PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA
ABOUT PORTUGAL
Portugal, officially known as the Republic of Portugal, is a country located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, and Spain to the north and east. With its ideal geographical location at the meeting point of three continents – America, Europe, and Africa, Portugal has always been at the center of the most important international routes.
Portugal has a pleasant temperate climate: the north has cool and rainy weather, and it gets warmer as you go south. In the summer, the air is hot and dry with little rain, while in the winter, cool moist winds from the west spread across Portugal.
Portugal is voted among the top 3 peaceful countries, and among the top 10 safest countries in the world (according to data from the International Peace Organization). It also ranks 19th in the world for the best quality of life.
Portugal is a member of the European Union (EU), the Schengen area, and the Eurozone. Portugal’s economy ranks 38th in the world, with its two economic capitals being the capital Lisbon and the city of Porto.
Acreage
92,212 km2
Population
10,290,103 people
GDP per capita
22,440 USD
Capital
Lisbon
Languages
Portuguese, English
Currency
EUR
PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA PROGRAM
The Portugal Golden Visa Program, effective from October 8, 2012, allows non-EU citizens to obtain a Residency Permit through various forms of investment: Job creation; investment in research projects; activities promoting the development of cultural & artistic foundations; investment funds; or buying back businesses in Portugal.
The Portugal Golden Visa residency program opens up opportunities to live, study, work, and settle in Portugal and European countries for the whole family.
The Portugal Golden Visa grants freedom of movement in 29 countries in the Schengen area and allows investors to enjoy most of the rights of the host country’s citizens regarding education, healthcare, and social security at European standards.
Investor benefits
Residency card for 3 generations of family
3 generations of family, free to work, study, and live in Portugal.
Freedom of movement within the Schengen area
Free to travel to 29 countries in the Schengen area.
Permanent ownership of real estate
Investors, when investing, own real estate permanently.
Become an EU citizen after 5 years
Naturalize Portugal after 5 years and enjoy the benefits of EU citizens.
Eligibility criteria
Investment
Investors need to invest between 250,000 - 500,000 EUR in one of the five forms.
Residence Time
7 days in the first year, 14 days every 2 years thereafter (within 5 years).
Health Insurance
Investors must purchase health insurance in Portugal during their stay.
Criminal Record
Investors must have a clean criminal record.
Investment Methods
1. Create at least 10 jobs
Create at least 10 jobs for Portuguese citizens
Invest 500,000 EUR in research projects in Portugal
Invest from 500,000 EUR for research projects in Portugal – projects that contribute to the development process of general sciences or the country’s information technology system.
Invest from 250,000 EUR for activities promoting the development of cultural & artistic foundations
Invest from 250,000 EUR for activities promoting the development of cultural & artistic foundations in Portugal.
Including activities such as:
- Support the production of artistic products;
- Restore, maintain national cultural heritage.
Allowed types of organizations:
- Administrative service organizations of the central region and suburbs;
- Public funds, private funds;
- Organizations, agencies, and community or city cultural associations.
4. Invest from 500,000 EUR in certain investment funds
Invest from 500,000 EUR in certain investment funds and established according to Portuguese law, and commit a minimum maturity of 05 years and at least 60% of the investment amount must be poured into commercial companies headquartered in Portugal.
5. Invest from 500,000 EUR to buy back a business
Invest from 500,000 EUR to buy back a business that is operating and has an office in Portugal, while creating at least 05 new jobs or maintaining at least 10 jobs (for a minimum of 03 years).
Processing
Sign Service Agreement with JA & Partners
Obtain Tax ID and Open Bank Account
Make qualifying investment
Submit Golden Visa application to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum)
Receive Residence permit, renewable every 02 years
Eligible for Portuguese citizenship after 05 years
News about Portugal
Knowledge of investment and settlement in Portugal
01For those new to learning about settling in Portugal
What is Portugal investment residency?
The Portugal Investment Residency Program allows investors and their families to reside permanently in Portugal and enjoy visa-free travel to 27 countries in the Schengen area. After receiving the Portugal Golden Visa, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
The Portugal Golden Visa Program was launched in October 2012 with the aim of attracting foreign investment to Portugal. This is one of the most successful policies as this program has mobilized more than 6 billion Euros.
Should you settle in Portugal?
There are many reasons why you might want to settle long-term in Portugal – one of the best-rated countries for foreigners to live:
- Safe country with stable politics
- High quality of life
- Low cost of living
- Impressive natural landscapes
- High-quality and free healthcare system
How to settle in Portugal
Ways to obtain Portuguese citizenship
- Naturalization (living in Portugal)
- Portugal Golden Visa Program
- Through sponsorship of relatives or marriage
- Being adopted
- Having Sephardic Jewish origin
- Naturalization through an agreement between Portugal and its former colonies
02Frequently Asked Questions about Portugal Investment Residency
- What is Portugal Golden Visa? Is it different from permanent residency?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency visa that the investor’s family will receive after about 8-12 months of processing the Portugal investment residency application. Simply put, the Golden Visa is a long-term residency card in Portugal.
The Golden Visa is equivalent to permanent residency rights in Portugal. With the Golden Visa, the entire investor’s family is free to live, work, start a business, and send children to school in Portugal.
The difference compared to permanent residency is that the Golden Visa has a term. After the visa expires, the investor needs to apply for an extension. After 5 years of residency, the investor and family can apply for Portuguese citizenship (European citizenship).
- What are the general regulations that Portugal Golden Visa investors must comply with?
In general, the applicant needs to comply with the following general requirements:
- Have a clean criminal record;
- Legal source of investment from abroad.
- How is the residency requirement to be granted a Golden Visa in Portugal regulated?
According to the regulation, the investor only needs to be in Portugal for 7 days in the first year and 14 days in the next 2 years. In the case of applying for a permanent residency card, the residency time will be required differently.
- Are Golden Visa applicants allowed to work in Portugal?
The answer is yes. The applicant is allowed to work and has no obstacles in the right to apply for a work permit.
- With the Golden Visa, are the investor’s children allowed to study for free in Portugal?
With the Golden Visa, the investor’s children are exempt from tuition fees from primary to high school at public schools in Portugal.
- What is the risk of investment?
The risk of the Portugal Golden Visa investment program is that the project/fund and developer lack experience or do not meet government conditions. Another risk is that you cannot prove the source of money is legal.
However, JA & Partners always carefully evaluate the investor’s application before signing a contract to support the investor to apply for citizenship, ensuring the success rate of the application at the highest level.
- Is it complicated to prove the source of money when investing for a Golden Visa?
Proving the source of money is much simpler than programs like the US, Australia, Canada. You just need to prove at a basic level that the source of money is legal.
9. What are the investment forms NOT accepted by the new Golden Visa program (updated on October 1, 2023)?
- Capital transfer with an amount from 1,500,000 EUR or more;
- Buy back real estate with a value equal to or greater than 500,000 EUR;
- Buy back real estate built at least 30 years ago or located in the urban regeneration area and carry out restoration works of the purchased real estate with a total amount equal to or higher than 350,000 EUR
10. What are the notes for the applications that have been submitted, are being processed, or are applying for a residency card extension for the Applicants and accompanying family members (according to the new Law updated on October 1, 2023)?
- The new Law does not apply to applications that have been submitted, are being processed, or are applying for a residency card extension of the Applicant and accompanying family members;
- Portugal investment funds directly or indirectly related to real estate investment will no longer be eligible;
- The times of extending the residency card under the Golden Visa program (Golden Visa) after being granted under the new law will be converted into a regular residency card for Entrepreneurs (D2 Entrepreneur’s Permit), and still keep the old requirement (must stay at least 7 days in the first year and 14 days in the next two years)
Why JA & Partners ?
JA & Partners was founded by immigration industry experts, with a combine of more than 30+ years of experience. Our team has consistently thrived for transparency, commitment and excellence in our services.
JA & Partners has helped more than 1,000 families obtain second citizenship and residency in United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, with a 100% success rate.
12+
Years of experience and excellence
100%
Approval rate
40+
Trusted industry partners
1000+
Successful applications
