Portugal Golden Visa Programme

  Portugal Golden Visa Programme

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The Portugal Golden Visa Programme is aimed at individuals and families seeking to reside, settle and stay in Portugal and therefore gain Portuguese Residency. The success of the programme comes as no surprise when considering the rich and diverse culture Portugal boasts, the stability it provides for the raising of families, and the warm Mediterranean climate that embraces it.

Portugal Golden Visa Programme – Applying for Portuguese Residency

Financial Diversification and a Residence Permit within the EU

The Portugal Golden Visa Programme is aimed at individuals and families seeking to reside, settle and stay in Portugal, and getting Portuguese residency. The success of the programme comes as no surprise when considering the rich and diverse culture Portugal boasts, the stability it provides for the raising of families and the warm Mediterranean climate that embraces it.

Portugal is a country with full membership to the EU and offering a high standard of living in Continental Europe, as well as healthcare, security, stability and a healthy real estate market.

It is one of the first countries to launch a Residence by Investment programme in EU whose actual name has served to coin the term “Golden Visa” that now is so commonly used to refer to those programmes that offer residence against an investment in the country.

How to gain Residence by Investment in Portugal?

In October 2023, significant modifications were made to Portugal's Golden Visa Programme. Existing applications are not affected by the changes. Nevertheless, real estate related funds and transactions are no longer accepted as eligible investment choices under the programme.

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

Fund Subscription

This entails a minimum contribution of €500,000 to an approved Portuguese fund. Private equity and venture capital funds in Portugal are among the qualified funds; any fund with any kind of direct or indirect connection to real estate is not included.

Company

The creation of ten new full-time positions in a Portuguese company owned by the Main Applicant or the generation of eight new full-time positions in a Portuguese company that is owned by the principal applicant and was established in a low-density area of Portugal, or contribute at least €500,000 to an already-existing Portuguese company; the established company must, during the course of three years, generate a minimum of five new full-time jobs.

Donation

Invest a minimum of €250,000 in preserving national heritage or a minimum of €500,000 in a research and development activity.

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

In 2023 the Non-Habitual Regime in Portugal (NHR) was stopped and replaced by the Fiscal Incentive for Scientific Research and Innovation (IFICI) Programme.

The IFICI will be applicable to individuals who meet three essential conditions:

  • Become/are tax residents in Portugal;
  • Have not been tax residents in the previous five years, and
  • Earn income from certain professional categories such as higher education teachers and high-level people employed in finance and economic sectors etc.

Tax Benefits

  • A special tax rate of twenty percent (20%) on professional income (from employment contracts or services rendered);
  • Exemption from paying taxes on most foreign income, similar to the NHR regime, except retirement pensions.

This exceptional regime will be in effect for 10 consecutive years, as long as the beneficiaries continue to be tax residents in Portugal and generate revenue from qualifying activities.

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.

Key Contacts

Roger A. Strickland Jr.

Director

Contact
Malcolm Ferrante

Senior Manager - Immigration and Relocation

Contact

ABOUT PORTUGAL

Fact File

Full Country Name:
Portuguese Republic

Capital City:
Lisbon

Population:
10,254,000 (As of 2019)

Currency:
euro (€)

Member of the EU:
Since 1986

Total Area SQM in KM:
92,226

Official Languages:
Portugese

Climate: 
Atlantic & Mediterranean Climate - warm in summer and wet in winter

Life Expectancy:
Male: 77.7 years - Female: 83.4 years (As of 2017)

Interesting Fact:
Portugal is the oldest country in Europe

Testimonial

"I have been working with CSB for over 12 years and the words that come to my mind are trust and responsibility. CSB is an integrated part of my companies – it’s simple and safe and lets me focus on the bigger picture."

Andreas L. Borgmann

Reddo Holding Ltd

We chose Malta as our new permanent home and CSB Group to help us through the residency process. They went way beyond our expectations treating our application as if it were their own. Their service was nothing short of stellar from understanding our needs preparation of the required documentation, and follow-up phase during a period with the sharpest movement restrictions. Malta deserves a place on every investor’s radar, mostly because of the surprising efficiency permeating the place, efficiency which starts with CSB.

Christian G.

Thank you for making everything run perfectly smooth for us. Your team looks after us as if we were their parents and they are everything one can wish for; accurate, fast and with a vast knowledge. We are very fond of CSB Group and we are more than content.

Retired Swiss Entrepreneur

CSB Group have been loyal partners to our development-stage medical technology company. CSB provides local oversight to our Malta subsidiary that is thorough and compliant. As a result, we have the confidence that a successful development project should yield maximum value for our shareholders.

Fred McCoy

NeuroTronik

We have had the good fortune of working with Andres and his team at CSB on a variety of citizenship and residency matters for our clients. CSB has given us thoughtful and thorough advice and been an invaluable partner. Despite being many time zones and thousands of miles away, Andres and his team are incredibly responsive and willing to speak at any hour of the day. We would certainly recommend them to anyone seeking best-in-class legal advice related to global citizenship and residency issues.

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Need our assistance with Citizenship & Residence Programmes?

CSB Group has more than 35 years of experience and the expertise needed to help you with all your immigration service needs.

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T: +356 2557 2557

F: +356 2557 2558

E: [email protected]

Get in Touch with NAME

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