Why to Get Portugal Golden Visa?
Portugal Golden Visa is a residency by investment program for non-EU citizens to get a 5 year residence permit. Apart from Europe residency permit, the investment program offers high return on investment, best healthcare, education and a lifestyle upgrade. With a minimum stay requirement, high ROI and Schengen visa free travel during residency and 190 after citizenship, Golden Visa of Portugal is the best EU residency option.
Portugal Golden Visa History
Portugal Golden Visa was launched in 2012 to attract foreign investment and uplift the local economy. In return, investors get fair opportunities to invest in the economy and get residency permits that can turn into citizenship. Due to its unique features, the Golden Visa of Portugal is known as the best option worldwide as applicants will not only have access to a powerful passport but also an opportunity to grow their investment, get high returns and include family members in the residency program. As per Serviço De Estrangeiros E Fronteiras, 12,718 successful applicants have been granted residency via Golden Visa by September 2023.
Portugal Golden Visa Benefits
- 5 Year European residency with family
- Portugal residency application approval in 8 to 12 months
- Great returns on investment
- Visa-free access to Schengen states with residency and 189 countries after citizenship
- Low taxes for 10 years
- High standard of schooling for children and best healthcare
- Minimum stay requirements to maintain residence status
- Qualification to Portugal citizenship by naturalization with family
- Minimum stay requirements
Investment Options for
Portugal Golden Visa Program
1.
Non-Real Estate
Schemes:
A capital transfer of €500K or more for acquiring shares in non-real estate collective investment schemes to get Portugal Golden Visa.
2.
Research Activities
A capital transfer of €500K or more for research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions to be eligible for Portugal Golden Visa.
3.
Job Creation
Opportunities:
Create at least five permanent jobs in new or established Portuguese companies by investing €500K to qualify for Golden Visa Portugal.
4.
Golden Visa Funds
5.
Cultural Heritage
Capital transfer of €250K for investment in artistic production, preservation of national cultural heritage also qualifies for Portugal Golden Visa.
&
Eligibility
Criteria
For Portugal Golden Visa
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have no previous criminal record
- Stay a minimum of 7 days per year in Portugal
- Must provide proof of the qualifying investment
- Must be present in Portugal
- Hold investment for 5 years for Golden Visa
- Must be in excellent health condition
Portugal Residency
Without Investment
The D2 and D7 visa categories are alternate to Portugal Golden Visa Program. Portugal residency without investment provides freedom to people where they don’t need to invest. However, applicants need to show they have a sustainable income as a source to live in the country. This stream includes two options, i.e. Portugal D2 Entrepreneur Visa and Portugal D7 Visa for people with passive income, i.e. pensioners, people with income from royalties or rental income can apply under this stream. Both options for Portugal residency don’t require investment like the Golden Visa program.
Process for
Portugal Golden Visa
Processing Time
12 Months
Artistic & Research Work
€250,000
Venture Capital Investment
€500,000
Portugal Golden Visa Guide for Non-EU Citizens
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency program that invites non-EU citizens to invest and reside in the country. The program was launched in October 2012 with the aim to attract foreign direct investment. The Golden Visa is a successful program that attracted over €8 billion in FDI and around 13000 investors got fast track EU residency. Investors get the right to live, work and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle of a country rich in culture and heritage.
Read More About Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal – A Haven for Visitors and Investors
The wide coastline of Portugal, mild climate, round the year access to world’s best beaches, rich history and delicious cuisine attract people from all corners. Further, the country ranks in top 10 countries among safest countries in world. The country has become first priority of people across the world including the USA and the UK.
The country won 19 World Travel Awards at the 31st award ceremony and that shows the popularity of Portugal among international tourists. Moreover, the ease of doing business, low cost of living and low crime rates are key attractions for investors. No doubt, Portugal is a haven alike for visitors and investors.
What are the Key Benefits of Portugal Golden Visa?
Let’s discuss the key benefits of Portugal Golden Visa for non-EU citizens:
Portugal Residency: Portugal Golden Visa Investors get residency rights for 5 years.
Easy Stay Requirements: You need to reside only 7 days a year to maintain the residency status.
Family Inclusion in Portugal Golden Visa Application: Golden Visa Investors can include family members for Portugal residence. Main applicant can include spouse, under 18 children, and parents above 65. Children above 18 can also be include if they are unmarried and are full time students.
Schengen Visa Free Access: The Golden Visa of Portugal permits visa free travel to all 29 Schengen countries. Portugal Golden Visa Investors can travel visa free to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Pathway to Portugal Citizenship: Golden Visa Investors qualify for Portugal citizenship after residing in country for 5 years. As of 2024, Portugal citizens can travel to 190 countries and destination without visa requirements.
Right to Study and Work: Portugal Golden Visa Investors can enroll in educational institutes and can work anywhere in Portugal.
Tax Benefits: The Golden Visa of Portugal brings no tax obligation until you become resident of country with 183 or more days stay. Good news is that Portugal offers lowest tax rates in entire Europe.
Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility
You must be 18 years of age or above to apply for Portugal residence by investment. You must not be a citizen of EU/EEA/Swiss to be eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa investment and must have a clean criminal record. Further, the investment must be made from outside of Portugal.
Portugal Golden Visa Investment Requirements
The minimum qualifying investment for Portugal Golden Visa starts from €250,000 by donation to artistic production or maintenance of Portugal National Cultural Heritage.
Do Golden Visa Investors Qualify for USA Investor Visa?
Yes, as per the USA state government, Portugal entered into E-1 and E-2 Visa treaty on 15, March 2024. The treaty is about commerce and navigation allows Portugal citizens to get the USA nonimmigrant Visa under the category of E-1 and E-2. This means, the Portugal Golden Visa Investors naturalized for Citizenship qualify for E-1 investor visas and E-2 investor visas.
Golden Visa Investment Types
The Portugal Golden Visa investment types includes the following:
Portugal Golden Visa via Capital Transfer
The capital transfer is one of the leading sources for investors seeking Portugal Golden Visa investment options. Capital transfer includes:
Portugal Venture Capital and Investment Funds
The Portugal venture capital or investment funds requires an investment of €500,000 or more to qualify for Golden Visa Program. The venture capital fund units must be assigned for the capitalization of company formation as per Portuguese law. Investors must maintain venture capital for at least 5 years and the 60% of the investment must be in companies that have their registered office within the territory of Portugal.
Portugal Golden Visa Via Contribution to Research Activities
Investors can contribute €500,000 or more to research activities in Portugal to qualify for Golden Visa Program. The research activities must be part of national scientific and technological system. There is an exception, the contribution amount is reduced to a minimum limit of €400,000 if research project is located in a low population density area.
Portugal Golden Visa by Donation
Portugal Golden Visa by donation requires a non-refundable contribution of €250,000 or more to support the artistic production project or towards the recovery, restoration or maintenance of national cultural heritage.
Portugal Golden Visa by Business or Company Formation
A new business or company formation that creates 10 new jobs in Portugal or 8 new jobs in areas with low population density.
Why Invest in Portugal
- Portugal is a country worth investing in with good ROI
- Portugal is the 7th safest country in world
- Portugal is a country that welcomes everything from start-ups to multinationals
- Portugal is a country with a legal and fiscal framework that is favorable to international business
- Portugal is a country with competitive and low tax regime for companies
- Portugal is a country with several advantages, rights and protections for shareholders
- Portugal is a country with a variety of sectors to invest in
Portugal Golden Visa Residency and Citizenship Pathway
After approval of Portugal Golden Visa application, the applicant will get temporary Portuguese residency card with a two years validity. If you apply with family, all family members will get 2 years residency permits. All members need to stay for 14 days till the end of residence permit and after that, investors have the option to apply for 3 years residency permit.
The stay requirements for next 3 years or 36 months is 21 days. Upon expiry, investors can either apply for Portugal Permanent Residency or for Portugal citizenship. Golden Visa Investor must maintain the minimum investment requirements during that time. To get the citizenship of Portugal, investors need to maintain legal resident status in country.
Portugal Golden Visa FAQs:
Stuck on something? We’re here to help with all your Questions and Answers regarding Golden Visa Investment.
Who is eligible for a golden visa in Portugal?
Non-EU people who can make an investment in government-approved projects, are 18 or over and have no criminal record.
Is Portugal Golden Visa Suspended?
No, Portugal has only restricted real estate investment option. You can choose from other options that suit your profile.
Can I work in Portugal with a Golden Visa?
Portugal Golden Visa permits you the right to live, work and do business in the country. You also get visa-free access to 175+ countries.
What is the Portugal Residency By Investment Processing Time??
The processing time for Portugal residency by investment is around 8 to 12 months.
What are Portugal Golden Visa Investment Options?
Portugal Golden Visa investment options include capital transfer to government approved ventures, donation to research activities or funding culture support programs in country. Further, job creation is also a qualifying option.
What are the travel benefits for Portugal Golden Visa Investors?
Portugal Golden Visa investors get travel freedom to all 29 Schengen states and 189 countries after citizenship.
What are key attractions of Portugal Golden Visa?
Portugal Golden Visa attractions include 5 years Portugal residency, right to work and do business and Portuguese citizenship after 5 years.
Are family members eligible for Portugal residency via Golden Visa?
Yes, Portugal Golden Visa main applicant can include his family members for Portugal residency including spouse, dependent children and parents.
What are mandatory stay requirements for Portugal Golden Visa Program?
To maintain residency, Portugal Golden Visa applicants are required to spent 14 days in country during first two years and 21 days for remaining 3 years.
What are the document requirements for Portugal Golden Visa?
Main applicant must provide a valid passport along with proof of qualifying investment, clean criminal record, health insurance for main applicant and family members and other supporting documents to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa program.
Do Portugal Golden Visa Investors qualify for Portuguese Citizenship?
Yes, Portugal Golden Visa investors qualify for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of tax residency in Portugal. They have to meet other requirements like no involvement in criminal activity and pass Portuguese language requirements and others as stipulated by government.
What are the options available after 5 years for Portugal Golden Visa Investors?
After 5 years, Portugal Golden Visa investors can either apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
What are the Tax Laws for People with Portugal Golden Visa Investment Funds?
Non residents are treated as Golden Visa investors for tax purposes and residents who stay for 182 days or more in a tax year treated as tax resident. Non resident Golden Visa investors are exempt from income they earn outside of Portugal and 20% taxes on income earned within Portugal via NHR program.
Is it True that Portugal Golden Visa has Ended?
No, Portugal Golden Visa is still an effective option to get EU residency leading to citizenship. Government has eliminated the real estate investment only, however there are many other qualifying investment options, i.e. capital transfer, donation to research and culture activities and job creation.
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