Portuguese Citizenship Strategy: How Families Can Save Thousands on Golden Visa Fees
Portugal’s Golden Visa remains one of the world’s most popular residency-by-investment programmes, offering a streamlined path to EU citizenship after just five years – with minimal physical stay requirements. But a little-known legal strategy could allow families to achieve the same citizenship outcome while saving more than €40,000 in government fees.
A Smarter Route to Portuguese Citizenship
Traditionally, families have applied jointly under a single Golden Visa application – adding spouses and children as dependents to secure residence permits for all. While this is a straightforward approach, it comes with a significant cost.
A more strategic path exists: apply solely as the main investor. Under Portuguese nationality law, once the main applicant becomes a Portuguese citizen, their spouse and minor children can also qualify for citizenship, even if they were never included in the original Golden Visa application and have never resided in Portugal.
Save Over €40,000 in Golden Visa Fees – Without Compromise
Each Golden Visa applicant pays government and legal fees, often exceeding €13,000 per person over five years. For a family of four, that’s more than €50,000 in total fees.
By applying alone and allowing family members to access Portuguese Citizenship later through the main applicant, the golden visa fees will be reduced to just over €13,000 for one applicant – saving families upwards of €40,000 without compromising their long-term goals.
This route is ideal for investors who:
Prioritise EU citizenship over immediate residency rights
Already hold strong passports with Schengen access (e.g. US, UK, Canada)
Prefer to reduce upfront costs
Do not need their family members to reside in Portugal during the five-year period
When Full Golden Visa Residency Still Makes Sense
For investors from countries such as China, Pakistan, or India, where passport holders do not have visa-free access to the EU, the residence permit itself remains a highly valuable benefit. In these cases, applying for residency for the entire family from the outset may still be the preferred route – offering immediate access to the Schengen Zone and the security of having long-term residence rights in Europe.
Likewise, if your children may need to travel frequently to Europe, or you want the flexibility to relocate as a family at short notice, applying for all members together ensures maximum freedom of movement and opportunity from day one.
KEY PORTUGUESE naturalisation Legal Conditions
This cost-saving strategy is legally viable and has been validated by several of La Vida’s partner law firms in Portugal. However, specific criteria must be met:
Spouse and minor children can apply for citizenship once the main applicant is naturalised.
No residency or stay in Portugal is required for the spouse or children under this route.
Marriage must have lasted at least six years at the time of application (or three years with proof of ties to Portugal).
No language test is required for the spouse if the marriage meets the six-year threshold. Children are exempt regardless.
Children should be under 10 years old when the process begins, to remain minors by the time citizenship is granted.
Ties to Portugal (such as plans to enrol in school) must be shown for children.
The family must remain intact – divorce or the main applicant’s death before citizenship could impact eligibility.
Portuguese Citizenship – Timed for the Next Stage of Life
This route can be particularly appealing if your children are currently very young, with no pressing need to travel to Portugal or the EU. Fast-forward five years, and they may be ready for new opportunities – whether it’s studying at a European university or pursuing a career in the EU. Citizenship at that point would be perfectly timed to support their ambitions – offering them freedom, flexibility, and a world of options.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
The profile of Golden Visa investors is shifting. Earlier applicants often needed residency for mobility and relocation. Today’s investors – particularly from the US, UK, and Canada – typically already enjoy Schengen access. For them, the true value lies in EU citizenship for future-proofing their family’s lifestyle, education, and global mobility. This alternative route aligns perfectly with that goal – offering long-term benefits without unnecessary upfront costs.
But this strategy won’t suit everyone. If your family requires residency rights – such as the ability to live, work, or study in Portugal during the five-year qualification period – it may still be best to include dependents in the initial residency application and enjoy the benefits of the Golden Visa permit. But for families focused purely on citizenship, this route offers a legally sound, cost-effective advantage.
Plan RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP Strategically with La Vida
At La Vida, we work with leading legal partners in Portugal to tailor the most effective residency and citizenship strategies for our clients. Whether you’re applying alone or with your family, careful planning can save you thousands and ensure you’re on the fastest track to EU citizenship.
Contact our expert advisors today to explore your eligibility and unlock the full potential of Portugal’s Golden Visa in 2025.
