Golden Visa
What is it?
What is it?
The residence permit for investment activity, known as Golden Visa, is a program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit in Portugal, provided they perform and maintain one of the investment activities legally provided.
The residence permit granted to its holder enters and resides in the territory, as well as circulates freely in most European countries (Schengen Area).
Holders of a residence permit for investment activity are entitled to family reunification, access to permanent residence permit and acquisition of Portuguese nationality, assuming the fulfillment of the legal requirements.
The residence permit for investment activity, known as Golden Visa, is a program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit in Portugal, provided they perform and maintain one of the investment activities legally provided.
The residence permit granted to its holder enters and resides in the territory, as well as circulates freely in most European countries (Schengen Area).
Holders of a residence permit for investment activity are entitled to family reunification, access to permanent residence permit and acquisition of Portuguese nationality, assuming the fulfillment of the legal requirements.
To live and work in Portugal, with access to public and private schools, to the national health system, to justice and courts, benefiting from equal treatment of national citizens by Social Security, and to the tax benefits provided by law for Portuguese citizens.
To live and work in Portugal, with access to public and private schools, to the national health system, to justice and courts, benefiting from equal treatment of national citizens by Social Security, and to the tax benefits provided by law for Portuguese citizens.
Free movement within the Shegen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland).
Free movement within the Shegen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland).
Minimum residence period in Portuguese territory, 7 consecutive or interpolated days in the first year, and 14 consecutive or interpolated days in each of the subsequent 2-year periods.
Minimum residence period in Portuguese territory, 7 consecutive or interpolated days in the first year, and 14 consecutive or interpolated days in each of the subsequent 2-year periods.
Benefits
Possibility of family reunion, that is, spouse, minor children, dependent children can benefit from this regime. Under certain legal conditions it can be extended to parents and siblings.
Possibility of family reunion, that is, spouse, minor children, dependent children can benefit from this regime. Under certain legal conditions it can be extended to parents and siblings.
Possibility of obtaining Portuguese citizenship, subject to some legal requirements after 6 years of this regime.
Possibility of obtaining Portuguese citizenship, subject to some legal requirements after 6 years of this regime.
Possibility of obtaining permanent residence after 5 years of this regime.
Possibility of obtaining permanent residence after 5 years of this regime.
What are the forms of investment?
What are the forms of investment?
- Capital transfers of 1,000,000 euros or more
- Creation of at least 10 jobs
- Acquisition of real estate in the amount equal or superior to 500 thousand euros
- Acquisition of real estate, whose construction has been concluded at least 30 years ago, or located in an area of urban rehabilitation, and, additionally, rehabilitation works are carried out on the acquired real estate, for an amount equal to or higher than 350 thousand euros
- Capital transfers in the amount equal or superior to 350 thousand euros, which are applied in research activities developed by public or private scientific research institutions, integrated in the national scientific and technological system
- Capital transfers equal to or greater than 250 thousand euros, to be applied in investment or support for artistic production, recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage, through central and peripheral direct administration services, public institutes, entities that are part of the public business sector, public and private foundations with public utility status, intermunicipal entities, entities that are part of the local business sector, municipal associative entities, and public cultural associations, which pursue attributions in the area of artistic production, recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage
- Transfer of capital in the amount equal or superior to 500 thousand euros, destined to the acquisition of participation units in investment funds or of risk capital focused on the capitalization of small and medium companies that, for this effect, present the respective capitalization plan and that it is viable.
- Capital transfers of 1,000,000 euros or more
- Creation of at least 10 jobs
- Acquisition of real estate in the amount equal or superior to 500 thousand euros
- Acquisition of real estate, whose construction has been concluded at least 30 years ago, or located in an area of urban rehabilitation, and, additionally, rehabilitation works are carried out on the acquired real estate, for an amount equal to or higher than 350 thousand euros
- Capital transfers in the amount equal or superior to 350 thousand euros, which are applied in research activities developed by public or private scientific research institutions, integrated in the national scientific and technological system
- Capital transfers equal to or greater than 250 thousand euros, to be applied in investment or support for artistic production, recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage, through central and peripheral direct administration services, public institutes, entities that are part of the public business sector, public and private foundations with public utility status, intermunicipal entities, entities that are part of the local business sector, municipal associative entities, and public cultural associations, which pursue attributions in the area of artistic production, recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage
- Transfer of capital in the amount equal or superior to 500 thousand euros, destined to the acquisition of participation units in investment funds or of risk capital focused on the capitalization of small and medium companies that, for this effect, present the respective capitalization plan and that it is viable.
After it is issued, it is valid for 1 year, and can be renewed twice for periods of 2 years, after which a permanent residency permit is obtained.
After it is issued, it is valid for 1 year, and can be renewed twice for periods of 2 years, after which a permanent residency permit is obtained.
Requirements to be met by the investor
Requirements to be met by the investor
- Maintain the investment for a minimum period of 5 years
- The funds for the investment must come from abroad
- Must enter Portugal with a valid visa
- Not to be referenced in the Portuguese emigration services and in the emigration services of the Schengen Area
- Not have been convicted of any crime
- Maintain the investment for a minimum period of 5 years
- The funds for the investment must come from abroad
- Must enter Portugal with a valid visa
- Not to be referenced in the Portuguese emigration services and in the emigration services of the Schengen Area
- Not have been convicted of any crime
Required elements
Required elements
- Valid passport
- Proof of legal entry and stay in Portuguese territory
- Proof of having made one of the aforementioned types of investments in national territory
- Criminal record certificate
- Declaration of commitment that the investor will comply with the legal requirements
- Negative declaration of debts to the Tax Authority and Social Security
- Portuguese tax identification number
- Proof of profession
- Bank account
- Health insurance
- Biometric data
- Payment of the analysis fee for the residence permit application
- Valid passport
- Proof of legal entry and stay in Portuguese territory
- Proof of having made one of the aforementioned types of investments in national territory
- Criminal record certificate
- Declaration of commitment that the investor will comply with the legal requirements
- Negative declaration of debts to the Tax Authority and Social Security
- Portuguese tax identification number
- Proof of profession
- Bank account
- Health insurance
- Biometric data
- Payment of the analysis fee for the residence permit application
The application for obtaining or renewing the Golden Visa has to be made in person at the Aliens and Border Services.
The application for obtaining or renewing the Golden Visa has to be made in person at the Aliens and Border Services.
Golden Visa related costs
Golden Visa related costs
The fees associated with the application for the Gold Visa are paid directly to the Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) and are as follows:
- Initial Golden Visa application fee - €517.40
- Initial application fee for the Golden Visa - 5,173.60 euros
- Fee for the first renewal application - 517.40 euros
- Fee for the first renewal of the Golden Visa - EUR 2.586,80
- Fee for second renewal - 517.40 euros
- Fee for the second renewal of the Golden Visa - Euro 2.586,80
To these fees are added the costs and taxes associated with the form of investment.
The Golden Visa program and its legal regime is complex and requires the accompaniment of a lawyer, on which we can advise.
The fees associated with the application for the Gold Visa are paid directly to the Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) and are as follows:
- Initial Golden Visa application fee - €517.40
- Initial application fee for the Golden Visa - 5,173.60 euros
- Fee for the first renewal application - 517.40 euros
- Fee for the first renewal of the Golden Visa - EUR 2.586,80
- Fee for second renewal - 517.40 euros
- Fee for the second renewal of the Golden Visa - Euro 2.586,80
To these fees are added the costs and taxes associated with the form of investment.
The Golden Visa program and its legal regime is complex and requires the accompaniment of a lawyer, on which we can advise.
