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Portuguese residence permit

Portugal
Golden Visa

Golden Residence Permit Program
for living by the ocean and travelling
across Europe visa-free

Download the guide Calculate the cost
€250,000+ Investment amount
8-10 months Obtaining period
5 years Return of investment

Portugal started issuing residence permits by investment in 2012. The program is popular among investors: 27,000 applicants got Golden Visas in the last 10 years.

Investors choose between seven options. Applicants often buy a property for restoration for €350,000 or a new real estate for €500,000. The purchase of investment fund units for €500,000 is also gaining popularity.

If investors choose to buy real estate or investment fund units, they can return the money in 5 years by selling the asset.

If they remain Portuguese residents for 5 years, the investor and their family members can apply for permanent residence or citizenship. At the same time, they don’t have to live in Portugal. Golden Visas holders maintain their residence status by spending seven days a year in the country.

 

Benefits of the Portugal
Golden Visa

Visa-free travel
to the Schengen countries

Portuguese residents visit the Schengen Area without a visa and spend up to 90 days out of 180 there.

Creating a "safe haven"

The Golden Visa provides the holder with the right to enter Portugal at any time, even when the country’s borders are closed. Residents can stay in the country without time limits. At the same time, living in Portugal is a right, not an obligation: investors must spend only 14 days every two years in the country.

Moving to Portugal

Portugal is a developed European country with a warm climate, picturesque landscapes and clean beaches. Additionally, the cost of living is affordable there, and the level of safety is high.

Work or business in a European country

Golden Visa holders may work in Portugal or register companies there.

Tax optimisation

Investors can get a special Non-habitual Resident (NHR) status in Portugal for 10 years. An NHR doesn’t pay taxes on global income in Portugal, and the tax rate for the income earned in Portugal is reduced to 20%. The income tax rate in Portugal can be as high as 48% without the NHR status.

Access to quality healthcare and education

Residents may turn for medical help to Portuguese clinics. Also, they may travel to other Schengen countries visa-free to get short-term treatment during the available 90 days in 180.

Children may attend schools and universities in Portugal.

EU citizenship in five years

Investors can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years as a resident. At the same time, they don’t have to live in the country. It is enough to meet the program terms and renew their residence permits to maintain the status.

Portuguese citizens can choose to live in any EU country and travel to 187 countries visa-free, including the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia.

Get maximum information about the process

  • Step-by-step procedure
  • Requirements for applicants
  • Required documents
  • Frequently asked questions and answers
Download the guide

PDF, 36 pages, 12 MB

Who can get
a Portugal
Golden Visa

Investor
  • Over 18 years old
  • No criminal record or prosecution
  • Money for investments is earned outside of Portugal
  • No debts in Portugal
  • Capable of confirming the legality of the income
  • Medical insurance
Spouse
Children under 18
Children aged 18 to 26
  • Financially dependent on the investor
  • Live with the investor or study at a university
Parents

Financially dependent on the investor

Siblings
  • Under 26
  • In the investor’s custody

Investment options for the Portugal Golden Visa

Portugal offers seven investment options. The most popular option is purchasing new real estate or an older property for restoration. Investors can buy residential properties in Madeira, the Azores, and mainland Portugal’s interior regions. Commercial properties are available for purchase in any Portuguese area.

1 option

Real estate purchase

€280,000+

Investors choose between two options:
1. €350,000+ for the purchase of real estate built more than 30 years ago or located in designated restoration areas. If a property is in a sparsely populated area, its price may start at €280,000.

2. €500,000+ for purchasing a newer residential or commercial real estate. €400,000+ is the price for properties built less than 30 years ago and in a sparsely populated area.

The investor can sell the property in five years and return the money.

Real estate purchase €280,000+
Transfer tax 6 to 8% of the property value
Stamp duty 0.8% of the property value
Annual property tax 0.4% of the cadastral property value
Medical insurance €400+ per person
Application fee €533 per family member
Residence permit card €5,340 per family member
2 option

Purchase of
investment fund units

€500,000+

The option is the best way to obtain a Portugal Golden Visa if the investor doesn’t plan to live in Portugal or invest in real estate.

An investment fund is a financial institution that aims to attract and increase capital. The fund raises money and invests in selected assets: residential or commercial real estate, Portuguese companies, industrial facilities or the European stock market.

The minimum fund investment is €500,000. The holding period is at least 5 years. However, the money is usually returned in 6—10 years. The fund distributes the earned profit among investors withdrawing a commission.

Purchase of fund units €500,000+
Fund commission when investing Up to 7.5%
Annual fund commission on profits 0.5 to 3%
Tax on investment income for Portuguese tax residents 14%
Tax on investment income for non-residents 0%
Medical insurance €400+ per person
Application fee €533 per family member
Residence permit card €5,340 per family member
3 option

Supporting arts
and restoring cultural heritage

€250,000+
4 option

Investments
in research activities

€500,000+
5 option

Capital transfer

€1,500,000+
6 option

Business investments

€500,000+

With the creation of at least 5 jobs

7 option

Opening a company

Creation of at least 10 jobs

Individual
cost calculation
for the Portugal Golden Visa

Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees

Get the cost calculation
We will send you a quote by email within 1 hour.

Differences between the Golden Visa and other residence permit types

Golden Visa Other types of residence permits
Portuguese language
proficiency test
Not required Required
Mandatory residing
in the country
7 days a year 183 days a year
Permanent residing
in the country to qualify
for citizenship
Not required Required
Rejection risk Low High

Selection of real estate

Individual selection of properties for investment

  • Discuss your tasks and goals
  • Choose between properties from reliable developers
  • Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase
Natalia Oganesyan, Real Estate Chief Operations Officer, RICS certified professional
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Step-by-step procedure for obtaining the Portugal Golden Visa by purchasing real estate

1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer carries out practically the same Due Diligence check as the Portuguese authorities. The check allows us to identify all potential issues in advance and reduce the rejection risk to 1%.

Our preliminary Due Diligence check is mandatory. We sign an agreement with the investor only knowing the check results. If there are any risks, we offer a solution. For example, we may recommend choosing another program or attaching additional documents to the application.

The preliminary check is confidential. The investor doesn’t have to provide many documents — a passport will suffice.

Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a second citizenship
5 days to 3 weeks
Remote selection of real estate
5 days to 3 weeks

Remote selection of real estate

Immigrant Invest real estate experts select several properties for the investor to consider. If necessary, an expert goes to the site to take photographs and videos of the property. When the investor chooses a property, we negotiate the terms with the seller on the investor’s behalf.

2 to 5 days
Trip to Portugal
2 to 5 days

Trip to Portugal

The investor visits Portugal to examine the selected properties on-site and decide on the appropriate option. Within two or three days, it is possible to open a bank account, get an individual taxpayer number and draw up a power of attorney for a lawyer who will represent the investor in Portugal.

1-2 months
Conclusion of purchase and sale transactions
1-2 months

Conclusion of purchase and sale transactions

Immigrant Invest lawyers accompany the purchase process and take care of the transaction legality. 

The Portuguese lawyer signs a presale contract and closes the deal. The investor transfers the money. With a power of attorney, the lawyer receives the certificate of ownership of immovable property, which is attached to the application for a residence permit.

 

1.5 to 2 months
Preparation of documents and application
1.5 to 2 months

Preparation of documents and application

Immigrant Invest lawyers provide the investor with an individual list of documents required to apply for a residence permit. They also fill out government forms, translate and notarise documents, and collect documents related to property ownership. The process takes up to two weeks.

E-copies of the documents are sent for consideration to the SEF, the Portuguese Immigration Office. There, the application is considered for 4—6 weeks.

 

1 day
Fingerprinting
1 day

Fingerprinting

The investor and their family need to come to Portugal to submit original documents and fingerprints for residence permit cards. The appointment for fingerprinting must be booked in advance in the SEF electronic register.

SEF issues a confirmation document after the applicants submit the documents and fingerprints. The confirmation from SEF allows living in Portugal until the residence permit cards are issued. However, one cannot enter or leave the country until the residence permit cards are received.

 

4 to 6 months
Approval and getting the residence permit cards
4 to 6 months

Approval and getting the residence permit cards

SEF checks the investors’ documents for up to six months from when the original documents and biometric data are submitted.

After approval, the investor pays the fee for the residence permit cards. They are prepared within two weeks and issued personally to the investor or their lawyer by proxy, who then sends the documents to the investor.

 

Every 2 years
Renewal of the residence permit
Every 2 years

Renewal of the residence permit

The investor and their family members must spend at least seven days a year in Portugal to maintain residency. The residence permit has to be renewed every two years. 

The renewal procedure is similar to the initial application: one needs to collect the same documents and submit them online, pass fingerprinting, apply the original documents, and obtain new residence permit cards.

 

Golden Visa and Immigrant Invest stay with you

Portuguese residents regularly renew their ID cards. Other needs may also arise over time, such as: getting a residence permit for a newborn child or a new spouse, preparing documents for citizenship or becoming a tax resident. See how we continue to help our clients.

Residence permit renewal

We help investors get new residence permit cards every two years.

Residence permits for family reunification

We help the investor’s spouse, children and parents get residence permits.

Replacing a lost residence permit card

We prepare an application and accompany the investor until a new residence permit card is received.

Selecting real estate

We help the investor choose a finished apartment or buy a property under construction. We closely follow each step of the purchase transaction.

Obtaining permanent residence or citizenship

We prepare the required documents and help to apply.

Registration of tax residency

We help investors get the beneficial NHR tax status, provided that they spend more than 183 days a year in Portugal.

Opening a bank account

We prepare the required documents and fill out the forms.

Schedule a meeting

Let’s discuss the details

Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.

Evgeniya Morozova, head of the Legal
Department
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Answers to frequently asked questions

Who can get a Portugal Golden Visa?

An adult investor with proven legal income earned outside Portugal can get a Portugal Golden Visa, also known as a Portugal residence permit by investment. The applicant must have no criminal records and valid medical insurance.

A spouse, children under 26 and parents can get Golden Visas with the investor. Adult children must financially depend on the investor. For example, if they are students at a university, the investor pays tuition fees.

How much to invest in getting a Portugal Golden Visa?

The Golden Residence Permit Program offers investors seven options. Supporting arts and the Portuguese national cultural heritage requires the least investment amount — €250,000.

The most popular investment options are purchasing real estate for restoration for €350,000 or other properties for €500,000. There is a growing demand for buying investment fund units for €500,000.

Is it possible to return the investment?

Some options provide investors with opportunities to return the money. For example, they can sell real estate or investment fund units in five years. In the meantime, the investor can receive rental income and benefit from the asset value growth.

Can your company guarantee that I will get a Golden Visa?

No one can guarantee that you will get a Portugal residence permit by investment. Moreover, if a company guarantees success, you probably deal with scammers.

Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence to reduce the rejection risk to 1%. A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer examines investors’ documents considering the nuances of Due Diligence in the particular country. If there are any risks revealed, we search for a solution. For example, to add specific documents or choose another program.

What duties arise after getting a residence permit in Portugal?

The investor must spend at least seven days a year in Portugal to maintain the residence status. It is also important to renew the residence permit card on time every two years.

The investor pays taxes when buying and maintaining real estate. Income derived from sources in Portugal is also taxed.

If an investor lives in Portugal for more than 183 days a year, they become a tax resident and begin to pay taxes at the rates for the country’s tax residents. New tax residents can also qualify for the beneficial Non-habitual Resident status to reduce the tax burden for the next 10 years.

The investor doesn’t have to live in Portugal permanently, take language proficiency tests or serve in the Portuguese army.

What family members can I include in my Portugal Golden Visa application?

The list of an investor’s family members eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa includes the following:

  • a spouse;
  • children under 18;
  • adult children under 26, financially dependent on the main applicant and living with them or studying in a university;
  • siblings under 26 in the investor’s custody;
  • parents who are financially dependent on the investor.
Do I have to pay taxes in Portugal?

One must pay taxes in Portugal if one earns income there or owns a property.

You can become a tax resident in Portugal if you spend more than 183 days in a year in the country. This will lead to paying taxes on most of your income there at the rates for tax residents. However, it may be quite beneficial: there’s a 10-year special tax regime for new residents that allows them to reduce their tax burden.

Can I apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal through a fund investment?

One may purchase units of a Portuguese investment fund or a venture capital fund for €500,000 to get a Golden Visa.

At least 60% of the fund’s money must be invested in Portuguese companies, and the maturity of units at the moment of the investment must be at least five years.

What documents are required for the Portugal golden visa?

The general list of documents includes the following:

  1. A passport or another valid travel document.
  2. Health insurance.
  3. Certificates of criminal record from the country of origin and the countries where the applicant resided for more than a year.
  4. Permission to the competent authorities to check criminal records in Portugal.
  5. A sworn statement in which the applicant declares that they will comply with the minimum quantitative and temporal requirements of the investment activity.
  6. Evidence of proper tax filing by submitting a no-debt issued up to 45 days in advance by the Tax and Customs Authority and the Social Security or, if this is impossible, a no-record return from these entities.

Also, an investor must submit documents connected with the investment — there’s a list for each option. Additional documents may be required.

Schedule a meeting

Let’s discuss the details

Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.

Zlata Erlach, Caribbean Investment Program Expert
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Prefer messengers?
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