Portugal Golden Visa

Residence by Investment Program

WHAT IS THE PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA?

The Portugal Golden Visa program offers non-EU investors the opportunity to reside, work, and study in Portugal by investing a minimum of EUR 280,000. Through this program, applicants can qualify for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years.

Advantages of the Portugal Golden Visa

  • Dependents include: (1) Spouse or common law partner; (2) Dependent children (need to evidence dependency if over 18 years old – dependency to be established upon first application and also upon each renewal); and (3) Parents (need to evidence dependency if under 65 yo – dependency to be established upon first application and also upon each renewal)
  • Member of the Schengen Area and the EU
  • Right to live, work and study in Portugal
  • Pathways to obtaining Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Portugal after 5 years under separate law (subject to conditions, including language test) – Not guaranteed. 
  • High standard of education and healthcare system
  • Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area
  • No language, education or work experience requirements
  • Short physical residency requirement of an average of seven days a year (or 14 days every 2 years) – with at least 7 days in the first year

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Options

  • Option 1: EUR 500,000 investment into qualifying Portuguese Investment Funds
  • Must be held for at least 5 years after receiving the residence permit
  • Minimum 60% of the investments realized in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal

  • Option 2:  EUR 250,000 Donation by way of capital transfer which is applied in investment or support to artistic production, recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage, through qualified public entities or private foundations with public utility status.

Investment to be maintained until receiving Permanent Residency or Citizenship.

Requirements

  • Be over 18 years of age and a Non-EU/EEA Citizen 
  • Make a qualifying investment in Portugal using funds from abroad
  • Hold the investment for a minimum of 5 years after issue of residence permit
  • Have no debt to Portuguese authorities
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Have private health insurance
  • Not have entered or stayed illegally in Portugal
  • Obtain a tax identification number and open a bank account in Portugal
  • Russian/Belarusian not eligible

Process (Timeline 12 to 24 months)

  • Obtain a tax identification number in Portugal 
  • Open bank account in Portugal
  • Complete the qualifying investment
  • Meet all application documentation requirements
  • Submit application to the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA)
  • Upon approval, the applicant and the dependents must visit Portugal for biometric submission before the residence permits are issued

The residence permit is valid for a period 2 years, renewable every 2 years subject to the following conditions:
(1) Maintaining the investment,
(2) complying with physical residence requirements,
(3) maintaining all initial requirements

FAQ

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residence by investment program. It enables non-EU investors who make a qualifying investment to live, work and study in Portugal.

Yes, the following relatives may be included in the application:

  • Spouse, including a de factor partner;
  • Minor or incapable children into the care of one of the spouses, including legally adopted children;
  • Children aged 18 and over, who are financially dependent of one of the spouses, provided they are unmarried and studying in a recognized teaching establishment;
  • Parents of the main applicant or of the spouse aged 65 and above, or under 65 provided they are financially dependent of one of the spouses;
  • Minor siblings under the custody of one of the main applicant or his/her spouse. 

All dependents should maintain the initial application requirements (including as to dependency) to renew their residence permits under the Golden Visa.

A successful applicant is granted a temporary residence permit in Portugal for an initial period of two years, which is then renewable for subsequent two-year periods as long as the minimum residency stay is respected, and the investment and other initial requirements are maintained.

No, the language requirement will only apply to the Permanent Residency and Citizenship application.

Yes, the applicant must stay in Portugal a minimum average of seven days per year (or 14 days for each two-year period). The physical residency requirement also applies to each dependent individually. Note that in the first year at least 7 days is required.

  • Option 1: EUR 500,000 investment into qualifying Portuguese Investment Funds
  • Must be held for at least 5 years after receiving the Residence Permit
  • Minimum 60% of the investments realized in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal

Option 2:  EUR 250,000 Donation by way of capital transfer which is applied in investment or support to artistic production, recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage, through qualified public entities or private foundations with public utility status.

In order to renew the Golden Visa, the investor and dependents must continue to fulfil the initial conditions when the visa was issued, including maintaining the qualifying investment, complying with the physical residency requirement and maintaining all initial requirements. (Any new requirements or changes that may be required under the new law – pending regulations)

Yes, holders of a Portugal Golden visa are allowed to work.

The visa holder can travel into the Schengen area up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Yes, all applicants need to visit Portugal upon pre-approval in order to provide biometrics. All applicants are further required to visit Portugal a minimum average of seven days per year (or 14 days for each two-year period).

For a minimum of 5 years after obtaining the residency permit, or as long as the investor wants to keep the residence permit or until he/she obtains the Portuguese Permanent Residency or Citizenship. 

Yes, the investor is free to make additional investments or other acquisitions.

Applications for a permanent residence permit must be submitted to Portugal’s border agency (now known as Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA)), and under the Foreigners’ Law, permanent residency shall be granted to someone who cumulatively:

  • Has held a temporary residence permit (including a Golden Visa) for at least 5 years and has met the minimum residency requirements;
  • During the last five years has not been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year;
  • Has sufficient means to support themselves and his/her dependents;
  • Has a place of abode in Portugal; 
  • Has proof of having knowledge of “basic Portuguese” language.

Portuguese citizenship may be acquired by someone who applies for naturalization and cumulatively:

  • Has been a legal resident of Portugal for at least five years (amended by law 2/2018) by meeting the minimum stay requirements of a minimum average of seven days per year (or 14 days for each two-year period);
  • Has sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language;
  • Has not been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison sentence of more than three years under Portuguese law.

Yes, Portugal allow dual citizenship.

You might also be interested in the Portugal SUV Program

The present document is intended for guidance and general information only and does not constitute or purport to provide you with legal advice. Such information is subject to changes without notice. Each case is unique and depends on the facts and circumstances of the individual and due consideration should be taken if applying the general information to your personal situation. For an evaluation of your personal circumstances one of our legal team would be happy to assist.

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