Golden Visa Portugal has been a much-favored means of obtaining a residence permit in Portugal for expats from all over the world. The program has provided residence permits to more than 10,000 non-EU citizens that invested in Portugal. Alongside the permit to reside and work in Portugal, investors have also gained the chance to travel to Schengen countries without requiring a visa.
Portuguese Golden Visa allows family members of the investors to be included in the program, as well.
Moreover, the program not only offers many benefits to the investor but also contributes to the economic advancement in Portugal with the investment condition it sets in exchange for the residence permit. Throughout the years the program has been in effect since 2012, Golden Visa Portugal enabled a capital flow of over €6 billion into Portugal.
Who can apply?
To be able to apply, you need to be a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. In addition to this, you must be at least 18 years old and have no criminal record in both Portugal and your home country. Lastly, you need to have paid the investment amount before entering Portugal to be a valid applicant.
There are a few investment options available for Golden Visa Portugal, all of which require a sub-limit for the amount of investment. Here are some of your options:
- Making a donation – from €250,000
- Investing in a venture capital fund – from €500,000
- Establishing a business
- Making a direct capital transfer to Portugal – from €1.5 million
- Investing in a real estate – from €280,000
If you’re planning to include your family in the program as well, you should note that there are some limitations on that subject. See the family members that can be included in the program below:
- Dependent children younger than 26 years old
- Spouses
- Children under 18 years old
- Parents that are 65 years old or older
Why is Portugal Golden Visa appealing to the investor?
Portugal residency by investment is a good enough deal by itself, but it is not all that Portugal Golden Visa offers. You can find some of the factors that make the program very appealing to the investors below:
- It allows you to wander around among the Schengen countries visa-free
- You can apply to become a citizen of Portugal after holding the residence permit for five years
- It offers many affordable investment options
- You’re only required to stay for seven days in Portugal per year
- Portugal is a safe country that offers a very high quality of life for you and your family
- Living in Portugal is affordable
- Portugal offers education and healthcare of very high standards
In addition to these, there are some additional indirect advantages of the Portuguese Golden Visa. For instance, if you apply and become a citizen at the end of five years of residency, you get to have visa-free entrance rights to 188 countries. Moreover, if you stay 183 days or more in Portugal annually, you can become a tax resident, in which case you’ll be excused from certain taxes during the first ten years of your Portuguese residency.
Application steps for the Portugal Golden Visa
The application process for the Golden Visa Portugal is quite simple but still, there are a few steps you’re required to follow. Here’s what you need to do:
- Select the ideal investment option for you
- Gather the required documents (and your family members’ papers if they’re to be included in the program)
- Open an account in a Portuguese bank
- Obtain a Portuguese tax number
- Pay at least the minimum investment amount
- Fill out the application form on the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service’s website
- Enter Portugal to finalise your application process at SEF
- Attend your biometrics appointment following your approval
- Acquire your residence permit card
This is pretty much it! Now that you know all the basics of Golden Visa Portugal, don’t hesitate to take the first step to an affordable, safe, and high-quality life. Apply today and have a whole new life experience in Portugal.
