Portugal Residency-by-Investment (Golden Visa) via Funds in 2026: Benefits, Requirements & Steps

Golden Visa Explorer Investments Editorial Team
Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:00 GMT
Golden Visa Portugal, Residency by Investment, Investment Funds, Private Equity

Portugal’s Golden Visa has shifted decisively toward CMVM-regulated investment funds. Learn how the €500,000 fund route works in 2026, the key benefits (Schengen mobility, family reunification, minimal stay), and a practical due diligence checklist—built for investors who think in private equity terms.

Portugal residency-by-investment (Golden Visa / ARI) remains one of Europe’s most strategic routes for globally mobile investors—especially those who prefer a fund-led structure that feels closer to private equity than a simple compliance purchase.

With real estate no longer the mainstream qualifying path, most applicants now look at the €500,000 investment fund route. Done properly, it combines a residency objective with an investment thesis: mandate, governance, reporting, and a defined exit plan.

Key benefits of investing in Portugal

Minimal annual stay compared with relocation visas (meet the official stay rules for your case).

Family reunification for eligible relatives.

Schengen mobility under standard rules for legal residents.

Pathway options after years of legal residency (subject to eligibility and administration).

Investor-grade due diligence (fund route)

Regulatory status, governance, administrator/auditor/depositary

Fees (management/performance/entry-exit) and net return expectations

Liquidity terms, duration, extension clauses, and exit mechanisms

Risk factors, downside scenario, and concentration

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