Portugal Golden Visa 2024 – Apply Now

Moving to Portugal is an exciting prospect for a lot of individuals. The country is blessed with a wealth of natural beauty, an intriguing and deep history, a decent level of living with affordable housing, excellent medical and educational resources, and a vibrant and amiable culture.

Getting citizenship through investing has grown in popularity over time. Portugal followed suit and launched the Golden Visa program, which grants non-EU citizens permission to stay in Portugal in exchange for financial contributions. However, this program was just discontinued. Get all the information you require to apply for a Portugal Golden Visa by reading on.

Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency visa for non-EU foreigners who have made a significant investment in Portugal, such as purchasing real estate, making a capital investment, or creating jobs. A quick and simple path to citizenship and permanent residence in an EU country is the Golden Visa, which allows you to apply for Portuguese citizenship in as little as five years.

If you receive a Golden Visa after five years, you are eligible to petition for naturalization. Unlike other countries, the Golden Visa procedure does not require you to live in Portugal during that period in order to get Portuguese citizenship.

It just takes seven to fourteen days a year to see the country in its entirety. But you’ll need to prove that you have a place to reside in Portugal, a steady job, and at least a passing familiarity with Portuguese.

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Portugal Golden Visa requirements

To get a Golden Visa in Portugal, you have to invest in one of the following:

• Invest at least EUR 500,000 in a property. If you purchase in a low-density area, you will need to put down EUR 400,000.
• For EUR 350,000, buy a piece of real estate in a Portuguese urban regeneration area. If you would want to invest in a low-density area, the investment amount is EUR 280,000. The Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service, or SEF, must be able to support the initiative.
• Invest at least EUR 350,000 in a fund that has been authorized. Investment decisions are regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), and they usually entail venture capital investments in newly established tech companies or real estate.
• Make a capital transfer of at least €1 million to a Portuguese bank account.
• Invest at least one million euros in the company’s equity.
• Invest a minimum of one million euros in a company.
• Provide Portuguese nationals with at least ten positions.
• To create at least five full-time jobs, a minimum of EUR 350,000 must be invested in starting a new firm or increasing the share capital of an already-existing company.
• A minimum of EUR 350,000 in funding should be made available to private or public research institutes to assist science and technology research projects.
• Make a capital contribution of at least €250,000 to the preservation of the arts or national heritage.
• Portugal’s eligibility for a Golden Visa
• You need to fulfill the following requirements to be qualified for a Portugal Golden Visa:
• You must be over the age of eighteen.
• You must make a sizable financial commitment that will support the Portuguese economy.
• You have to be free from criminal history.
• You have to own the money that you wish to invest.
• It is your commitment to continue investing for a minimum of another five years.

Benefits of Portugal Golden

• Residence in an EU country: The Golden Visa enables you and your family to reside, work, and study in Portugal. You are granted access to the European Union as a resident of Portugal, which includes the ability to travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area.
• Citizenship Pathway: Upon the completion of five years of the Golden Visa, you may be eligible to petition for Portuguese citizenship. This can result in the acquisition of an EU passport, which affords the right to unrestricted movement, employment, and residency in all EU member states.
• Flexible Residency Requirements: The Portugal Golden Visa necessitates minimal residency. Portugal is an ideal destination for individuals who desire to maintain residency without the necessity of residing in the country full-time, as it necessitates an average of seven days per year.
• Reunification of Family: The Golden Visa enables you to include your immediate family members, including your spouse, children, and dependent parents, in your application. They are entitled to the same residency benefits as you.
• Tax Benefits: Portugal provides a tax regime that is advantageous for non-habitual residents (NHR), enabling them to enjoy reduced tax rates or even tax exemptions on specific categories of income for up to ten years.
• High Quality of Life: Portugal is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, rich history, pleasant climate, and high quality of living. You have the opportunity to take advantage of the country’s exceptional healthcare system, education, and safety opportunities as a resident.
• Investment Opportunities: The Golden Visa program requires investing in Portuguese real estate, enterprises, or funds. This can be a profitable investment, particularly in the real estate market, which has experienced substantial growth in recent years.
• Education Accessibility: Portugal’s education system, which encompasses public, private, and international institutions, is accessible to you and your family members as a Golden Visa holder. If you have children who are of school age, this can be especially advantageous.
• Retirement Destination: Portugal is becoming more and more popular as a retirement destination as a result of its favorable tax regime, high quality of life, and affordable cost of living. The Golden Visa offers a means of retiring in Portugal.
• Permanent Residency: Upon the completion of five years of holding a Golden Visa, it is possible to petition for permanent residency in Portugal. This status provides access to social security and healthcare, as well as many of the same rights as citizens.
• Cultural Diversity and Richness: Portugal is a country with a diverse heritage and a wealthy cultural heritage. The opportunity to experience a distinctive combination of modernity and tradition is provided by residing in Portugal.

Portugal Golden Visa required documents

To register for a Portugal Golden Visa, the following documentation is required:

• The formal request for a Portugal visa
• a valid passport
• Two passport-sized pictures that meet the requirements for Portugal visa photos
• Authentic documentation of health insurance obtained in Portugal
• proof that the subject has never been arrested before. Every country where you have lived for more than a year requires you to hold a certificate. The certificate, which was granted within the last three months, needs to be translated into Portuguese and attested by the relevant authorities.
• a declaration pledging to hold onto your money for a minimum of five years
• confirmation of the refund on the ARI website

Acquiring a minimum of EUR 500,000 worth of real estate property

• The official application for a visa to Portugal
  a current passport
  Two passport-sized images that satisfy the Portugal visa photo criteria
• Real health insurance documents acquired in Portugal
• evidence that the person has never been arrested before. You need a certificate in any country where you have resided for more than a year. The certificate must be translated into Portuguese and certified by the appropriate authorities. It was awarded during the last three months.
• a statement promising to keep your funds for a minimum of five years
• the ARI website confirming the reimbursement

A 350,000 euro property investment in a Portuguese urban renewal area

• The aforementioned documents
• An official declaration confirming the property’s position within a regeneration area

Money transfer into a bank account totaling at least EUR 1 million:

• verification of the deposit from a Portuguese-registered financial institution. The transfer cannot be accompanied by any costs or obligations.

Creation of a minimum of ten jobs:

• The Portuguese-registered declaration of a financial institution confirming the required deposit
• distinct employment contracts between the employer and employees
• If you are a shareholder in a company: A passage taken from the Companies Registry

Investment in the arts

An official declaration from the Portuguese Strategy, Planning, and Cultural Assessment Office confirming your commitment to maintaining the nation’s cultural legacy or fostering the arts and certifying that they have consulted with the appropriate authorities in the field
a declaration from a Portuguese financial organization confirming the transfer of the assets

Investment on Research

• A declaration from a public or private scientific research organization confirming the investment
• a declaration from a Portuguese financial organization confirming the transfer of the assets

How to Apply for a Portugal Golden Visa

The following steps make up the Portuguese Golden Visa application process:

Visit Portugal and make an investment

You (or your lawyers) should arrange an earlier visit to Portugal to review your options and start the investment process. Let’s imagine that you wish to make a real estate investment during your first visit. If it’s your preference, in that case you will visit houses, speak with lawyers, and grant a representative power of attorney.

If you choose to invest in one of the other options, your lawyer will help you set up the necessary meetings and documentation for the transfer. If you are from a country where visa requirements apply, you may need a Portuguese Schengen visa to enter Portugal for this short initial visit.

Create a tax number and bank account in Portugal

To finalize your investment, you need to get a Portuguese tax number and bank account.

A tax number obtained at the local Tax and Customs Authority office (the Taxpayer Registration Services) is also known as an NIF number, or Número de Identificação Fiscal. To be qualified for a Portuguese tax number, you will have to turn in documents and complete a series of forms (provided by the tax office).

You can open a bank account in Portugal with any reputable financial institution. The process is fairly straightforward and is the same wherever in the world: all you need to do is visit the bank and ask to have an account opened.

For both of these procedures, you will require identification, proof of address, and evidence of income.

Finish off your investment

Once your bank account and tax number are set up, you can finally complete your investment. The investment might take many months to finish, so in the interim, you’ll need to get the paperwork you need to apply for a Golden Visa.

Apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa

After your investment is finished, you can now apply at the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) for a Portuguese Golden Visa. The following are the steps involved:

• Join the Residence Permits for Investment Activities (ARI) Portal by creating an account. ARI is the name of the SEF’s online gateway for handling Golden Visa applications. Either you or a legal representative can register on your behalf.
• Provide the required documents in electronic format (in PDF format, no more than 4 MB in size).
• Cover all relevant fees.
• Await the confirmation from the SEF.
• Schedule a time to submit your Golden Visa application at a nearby SEF branch.

If you would prefer not to apply for the visa in person, give a legal representative Power of Attorney (POA) to apply on your behalf. La Vida’s golden visa specialists are one such example. Your lawyer can then help you with the investment and the visa application process for you and your family.

Obtain your residency permit in Portugal

After submitting your application, you might not receive your resident permission card for three to six months. The initial one-year expiration period of the card can be extended for a maximum of five years through renewal.

If you possess a Portuguese resident permit card, you can live, work, and enjoy all the same rights as other Portuguese citizens in Portugal.

Apply for permanent residency or citizenship

Five years following your investment, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residence. It is now necessary for you to demonstrate your Portuguese connection and clear a general knowledge test. The test confirms your ability to converse in Portuguese at least at the A2 level and your general knowledge of Portuguese law and society. There are no residency restrictions.

Portuguese or English translations of the supporting documentation for your Portuguese Golden visa application should be sought. Translations should be carried out by a qualified translator. Apostille stamps are required to legalize some documents, such as those about civil status.

Portugal Golden Visa costs

In addition to the initial investment (e.g., EUR 500,000 in real estate), you also have to pay the following government fees:

• Each family member’s processing fee is 533 euros.
• Each family member requires a Golden Visa, which costs EUR 5,325 to issue.
• Each family member’s residency permit renewal costs €2,663.

Depending on how much money you spend, you will also likely have to pay for the assistance and counsel of consultants, lawyers, and other experts to help you through the process. It is imperative to take into account the issue, translation, and legalization of documents (Apostille Stamp).

Portugal Golden Visa validity

A Portugal Golden Visa is valid during the first year. After that, you can renew it every two years provided you have maintained your investment. After five years, you can seek for citizenship or permanent residency.

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