Does the applicant's family also benefit from the Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. The application can include a spouse, including a de facto partner; minor or incapable children in the care of one of the spouses, including legally adopted children; children aged 18 and over who are financially dependent on one of the spouses, provided they are unmarried and studying at a recognized teaching establishment; parents of the main applicant or spouse aged 65 and above, or under 65 if financially dependent on one of the spouses; and minor siblings under the custody of the main applicant or spouse. All dependents must keep meeting the initial application requirements, including dependency, to renew their residence permits.
How long is the Portugal Golden Visa valid for?
A successful applicant receives a temporary residence permit for an initial two years, which renews for further two-year periods as long as the minimum residency stay is observed and the investment and other initial requirements are maintained.
Is there a language requirement to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
No. A language requirement applies only at the Permanent Residency and Citizenship stage.
Are there any residency requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. The applicant must stay in Portugal a minimum average of seven days per year, or 14 days for each two-year period, and this physical residency requirement applies to each dependent individually. At least 7 days are required in the first year.
What are the investment requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa?
There are two options. Option 1 is a minimum EUR 500,000 investment in Portuguese investment or venture capital funds, with a fund maturity of at least five years and at least 60% of investments allocated to companies headquartered in Portugal. Option 2 is a minimum EUR 200,000 contribution in low-density areas by way of capital transfer, applied to investment in or support of artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage, made through qualified public entities or private foundations with public utility status.
What are the requirements to renew the Portugal Golden Visa?
To renew, the investor and dependents must keep meeting the conditions in place when the visa was issued, which includes maintaining the qualifying investment, complying with the physical residency requirement, and maintaining all initial requirements. New requirements or changes may apply under the new law, with regulations pending.
Can Portugal Golden Visa holders work in Portugal?
Yes, Holder of Portugal Golden Visa are allowed to work in Portugal
With the Portugal Golden Visa, which countries can the client visit without a visa?
The visa holder can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Do applicants need to visit Portugal for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. All applicants must visit Portugal on pre-approval to provide biometrics, and they must also visit a minimum average of seven days per year, or 14 days for each two-year period.
How long does the investor need to keep the investment in Portugal under the Portugal Golden Visa?
The investment must be held for a minimum of 5 years after the residency permit is obtained, or for as long as the investor wants to keep the residence permit, or until they obtain Portuguese Permanent Residency or Citizenship.
Can the investor make other investments in Portugal in addition to the qualifying investment under the Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. The investor is free to make additional investments or other acquisitions.
Can Portugal Golden Visa holders apply for permanent residence?
Yes. Applications go to Portugal's border agency, now the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA). Under the Foreigners' Law, permanent residency is granted to someone who has held a temporary residence permit, including a Golden Visa, for at least 5 years while meeting the minimum residency requirements; has not been convicted in the last five years of a crime carrying a prison sentence of more than one year; has sufficient means to support themselves and their dependents; has a place of abode in Portugal; and can show knowledge of basic Portuguese.
Can Portugal Golden Visa holders apply for citizenship?
Yes. Portuguese citizenship can be acquired through naturalization by someone who has been a legal resident for at least 7 to 10 years while meeting the minimum stay of an average of seven days per year, or 14 days for each two-year period; has sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language; and has not been convicted of a crime carrying a prison sentence of more than three years under Portuguese law.
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Portugal allow dual Citizenship.
Is Harvey Law Group registered to practice law in Portugal?
Yes. Harvey Law Group operates in Portugal through HLG Sociedade de Advogados, a law firm registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) in Lisbon. Portugal Golden Visa applications are managed locally by our lawyer in Portugal, Carla Chibeni, who handles each case directly with the Portuguese authorities. The registration can be verified on the official Ordem dos Advogados law firm registry.
Should I choose the Portugal Golden Visa or the Greece Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa suits investors whose end goal is EU citizenship: it requires only 14 days of physical presence in the first two years, and dual citizenship is permitted. The Greece Golden Visa suits investors who want direct property ownership, since real estate from EUR 250,000 still qualifies, with no minimum stay requirement and faster processing of around 6 to 9 months. Portugal's qualifying routes are a EUR 500,000 fund investment or a EUR 250,000 cultural donation. Our lawyers cover both programs from a single point of contact; see the full Greece vs Portugal Golden Visa comparison for a detailed breakdown.