hotels. Fund I raised more than €20 million from over 50 investors and supported more than 100 Golden Visa applications.

VIDA Capital addresses core investor concerns such as capital protection through tangible real estate backing, direct advisory relationships, and strict regulatory compliance. This structure reduces common pain points around trust, process complexity, and investment security that many high-net-worth families face when pursuing European residency.

Frequently Asked Questions: Portugal Golden Visa and EU Residency

Which country is easiest for permanent residency in Europe with investment?

Portugal offers one of the most accessible paths through its 14-day presence requirement every two years, leading to permanent residency after 5 years and potential citizenship after 10 years. Greece requires 7 years of tax residency for citizenship, while Malta and Cyprus provide immediate permanent residency but no direct citizenship route. Portugal, therefore, offers a practical balance of low physical presence and a defined citizenship pathway.

Can I get permanent residency in Europe if I buy a house?

Portugal no longer accepts real estate investments for Golden Visa eligibility since 2023 and now requires fund investments only. Greece, Malta, and Cyprus still accept property purchases for residency programs. Greece requires €250,000 to €800,000, depending on location; Malta requires €375,000 in property plus additional fees, and Cyprus requires €300,000 in real estate. These property programs often involve higher capital risk and more complex tax exposure compared with Portugal’s asset-backed fund model.

What is the cheapest EU citizenship by investment?

No direct EU citizenship by investment programs currently exist. Portugal’s Golden Visa offers one of the most cost-effective routes to EU citizenship through a €500,000 fund investment plus associated fees, which total around €550,000 for a family of four, including government and legal costs. Latvia offers EU residency from €50,000, but it does not provide the same clear citizenship pathway or long track record as Portugal’s program.

Is the Portugal Golden Visa worth it in 2026?

Portugal’s fund-only Golden Visa remains attractive in 2026 as a Plan B for families seeking EU mobility without relocation. The asset-backed investment structure, light physical presence rules, and defined citizenship path make it stronger than many alternatives. The expanding tourism sector, with revenue reaching €5.7 billion by September 2025, further supports the investment fundamentals.

How do fund investments compare to other investment types?

VIDA’s asset-backed hospitality fund offers stronger capital preservation than many speculative investments that rely only on cash flow. Physical hotel assets hold intrinsic market value and can be sold if needed to recover principal. This structure reduces some risks associated with pure equity investments while benefiting from Portugal’s tourism growth, which employed 1.2 million people in 2025 and is projected to contribute €74.6 billion to the economy by 2035.

Conclusion: Use Portugal to Secure Your Family’s EU Future

Portugal’s Golden Visa stands out in 2026 as a leading European residency option, combining minimal physical presence with a clear path to EU citizenship. The fund-only structure, especially through asset-backed options like the VIDA Fund hospitality strategy, supports capital preservation while aligning with Portugal’s strong tourism economy. VIDA Capital’s end-to-end advisory model reduces complexity and uncertainty, providing tailored guidance from the first consultation through potential citizenship.

Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa. VIDA Capital provides smooth, concierge guidance to asset-backed investments in Portugal’s growing hospitality industry.