We’ve pulled the most important points together you need to know about the Golden Visa program in Portugal.
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits for the Golden Visa program in Portugal. The main benefits are listed below:
- You will be registered with the Schengen Area central system which will enable you to enter all European countries without the need for an additional visa (26 European countries) after your application has been approved by the SEF;
- The program is not blacklisted by the organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). Many European countries have Golden Visa programs and the Portuguese government recently reinforced the program;
- After five years, you can apply for the Portuguese citizenship;
- Family reunion is possible which means that certain dependent family members can also get Portuguese residency;
- Access Portuguese healthcare and European education system if wanted;
- You have the security of a second residence in a safe and stable country;
- Having a second passport gives you always the possibility to leave your home country;
- You do not have to actually live in Portugal to get the visa or citizenship;
- You have the option to become a non-habitual resident of Portugal and pay little or no tax for 10 years.
The Portuguese Non-Habitual Tax Regime grants qualifying individuals the possibility of becoming tax residents of a white-listed jurisdiction whilst legally minimizing income tax on certain categories of non-Portugal income for a period of 10 years. Golden Visa holders automatically qualify for the Portuguese Non-Habitual Tax Regime (NHR).
The Golden Visa in Portugal is extendable to family members like:
- Spouse or legal partner;
- Children under 18 years of age;
- Dependent children under 26 as long as they are unmarried and enrolled as full-time students; they also have access the the European education system;
- Parents of either spouse if over the age of 66 years old (or 55 and dependent); and/or siblings under the age of 18 years from either spouse or partner if legally responsible.
Who can apply?
Any grown up who is not a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland can apply for the Golden Visa. The applicants have to make a respective investment in Portugal and also have a clean criminal record. Currently the Golden Visa applications from Iran are suspended. The SEF does not accept the application for safety reasons which were not explained in more detail to the public. The Portuguese embassy in Pakistan is currently closed.
What are the requirements?
The requirements for the Golden Visa in Portugal are:
- An investment in Portugal;
- Clean criminal record in Portugal;
- No previous refusal of entry or visa to the EU;
- Sufficient medical insurance if you decide to stay in Portugal;
- Anyone who applies for the Golden Visa must spend a minimum of 7 days in the country in the first year, and 14 days in the subsequent years;
- Golden Visa applicants must maintain their investment over a period of 5 years if they wish to apply for citizenship.
What are the investment options?
The following options meet the criteria for the citizenship by investment in Portugal:
- Capital transfer of at least 1 million EUR into Portugal;
- The creation of at least 10 job positions in Portugal by founding a company;
- The purchase of real estate in Portugal worth at least EUR 500.000 EUR (reduced to 400.000 EUR if it is located in a low-density area). You can achieve this option also with more than one property which is from an investment point of view even better because rental returns do not grow proportionally with the real estate value;
- The purchase of real estate in Portuguese urban regeneration areas or that is at least 30 years old to the value of at least 350.000 EUR (reduced to 280.000 EUR if located in a low-density area). In this option you have to invest some part of the money into renovations. Such projects need to be approved by SEF as qualifying for the reduced investment amount and it is critical to ensure the right project and legal advice is obtained before embarking on such investment;
- Investment of at least 350.000 EUR in scientific research in Portugal;
- Investment of at least 250.000 EUR in Portuguese arts, culture and heritage;
- Investment of at least 500.000 EUR in small and medium businesses in Portugal;
- Investment into private equity funds. A Golden Visa €350,000 minimum investment can be made to a private equity fund.
What documents are needed?
Along with the Portuguese Golden Visa application, several documents are needed to obtain the Golden Visa:
- Passport or valid travel ID;
- Declaration of compliance with investment requirements;
- Proof of legal entry into Portugal (eg. Schengen short-stay visa);
- Proof of health insurance (issued within the last three months);
- Criminal record certificate from country of origin/residence (issued within the last three months);
- Evidence of compliance with tax and Social Security obligations;
- Receipt of payment of the Portuguese Golden Visa fees;
- A completed permission form which authorizes SEF to your Portuguese criminal records;
- Bank declaration confirming the transfer of funds;
- The applicants need to show commitment to maintain their investment for a minimum of five years, plus evidence of their investment.
The Portuguese Golden Visa application can be submitted online via the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service’s (SEF) website. The application takes up to 6 months for approval.
You need the following certified documents from a Portuguese consulate or the embassy of your country translated into Portuguese
- Criminal certificate from country of origin
- marriage certificate
- Birth certificate of children
On top of those documents, you have to prove that you are committed to maintaining your investment for at least five years, as well as proof of your investment. Some examples of proof you can provide are:
- Deeds of purchase for all real estate investments
- Employment contracts for jobs that you created within the country
- A bank statement that displays your capital contributionsWhat are the costs?
First you have to realize the investment in Portugal. After the investment you can start to apply for the Golden Visa Portugal. The application is made by your lawyer and it takes up to 3-6 months for approval. If you also want to apply for your family members, it will be done at the same time. The first applicant pays € 532,70 processing fee, each additional family member pays € 83,10.
You can find a cost simulation for the 350k and the 500k real estate solution for a family of four here.
The general costs for a family of four without the investments costs a simulated below:
Simulation of general costs for a family of 4, without investment costs
GOLDEN VISA PORTUGAL
Golden Visa application costs (1 investor and 3 family members) |
|
| Process analysis- Biometrics (€ 532,70 for each investor + € 83,10 per family member) | €782,00 |
| Residence Permit processing fees (€ 5.324,40 per person) | €21.297,60 |
| Optional health insurance (per year) | €700,00 |
| Fiscal number and Fiscal representatieve (per year) | €300,00 |
| Total Golden Visa | €23.079,60 |
Golden Visa renovation costs 1st year (1 investor and 3 family members) |
|
| Process analysis- Biometrics (€ 532,70 for each investor + € 83,10 per family member) | €782,00 |
| Residence Permit processing fees (€ 2.666,30 per person) | €10.665,20 |
| Optional health insurance (per year) | €700,00 |
| Fiscal number and Fiscal representatieve (per year) | €300,00 |
| Total | €12.447,20 |
Golden Visa renovation costs 3rd year (1 investor and 3 family members) |
|
| Process analysis- Biometrics (€ 532,70 for each investor + € 83,10 per family member) | €782,00 |
| Residence Permit processing fees (€ 2.666,30 per person) | €10.665,20 |
| Optional health insurance (per year) | €700,00 |
| Fiscal number and Fiscal representatieve (per year) | €300,00 |
| Total | €12.447,20 |
| Source: Martínez-Echevarría & Rivera Abogados | |
What is the application process?
The application for the Golden Visa in Portugal follows a strict process that has to be considered. Your lawyer will guide you through the entire process.
- Decide how you want to make the investment – Before you apply for this visa, you need to have already made your investment. Investing in real estate can take anywhere between one to three months to finalize. Some options also include the renovation of a property. You do not need to wait until the renovations are finished as long as you can prove that you have already deposited the necessary funds in a Portuguese bank.
- Start preparing and compiling your documents – You should start gathering documents for your application as it can take a few months to obtain them all. This can be done in parallel to finding the object in your investment category.
- Get the Portuguese tax number and open a bank account in Portugal – You’ll need to get a Portuguese NIF and open a Portuguese bank account, as well.Both task can be done by you fast when you are in Portugal or remotely if you give somebody like Pearls of Portugal or a lawyer a power of attorney.
- Finalize the investment – You have to decide on a concrete investment and transfer the funds needed to complete your investment to your Portuguese bank account. Please not that the money has to be transferred from an account in your name. Then you can do the investment. In the real estate option the final call should be done by the lawyer that is responsible for the application process.
- Translate the necessary documents into Portuguese – The translation has to be certified by a Portuguese notary or a Portuguese consulate in the country of origin to meet SEF’s requirements.
- File the initial application to the SEF – This steps should be done by a lawyer but you can also take this step by yourself. The Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) has an online portal where you can submit your application. You have to pre-register before you can apply.
- Book your interview – Once you are pre-approved, you can then make your appointment. In bigger Portuguese cities like Lisbon and Faro, it can take up to three months to get an interview. If you schedule your interview in a less populated district, you might be able to reduce your waiting time.
- Attend your appointment and a biometrics collection session – In your appointment, an immigration official will interview you, and they will collect your biometric data. If you are applying with your family, be sure to bring them along so that you can submit all of the applications simultaneously.
- Wait for the final approval – Once your application has been approved, you will pay an authorization fee of 5324,60 EUR per applicant. After 10 days you will receive your residence card, which is valid for 1 year.
- Use and renew the application – The residence card is renewable for two-year periods. In the second year you must submit your biometric data (fingerprints, etc.), present a current criminal record and pay a fee of 2662,30 EUR per applicant. In addition, the cost of the renewalFor the final application for the 4th and 5th year, you must submit your biometric data, present a current criminal record and pay a fee of 266,30 EUR per applicant. In addition, the cost of the renewal process is 532, 70 EUR for the main applicant and 83,10 EUR for each additional family member.
- Become a Portuguese Citizen – After the last renewal process, you can renew your Golden Visa in Portugal or apply for a permanent residence permit, if you’ve maintained your investment and your minimum residency requirements.
