How Much Is A Golden Visa In Portugal
Portugal is the third-most popular citizenship by investment program, trailing only Saint Kitts and Nevis and Cyprus. A report published earlier this year by Henley & Partners, a consultancy, noted that as of March this year, “Legislative changes are set to grant inheritance rights to [Portuguese] Golden Visa investors’ children, thus allowing [them] to apply for Portuguese nationality through ‘naturalization.'” Essentially, Portugal is doing all it can to attract more foreign millionaires—and they’re making some attractive offers in the process.People who want to live in Portugal, but have no links to the country or family already living there, can turn to a Golden Visa program that allows them to become residents of this exotic nation and enable them to enjoy all its economic and cultural benefits. In turn they must invest a minimum of half a million euros into real estate in Portugal.
How Much Is A Golden Visa In Portugal
Corporate Golden Visa programs, together with Individual Investor Programs in Spain and Portugal, are still expanding. The increasing number of real estate investment opportunities available is attracting more and more foreign investors, who want to not only invest their money but also contribute with capital gains tax revenue to these countries’ budgets.
Find out how to get Portuguese residency and citizenship through the Portuguese Golden Visa program
Portugal’s Golden Visa may not be Europe’s only residency by investment program, but it is arguably the most popular—and most successful.
Launched in 2012, the Golden Visa residency by investment initiative was introduced by the government during the height of Portugal’s financial crisis.
While the program was first established by a conservative government, the initiative was extended by the current socialist coalition after it took power in 2015.
By implementing the Golden Visa program, the Portuguese government hoped to attract a steady flow of capital from foreign property buyers and investors. The government believed these investments would help to reignite the country’s economy and real estate market.
Their plan worked. Since introducing the Golden Visa, Portugal has granted residency to more than 7,500 non-Europeans and generated €4.6 billion EUR ($5 billion USD as of October 4, 2019).
By driving a steady stream of investment – particularly into real estate – the program has helped fuel a property boom in Portugal. Record-high increases in investment, along with booming exports and climbing tourism rates, have contributed to Portugal’s economic resurgence.
The government has called the country’s unprecedented economic growth the most sustainable since 1995 as investment soars to the highest levels ever.
Portugal’s hugely popular program has inspired several European countries to follow their lead, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Perks like freedom of movement, tax advantages, and access to EU residency have made Portugal’s Golden Visa one of the most popular across Europe and around the world.
So what exactly is the Golden Visa, and how can investors obtain one? If you are seeking information about Portugal’s famed Golden Visa, this guide will help you navigate the program with information on benefits, eligibility requirements, the application process, and more.
What Is the Portuguese Golden Visa?
Portugal’s Golden Visa—also known as Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento (ARI) or the Golden Residence Permit Program—allows non-EU/EEA citizens and eligible family members to obtain permanent residency and other benefits in return for a qualifying five-year investment in Portugal.
Eligible family members include your spouse and children who are under 18 or enrolled in studies and supported by you, as well as dependent parents or in-laws.
Once you have a Golden Visa, you and each of your family members receive a temporary residence permit in Portugal for one year that can be renewed for two-year periods after your first year.
After five years, you and your family can obtain permanent residence in Portugal. After obtaining permanent residency, you will all be eligible to apply for citizenship.
As a resident of Portugal, you can cross international borders without a passport or visa within the Schengen area, which includes 26 European countries.
The Schengen area currently consists of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Cyprus are currently in the process of joining the Schengen region.
As a citizen of Portugal, you can live and work anywhere in the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Portugal’s Golden Visa program sets itself apart because it only requires investors to spend an average of seven days in Portugal per year. And unlike many other Golden Visa programs, the program has not been blacklisted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Portugal’s Golden Visa requirements
Any non-EU/EEA or non-Swiss citizen who makes a qualifying investment in Portugal is eligible for a Golden Visa. Qualifying investments to obtain a Golden Visa typically fall into one of three categories: real estate, business, or capital contributions. Investment opinions include:
- Transferring at least €1,000,000 EUR ($1,095,890.00 USD) to Portugal.
- Creating 10 or more jobs in Portugal.
- Purchasing real estate in Portugal with a value of at least €500,000 ($547,945).
- Purchasing real estate in a Portuguese urban regeneration area that is at least 30 years old with a value of at least €350,000 ($383,561).
- Investing at least €350,000 ($383,561) in scientific research in Portugal.
- Investing at least €250,000 ($273,972) in arts productions or natural cultural heritage in Portugal.
- Investing at least €350,000 ($383,561) in a venture capital fund from a Portuguese company that is at least five years old and has a head office in Portugal.
- Investing €350,000 ($383,561) into an existing Portuguese company and creating five permanent jobs for a three-year period.
- Investing at least €500,000 ($548,595) in an environmental project involving eco-tourism, organic farming, renewable energy, or carbon neutrality.
To claim residency through the program, you must maintain your investment for a minimum of five years from the date your Golden Visa was established.
In addition, you must spend a minimum of seven days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) in Portugal during your first year. After the first year, you only need to spend a minimum of 14 days in Portugal over each two-year period.
Preparing to apply
Obtaining a Portuguese Golden Visa is fairly straightforward, but the process does require a fair bit of preparation and paperwork. Before you begin the application, you should complete the following steps:
1. Consider hiring a lawyer.
While not required, it is advisable to work with a Portuguese attorney when making your investment and applying for your Golden Visa.
Portuguese law can be complex, particularly if you don’t speak Portuguese. Because you are working with a significant investment, it is a good idea to secure legal assistance from a lawyer—preferably one with experience in Golden Visa investments.
During the investment process, your lawyer can make recommendations, review contracts, and make sure everything is in order from the legal side of things before you finalize.
Your attorney can also help you obtain the required documents relating to your investment. Your attorney can even file a Golden Visa application on your behalf as your legal representative.
2. Obtain a NIF.
A Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF) is a tax identification number required to conduct certain transactions in Portugal—including opening a bank account, buying property, and signing up for phone and utility services.
You can obtain a NIF by dropping by your nearest tax office (called “Finanças”) with your passport and proof of address. This could be proof of your address either inside Portugal or in your home country if you are not yet a registered resident.
Note that if your home address is not located in the EU/EEA, you will need to provide the name of a Portuguese attorney, friend, family member, or accountant that tax authorities can communicate with on your behalf.
3. Open a Portuguese bank account.
If you don’t already have one, open a Portuguese bank account. A local bank account is needed to provide confirmation that shows you have transferred funds and made the required investment to complete your Golden Visa application.
The process may vary depending on the bank you choose and where your country of residence is, but you will typically have to provide your NIF in addition to proof of address and income and (ideally) your profession.
You are usually required to make a €250 ($274) deposit via cash or money transfer when you first open the account. Portugal has an excellent banking system with many reputable institutions; we recommend checking out Novo Banco, Banco CTT, or CGD.
4. Make your investment.
You will need to make your investment before you can begin your Golden Visa application. If you are going the real estate route, note that buying property in Portugal generally requires between one and three months to finalize.
5. Collect, translate, and certify required documents.
To apply for a Golden Visa application, you must submit personal documents and proof of investment(s) including:
- Your valid passport or another official and valid ID
- Proof of your legal entry into Portugal
- A certified background check from your country of residence that has been issued within 90 days of submitting your application
- A form authorizing Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service or Serviço de Fronteiras e Estrangeiros (SEF) to access your criminal record in Portugal
- Proof of health insurance that covers your stay in Portugal that has been issued within 90 days of submitting your application
- A declaration that states you have met the investment requirements
- Proof of compliance with Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and Social Security obligations issued within 45 days of submitting your application
- Proof of investment and commitment to maintaining it for five years, such as a deed for a real estate purchase or bank statement for a financial investment
Documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified by a Portuguese notary or Portuguese consulate in their country of origin. Because gathering, translating, and certifying documents can take some time, it’s a good idea to start this step as soon as possible.
5. Create an online account.
Before you can begin your actual application, you must pre-register online by creating an account with the SEF website.
To create your online account, you will need to provide basic information about yourself and the type of investment you have made. If your lawyer is completing the application on your behalf, they can register you here.