Migration Point

Portugal Golden Visa Program for Non-EU Citizens

Golden Visa Program for Non-EU Citizens

Advantages

  • Fast track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a residency permit in Portugal (“Golden Visa”)
  • The investor can enter, live, work and study in Portugal
  • Allows the investor to travel freely in the Schengen area
  • Can include spouse, dependent children and parents
  • Eligible for apply for Permanent Residence after 5 years
  • Eligible to apply for Citizenship after 5 years

Requirements

  • Make a qualifying investment in real-estate or in a qualifying Portuguese investment fund
  • Must keep the Investment for a minimum of 5 years
  • Funds for investment must come from abroad
  • Proof that the applicant has no criminal record
  • Must meet residency requirements in Portugal of:
    • 7 days during the first year, and
    • 14 days in each subsequent two-year period

Process

  • Obtain Schengen visa to visit Portugal
  • Select property (if applicable) and open bank account
  • Meet all application documentation requirements
  • Complete qualifying investment
  • Submit Application to SEF Border & Immigration office
  • Processing time between 3-6 months
  • Following submission applicant must visit Portugal to submit biometric information
  • After 5 years investor can apply for Permanent residency or Citizenship

Investment Options

1) A minimum of €500,000 (plus taxes) in Real-Estate

  • Purchase of one or multiple properties
  • All types of property qualify
  • May be used or rented out OR

2) A minimum of €350,000 in a Portuguese Investment fund

  • Minimum investment period of 5 years
  • Min. 60% of investment used for Portuguese companies

Obtaining Permanent Residence

  • Have met the minimum residency requirements for 5 years
  • Kept a clean criminal record
  • Have sufficient funds and a place of residence in Portugal
  • Proof of Portuguese language proficiency (CEFR A2)

Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship

  • Have met the minimum residency requirements for 5 years
  • Kept a clean criminal record
  • Have sufficient funds and a place of residence in Portugal
  • Proof of Portuguese language proficiency (CEFR A2)
  • Must show a close connection to Portugal

Benefits of Citizenship

  • Unrestricted right to live, work, study in Europe
  • Access to free education within EU
  • Possibility of visa-free travel to US & Canada

Costs of Portugal Permanent Residency


In July 2015, through Act 63/2015 and Regulatory Decree 15-A/2015, the options for required investment were revised and new ones were added.

1) Property purchase

a) Acquisition of one or multiple properties

b) Acquisition of one or multiple properties older than 30 years or located in areas of urban regeneration. The value includes both the property and investment in the refurbishment works.

c) There is an option for purchasing a plot area between 1,143 sqm and 2,332 sqm, and maximum construction area of 344 sum.

Minimum investment EUR 500,000
Minimum investment EUR 350,000*

* Investment amount may be reduced by 20% for both options in case such investment is made in low-density population areas

Additional fees


In addition to the purchase of real estate, there are additional purchase fees to be paid:

Property Transfer Tax (IMT)
up to 8% (depending on the purchase price)*
*6.5% for non-habitational purposes

Annual Property Tax (IMI) 0.3 – 0.8%
Additional Municipal Property Tax (AIMI) 0.4 – 0.7%
Stamp Duty 0.8%
Family process analysis EUR 81.10

On-going costs during period of EU Permanent Residency (SEF Authorities):

ARI Permanent Residency card (Per Family Member)

New EUR 5,202.60
Renewal (12-36 months) EUR 2,601.30
Renewal (36-60 months) EUR 2,601.30

ARI Permanent Residency 60-84 months.

Permanent residency EUR 2,601.30

Steps to Portugal Permanent Residency

Step 1
We will pre-screen your passport copy for Government pre-approval. Downpayment of Professional fees to open your application.

Step 2
Our team will assist and advise you with the collection of the documents required in the checklist. Our team will assist in the translation of documents to Portuguese and legalization of the documents at the Portuguese Consulate.

Step 3
The investor will then visit Portugal in order to make the necessary investment in real estate, fixed deposit or a business development. During this visit, the investor will visit Immigration services for the purposes of leaving fingerprints, pictures and biometric data.

Step 4
Once the investor returns to his home country, the funds required for the purchase of the property should be transferred to his/her bank account in Portugal.

Step 5
Once the purchase of the property is completed and the registration is done (which generally takes between 3 to 5 working days), the documents are submitted for the residency application together with the residency processing fees paid to Immigration Services.

Step 6
Once the residency application is submitted, the Immigration Services generally approve it within 3 to 4 weeks.

Step 7
After payment of the processing fee, the Immigration Services start processing the residency cards. This usually takes between 3 -4 weeks. Once the cards are issued, they will be sent by courier to our team.

Step 8
Visit Portugal for 1 week a year for 5 years to fulfil the residency requirement.