Portugal

Golden Residence Permit Programm

New legal provisions allow foreign investors who enter the country regularly (v.g., holders of valid Schengen Visas or beneficiaries of Visa exemption) to apply for a residence permit for pursuing investment activities by transferring capital, creating jobs or acquiring real estate.

Residence holders with permits for pursuing investment activities are entitled to:

Enter Portugal without the requirement of a residential visa;
Live and work in Portugal, having to stay in Portugal for at least seven days in the first year and no less than 14 days in subsequent years; Travel within the Schengen area without the need for a visa;
Benefit from family regrouping;
Request the assignment of Permanent Authorisation of Residence under Foreign Laws;
Request Portuguese nationally, through naturalisation, complying with the requirements of the Nationality Law.

This regime does not apply to citizens of Portuguese nationality and nationals of the EU and the European Economic Area.

Who can request a residence permit for investment activities?

Third-country nationals who either carry out investment activities personally or through a company that leads to, as a rule, at least one of the following situations in Portuguese territory for a minimum period of five years:

You must fit at least one of the following categories to claim Portuguese residency by investment:

• Capital transfer of at least €1 million into Portugal
• Creation of at least ten job positions in Portugal
• Purchase property in Portugal worth at least €500,000
• Acquire real estate in Portuguese urban regeneration areas at least 30 years old to the value of at least €350,000
• If the property is in a “low-density area”, the minimum requirement gets reduced to €280,000.
• Investing at least €350,000 in scientific research in Portugal
• Investments of €250,000 or more in Portuguese arts, culture, and heritage
• Investing at least €500,000 in small- and medium-sized businesses in Portugal

Portugal’s investor visa covers shareholders of companies already set up in Portugal or another EU state with a stable residence in Portugal and tax obligations fulfilled. The investment established for the golden visa must be maintained for at least five years from when the Portuguese golden key is found.

How should a request to acquire real estate be filled in?

For investment via real estate purchase with a value greater than or equal to 500 thousand Euros. The value of this investment may be reduced by 20% (400 thousand Euros) when made in low density territory.

This type of investment can be made individually or via a sole shareholder company of which the Applicant is a member.

For this type of investment, the Investor must demonstrate that they have ownership of the property (if not possible, through the promissory contract of purchase and sale with a deposit greater than or equal to 500 thousand Euros), and this can be done in the following manner:

• Purchase them under a co-ownership regime, as long as the Applicant invests a total value greater than or equal to 500 thousand Euros;
• Purchase them through a sole shareholder company of which they are a member;
• Encumber then, in the part which exceeds the value of 500 thousand euros;
• Rent them or use them for commercial, agricultural or tourist purposes.

How can I request a residence permit for investment activities?

As soon as you send us the required documentation, we will start the application and make an online application at (http://ari.sef.pt) (Online pre-registration is obligatory) and deliver the application to the Directorates and Regional Delegations of Foreign Service and Borders.

Family Reunification

The Golden Residence Permits for Investment Activity holders have the right to family regrouping. They may gain access to a permanent residence permit and Portuguese citizenship by the current legal provisions.

Minimum permanent residency periods

To renew a residency permit, you may have to show that you have resided in Portuguese territory for a minimum period of 7 days, consecutively or non-consecutively, during the first year and 14 days in subsequent two-year periods.

Portuguese golden visa holders can:

• live and work in Portugal, provided they reside in Portugal for a minimum of seven days in the first year of residence and 14 days in each subsequent year
• gain visa-free entry to the entire Schengen Area
• apply for a family reunion, meaning certain family members can also get Portuguese residency
• access Portuguese healthcare and education
• freely invest in Portuguese property

In addition, Portuguese investor visa holders are exempt from paying tax on worldwide income if they live in Portugal for less than 183 days per tax year. Read more in our guide to taxes in Portugal.

Documents Required

 Along with the Portuguese golden visa application, you will need to submit the following documents:

• passport or valid identification document
• proof of legal entry into Portugal (e.g., Schengen short-stay visa)
• proof of health insurance (issued within the last three months)
• criminal record certificate from country of origin/residence (issued within the last three months)
• evidence of compliance with tax and social security obligations
• receipt of payment of the Portuguese golden visa fees

In addition, applicants must show a commitment to maintaining their investment for at least five years. Applicants must also provide evidence of their investment, such as:

• a bank statement for financial investment
• employment contracts for job creation
• deeds of purchase for real estate investment

To renew a Portuguese golden visa, applicants may need to provide evidence that they’ve complied with the minimum stay requirements during the period. Each investment type has its specific requirements for proving this.

Processing time for a Portuguese golden visa is typically several months. Once a Portuguese golden ticket has been processed, the SEF contacts the applicant (or their legal representatives) to schedule an appointment.

Portuguese golden visa costs

The costs of getting a Portuguese golden visa include the following:

• Processing fee (application and renewal): €514.80 (plus €80.20 per family member)
• Initial golden visa: €5,147.80
• Initial golden visa for family members: €5,147.80
• Renewal of golden visa: €2,573.90

Portuguese golden visa fees are payable directly to the SEF. It may change yearly; please ring us to consult the actual costs.

Portuguese golden visa scheme for family members

The Portuguese golden visa scheme also allows family reunions. This permits the following family members to join the golden visa holder in Portugal:

• spouse
• minor dependent children
• minor adopted children
• full-age dependent children who are studying
• dependent parents of either the golden visa holder or spouse
• minor dependent siblings who are under the guardianship of the golden visa holder

Family members receive the same rights. They are also eligible for permanent residence after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six. Read more about getting a family visa or Portuguese spouse visa.

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTING THE APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

Investment Options

Real Estate 350k

Acquisition of real estate whose construction has been completed for at least 30 years or located in an urban rehabilitation area. Rehabilitation works are carried out on the acquired property, in which case the value of the investment is reduced to an amount equal to or greater than €350,000.

Real Estate 500k

Acquisition of property equal to or greater than €500,000. We have investment options up to a 6% annual interest rate: small hotels, Commercial buildings and more.

Creation of 10 Jobs

We are incorporating a company in Portugal and creating at least ten job positions. Please reach out to us; we can help you through the process and help you start in the right direction.