Global residency through investment is no longer a trend—it’s a strategy. But obtaining a Golden Visa is just step one. Maintaining it requires clarity, precision, and long-term planning. If you’re asking, “Can a Golden Visa be renewed?” the answer is a firm yes—but only if you understand the specific requirements, timelines, and legal changes in each jurisdiction.
At Apex Capital Partners, we work exclusively with vetted, government-approved programs that offer not just residency, but durability. Whether you’re invested in Portugal, Greece, the UAE, or already hold a Spanish Golden Visa, this 2025 guide will walk you through how renewal works, what’s changed, and how to future-proof your global mobility.
Portugal Golden Visa Renewal: Structured, Predictable, and Digital
Portugal continues to set the standard in Golden Visa renewability, especially for investors who value predictability and a clear path to citizenship.
Initial Term and Renewal Schedule
The Portugal Golden Visa begins with a 2-year residency permit, followed by a 3-year renewal cycle. Afterward, investors can continue to renew or apply for permanent residency or citizenship, depending on their goals.
Presence Requirements
Unlike many national residency permits, Portugal keeps requirements light. If you maintain your investment, you need only spend 14 days in Portugal every two years—a flexible commitment for globally mobile investors.
Renewal Process and Documents
All renewals are processed through AIMA’s ARI platform. In 2025, Portugal continues its streamlined, digital approach. You’ll need to submit:
- A valid passport and residency card
- Updated criminal background check
- Proof of health insurance
- Documentation confirming your investment is still active
- Evidence of your 14-day stay requirement
New 2025 Regulation Shift
Portugal has extended renewal application windows, allowing submission up to 180 days past expiry, provided payment and documents are complete. This provides a practical buffer, especially for families coordinating international paperwork.
Potential Legislative Change
There is one caveat: draft legislation may extend the required residency period from five to ten years before you can apply for citizenship. As a result, investors aiming for a second passport should plan accordingly. Nonetheless, residency renewal policies remain stable and investor-friendly.
Why It Matters
With Apex managing the full renewal process—including biometric appointments and document submission—you won’t face surprise delays or risk status loss. We stay ahead of legislative updates and align your long-term goals with Portugal’s evolving framework.
Greece Golden Visa Renewal: Indefinite with Zero Stay Requirements
If you’re looking for a “set-it-and-forget-it” option, Greece offers one of the most hands-off Golden Visa renewal structures in the world.
Validity and Renewal Framework
Greece issues Golden Visas for 5 years, with unlimited renewals—as long as your investment remains intact. Unlike Portugal, there’s no physical presence requirement, which appeals to those balancing multiple residencies or business operations abroad.
Investment Threshold Updates in 2024–2025
Greece introduced a tiered model, with investment minimums adjusted by zone:
- €250,000 in less-developed or restoration-eligible areas
- €400,000 in standard zones
- €800,000 in high-demand regions like Athens, Santorini, and Thessaloniki
Renewal Requirements
To renew, you must show proof of continued ownership of the investment property, a clean criminal record, and valid health insurance. That’s it. The Greek government does not require language exams, integration efforts, or presence in the country.
Administrative Efficiency
Renewals can be completed through legal representatives in Greece. As a result, Apex clients never need to travel for renewals unless they choose to.
Why It Matters
Accordingly, Greece’s program is ideal for investors who want a European base with minimal maintenance. With Apex, your property investment is tracked and documented in real time, ensuring renewals remain routine and stress-free.
Spain Golden Visa Renewals: Grandfathered in Despite Program Closure
Although Spain officially ended its Golden Visa program in April 2025, investors who applied before the cutoff still benefit from renewal rights. Therefore, understanding the transitional rules is essential.
Program Termination Timeline
On April 3, 2025, Spain repealed Articles 67 and 68 of Law 14/2013, closing the Golden Visa to new applicants. This move followed government concerns over housing affordability and security oversight.
Status for Existing Holders
If you already hold a Spanish Golden Visa—or submitted your application prior to April 3—you retain full rights to renew your permit. This includes access to Spain’s healthcare and education systems, as well as Schengen travel.
Renewal Process
Originally, Spain issued:
- A 1-year initial visa
- Followed by 2-year renewal permits
- Eventually, permanent residency (after 5 years) or citizenship (after 10 years)
These terms still apply to grandfathered investors. You must:
- Maintain the original investment (real estate or qualifying capital)
- Prove your continued financial means
- Show clean criminal history
- Spend time in Spain (typically 1+ month per year, though flexibility exists)
Why It Matters
Although new entries are closed, existing investors remain protected—for now. Apex helps you maintain your eligibility, comply with renewal deadlines, and transition to permanent residency or alternative programs if future changes occur.
UAE Golden Visa: Long-Term Stability and Automated Efficiency
For business owners, executives, and high-net-worth individuals operating in the Gulf, the UAE offers a unique blend of long-term certainty and digital efficiency.
Renewal Model
UAE Golden Visas are granted for 5 or 10 years, depending on investment type or professional category. They are renewable indefinitely, provided you maintain eligibility.
2025 Policy Enhancements
Recently, the UAE introduced new options for long-term validity, including an AED 100,000 lifetime category for select investors and highly skilled professionals. This reflects the Emirates’ strategic pivot toward attracting permanent international talent.
Simplified Renewal Through ‘One-Touch’
Renewals—along with Emirates ID and residency updates—can be processed digitally via the government’s One-Touch service. This eliminates the need for in-person paperwork or embassy visits.
Key Renewal Documentation
To renew, you typically need:
- A valid passport
- Emirates ID
- Proof of ongoing eligibility (e.g., real estate ownership, business license, or employment)
- Health insurance
Why It Matters
With minimal friction and high flexibility, the UAE Golden Visa is ideal for entrepreneurs, executives, and crypto-savvy investors. Apex ensures eligibility is maintained, documents are filed promptly, and you never lose momentum in the Gulf region.
Renewal Requirements Compared
| Country | Initial Validity | Renewal Term | Stay Requirement | Key Renewal Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 2 years | Every 3 years | 14 days per 2 years | Maintain qualifying investment |
| Greece | 5 years | Every 5 years | None | Maintain property ownership |
| Spain | 1 year, then 2 years | 2-year cycles (grandfathered) | 1+ month per year | Maintain investment, submitted pre-April 2025 |
| UAE | 5 or 10 years | Indefinitely | None | Maintain investor/employment status |
What Smart Investors Should Do Next
Plan Renewal Windows Strategically
Whether you hold a 2-year, 5-year, or 10-year permit, knowing your renewal deadlines is critical. Apex maintains a client dashboard for tracking timelines, document expiration, and jurisdiction-specific requirements—so you don’t have to.
Document Everything
From utility bills and travel stamps to bank statements and insurance records, it’s smart to keep a digital folder for every renewal jurisdiction. Apex prepares full compliance files so your renewal is never delayed due to missing paperwork.
Adapt to Policy Shifts Early
Spain’s closure, Portugal’s potential citizenship timeline extension, and Greece’s tiered pricing all highlight one thing: governments can change the rules. Fortunately, Apex stays ahead of these changes and helps you pivot early—whether that means shifting assets, applying for permanent residency, or seeking a second Golden Visa elsewhere.
Double Down on Diversification
If your goal is to build global mobility and optionality, relying on one country’s program is short-sighted. Many Apex clients hold Golden Visas in multiple jurisdictions—Portugal and the UAE, for example—to ensure resilience no matter what political or economic winds blow.
Why Renewability Should Drive Your Global Residency Strategy
At first glance, securing a Golden Visa seems like the finish line. In reality, it’s just the beginning. Renewability is what separates a one-time residency card from a life-long asset that supports citizenship, tax optimization, and generational freedom.
In 2025, renewability is no longer a given—it’s a strategic decision.
By working with Apex Capital Partners, you’re not just applying for a visa. You’re building a long-term plan that protects your family, safeguards your investment, and unlocks global freedom on your terms.
Let us help you maintain and renew your access to the world—strategically, efficiently, and ahead of the curve.
