Portuguese Golden Visa Program

The Portugal Golden Visa program is designed to attract foreign investment into the country. It has become one of the most popular residency-by-investment schemes in Europe, offering applicants and their families a path to Portuguese residency and eventual citizenship.

Eligibility and Investment Requirements:

To qualify for the Golden Visa, applicants must make a qualifying investment in Portugal. As of recent updates, the most common routes include:

Investment Funds: A minimum investment of €500,000 in a qualifying Portuguese investment fund (typically focused on sectors such as tech, healthcare, or real estate development).

Business and Job Creation: Establishing a business that creates at least 10 local jobs (or 8 in low-density areas).

Scientific or Cultural Contribution: A capital transfer of €250,000 to support arts, culture, or scientific research in Portugal.

It’s important to note that real estate investments, once a central feature of the programme, were significantly restricted in 2023 and are now largely excluded from eligibility in major urban areas such as Lisbon and Porto.

We are in the process of establishing a fund in Portugal to help applicants avail of the investment requirements as we believe that the programme will be of particular interest to some of the athletes who we currently assist with wealth planning.

What the Visa Entitles You To:

• Successful applicants are granted a residence permit allowing them to:

• Live and work in Portugal.

• Travel freely within the Schengen Area (26 European countries).

• Include family members in the application (spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents).

• Access public healthcare and education in Portugal.

• Apply for permanent residency after 5 years, and citizenship thereafter, subject to language and other requirements.

• One of the most attractive aspects of the Golden Visa is the minimal physical presence requirement: just 7 days per year in Portugal on average.

Application Process and Timeframes:

The Golden Visa application process typically follows these steps:

Step 1: Select an investment route and complete the required transaction.

Step 2: Gather supporting documents, including proof of investment, criminal background checks, and valid passports.

Step 3: Submit the application online to the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (AIMA).

Step 4: Attend biometric appointments in Portugal.

Step 5: Await approval and issuance of the residence permit.

From the initial investment to permit issuance, the process generally takes 6 to 12 months, though timing can vary depending on the complexity of the application and volume of submissions.

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What are the key benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa?

• Low minimum stay per year of just 7 days

• Citizenship granted in 5 years if requirements are met

• Dual citizenship permitted

• Able to live, work and study in Portugal: a well-developed educational system, high quality of life and growing, diverse industry.

• Visa-free travel in 27 countries across the Schengen Area for 90s

• Dependents are eligible for permanent residence & citizenship after 5 years

• Attractive location for business: access to European markets

• Tax Advantages: The Golden Visa Program falls under the Non-Habitual Residency Program which offers exemptions from personal taxes for 10 years, absence of wealth tax and inheritance tax, and majority of revenue generated outside of Portugal non-taxable.

• Access to free healthcare

• Favourable year-round climate

• A safe place to live with low crime rates

• Investment options from as low as €250,000, which relatively cheaper than many other across the globe.

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