The Golden Visa programme launched by the Portuguese Authorities is a fast track for investors to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal and consequently free access to the vast majority of European countries (Schengen area).
Aimed at attracting foreign investment to Portugal, the Golden Visa is a very straightforward and flexible programme, with simple and clear legal requirements. With extremely reduced minimum stay requirements, the Golden Visa is clearly one of the most attractive residency programs for investors in the world.
1 - The Golden Visa. What is it?
The Golden Visa Programme launched by the Portuguese Authorities is a fast track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal (“Golden Visa”).
Under the Golden Visa programme, non-EU citizens simply need to carry out one of the investments set out in the law to qualify to obtain a residency permit in Portugal. This residency permit will allow the investor and his family members to enter and/or live in Portugal and to travel freely within the vast majority of European countries (Schengen space).
Aimed at attracting foreign investment to Portugal, the Golden Visa is a very straightforward and flexible programme, with simple and clear legal requirements. With extremely reduced minimum stay requirements, the Golden Visa is clearly one of the most attractive residency programs for investors in the world.
2 - What types of investments are allowed under the Golden Visa rules?
The Golden Visa programme was recently widened to include further types of investment. As a result, the following types of investment now qualify for the Golden Visa programme:
a) Property Investments:
i. Acquisition of property above € 500,000;
ii. Acquisition of property above € 350,000 - for properties more than 30 years old or located in areas of urban renovation.
b) Capital Investments:
i. Transfer of Funds above € 1,000,000;
ii. Transfer of Funds above € 350,000 for research activities;
iii. Transfer of Funds above € 250,000 for artistic or cultural activities;
iv. Transfer of Funds above € 500,000 for capitalization of small and medium size companies.
c) Job creation:
Creation of a minimum of 10 jobs;
It should be noted that only investments effectively made after 8th October 2012 are eligible for the Golden Visa programme.
3 - For how long is the Golden Visa valid?
Once issued, the Golden Visa will be valid for an initial period of 1 (one) year and then will be renewed for subsequent periods of 2 (two) years.
4 - What are the general requirements that the investor has to comply with?
The simplicity of the Golden Visa Programme implies an extremely reduced amount of requirements being asked from the investor. The Golden Visa Programme sets out that the investor must comply with general requirements applicable to all types of qualifying investments and also with the specific requirements of each type of qualifying investment.
In general, all investors have to comply with the following requirements:
a) Keep the investment for a minimum period of 5 years
b) Funds for investment should come from abroad
c) Entry in Portugal with a valid Schengen visa
d) Absence of references in the Portuguese Immigration and the Schengen services
e) Absence of conviction of relevant crime
f) Minimum stay in Portugal: 7 (seven) days during the first year and 14 (fourteen) days during each subsequent period of two years
5 - What are the specific characteristics for each type of qualifying investment?
Each type of qualifying investment has specific characteristics, as follows:
(a) Property Acquisitions
i. Acquisition of property above € 500.000;
- Minimum investment of € 500,000
- Purchase of one or multiple properties
- All property types qualify
- Possibility of co-ownership;
- Freedom to use, rent or lease
- Investment amount may be reduced by 20% (€ 400,000) in case such investment is made in low density population areas
ii. Acquisition of property above € 350,000
- For properties more than 30 years or located in areas of urban regeneration. This value includes not only the property but also the investment in the refurbishment works
- Possibility of co-ownership
- Freedom to use, rent for commercial or agricultural purposes
- Investment amount may be reduced by 20% (€ 280,000) in case such investment is made in low density population areas
(b) Transfer of Funds
i. Transfer Funds above € 1,000,000
- Minimum investment of € 1 million
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- Total freedom to invest the funds
- Possibility of using the funds to invest in shares of companies
ii. Transfer of Funds of at least € 350,000 applied to research activities carried out by entities which are part of the national scientific and technological system
- Minimum investment above € 350.000
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- To be used in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technologic system
iii. Transfer of Funds of at least € 250,000 applied to investment or support to artistic production or recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage
- Minimum investment above € 250,000
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- Investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage
iv. Transfer of Funds of at least € 500,000 for acquisition of participation units investment funds or capital investment companies for capitalization of small and medium size companies
- Minimum investment above € 500,000
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- Investment used for purchasing shares in investment funds or in venture capital
(c) Job Creation
- Creation of a minimum of 10 jobs
- No minimum investment value
- No limitation on areas/activities
- Compliance with Social Security obligations
- Possibility of grants/incentives/benefits
- Investment amount may be reduced by 20% (8 employees) in case such investment is made in low density population areas
6 - What are the main advantages of the GOLDEN VISA Programme?
The Golden Visa Programme will provide investors with the following advantages:
- No need to obtain a visa to enter Portugal
- No need to obtain a visa to travel in Europe (Schengen area)
- Living and working in Portugal, even with residency in a different country
- Residency extended to family members
- Extremely low minimum stay periods
- Low taxes (see questions 22 – 24)
- Permanent Residency after 5 years
- Citizenship after 6 years
Aimed at attracting foreign investment to Portugal, the Golden Visa is a very straightforward and flexible programme, with simple and clear legal requirements. With extremely reduced minimum stay requirements, the Golden Visa is clearly one of the most attractive residency programs for investors in the world.
1 - The Golden Visa. What is it?
The Golden Visa Programme launched by the Portuguese Authorities is a fast track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal (“Golden Visa”).
Under the Golden Visa programme, non-EU citizens simply need to carry out one of the investments set out in the law to qualify to obtain a residency permit in Portugal. This residency permit will allow the investor and his family members to enter and/or live in Portugal and to travel freely within the vast majority of European countries (Schengen space).
Aimed at attracting foreign investment to Portugal, the Golden Visa is a very straightforward and flexible programme, with simple and clear legal requirements. With extremely reduced minimum stay requirements, the Golden Visa is clearly one of the most attractive residency programs for investors in the world.
2 - What types of investments are allowed under the Golden Visa rules?
The Golden Visa programme was recently widened to include further types of investment. As a result, the following types of investment now qualify for the Golden Visa programme:
a) Property Investments:
i. Acquisition of property above € 500,000;
ii. Acquisition of property above € 350,000 - for properties more than 30 years old or located in areas of urban renovation.
b) Capital Investments:
i. Transfer of Funds above € 1,000,000;
ii. Transfer of Funds above € 350,000 for research activities;
iii. Transfer of Funds above € 250,000 for artistic or cultural activities;
iv. Transfer of Funds above € 500,000 for capitalization of small and medium size companies.
c) Job creation:
Creation of a minimum of 10 jobs;
It should be noted that only investments effectively made after 8th October 2012 are eligible for the Golden Visa programme.
3 - For how long is the Golden Visa valid?
Once issued, the Golden Visa will be valid for an initial period of 1 (one) year and then will be renewed for subsequent periods of 2 (two) years.
4 - What are the general requirements that the investor has to comply with?
The simplicity of the Golden Visa Programme implies an extremely reduced amount of requirements being asked from the investor. The Golden Visa Programme sets out that the investor must comply with general requirements applicable to all types of qualifying investments and also with the specific requirements of each type of qualifying investment.
In general, all investors have to comply with the following requirements:
a) Keep the investment for a minimum period of 5 years
b) Funds for investment should come from abroad
c) Entry in Portugal with a valid Schengen visa
d) Absence of references in the Portuguese Immigration and the Schengen services
e) Absence of conviction of relevant crime
f) Minimum stay in Portugal: 7 (seven) days during the first year and 14 (fourteen) days during each subsequent period of two years
5 - What are the specific characteristics for each type of qualifying investment?
Each type of qualifying investment has specific characteristics, as follows:
(a) Property Acquisitions
i. Acquisition of property above € 500.000;
- Minimum investment of € 500,000
- Purchase of one or multiple properties
- All property types qualify
- Possibility of co-ownership;
- Freedom to use, rent or lease
- Investment amount may be reduced by 20% (€ 400,000) in case such investment is made in low density population areas
ii. Acquisition of property above € 350,000
- For properties more than 30 years or located in areas of urban regeneration. This value includes not only the property but also the investment in the refurbishment works
- Possibility of co-ownership
- Freedom to use, rent for commercial or agricultural purposes
- Investment amount may be reduced by 20% (€ 280,000) in case such investment is made in low density population areas
(b) Transfer of Funds
i. Transfer Funds above € 1,000,000
- Minimum investment of € 1 million
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- Total freedom to invest the funds
- Possibility of using the funds to invest in shares of companies
ii. Transfer of Funds of at least € 350,000 applied to research activities carried out by entities which are part of the national scientific and technological system
- Minimum investment above € 350.000
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- To be used in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technologic system
iii. Transfer of Funds of at least € 250,000 applied to investment or support to artistic production or recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage
- Minimum investment above € 250,000
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- Investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage
iv. Transfer of Funds of at least € 500,000 for acquisition of participation units investment funds or capital investment companies for capitalization of small and medium size companies
- Minimum investment above € 500,000
- Funds transferred from abroad to a bank in Portugal
- Investment used for purchasing shares in investment funds or in venture capital
(c) Job Creation
- Creation of a minimum of 10 jobs
- No minimum investment value
- No limitation on areas/activities
- Compliance with Social Security obligations
- Possibility of grants/incentives/benefits
- Investment amount may be reduced by 20% (8 employees) in case such investment is made in low density population areas
6 - What are the main advantages of the GOLDEN VISA Programme?
The Golden Visa Programme will provide investors with the following advantages:
- No need to obtain a visa to enter Portugal
- No need to obtain a visa to travel in Europe (Schengen area)
- Living and working in Portugal, even with residency in a different country
- Residency extended to family members
- Extremely low minimum stay periods
- Low taxes (see questions 22 – 24)
- Permanent Residency after 5 years
- Citizenship after 6 years