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Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal Golden Visa is a fast-track residence-by-investment program that grants foreign investors a Portuguese Residency in exchange for investment in the Portuguese economy through property or investment funds.
The Portugal Golden Visa Program was introduced in 2012 after the Global financial crisis to attract foreign investment into Portugal and boost its economy. Since then, it has emerged as one of the most popular Golden Visa Programs, drawing more than 12,000 investors worldwide, with an aggregate investment of over € 7 billion in the Portuguese economy.
Recently, in response to increasing property prices, the Portuguese government made significant changes to the Golden Visa Program. The option to obtain a Golden Visa through property investment ended in October 2023, marking a shift towards alternative investment avenues such as investment funds.
The unique feature of the permit is that the investor only has to spend about seven days per year in Portugal to maintain the residency, making you eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of residency. Furthermore, after the 2024 amendment, applicants now benefit from a more efficient process that counts residency waiting time towards citizenship eligibility.
BENEFITS OF EU CITIZENSHIP
FREE MOVEMENT
Live, work and study across the European Union
FREE EDUCATION
Free education in most of the EU countries
FREE HEALTHCARE
Free healthcare across most European Union countries
START BUSINESS FREELY
Start business in any European Union country
POWERFUL PASSPORT
Visa-free travel to 150+ countries
RIGHT TO VOTE
After obtaining citizenship, allowed to vote
Additional Benefits of Portugal (EU) Citizenship
As a citizen of Portugal, you enjoy the right to settle in any European Union member country, such as France, Germany, Spain, etc. Moreover, your family can also enjoy healthcare and free or concessional education benefits in these countries. Further, you will be entitled to a powerful Portuguese Passport (Ranked ahead of the US and Canada), which provides visa-free access to over 185+ countries.
HOW TO OBTAIN PORTUGUESE (EU) CITIZENSHIP
INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA
In the past, the most popular investment option for obtaining a Portugal Investment Visa was real estate, especially rehabilitating older properties, which required a lower investment amount. However, with recent changes in the law, investments in Real Estate, directly or indirectly, do not qualify for the Portugal visa golden.
Here are some other options currently available for the Portugal investment visa:
1. Investment in Qualifying Funds Option:
Investing a minimum of € 500,000 in an approved investment fund that fosters economic activity in Portugal has become the most popular option in 2024 for obtaining a Portugal investment visa. Earlier, this option was very popular with more evolved investors, especially those from America, who were the largest investors in Investment Funds for Portugal Golden Visa. Now, this route has been catching up with other investors as well. The investment fund must meet the following criteria to qualify for a Golden Visa.
- It has to be approved by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).
- At least 60% of the investment must be in Portuguese companies
- Minimum investment Tenure of 5 years.
These investment funds for Portugal Visa Golden can be invested in either Equity or Debt of Portuguese (minimum 60%) companies or Global companies, which may be listed or unlisted.
2.Entrepreneur Option:
You can start a business in Portugal with a minimum of € 500,000 and qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program. This route, however, requires the creation of 10 full-time local jobs and meeting other requirements like staying and running a business full-time, having good turnover, providing all employees with social security benefits, etc. This option generally provides less flexibility compared to the fund option since it requires the investor to be fully aware and compliant with the Portuguese business regulations and understanding of the local market and industry.
3.Investment/Donation to an approved cultural/artistic project
This route involves a one-time donation of € 250,000 to the government-approved project to preserve Portugal’s rich cultural heritage.
4.Contribution of € 500,000 towards Scientific or Technology Research
REQUIREMENTS OF THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAM
Before understanding the requirements of the Portugal Golden Visa program, let’s examine what differentiates it from other immigration programs and why people prefer it.
- No age limit – No minimum age limit for investors to apply for Portugal Golden visa.
- No language/Education criteria – Investors need not take any language test for residency application, and there is no minimum education requirement either.
- No business/management experience – Since Portugal investment visa has a passive investment option there is no business experience required.
- No financial proof—Unlike other immigration programs, such as those in the US, Canada, etc., detailed financial proof is not needed to be submitted to the authorities for Portugal visa golden.
- No interview – No lengthy interview process is required under the Portugal Golden Visa program.
REQUIREMENTS
- Funds – The Portugal investment visa requires a minimum of €500,000 (4.5cr approx.) for an investment in funds or € 250,000 to contribute to a cultural/heritage/artistic project.
- Valid Passport and other documents – Compared to other immigration programs, the Portugal Golden Visa Program requires minimum documentation. The investor is required to have a valid passport and other basic documentation, such as the tax number and Bank account in his home country and Portugal. If family members are included, then Marriage certificates for the spouse and Birth Certificates for Parents and Children are required.
- Police Clearance Certificate – Apart from the basic documentation mentioned above, the investor and his adult dependents would need to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from his home country.
- Stay requirement in Portugal – The Portugal Golden Visa program has a low stay requirement. The applicant has to spend a minimum of 7 days annually in the country or an average of 14 days in two years. This will also entitle the applicant to get citizenship after five years of maintaining his investment, making it the most flexible European residency program with a clear path to citizenship.
- Investment Tenure – The investment for the Portugal Investment visa must be sustained during the residency period and can be liquidated once the individual takes Portuguese citizenship after five years.
WHY PORTUGAL
Powerful Passport
Portugal passport is at par with Switzerland & ahead of the US, Canada, Australia, UK
Source: H&P Passport Index 2021
MOST WELCOMING COUNTRY FOR EX- PATS
Portugal claims the top position as the country with the friendliest attitude towards foreign residents
Source: Internations
PERFECT HEALTHCARE
Portugal is ranked 12th best public health system in the world, ahead of countries like the United Kingdom, Germany or Sweden
Source: Health Care Index
BEST DESTINATION TO RETIRE
Portugal ranks # 1 st on the Annual Global Retirement Index 2020
Source: International Living
3rd MOST PEACEFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
Portugal ranks #3 in the category of most peaceful countries in the world
Source: Global Peace Index
LOW COST OF LIVING
Portugal ranks 22nd on the Cost of Living Index for Europe
Source: Numbeo
PERFECT WEATHER
Pleasant weather all year round with moderate temperatures (Min 80C – Max 280C) & plenty of sunshine (4-6 hrs in winter & 10-12 hrs in the summer)
BEST TRAVEL DESTINATION
Portugal is consistently voted “Europe's Leading Destination” & has won 20+ awards, Porto being named “Europe’s Leading City Break Destination.”
Source: World Travel Awards
OUR BEST INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MONTH
ABOUT ACQUEST ADVISORS
Acquest Advisors is an immigration advisory firm specialising in business immigration and residency/citizenship through investment programs offered by American, Canadian, European, and Middle Eastern governments.
We provide end-to-end service to our Clients—from planning the source of Funds to selecting the right investment vehicle (Projects /Property /Business), preparing Business plans, start-up funding, foreign remittance, etc., and handholding them throughout the immigration process.
We have an in-house team of experts and a network of professionals (renowned Attorneys, Bankers, Chartered Accountants, Regional Centers, Developers, Fund Managers, Business sellers, etc.) to offer comprehensive immigration solutions.
Check out our page on the Portugal Golden Visa to learn more about the opportunities for investment and residency in Europe.
Visit our page on the EB-5 visa to explore the gateway to US residency and the path to citizenship for your family.
KNOW MORE ABOUT US
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FAQs
To qualify for a Golden Visa in Portugal, applicants need to make a significant investment in the country. The most common route is purchasing real estate, but with the recent changes in the law, real estate investments directly or indirectly do not qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa. Other options available for the Portugal investment Visa are:
- Option to Invest in Qualifying Funds: In 2024, the most common way to get a Portugal investment visa is to invest a minimum of € 500,000 in an approved investment fund that promotes economic development in Portugal.
- The Entrepreneur Option: With a minimum of € 500,000, you can start a business in Portugal and be eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program. In addition, you must create ten full-time jobs in the area and fulfill additional criteria, including operating a business full-time, maintaining a low employee turnover rate, and offering social security benefits to all workers, etc.
- A one-time contribution of €250,000 to the government-approved initiative to protect Portugal’s rich cultural legacy.
- Investment of € 500,000 towards Technology or Scientific Research
Following the global financial crisis, Portugal launched the Golden Visa Program to increase foreign investment and strengthen its economy. Subsequently, it has become one of the most well-known Golden Visa Programs, attracting over 12,000 investors globally who have contributed more than € 7 billion to the Portuguese economy. Significant modifications were made to the scheme’s eligibility in October 2023: real estate investments, including residential and commercial real estate, and capital transfers are no longer accepted in the program.
Foreign investors can become residents of Portugal by investing to the Portuguese economy. This can be achieved through Golden Visa, employment, or family reunification. After holding Golden Visa for five years, individuals can apply for citizenship if they meet additional requirements. The Golden Visa Program underwent major modifications recently at the request of the Portuguese government. The investor needs to spend at least seven days a year in Portugal to maintain residency, allowing them to apply for citizenship. Moreover, applicants now enjoy a more streamlined procedure that considers residency waiting time while determining citizenship eligibility due to the 2024 modification.
Yes, you can buy a property in Portugal. The fact that there are no barriers for foreigners looking to purchase a home in Portugal is among its most encouraging features. However, Due to recent changes, Investment in real estate no longer qualify for the Golden Visa.
Under the Golden Visa program investors and their families can apply for permanent residency (PR) by making eligible investments in Portugal. This includes investment in a fund, creating jobs, and transferring wealth, giving people looking for investment opportunities a route to permanent residency. The program grants a residence permit, allowing the holder to live, work, and study in Portugal, and provides visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. After five years, Investors can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
The Portugal Golden Visa is popular due to its attractive benefits. It offers a straightforward path to residency compared to similar programs in other countries. One has to just spend 7 days in a year to maintain the residency if you are not planning to move to Portugal immediately. Golden Visa holders can live, work, and study in Portugal and enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen area. The program also provides a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship after five years. Portugal’s high quality of life, safety, and favorable climate make it an appealing destination.
The minimum investment for a Portugal investment Visa varies depending on the type of investment. The most common investment option is investing €500,000 in a qualifying fund to get a golden visa. Another investment option is investing €500,000 in scientific or technology research. Another option is a one-time contribution of €250,000 to the government-approved initiative to protect Portugal’s rich cultural legacy Each investment type has specific requirements and conditions.
Portugal’s economy is expected to grow by 1.8% in 2024, making it a stable and secure investment location. The country offers a safe investment environment due to its stable political and economic landscape, membership in the European Union, and transparent legal system. However, as with any investment, thorough research and consultation with legal and financial advisors are essential to make informed decisions.