Portugal - Residency By Investment
Golden Visa Portugal
What is the Golden
Visa Portugal
The programme offers
fast track to non-European investors who invest a minimum amount on Portuguese
real estate, as defined by law in order to receive a residency permit in the
country, alongside other attractive tax advantages. we will help you with the
investment that best suits your needs.
The Golden Visa in
Portugal has been around since 2012 and was created as a way of enabling non-EU
citizens the right to gain a residency permit in exchange for a 6-year real
estate investment. Not only has the Golden Visa programme helped people live
and work in the area, but it has also done wonders for the local economy. It's
said that nearly six billion euros have
been invested in Portugal since the launch
of the scheme.
Portuguese Golden Visa
is one of the most popular citizenship by investment programmes both in Europe
and the world, because of relatively affordable property prices (one of the
lowest of all EU capitals), Portugal is a safe country to live with affordable
quality of life and good health care.
With a great
transportation system and internationally recognized Universities, the city of
Lisbon is one of the most eco-friendly cities in the world, boasting one of the
best climates in continental Europe along with the best blue flag beaches
making it a very attractive option for holidaymakers & investors.
Those who gain access
to Portugal's citizenship by investment only need to spend a minimum period of
14 days in the country, either consecutively or intermittent, within each 2
year visa period, still keeping all the benefits that come with being an EU
resident, including visa-free unlimited travel and the option to live, work and
study in Portugal.
How to obtain EU
Presidency?
The Portugal
Golden Visa programme was launched by the Government to grant resident
status to all real estate investors and respective families wishing to invest
in Portugal. This is done through real
estate investments and available to
any citizen outside of the EU.
Once
the golden visa residency permit is granted, you will have the right to:
1.
Reside in Portugal
during the whole duration of your visa;
2.
Work, live, and study
within Portugal
3.
Travel freely, without
a visa, through the 26 Schengen countries of the European Union;
4.
You may also obtain
Portuguese citizenship after a period of 5 (five) years, with the same right as
anyone in Portugal and the European Union;
5.
Right to family
reunion in Portugal and the European Union.
Holders
of a Portuguese golden visa card are given a temporary residence permit in
Portugal for two years, which is renewable for another two-years. By the end of
year 5, holders of the golden visa can apply for a permanent residency or
Portuguese citizenship, if all other legal requirements are met.
There
has been a “dramatic spike” in enquiries for the Portuguese Golden Visa
programme and Portugal has proven to be an extremely attractive option; its
relatively low cost of living with beautiful landscapes, rich history and
culture along with a very high standard of safety and security have all been
strong reasons why it has become so popular.
Also,
Lisbon was ranked by accounting firm PWC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) as the best
city for real estate investment and development prospects in Europe during
2019. Property prices in the metropolitan area of the capital were up by about
8 percent in 2018, and rental yields ranged from 5.5 to 6 percent. In
2020, during the pandemic, the sale of properties increased by 23% in May with
investment surpassing €146 million,
which means that even during the confinement period, the market in Portugal was
able to maintain a significant activity level.
How to apply for the
Portuguese Golden Visa
While
the process isn’t very complicated, it does involve gathering a lot of
documentation - both in Portugal and in your country of origin. You may collect
all the needed documents and apply for Portugal's golden visa on your own, but
it would be beneficial and much faster to resort to local
professionals. Our professionals Lawyers know the local property
market and laws. Not only would we save you time and money, but our consultants
can also advise you on the best
investments available in the market,
we are here to help you with preparing documentation, providing attorney
services, and to follow your needs during the whole period of your temporary
residence obtained with us.
The
Portuguese government has also announced that Golden Visa applications will now
be digitalized. All documents will be submitted digitally, including the
issuance of the Portuguese Individual Tax Number. This will help reduce
bureaucracy and enable us to fasten your application process.
Please
fill the form at the bottom of this page for a more detailed consultation.
Portuguese Golden Visa
Program for Family Members
The
Portugal golden visa programme allows family reunion, permitting the following family
members to join the golden visa holder in Portugal:
· Spouse
· Dependent children
· Adopted children
· Full-age dependent children who are still
engaged in study
· Dependent parents of either the golden visa
holder or spouse
· Minor dependent brothers or sisters who are
under the guardianship of the golden visa holder.
Family
members receive the same rights, and will also be eligible for permanent
residency or Portuguese citizenship after five years in the Golden Visa
Programme.
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ)
Advantages of the Golden Visa
Get a Portuguese passport
Live, Work and Study in Portugal
Travel freely in the Schengen Area
Low physical presence required
Most popular scheme in Europe
1
Real Estate Investment Options
Portugal Golden Visa by investment is governing the granting of
Residence Permit for Investment (ARI / Golden Visa), enabling third-country nationals
to obtain a temporary residence permit to conduct business activities with visa
waiver to enter national territory. Portugal residency by investment includes:
1. 280k – This level of
investment is available only for properties in low population density areas,
i.e., interior territories or in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and
Madeira;
2. 350k – At this level
of investment, the applicant can purchase Real Estate located in urban areas
but from January 2022 can only purchase a Golden Visa property in the interior
territories or in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira. Properties
must be constructed more than 30 years ago and in need of refurbishment. The
sum for property and reconstruction must reach the 350k minimum
investment;
3. 500k (and more) – You may invest
in all types of Real Estate investments available in Portugal (until the new
changes are put into place in January 2022 - read more below);
4. From January 2022, you'll still be
able to invest in Commercial, Offices, and Touristic Developments in coastal
areas of the mainland, and the 500k option will still be eligible for you
anywhere in the Azores & Madeira. However, major cities like Lisbon, Porto,
the Algarve, Braga, amongst others, will no longer qualify or be eligible for
Golden Visa investments.
If you are interested in purchasing a Golden Visa property in
Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve, now is the time to do so as changes will come
into effect on the 1st of January 2022.
2
Requirements
The Portugal golden visa programme requirements may vary
according to your level of investment, However, the investor is required to
obey the following:
· Keep his/her real estate investment for a period of 6 years;
· The funds must come from outside into Portugal;
· A valid document for legal entry and stay in Portugal;
· No references in Portuguese Immigration and Schengen Services;
· No criminal record;
· Stay in Portugal for a minimum period of 14 days, either consecutively
or intermittent, within each 2 year visa period.
3
Who is Eligible
All third-country citizens who conduct an investment activity,
as an individual business person or through a company set up in Portugal or in
another EU Member State and who, in
addition, are stably settled in Portugal, provided these citizens fulfill the
quantitative requirements and the time requirements set out by the relevant
legislation, may apply for a Residence Permit for Investment.
The investment can be made as an individual or through a legal
entity meeting certain requirements. You will also need to meet the (minimal)
physical presence requirements.
Anyone except Portuguese and EU/EFTA citizens - can apply for
the Golden Visa Programme after completing a suitable investment into Portugal
before asking for Portugal permanent residence.
You can bring your family members, including your spouse, as
well as your children (as long as they
are younger than 18 at the time of application, or enrolled in studies and
being supported by you). In certain circumstances, you can even bring your
parents and/or in-laws, as long as you can demonstrate that you are supporting
them.
4
Documentation
The amount of documentation needed to acquire Portugal's
permanent residency by investment varies according to the level of investment.
For a 500k investment you will need the following documents:
1. Final Deeds of Purchase, or Promissory Contract;
2. Declaration issued by a financial institution accredited or
registered in national territory by the Bank of Portugal confirming an actual
international bank transfer for purchasing or for payment as an initial deposit
of the sale agreement;
3. Certificate of the Land Registry Office issued within the prior
45 days, comprising the registrations, endorsements, and entries in force and
proving the ownership of the real estate, free of any encumbrances, or
certificate of registry comprising the provisional record of purchase, when
legally feasible, with an initial deposit;
4. Official Tax Description of the Real Estate, when Legally
feasible;
5. Excerpt of the Commercial Register issued within the prior 45
days in case the investment is made by means of a single-member limited company
of which the applicant is the proprietor.
All documentation (unless otherwise noted) needs to be issued
within 90 days before your online application.
Anything issued by a foreign entity has to be legalized (e.g.,
with an apostille if your country of origin has signed the Hague convention).
Moreover, anything that’s not in Portuguese needs to be translated and
certified.
Ryan is fantastic. Very helpful,
The Golden Visa Timeline of Application
1-4 Months
Invest and apply via the Portugal Golden Visa
Programme
Years 1 & 2
Golden Visa application is valid for 2 years.
Years 3 & 4
Portuguese Golden Visa renewal valid for 2
years
Years 5 & 6
Golden Visa 2nd renewal is valid for 2 years. By the end of year 5, you can apply for citizenship or permanent residency
