Portuguese Golden Visa — The way to your Portuguese Passport.

Portuguese Passport.

Why should I apply for the portuguese golden visa?

The Portuguese Golden Visa program allows you to invest in Portugal either through the purchase of a property or by investing in an elegible Investment Fund.

The main advantage of the Portuguese Golden Visa is that you are able to continue living in your home country because the legal requirements to mantain the Golden Visa (temporary residence permit) are that you spend at least 7 days per year (during hte validity of your valid residence permit) in Portugal.

After 6 years of holding the golden visa residence permit (time is counted by summing the validity of your residence permits) you may apply for portuguese citizenship which will take around 1 to 1,5 years to be granted.

Who may apply and which investments are elegible?

The Portugal Golden Visa program offers foreign investors and their family the possibility of being granted a residence permit in Portugal through different types of investment.

All third country citizens who conduct one of the following investment activities:

​a) Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros.

b) The creation of, at least, 10 job positions.

c) The purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros.

d) The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros.

e) Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros for investing in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technological system.

f) Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 250 thousand Euros for investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage, through the local and central authorities, public institutions.

g) Capital transfer of the amount of 350 thousand Euros, or higher, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds dedicated to the capitalization of companies.

h) Capital transfer of the amount of 350 thousand Euros, or higher, for constitution of a commercial society with head office in the national territory, combined with the creation of five permanent working jobs.

One of the options is the Portuguese Investment Fund route. It requires an investment of €350K in an eligible investment fund; it is generally faster to complete than the real estate route and does not involve the payment of real estate transaction taxes. You are required to keep the investment for at least 5 years, until you are eligible to apply for permanent residency or portuguese citizenship. In January 2022 the fund investment amount required will be increased to €500K.

Which steps does the lawyer help you with?

1. Obtain the Portuguese tax identification Number (NIF).
2. Open a Portuguese bank account.
3. Complete the eligible investment (complete investment in the Fund, purchase real property...).
4. Collect and certify the documentation necessary for the application.
5. Apply for the Golden Visa through the government portal.
6. Book the interview at the Foreigners and Asylum Service — SEA.
7. Attend the interview in person to submit original documentation and have the biometric data collected.

​Depending on the public services timelines and SEA (formerly SEF) availability, the process may take 10 months, the residence permit will be valid for 2 years and must be renewed at the 2nd and 4th years. In the 5th year each holder of the residence permit will be eligible to apply for a permanent residency and/or the Portuguese citizenship. For both processes it is necessary to prove knowledge of Portuguese language (level A2). Minors can apply for citizenship after one of the parents is granted Portuguese citizenship.