PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA PROGRAMME

CAPITAL CITY

Lisbon

LANGUAGE

Portuguese

POPULATION

10,833,816

TIME ZONE

Western European Time Zone UTC+00:00

EU

Member State of the EU, & Schengen Area

VISA FREE COUNTRIES

26 Schengen Countries

TOTAL AREA

92,090 km²

CURRENCY

Euro €

PORTUGAL

Portugal is an EU country enjoying a sound political system, and a fully liberalised market economy. The country offers a European standard of living, including high standards of education and healthcare. Being a Mediterranean country, Portugal boasts of a rich and diverse culture as well as a Mediterranean climate. Portugal has been a member of the European Union since 1986 and of the Schengen Area since 1995. The country’s fast developing market coupled with the access it provides to the entire Schengen Area, makes it an ideal relocation destination for families, as well as businesses. The Portugal Golden Visa Programme is an attractive option to non-EU citizens wishing to reside, study and do business in Europe. The Programme also paves the way to permanent residency and European citizenship.

LEGAL BASIS

Legal amendments in Portuguese law now enable nonEU citizens to apply for a Portuguese Residence Permit in return for transferring capital, creating jobs or acquiring real estate in Portugal. This is possible by virtue of Law 29/2012 and Order number 11820-A/2012.

PERMANENT RESIDENCY & CITIZENSHIP

After 5 years of temporary residence, the applicant may apply for permanent residence in Portugal. This not with standing, with the amendments of the Nationality Act from 2018, the applicant may proceed to apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization after 5 years of continuous legal stay in Portugal, provided that all the legal requirements set out in the Portuguese Nationality Act are fulfilled.

BENEFITS

Right to Live in Portugal

EU Residence Card Free Travel within Schengen

Leads to PR after 5 years of Temporary Residency

Leads to Citizenship after 5 years of Residency

Low Minimum Stay Requirement; 7 days in the 1st year

Family Members Included

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible dependents include the spouse, dependent children and dependent parents, as well as, siblings under the care of the main applicant. Children over the age of 18 may also be considered as dependent given they are unmarried and financially dependent on the main applicant, or enrolled in an academic institution.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

The Portugal Golden Visa Programme offers three investment routes to residency, namely; a transfer of capital, purchase of real estate or an investment aimed at job creation in Portugal.

Real Estate Investment

Applicants selecting the real estate route are required to make an investment ranging between €280,000 and €500,000 depending on the type of property and its location. The minimum investment in new property in Portugal is €500,000 whilst investment in property which is older than 30 years and situated in urban regeneration areas must be valued at least €350,000. Buildings which are older than 30 years in areas with less than 100 habitants per km sq., must be valued at least €280,000.

Job Creation in Portugal

The job creation route entails the creation of at least 10 permanent jobs in Portugal, which jobs must be verified by the local social security institutions.

Capital Transfer

Applicants may also invest in Portugal through a capital transfer. The main applicant may invest €1,000,000 in a Portuguese Financial Institution over a period of 5 years. Alternatively, one may invest €500,000 in investment funds or in venture capital geared for small and medium companies. The financial criteria for the Programme may also be satisfied through an investment of €350,000 in scientific research activities, or a €250,000 investment in arts and culture.

OTHER CRITERIA

Applicants must be able to enter Portugal for the first time on the basis of a valid Schengen Visa, and must then meet the minimum stay requirement of 7 days for the first year and 14 days in subsequent years.