If you are an investor and you admire the idea of putting your investment in Portugal, you should explore Portugal’s Golden Visa program. This program offers a straightforward path to residency and potential citizenship for investors like you. Among other benefits of this visa is the freedom to travel.
With the Golden Visa, you have the right to travel anywhere in the European Union without obtaining a visa. In addition, many other non-Schengen countries will allow you to travel within their territory visa-free.
If you are interested in investing in this program, here are the various investor visa options available and the minimum investment thresholds you need to meet.
Basics of Portugal’s Golden visa program
Portugal’s Golden Visa program is a popular choice for investors seeking European residency and the potential for citizenship. It was established in 2012 and has since attracted many individuals and families worldwide.
The program is designed to stimulate foreign investment in Portugal’s economy, primarily through real estate acquisitions and job creation. The amazing part of the program is that there are numerous options.
Who is eligible for the Golden Visa program?
The program is open to a wide range of foreign investors and their families. If you are interested in the program, you must meet all of the following criteria before your investment will be accepted
- Age limit: To be accepted into this program, you must be 18 and above.
- Non-European Union (EU) and non-European Economic Area (EEA) Citizens: This program is designed specifically for citizens of countries outside the EU and EEA. If you are not from a country outside the EU and EEA, there is no need to try out this program, your application won’t be accepted.
- Investment requirement: In the program, there are qualifying investment options, and you must meet at least one of those options (we will talk about them below) before you are accepted into this program.
- Clean criminal record: If you are applying for the program with your family members, you and your family members must not have a criminal record in Portugal or your home country. You have to be clean.
- Proof of funds: This is arguably the most important requirement, you must demonstrate that you have the required financial power to make the required investment and support your stay in Portugal. This particular requirement is not optional.
- Compliance with investment rules: Depending on the investment option you choose, you must comply with the specific rules and regulations associated with it. For example, if you invest in real estate, you must maintain ownership for a certain period and meet the minimum property value requirement.
- Health Insurance: You and your family members must have valid health insurance coverage in Portugal.
- Minimum stay requirements: There is no mandatory minimum stay (in Portugal) required to maintain your Golden Visa but if you want to become a permanent resident of Portugal, you need to meet the required minimum stay in the country.
- Investment source verification: You have to provide a verifiable source of your income.
Investor visa options for the Golden Visa program
In the Golden Visa program, there are many options you can choose from. Each option has its requirements and specific benefits.
If you want to invest under any of the options, you have to meet the requirements.
Real estate investment:
- You need a minimum investment of €500,000
- Under this option, you need to purchase real estate in Portugal, you can use the real estate for personal use or rental income.
- In addition, the property can be located anywhere in Portugal, it can be in urban or rural areas, your choice.
Capital transfer:
- Here, you need a minimum investment of €1,000,000
- Under this option, you can invest in shares or funds of Portuguese companies or deposit the required amount in a Portuguese bank account.
Job creation:
- With a minimum investment of €350,000, you can apply under this option.
- This option demands that you create jobs in Portugal, you can do this by starting a business or investing in an existing one.
- It requires the creation of a minimum of ten jobs.
Research activities:
- You can apply under this option with a minimum investment of €350,000
- You can support scientific research activities in Portugal by contributing to research institutions.
Art and culture:
- Under the art and culture, you need a minimum investment of €250,000
- This option involves investing in the preservation of national heritage, supporting the arts, or restoring cultural properties.
Meeting the minimum investment thresholds
If you don’t meet the minimum investment amounts, you won’t be able to get Portugal’s Golden Visa, that’s the rule.
These thresholds are like the entry ticket to the program. They’re the minimum amounts of money you need to invest, and if you fall short, you won’t be eligible.
Here are some tips to help you navigate the process successfully:
- Plan properly: Before getting started, make sure that you have the necessary funds readily available.
- Choose the right investment option: When you are ready to get started, ensure that you select the investment option that aligns with your financial goals and objectives.
- Due diligence: You need to jump on this but not too fast, conduct proper research, and verify investment opportunities thoroughly, especially in real estate or business ventures.
- Legal assistance: You can’t get this done alone, you need a legal team, consider hiring legal and financial advisors who specialize in Portugal’s Golden Visa program to guide you through the process.
- Document preparation: Before starting the application process, prepare all the required documents to avoid delays in your application.
A few benefits of the Gold Visa program
- The primary benefit of the Golden Visa program is that it allows you to get temporary residency in Portugal. With this, you can live, work, and study in the country.
- In addition, you can get permanent residency after holding a Golden Visa for a specific period (usually five years.
- As a Golden Visa holder, you can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area, which is over 26 European countries.
- The program extends benefits to your immediate family members, including your spouse, children, and dependent parents. They can also obtain residency under your Golden Visa application.
- Unlike some other immigration programs, Portugal’s Golden Visa program does not require you to demonstrate proficiency in the Portuguese language.
- Portugal does have tax but it offers tax incentives to Golden Visa holders
The Golden Visa program is amazing if you are an investor seeking European residency and potential citizenship.
It’s a versatile program and it can cater to the needs and aspirations of a wide range of individuals and families, this is why it’s a popular choice among international investors.
If you are interested, get a legal team to work with you on your application. Keep in mind that immigration regulations can change.
