How Often Do I Need to Renew the Golden Visa?

The Portugal Golden Visa does not provide permanent residence immediately.

Instead, it grants temporary residence permits that must be renewed periodically during the first five years.

These renewal cycles are an essential part of maintaining eligibility for permanent residency or citizenship later.

The renewal timing and requirements are structured to ensure that the investment remains valid and that the applicant maintains a minimal connection to Portugal.

As of 2025, the renewal schedule remains consistent: an initial residency card with a two-year validity, followed by two additional renewal periods of two years each.

After completing five years with all renewals in good standing, the Golden Visa holder becomes eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Golden Visa Renewal Timeline

The renewal schedule is as follows:

Initial Residence Permit

Once the application is approved, the investor receives an initial residence permit valid for two years.

First Renewal at Year 2

Before the initial permit expires, the holder must renew it for an additional two-year period.

Second Renewal at Year 4

At the end of the second period, another renewal is required, again granting two years of residency.

By the end of this third period, the holder has accumulated five years of resident status, meeting the eligibility threshold for permanent residency or citizenship applications.

Physical Stay Requirements For Renewal

One key advantage of the Portugal Golden Visa is the minimal physical stay requirement. To qualify for renewals, the investor must spend at least:

• 7 days per year on average, which can be grouped as 14 days per two-year residence period

This requirement is unique among European residency programs, making Portugal attractive for investors who do not wish to relocate full time.

The stay can be cumulative, meaning you can spend several days at once rather than visiting multiple times.

Family members included in the application must also meet this requirement individually.

Required Documents For Renewal

At each renewal stage, the investor must demonstrate:

• The investment is still active (for example, proof of fund participation ongoing)

• A clean criminal record in both Portugal and the applicant’s country of residence

• Proof of medical insurance valid in Portugal

• Evidence of meeting the minimum stay requirement

If any part of the investment has changed (such as transferring funds between structures), documentation must clearly show continuity and compliance.

Maintaining The Investment

The Golden Visa investment must remain in place for the entire five-year residency period.

If the investment is withdrawn, fails without lawful oversight, or becomes ineligible, renewals may be declined.

However, if the investment route is through regulated investment funds, and the fund performance fluctuates due to market conditions, the visa status is generally unaffected as long as the investor remains committed and maintains the stake.

This distinction highlights the importance of choosing compliant, well-regulated funds and obtaining guidance from legal and financial advisors familiar with Golden Visa rules.

What Happens After Five Years?

Once the investor completes five years and has fulfilled all renewal and stay requirements, they may apply for:

• Permanent Residency, or

• Citizenship, if they meet the language and integration requirements

The investment does not need to remain in place after receiving permanent residency or citizenship, which means the investor can withdraw or reinvest once this milestone is complete.

Conclusion

The Portugal Golden Visa requires renewals at two-year intervals, with the investment remaining active for a total of five years.

The physical stay requirement is minimal, making it one of the most flexible residency by investment programs in Europe.

Successfully completing the renewal process positions the investor and their family to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, giving long-term stability and freedom of mobility within the European Union.