The Ultimate Guide — Portuguese Golden Visa
The Portuguese Golden Visa enables third country nationals to obtain a temporary residence permit to conduct business activities with visa waiver to enter Portugal. Each Golden Visa residence permit is valid for 2 years.
All third country citizens who invest in Portugal through one of the below mentioned investment options are eligible, provided they fulfil the quantitative and the time requirements set out by law.
Portuguese, EU and EEE nationals are not eligible for the ARI/Golden Visa scheme.
The granting of a residence permit shall entail:
The absence of any fact which would preclude the granting of the visa.
Absence of conviction for a crime which in Portugal is punishable by a custodial sentence of more than one year.
The applicant is not within a period of prohibition of entry into the national territory.
No indication in the Schengen Information System.
Why should I apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa residence permit?
Enables you to live and work in Portugal, if you stay physically in Portugal for a period of at least 14 days during the validity of your residence permits (2 years each).
Very low minimum stays requirements in Portugal — a minimum of 35 days in 5 years.
Family reunification.
Residence visa waiver for entering Portugal.
Visa exemption for travelling within the Schengen Area for 90 days out of 180.
Applying for permanent residence after 5 years.
Applying for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years.
Which family members can be added?
Main Investor.
Spouse (same sex is also qualified).
Minor children.
Adult children, financially dependent and single.
Parents and parents in Law.
What are the most popular investment options?
a) Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1,5 million Euros.
b) The purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros.
c) The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for rehabilitation works, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros.
d) Capital transfer of the amount of 500 thousand Euros, or higher, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds dedicated to the capitalization of companies, capital injected under the Portuguese legislation, whose maturity, now of the investment, is, at least, of five years and, at least, 60% of the investments is realized in commercial companies with head office in national territory.
Portuguese Golden Visa Real Estate:
Investments from 280 thousand Euros to 500 thousand Euros.
Applicable acquisition taxes are 6% IMT + 0,8% Stamp Duty.
Annual municipal tax is 0.3% to 0.5%.
Tax on income generated by the property is 28%.
Need to file a Portuguese tax return regarding income generated by the property in Portugal.
Residential, Comercial and touristic real estate.
Since January 2022, the acquisition of residential properties in Lisbon, Porto and the Silver coast are not eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa anymore. Comercial properties and projects qualified as touristic are still eligible under the same conditions as before.
Portuguese Golden Visa real estate investment in low density areas?
For real estate investments the required amount in those areas is reduced by 20%. Real Estate purchase will be eligible from 400 thousand Euros or 280 thousand Euros if rehabilitation works are planned.
Portuguese Golden Visa Investment Funds:
Investment of 500 thousand Euros.
0% taxes for non-residents and 10% tax for residents.
Possible to split investment between two or more funds.
Investment is locked up for around 7 years.
No need to file a Portuguese tax return.
Characteristics:
They are professionally managed by experts.
Dividends and capital gains returned to investors may be tax-exempt for non-residents in Portugal.
Annual yield between 2% and 9%.
Regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).
An advantage of the Golden Visa Investment Fund is that compared to real estate you will not pay acquisition tax (around 6%) neither stump duty tax (0,8%) of the property value. By deciding to apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa through the investment fund compared to real estate acquisitions will save you a lot of time and legal fees.
Advantages:
Invest directly into the Real Estate development market in Portugal.
Easiest and quickest way to be eligible for Portuguese Golden Visa, starting at 500 thousand Euros.
All investments will be audited and evaluated by certified and independent companies.
Asset’s diversification.
Tax exempt on the withdraw for nonresidents and 10% for Portuguese tax residents.
Which personal documents do you need to provide for your Portuguese Golden Visa application?
1) A valid copy of a passport of all family members.
2) Proof of the main applicant’s individual qualifying investment. In case you purchase a property you need to provide a deed or when investing in a fund, you’ll need confirmation of your subscription from the fund’s management.
3) A declaration from your Portuguese bank.
4) Proof of medical coverage.
5) A background check (including criminal record) of your present country of residence. The certificate has a validity of 90 days.
6) A completed form granting Portuguese immigration authorities (SEF) permission to access criminal records in Portugal.
7) A sworn declaration that the minimum investment conditions will be hold for five years.
8) Documents demonstrating compliance with the Portuguese tax authority and social security.
9) ARI program payment receipt.
* All documents above issued by public entities need to be legalized in the country of origin and a certified translation into Portuguese needs to be done.
Administrative Fees paid directly to SEF:
You must pay it once at the beginning and then at each renewal.
For the 1º analysis of the process €533.90 for the main applicant and €83.30 for each dependent.
When the residence permit is approved and before it is issued €5,336.40, per person. Each renewal will be €2,668.20, per person.
Our Lawyers can help you with the following Portuguese Golden Visa steps:
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, etc.).
4. Collect and certify the documentation necessary for the application.
5. Apply for the Golden Visa through the government portal.
6. Book the personal interview after SEF notification.
7. Attend the interview in person to submit original documentation and have the biometric data collected.
Timeline:
Golden Visa Residence Permits = 2 years + 2 years + 2 years.
Portuguese Citizenship = 1,5 Years.
Total timeline from starting the process until obtaining the Portuguese citizenship will be around 8 Years, depending on the procedure time of the public entities.
