Portugal Golden Visa Programme

How to gain Residence by Investment in Portugal?

The Portugal Golden Visa programme requires one of the following types of investment:

Our advisors will be happy to assist you and to provide you with a capital outlay for the Portugal Golden Visa Programme so that you can have the full associated cost needed to apply for Portuguese residency.

Our team will guide you through the process of applying for Portuguese residency through the Portugal Golden Visa programme and the Consultants from Sotheby’s International Realty will be able to help you find the right property for your investment needs whilst also fulfilling the investment criteria for the Programme.

Portugal Golden Visa Programme: The Benefits

Investors find Portugal enticing not only due to its warm temperatures but also as it enables them to easily conduct business. It comes, in fact, with Visa-Free travel throughout the European Schengen area, and gives the possibility to live and work in Portugal for an indefinite period of time – this also offers the inclusion of family members too.

Furthermore, investors who gain the Portugal Golden Visa will be able to gain Portuguese Residency and Citizenship after five years of holding this temporary residency, provided that additional qualifying criteria are met.

With its unique advantages and a relatively low investment amount, Portuguese Residency through the Golden Visa Residence Programme has turned out to be the perfect gateway or second home in Europe for families searching to relocate into Continental Europe.

Portugal’s Tax Regime – The Non-Habitual Regime (NHR)

Portugal offers a very interesting option to those who wish to reside in the country and benefit from a special tax regime. An investor who has successfully acquired a Golden Visa - and has therefore the right to legally reside in Portugal - can gain access to the Non-Habitual Tax (NHR) Regime.

The NHR regime is available to non-resident individuals who decide to become residents in Portuguese territory, provided that they have not been taxed as Portuguese resident taxpayers in Portugal for the 5 prior years.
The NHR has a duration of ten consecutive years, non renewable. In each of such years, the individuals will be required to be considered as Portuguese tax resident which comes alongside tax exemption on almost all sources of income coming from outside of Portugal.

In order to benefit from the NHR regime, applicants will have to become tax residents in Portugal; this meaning, in general terms, that they will have to stay more than 183 days in Portuguese territory, or if staying less time, keep a house in Portugal which can be considered as their personal and permanent address.

Certain sources of income stemming from within Portugal, like employment or self-employment income, are liable to a reduced rate of 20%, as opposed to the general progressive rates of up to 48%, as long as the income is derived from high added value activities.

Regarding income derived from foreign sources, such as self-employment income, capital investment, real estate, capital gains and pensions income, will be exempt from taxation in Portugal as long as certain conditions are verified.

Furthermore, Portugal does not have a Wealth Tax and offers tax exemption on gifts or inheritance to direct family members. Last but not least, those who qualify for the NHR have free remittance of funds to Portugal.

Should you have any doubts concerning the above, we encourage you to reach out to us and a member of our team of specialists will be happy to help you navigate the intricacies of Portugal’s tax regime, supporting you in finding the best solution to your needs.

Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility

The Portugal Golden Visa programme requires applicants for Portuguese residency to fulfil a certain amount of requirements:

• Applicant must be non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess a clean criminal record from both home country and Portugal
• The required investment must originate from outside Portugal, and applicants will need to have a bank account opened in the country.
• The investment must be made BEFORE submitting the application to the Portuguese Immigration Authorities (SEF)
• Commit to maintaining the investment for at least another five years

The Portugal Golden Visa can be extended to family members, namely children, spouse and dependent family members. Portuguese law defines dependents as:

• The principal applicant's spouse in a monogamous marriage or in another relationship having the same or a similar status to marriage. The term "spouse" is construed as gender-neutral;
• Children, including adopted, of the principal applicant or his spouse who, at the time of application, are less than 18 years of age;
• Children over the age of 18 years old, not married, and principally dependent on the principal applicant;
• Financially dependent parents or grandparents of the principal applicant or of his spouse; or
• Disabled adult children of the principal applicant or spouse.
• Minor siblings (on the condition that they are legally under the responsibility of the resident in their country of origin).

Should you have any doubts or queries, contact us at [email protected] and one of our consultants will be glad to assist you further.

Documents needed to apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal

The documentation needed to apply for a Portuguese Golden Visa must be translated in Portuguese if in any other language.

The investment, in any of its variants, be made prior to the application for Residence in Portugal under the Golden Visa procedures. Generally speaking, documents needed to apply for a Portuguese Golden Visa are the following:

• Application form and application fee confirmation;
• Birth and Marriage certificates
• Police criminal records
• Passport and ID cards
• Driving license, residence cards, etc.

For a particular and detailed checklist, please contact our team of advisors to ensure you apply for a Portugal Golden Visa correctly and hassle-free.

What is a NIF, what is it used for, and how do I acquire one?

A NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is an Individual Tax Identification Number which is used for a number of actions within Portugal.

First and foremost, it is essential to be appointed one in order to proceed with the purchase of real estate within the country. It is also used for a variety of uses such as getting a phone subscription, signing up for utilities, paying taxes in Portugal, receiving social security payments, purchasing a car, and, most importantly, opening a bank account.

Our highly qualified team of experts will aid you in the pursuit of a Portugal Golden Visa, providing guidance through the subtleties of steps such as applying for a NIF, ensuring you peace of mind throughout the entire process.

Opening a bank account in Portugal

Opening a bank account in Portugal is relatively easy if all the correct documentation is provided and if all criteria is met by the applicant. CSB Group ensures that everything is in place before applying to the local Portuguese bank, taking care of the formalities from start to finish, and guiding you step-by-step throughout the entire process.

How can CSB Group help you apply for Portuguese residency?

CSB Group provides top-notch services to families worldwide. Having more than 35 years in the Service Industry, CSB Group has been guiding worldwide Private Clients and High-Net-Worth families with their Investment Immigration needs and strategies from the inception of such immigration programmes.

The Portugal Golden Visa Programme has a processing timeframe which ranges between approximately 4-6 months from the submission of the application to the issuing of the eResidence cards. The CSB Group Advisory Team will assist you and your family in every step of the journey to gain residence in Portugal through the Portugal Golden Visa Programme.

Also, the Associates from Sotheby’s International Realty will assist you in finding the best and most suitable properties for both your family desires and your investment needs. Sotheby’s International Realty can give you access to the finest and most luxurious properties in the country, guiding you through the process of buying a property that fulfils the real estate investment criteria required to get a Portugal Golden Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Portuguese Golden Visa

Does a Portugal Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

Yes. Applicants that hold a Golden Visa permit can apply for Permanent Residence and Citizenship in Portugal after 5 consecutive years.

What are the costs involved in obtaining the Portugal Golden Visa?

Applicants will need to make an investment of minimum €350,000 in real estate or private equity funds.

From 2021 onwards, investments in Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve won’t qualify for the purposes of the Golden Visa programme.

What is the Portugal Golden Visa processing time?

Normally an application for the Portuguese Golden Visa programme takes approximately 4-6 months.

Can American citizens apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

Yes. American citizens can apply for the Golden Visa permit and the Private Equity fund being the most popular option.

Can I live in another country?

With a Portuguese Golden Visa, you will be able to reside in Portugal but not in any other country of the EU. However, you will have Visa-Free access within the Schengen area.

Is my family eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa Programme?

Yes. Applicants that can be included in any application are the spouse, children, and parent dependants over 65 years old.

How can I get permanent residency in Portugal?

After 5 consecutive years, applicants can apply for Long Term Residence and Portuguese Citizenship.

In case of further doubt, contact us at [email protected] where one of our experts will take on your query and be happy to assist you.