Since Brexit, UK families have lost automatic EU freedom of movement. For many, Portugal has quietly become the most attractive way to regain a European base – combining sunshine, safety and top-tier schools with a flexible residency regime. In 2026, the flagship path is the Portugal Golden Visa via a €500k CMVM-regulated investment fund. This guide is written specifically for British investors who want to understand how that fund route works and where Explorer Investments’ private equity strategies fit in.
By Explorer Investments • Updated December 15, 2025
Main route
€500k Fund
Investor base
UK HNW
Flights
2–3 hrs
Focus
Private Equity
“For many UK families the question is no longer “Should we have an EU plan B?” but “Which structure gives us EU access, diversification away from sterling and institutional-grade management of our capital?”.”
Post-Brexit, UK citizens are treated as third-country nationals in the EU. Short tourist stays are still simple, but long-term residence, schooling and work across the bloc require visas or residence permits. Among the options available, Portugal has emerged as a favourite for British families because it combines:
Portugal also offers a credible path to EU citizenship in the medium term for families who meet residency and language requirements. That combination of lifestyle and long-term optionality is driving more UK high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to look at the Golden Visa fund route.
For 2026, the flagship route for UK investors is a minimum €500,000 investment into an eligible CMVM-regulated fund. In simple terms:
The practical process – NIF, bank account, subscription, application and biometrics – is the same for UK investors as for other non-EU nationals. Our detailed checklist article walks through each step: Portugal Golden Visa Fund Route: Complete Application Checklist for 2026.
For a big-picture view of why funds sit at the centre of the regime, read: Private Equity & the Portugal Golden Visa: Explorer Investments Guide for 2026.
“Golden Visa capital is often treated as “box-ticking money”. Our view is different: it should be integrated into a family’s core asset allocation and held to institutional standards.”
Explorer Investments is a leading Portuguese private equity and alternative investment manager. For UK investors, Explorer’s funds offer a way to access diversified exposure to Portuguese real assets and operating businesses within a regulated structure that can be compatible with the Golden Visa.
Key elements that resonate with British families include:
Importantly, capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed. UK investors should always combine Explorer’s materials with independent financial, tax and legal advice in both Portugal and the UK.
When you commit €500,000 to a fund in a foreign jurisdiction, macro fundamentals matter. Portugal’s story over the last few years has been unusually strong. In 2025, The Economist ranked Portugal as the “economy of the year” among 36 rich countries, highlighting the combination of GDP growth, low inflation and a rising stock market.
At the same time, Portugal has emerged as a global tourism powerhouse. The country recently collected 12 awards at the World Travel Awards, including the Algarve as World’s Best Beach Destination and Madeira as World’s Best Island Destination. We explore this in detail in: Portugal Wins 12 World Travel Awards 2025 – Algarve, Madeira and Golden Visa Outlook.
These macro and tourism trends are not just headlines: they support demand for the real assets and platforms that private equity funds like Explorer target – hotels, branded residences, lifestyle-led developments and more.
For most British families, the challenge is not just choosing a fund; it is fitting the Golden Visa into a broader UK-centric life:
To see how Portugal compares with other lifestyle-driven locations, you can also look at our global comparison piece (although written with US readers in mind, it is highly relevant for UK investors too): 5 Trending Retirement & Golden Visa Destinations for Americans (2025).
No. The Golden Visa is a residence permit, not a replacement for your UK citizenship. Many families keep their UK home and simply add Portugal as an additional base and option set.
Yes. The Golden Visa gives the family the right to live and study in Portugal, subject to school admission processes. Many UK families use it to access international schools in Lisbon, Cascais, Porto or the Algarve.
The Golden Visa traditionally has lower minimum stay requirements than ordinary residence permits, but specific rules can evolve. Your immigration lawyer will confirm the current thresholds and how they interact with any future citizenship plans.
Yes. €500,000 is the legal minimum for qualification, not a ceiling. Some UK HNWIs allocate more to align with their broader portfolio and to make the administrative effort worthwhile relative to their net worth.
Possibly. Domicile and inheritance tax are complex areas in the UK. You should work with UK private client lawyers and tax specialists to understand how a move towards Portugal might interact with existing structures and long-term plans.
Your subscription and eventual redemption will typically be in euros, so EUR/GBP movements can impact your final outcome in sterling terms. Some investors view this as useful diversification; others consider FX hedging strategies with their advisers.
For UK investors, the Portugal Golden Visa is no longer just about bolt-on holiday homes. It has become a way to regain European optionality, diversify away from sterling and plug into one of Europe’s most dynamic tourism and lifestyle economies – all through a regulated private equity structure.
The most effective way to move from research to action is to:
Done well, the Golden Visa becomes an integrated part of your UK and international planning – not just a visa, but a long-term strategy for freedom of movement and capital.
Whether you are exploring the Portugal Golden Visa for EU residency or you simply want to allocate capital to private equity funds in Portugal, our Investor Relations team can help. We will walk you through CMVM-regulated fund options, clarify how they work for residency and for pure investment, and coordinate with trusted immigration and tax advisers. Schedule your confidential, no-obligation strategy call today.
André Bandeira
ab@explorerinvestments.com
Maria Campos Silva
mcs@explorerinvestments.com
For Indian investors comparing Mauritius, UAE, Greece, Italy, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore golden visa options, this 2025–26 guide explains why Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit and €500,000 CMVM-regulated fund route stand out as a strategic EU choice for families.
Balanced, opinion-led guide to the Portugal Golden Visa in 2026, setting out 8 key advantages and 3 important drawbacks of the €500,000 CMVM-regulated fund route – with a focus on private equity, Explorer Investments and long-term residency planning.
Strategic guide for global executives and families on how the Portugal Golden Visa fund route creates a path to EU residency, potential citizenship and enhanced global mobility, while deploying capital into CMVM-regulated Portuguese private equity funds.
Get your complete, free guide to the Portuguese Golden Visa. Learn how to invest with confidence through Explorer Investments, the country's largest private equity fund.
André Bandeira
ab@explorerinvestments.comMaria Campos Silva
mcs@explorerinvestments.comCopyright © 2025 Explorer Investments
It is recommended to consult Chapter V of Decree-Law nº 162/2014, of October 31st, published in the Official Gazette, as well as its revision by Law nº 2/2020, of March 31st. The information included here is of a general nature, and therefore each potential investor should seek independent advice (e.g., legal, financial, tax, etc.)