Last updated: January 21, 2026
Key Takeaways
- US EB-5 grants a 2-year conditional green card that can convert to permanent residency after job creation is verified, but it requires substantial US presence and at least $800,000 in investment.
- Portugal Golden Visa offers renewable temporary residency with only 14 days in Portugal every 2 years, leading to permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years.
- Portugal offers greater flexibility through EU and Schengen mobility, minimal relocation, broad family inclusion, and a lower €500,000 fund investment compared with EB-5 risks.
- VIDA Fund’s regulated, asset-backed hospitality investments in Portugal’s tourism market qualify for the Golden Visa while targeting capital preservation and returns.
- High-net-worth investors seeking a flexible Plan B can contact VIDA Capital today to secure EU residency through the Portugal Golden Visa.
US EB-5: From Conditional Green Card to Permanent Residency
The US EB-5 program creates a path from conditional status to permanent residency through investment. Immigrant visas lead to lawful permanent resident status upon US entry, which differs from nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays. Investors receive an initial 2-year conditional green card after investing $800,000 or more and creating 10 jobs. After they prove that the job creation requirements are met, US authorities remove the conditions and grant permanent residency with no fixed end date.
Permanent residency removes employer sponsorship limits and allows broader job mobility, yet it also requires substantial physical presence in the United States. The citizenship route usually opens after 5 years of continuous residence, although processing backlogs can extend that timeline. EB-5 typically requires full relocation and exposes investors to risks tied to job creation, project performance, and market conditions.
Portugal Golden Visa: From Temporary Residency to EU Citizenship
Portugal’s Golden Visa gives investors a clear route from temporary residency to permanent residency and then citizenship. The program grants temporary residency through qualifying investments, with renewals every 2 years and a minimum stay of 14 days in each 2-year period. After 5 years of holding this temporary residency, investors can apply for permanent residency.
Legislative changes in 2025 extended the citizenship timeline. Portugal’s Parliament approved a new framework in October 2025 that now requires 10 years of residence before citizenship eligibility. Nationals of Portuguese-language countries (CPLP) and EU citizens face a reduced 7-year requirement. The new rules should apply to all Golden Visa investors except those who submitted their citizenship applications before the new law is published.
The program keeps physical presence requirements low, with only 14 days in Portugal every two years. Investors can maintain their main home and business base elsewhere while gaining EU mobility. Family coverage includes spouses, economically dependent children, and parents and in-laws who are over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant. This structure supports long-term, multi-generational planning.
US EB-5 vs. Portugal Golden Visa: Investor-Focused Comparison
|
Criterion |
US EB-5 |
Portugal Golden Visa |
Key Advantage |
|
Status Duration/Rights |
Conditional 2yr → Indefinite PR |
2yr temp → PR yr5; Schengen access |
Portugal: EU mobility without US ties |
|
Path to Citizenship |
5yrs continuous US residence |
5-10yrs (pending legislation) |
Portugal: No full relocation required |
|
Stay Requirements |
Substantial US presence |
14 days every 2 years |
Portugal: Plan B flexibility |
|
Investment Security |
$800k+, job creation risks |
€500k asset-backed hospitality |
Portugal: Capital preservation focus |
This comparison highlights Portugal’s advantages for investors who want flexible residency rather than a full relocation. US EB-5 grants direct access to the American market but demands significant time in the country and carries employment-related and project risks. Portugal’s Golden Visa offers EU access with limited disruption to existing businesses and personal lives.
Why VIDA Capital and VIDA Fund Appeal to US High-Net-Worth Investors
VIDA Capital provides a focused advisory route into the Portugal Golden Visa through the regulated VIDA Fund. The minimum investment for a Portugal Golden Visa fund subscription in 2026 is €500,000. VIDA Fund invests in asset-backed hospitality projects that are regulated by Portugal’s Securities Market Authority (CMVM) and audited by Deloitte.
Portugal’s tourism market supports this strategy with strong fundamentals. Tourism revenues are projected to close 2025 at nearly €30 billion, and analysts forecast 12% growth in visitors and revenue for 2026. The 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal will co-host, is expected to generate more than €800 million in economic impact. The World Travel & Tourism Council also projects that tourism will account for 22.6% of Portugal’s GDP by 2035.
VIDA Fund follows a 6.5-year lifecycle and targets a doubling of investor capital, although past performance never guarantees future results. The fund charges a 1% subscription fee and focuses on upgrading undervalued hospitality assets. This approach aims to preserve capital, create upside potential, and maintain Golden Visa eligibility.
Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa.
Portugal Golden Visa Process: Step-by-Step with Legal Support
The Portugal Golden Visa process typically runs 12 to 18 months and benefits from specialist legal guidance at every stage. Key early steps include obtaining a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and opening a Portuguese bank account, which qualified lawyers can complete remotely for investors. Immigration lawyers then submit the formal application online and coordinate biometric data collection for each family member.
The first residency card is valid for 2 years and allows visa-free travel within the Schengen area. Each renewal requires proof that the investment remains in place and that the applicant spent at least 14 days in Portugal during the previous 2-year period. Because approvals often take about one year, many investors complete only one renewal before they qualify for permanent residency in year 5.
Government fees usually total €6,000 to €7,000 per family member for initial processing and card issuance, with renewal fees of about €3,000 per person. Legal fees often range from €16,000 to €20,000 for a family. VIDA Fund applies a 1% subscription fee on invested capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is residency the same as permanent residency?
Residency and permanent residency describe different legal statuses. Temporary residency requires renewals and can include limits on work or travel. Permanent residency grants ongoing legal status without an expiry date, although some countries still require minimum physical presence or continued investment. Portugal’s Golden Visa starts as temporary residency and can convert to permanent residency after 5 years. US EB-5 grants conditional permanent residency that becomes unconditional after specific conditions are met.
Can I get permanent residency in the US by investment?
US EB-5 offers a route to permanent residency through an investment of $800,000 or more plus the creation of at least 10 jobs. The program faces processing backlogs, strict presence requirements, and an expectation of relocation for most applicants. Portugal’s Golden Visa provides a more flexible alternative with a lower investment threshold, lighter stay requirements, and EU mobility without full relocation.
How much investment is required for Portugal permanent residency?
Portugal’s Golden Visa requires a minimum €500,000 investment in eligible funds to secure the temporary residency that can lead to permanent residency after 5 years. Investors must keep this capital invested throughout the 5-year period. Government and legal costs for a family application usually add about €25,000 to €30,000. VIDA Fund satisfies the investment criteria and focuses on asset-backed hospitality projects.
Does Portugal Golden Visa require relocation?
Portugal’s Golden Visa does not require relocation and asks for only 14 days of presence in each 2-year period. This structure suits investors who want a Plan B without moving their home base. Greece’s Golden Visa requires 7 years of residence for long-term status, and Spain has withdrawn its Golden Visa program. Portugal remains one of the few European options that offers a citizenship path without mandatory relocation.
What family members can be included in Portugal Golden Visa applications?
Portugal Golden Visa applications can include spouses, economically dependent children, and parents and in-laws who are over 65 or financially dependent on the main applicant. Each included family member receives the same residency rights and citizenship pathway as the primary investor. This makes the program suitable for long-term, multi-generational planning.
Conclusion: Use VIDA Capital to Build a Flexible EU Residency Strategy
Portugal’s Golden Visa offers more flexibility than US EB-5 for investors who value Plan B security without uprooting their lives. Minimal stay requirements, EU mobility, and asset-backed investment options through VIDA Fund create a practical mix of capital protection and residency diversification.
VIDA Capital’s concierge-style support reduces the friction of cross-border residency planning and guides investors through regulated, audited investment structures. For high-net-worth individuals who want EU residency and a future citizenship option while keeping their main residence and business elsewhere, Portugal’s Golden Visa through VIDA Capital stands out as a strategic choice in 2026.
Secure your EU residency and a path to EU citizenship with a Portugal Golden Visa.
