The Portugal Golden Visa program, also known as the residence permit for investment activity, is a residency by investment scheme designed for non-EU citizens. It is the fastest program to obtain EU residence permit through investment activity in Europe.
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The initiative was set up by the Portuguese government to boost the economy through foreign investments. It works by granting investors Portuguese residency for investment in different areas of the country.
To obtain the Golden Visa in Portugal, you must make a qualifying investment and keep it for five years. To apply for a Portugal Golden Visa, it is advised to consult with a Portuguese lawyer or Golden Visa Consultant, who will explain the whole procedure step by step and help you to choose the best investment.
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‍Capital Transfer for Research Activities: Another option is to transfer a substantial capital amount, equal to or exceeding €500,000, to support research activities conducted by public or private scientific institutions that are part of Portugal's national scientific and technological system.
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‍Supporting Cultural Heritage: Golden Visa applicants can also opt for capital transfers of €200,000 or more, specifically earmarked to support investments in artistic production, the restoration and maintenance of national cultural heritage. This can be achieved through various entities, including public institutes, central or peripheral direct administration services, public business sector entities, public foundations, private foundations with public utility status, inter-municipal entities, local business sector entities, municipal associative entities, and public cultural associations. These organizations typically engage in projects related to artistic production or the preservation of Portugal's rich cultural heritage.
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‍Investing in Non-Real Estate Funds: Golden Visa candidates may choose to make capital transfers amounting to €500,000 or more, with the objective of acquiring participation units in investment funds (non-real estate collective investment entities) or venture capital funds. These funds should primarily focus on capitalizing companies incorporated under Portuguese legislation. Additionally, these investments must have a minimum maturity period of five years, and at least 60% of the investment value should be directed toward commercial companies based in Portugal.
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‍Incorporating or Expanding Commercial Companies: Another viable avenue is to make capital transfers equal to or exceeding €500,000 for the incorporation of a commercial company with its headquarters in Portugal. This should be combined with the creation of at least five permanent jobs in such company. Alternatively, investors can opt to increase the share capital of an existing commercial company headquartered in Portugal in the amount of €500,000, with the condition of generating five permanent jobs or maintaining ten jobs for a minimum period of three years, five of them need to be permanent.
Job Creation. Creation of a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business that is owned by yourself as the main applicant.
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These alternative pathways to the Golden Visa program in Portugal provide flexibility and options for investors, allowing them to choose the most suitable route based on their financial goals and business plans. As the program evolves, potential applicants should stay updated with the latest requirements and guidelines to ensure a successful Golden Visa application.
Family EU Residency (including children & parents)
EU Citizenship after 5 years, Portuguese passport 6th strongest in the world - Free movement worldwide
No requirement to reside in Portugal, only visit of 7 days per year
Opportunity to work & conduct business in Portugal & EU
Free EU Education for your children
5-20% annual dividends
The detail process of getting your golden visa in hand in the next 6 months.
Signing a contract with a law firm for the provision of Golden Visa service
Client signs power of attorney for lawyers to act on behalf of him and submit for TAX number, open bank account in Portugal
Choosing the right investment together with DRP Advisers
Investment purchase
Collection of documents and online submission of the Golden Visa application to SEF
Collecting of biometric data & submission of the original documents, personal visit to Portugal is required
Golden Visa approval
Any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa;
You’re required to be at least 18 years old and hold a clean criminal record from your home country;
The funds for the investment should arrive from outside of Portugal;
Make and maintain a qualified investment for 5 years;
Spend a minimum of 7 days annually in the country;
Under family reunification, you may extend the Golden Visa to the rest of the family members;
The main applicant needs to make the investment from a bank account in Portugal (you must also have a NIF number, which is a tax identification number in Portugal, to open the account).
There are a few different investment categories that qualify an investor for the Portugal Golden Visa. PGV offers these investment options:
Copy of a passport or the government-issued travel document;
Proof of evidence of the qualifying investment made by the main applicant individually;
Criminal record of the current country of residence;
A sworn declaration on compliance with the minimum investment requirements for the necessary time period of 5 years;
Documents outlining good standing with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority & Social Security System;
Receipt of ARI application payment.
The Golden Visa application is quite straightforward. If you take the necessary steps, you’ll have a successful application process. Check the steps below.
Step 1:
Decide on your Investment
Step 2:
Get a NIF and Open a Bank Account
Step 3:
Finalize the Investment
Step 4:
Gather all necessary documents
Step 5:
Submit Pre-Application
Step 6:
Schedule and Attend your SEF Appointment
Step 7:
Get your Golden Visa and Renew
Step 8:
Become a Portuguese Citizen
In addition to the minimum investment, you make and the necessary fees related to the transaction of the investment property, you will be faced with legal fees and government application fees, such as:
Processing Fee:
once at the beginning and then at each renewal €533 per applicant
Initial Application Fee:
once at the beginning €5,325 per applicant
Renewal Application Fee:
at each renewal €2,663 per person
It can take up to eight months for SEF to approve and provide a biometrics appointment date. As the main applicant, you and all your dependents should book the SEF appointment. After the in-person interview, you will receive your Golden Visa Cards. It typically takes around 6-12 months to receive these residence permit cards.
Residency under the Portugal Golden Visa Program must be renewed every 2 years. In total you have two renewals before you can apply for citizenship (year 2 & 4).
From October 2012 until 2023. In total, 12,497 investors have benefited from the Portugal Golden Visa during this time period with 5,366 going to investors from China, 1,221 from Brazil, 729 from the United States, 584 from Turkey, and 534 from South Africa, the top five nationalities to receive the Golden Visa over its ten-year history.
Kindlyt note, that as from October 2023 Real estate investments are not eligible for Golden Visa Program.
Real estate acquisition: 10,624 residence permits
Real estate acquisition at a minimum value of €500,000: 9,152 residence permits
Real estateacquisition at a minimum value of €350,000: 1,516 residence permits
Capital transfer: 920 residence permits
Capital transfer into a Portuguese bank: 535 residence permits
Capital transfer into an investment Fund: 371 residence permits
Capital transfer and the creation of jobs: 7 residence permits
A donation for the preservation of cultural heritage in Portugal: 6 residence permits
A donation for research activities in Portugal: 1 residence permit
The creation of business and ten full-time jobs: 22 applications
The Portugal Golden Visa Program is the fastest path to EU citizenship. Though it is important to know, that is not automatically granted. You must hold your investment for at least five years before you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. With citizenship you can live, work, and study anywhere in the EU and travel visa-free to 172 destinations.
Kindly note that to acquire citizenship, you must have a clean criminal record, have a A2 Portuguese language certificate or pass a language exam, and demonstrate that you have genuine links to the country (by providing evidence of your investment, along with documents that prove your presence in Portugal such as your NIF number and Portuguese bank account).You do not need to live in Portugal, 7 days a year visit is the only requirement for Golden Visa. You and your family members can become EU citizens in just 5 years with no residence obligations.
We are the leading pioneer in Portuguese real estate consultancy and Golden Visa Program. Since 2015 our company has grown and have become a one-stop shop solution for this program offering bespoke services, expert knowledge, and custom-tailored services towards client needs. Our company works directly with you to provide expert advice on the investment and acquisition of property within Portugal – suitable for your investment requirements.
With a cosmopolitan team, our secure network of lawyers, property consultants and property developers are here to guide you every step of the way through your investment journey. DRP takes pride in its truly international team, with specialist representatives speaking French, Portuguese, English, Russian and more.
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We are delighted to offer a comprehensive selection of specialized services like real estate purchase, Golden Visa, D7 Visa, Corporate Services, etc.
Yes, investors can include their spouse, dependent children up to 26 years old, parents over 65 years old or dependent on the main applicant.
Yes.
No, they need to make their own investment and apply individually.
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As of October 2023 real estate investments do not qualify for Portugal Golden Visa Program
One of the top investment options under the Golden Visa program is to invest in a qualifying Portuguese investment fund. These funds are typically focused on various sectors, such as agriculture, finance, ai, healthcare, hospitality, etc.
Yes, you can. However, it cannot be issued from a Portuguese financial institution. To qualify for the Golden Visa program the funds invested must come from outside of Portugal. As an alternative you can
DRP Advisers can send you calculations of all the costs for investors.
Property Purchase Tax IMT ranges from 6% to 8% from the property price.
Stamp duty tax is 0.8% from the property price.
The Notary Cost is around €1,000.
Land Registry Fees are around €200-300.
Annual Real Estate tax IMI ranges between 0.3% to 0.8%.
Legal fees - it is advised that you hire a Portuguese lawyer for the purchase of the property.
DRP Advisers can introduce you to the best legal firms in Portugal.
28% tax for any individual receiving rental income in Portugal.
If you don't spend more than 180 days a year in Portugal and become a tax resident, you are not required to pay taxes in the country.
You can enjoy the tax exemption on almost all foreign source income for 10 years.
You don’t have to move to Portugal to keep your residence permit.
Minimum stay requirement for Golden Visa is 7 days a year or 14 days in 2 years.
Your first residency is valid for 2 years with two renewals in total (year 2 & 4).
After 5 years of residency in Portugal investors and their family members can apply for citizenship.
With the residence permit issued by Portugal, you can visit or live in other Schengen states for up to 90 days in a 180 day period without a visa.
Once you become a Portuguese citizen, you get visa-free access to 188 countries and live in any EU country full-time.
If your goal is to obtain an EU passport, the Portugal Golden Visa would be the best option.
Any changes shall only apply for the future, meaning that all Golden Visas that were granted until the changes were made shall remain valid under the current terms and conditions.
Portugal’s leading real estate consultancy for locals and expats around the world.
We develop individual solutions for our clients to remove visa restrictions, create a safe haven for them and their families, legally reduce their taxes and also support them throughout the immigration process. With our extensive portfolio of properties, we provide smart, creative solutions for both buyers and sellers to ensure you optimize your purchase, sale or investment.
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