Non-EU nationals who have made a large investment in Portugal, such as acquiring real estate, making a capital investment, or establishing job possibilities, are eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa.

It's a quick way to get permanent residency and citizenship in an EU nation — you may get Portuguese citizenship in as little as five years if you apply via the Golden Visa.

• Purchase a property with a minimum value of €500,000. The investment cost is €400,000 if you buy in a low-density region.

• Purchase a home in a Portuguese urban renewal region for €350,000. The investment amount is €280,000. If you invest in a low-density region, the investment amount is €280,000. The Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service – SEF – should be interested in investing in the initiative.

• Make a minimum investment of €350,000 in a qualified Investment Fund. The Portuguese CMVM (Securities Market Commission) regulates the investment alternatives, which often include venture capital investments in real estate or start-up tech enterprises.

• Make a capital transfer to a Portuguese bank account of at least €1 million.

• Purchase at least €1 million worth of firm stock.

• Invest a minimum of €1 million in a business.

• At least 10 employment for Portuguese nationals should be created.

• Invest at least €350,000 in the development of a commercial firm or the strengthening of a commercial company's share capital, resulting in the creation of at least five full-time employment.

• Make a capital transfer of at least €350,000 to public or private scientific research institutes for science or technology research.

• Make a €250,000 capital transfer to help the arts or the restoration of national heritage.

• You will need to contact with a variety of professionals before deciding on a program to invest in.

Experts at GoldenVisaRealEstate.com will provide you with a free consultation to assess your eligibility for the Golden Visa Scheme.

If you qualify, they may assist you in selecting the best program for you based on your financial condition, nationality, and preferences. They'll also plan a trip to Portugal (and, if necessary, assist you in applying for a Schengen Visa) so you can view your possibilities for yourself.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for a Golden Visa for Portugal?

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a Golden Visa in Portugal:

• You must be at least 18 years old.

• You must create a big investment that will benefit the Portuguese economy.

• You must not have any criminal records.

• You must be the owner of the funds you want to invest.

• You must commit to keeping the investment for a minimum of additional five years.

Can You Get Portugal Citizenship by Investment?

Yes, after five years, you may apply for citizenship if you have a Golden Visa. In contrast to other nations, you do not have to dwell in Portugal during that time to get citizenship using the Golden Visa option. You simply need to visit the nation for seven to fourteen days every year.

You must, however, show that you have a place to stay in Portugal, a consistent income, and a basic understanding of the Portuguese language.

Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa

The Golden Visa for Portugal is a sought-after visa among affluent investors since it provides a slew of incentives for the investor and their family, including:

Ability to Live and Work in an EU Country

A Portuguese Golden Visa allows you to live in Portugal, which is a European Union member. This means you'll be able to get a Portuguese passport and enjoy all of the advantages of EU citizenship, including no borders, access to the EU single market, and living in a stable, democratic, economic, and safe society.

Businesses in the EU also have unrestricted access to more than 450 million customers and free movement of labor, products, and services.

Access to Portuguese Healthcare and Education

You and your family will have access to all national services, such as healthcare and education, as residents or citizens of Portugal.

The Serviço Nacional de Sade is Portugal's publicly financed healthcare system (SNS). Portugal was placed third for patient care and medical infrastructure in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation in 2021.

Portugal also has a reasonably good standard of public education at all levels, from kindergarten to university. Portugal's literacy rate is 99.44 percent, and Portuguese pupils consistently outperform the national average in PISA examinations.

Lowest Costs of Living in Western Europe

Portugal has some of the lowest living expenses in Western Europe while maintaining a high standard of living. From food to school to healthcare to leisure and social activities, almost everything is fairly reasonable. Technically, you may live well in Portugal for roughly USD 1,400 per month, yet living expenses vary greatly depending on the lifestyle chosen.

In fact, Portugal is routinely ranked high in worldwide polls as one of the greatest expat locations. It was the only European nation to reach the top ten list in the Expat Insider 2021 study, ranking fifth.

Travel to Europe without a Visa

A Portuguese Golden Visa permits you to travel across the European Union without the need for a visa. In addition, as long as your visa or residence permit is valid, many non-Schengen countries will enable you to enter visa-free.

After that, once you get your Portuguese passport, you will have complete visa-free access to over 100 countries across the globe.

Portuguese Passport in as Little as Five Years

Only five years after your investment, you can obtain a Portuguese passport. Although it is not instant, five years is a relatively short period of time to obtain EU citizenship, especially considering the very lenient residency requirements.

A Portuguese passport will grant you the right to live, work, invest anywhere in the European Union. You can also visit over 150 countries without a visa.

Lenient Residency Requirements

You do not have to reside in Portugal full-time to gain Portuguese citizenship. You just need to stay in the nation for seven days during the first year and 14 days for the next two years. After five years, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship without having to meet any residence conditions.

What Family Members Can Apply for a Portugal Golden Visa?

In your application for a Portuguese Golden Visa, you may add the following family members:

• Your companion or spouse.

• Minors under the age of eighteen

• Children above the age of 18 who are financially reliant on you. To qualify as dependents, adult children must be enrolled in full-time school and unmarried.

• You or your spouse/partner have siblings under the age of 18. You or your partner must have legal custody of your siblings to qualify as dependents.

• Parents (over 55) who are financially dependent on you or your spouse/partner. Unless they are above 65, you must produce documentation demonstrating their need.

Any family members included on your application will be issued a Portuguese residence permit card and will have the same rights and benefits as you.

How Can I Apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal?

The following steps are involved in acquiring a Portuguese Golden Visa:

• Visit Portugal to make your investment decision.

• Create a Portuguese bank account and tax identification number.

• Finish your investment.

• Apply for a Golden Visa to Portugal.

• Obtain a residency permit.

• Apply for citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal.

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Step 1: Visit Portugal and Choose Your Investment

You (or your attorneys) should plan a trip to Portugal ahead of time to examine your possibilities and begin the investing process. If you are interested in investing in real estate, you will tour homes, meet with attorneys, and (if desired) provide power of authority to a representative on your first visit.

If you decide to invest in one of the other possibilities, your lawyer will assist you in arranging the appropriate meetings and documentation.

If you are visiting Portugal for the first time and your nation requires a visa, you may need a Portuguese Schengen visa.

Step 2: Set Up a Portuguese Bank Account and Tax Number

A Portuguese tax number and bank account are required before you can complete your investment.

A tax number, also known as an NIF number (Nero de Identificaço Fiscal), may be obtained at the local Tax and Customs Authority office (the Taxpayer Registration Services). There will be a series of paperwork and documentation to fill out (supplied by the tax office) in order to get a Portuguese tax number.

In Portugal, you may open a bank account with any reputable financial organization. The procedure is rather simple; you just go to the bank and request a bank account, just like you would anywhere else in the globe.

You'll need paperwork verifying your income, home address, and identity for each of these procedures.

Step 3: Complete Your Investment

You may finally finish your investment after you have set up your bank account and tax number. The investment may take months to complete, and you won't be able to apply for the Golden Visa until you have all of the required documentation.

See the section below on "Required Documents for a Portugal Golden Visa Application."

You may return home once you've completed your investment to gather the necessary documentation and apply for a Portuguese Golden Visa.

Step 4: Apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa

After you've finished your investment, you may finally apply for a Portuguese Golden Visa at the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). The steps are as follows:

• Here is where you may register for the ARI Portal (Residence Permits for Investment Activities). The SEF's online site for Golden Visa applications is called ARI. You may do it yourself or have a legal representative do it for you.

• Electronic copies of the relevant papers should be attached (in PDF, and no bigger than 4MB).

• Pay all applicable fees.

• Wait for the SEF to confirm your request.

• Make an appointment with a local SEF location to submit your Golden Visa application.

If you prefer not to apply for the visa in person, you may grant Power of Attorney (POA) to a legal representative, such as Golden Visa Real Estate's golden visa specialists. Your legal counsel may then file a visa application on your behalf and assist you in carrying out your investment.

Step 5: Get Your Residence Permit in Portugal

It might take three to six months to acquire your residence permit card after you submit your application. The card is originally valid for one year and may be renewed for up to five years.

You may freely live and work in Portugal with your Portuguese residence permit card and enjoy the same privileges as any other Portuguese citizens and residents.

Final Step: Apply for Permanent Residency or Citizenship

You may apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residence five years after making your investment. You'll need to show that you have links to Portugal and pass a general knowledge exam at this phase. The exam verifies that you can converse in Portuguese at an A2 level and have a broad understanding of Portuguese culture and legislation. There are no criteria for residence.

Required Documents for Portugal Golden Visa Application

You must have the following papers when applying for a Portugal Golden Visa:

• The official Visa Application Form for Portugal. The Portuguese visa webpage has it available for download.

• Passport is valid.

• Two passport-size photos that meet the photo criteria for the Portugal visa.

• Proof of health insurance that is valid in Portugal.

• Proof that you have never been convicted of a crime. A certificate from any nation where you spent more than a year is required. The certificate must have been granted and translated into Portuguese by the necessary authorities within the preceding three months.

• Sworn Declare that you will hold on to your investment for at least five years.

• The ARI site has a payment receipt.

• Any and all documentation pertaining to your investment, as listed below.

Investing in real estate worth at least €500,000:

• The property acquisition document or the pre-contract agreement.

• A declaration by a financial institution licensed or registered in Portugal attesting to the assets' successful international transfer.

• The Land Register Certificate, along with the documents, endorsements, and current registration, attests to the property's ownership.

• If appropriate, the legal description of the property.

A €350,000 investment on a property in a Portuguese urban redevelopment zone:

The papers listed above

A certificate from a competent organization stating that the property is located in a regeneration zone.

A bank account with a balance of at least €1 million:

A declaration from a Portuguese-registered financial institution attesting to the deposit. There must be no fees or responsibilities associated with the transfer.

Creation of at least ten job positions:

• A declaration from a Portuguese-registered financial institution attesting to the requisite deposit.

• Employees and employers have individual employment contracts.

• If you are a shareholder in a corporation, get information from the corporate registry.

Investment in the arts:

A declaration from the Portuguese Strategy, Planning, and Cultural Assessment Office attesting to your investment in the arts or the repair and upkeep of the national cultural heritage and saying that you have conferred with the relevant authorities.

A declaration from a Portuguese financial institution attesting the asset transfer

Investment in research and development:

A statement from a public or private scientific research organization confirming the investment.

A declaration from a Portuguese financial institution attesting the asset transfer.