Portugal
Portugal
Portugal Golden Visa
Visa-Free Travel Across Europe
With the Portugal Golden Visa, you gain visa-free access to all 27 Schengen Zone countries, allowing for seamless travel across Europe for business or leisure, making it ideal for frequent travelers and global professionals.
Pathway to Citizenship
After five years of holding the Golden Visa, you become eligible for Portuguese citizenship, granting you full EU citizenship rights, including the ability to live, work, and study in any EU country.
Thriving Real Estate Market
Portugal’s booming real estate market presents a lucrative investment opportunity. Whether you’re buying for rental income or capital appreciation, investing in Portuguese property offers strong returns alongside the benefits of residency.
Family Inclusion
The Portugal Golden Visa extends its benefits to your immediate family, including your spouse, dependent children, and even parents. This allows your loved ones to also benefit from Portuguese residency and the high-quality lifestyle that comes with it.
No Residency Requirement
Unlike many other residency programs, Portugal’s Golden Visa has no mandatory requirement for you to live in the country. You only need to spend an average of seven days per year, offering maximum flexibility for international investors.
Affordable Investment Thresholds
Portugal offers a range of investment options, starting from as low as €280,000, making it one of the most affordable residency programs in Europe. Whether investing in real estate or creating jobs, you can tailor the investment to your needs.
Investment Distribution
Investor
- Unmarried
- Parent or guardian’s consent if under 18
Spouse
- Unmarried
- Parent or guardian’s consent if under 18
Children Under 24 Years Old
- Unmarried
- Parent or guardian’s consent if under 18
Parent
- Unmarried
- Parent or guardian’s consent if under 18
Investment Options
Real Estate
€500.000
Alternatively, you can invest in an approved investment fund under the Portugal Golden Visa Program, requiring a minimum investment of €500,000. This option allows you to secure EU residency while diversifying your portfolio into regulated funds managed by experienced professionals. Investment funds typically focus on sectors such as real estate, technology, and infrastructure, providing opportunities for potential growth and returns.
In addition to the fund investment, government fees and legal costs apply, based on the number of applicants. These include processing fees for your family members, ensuring that your spouse, children, and even parents can benefit from Portuguese residency.
D-2 Visa
€250.000
Alternatively, you can apply for a D-2 Visa in Portugal, designed for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand a business in the country. This visa requires you to present a viable business plan or prove existing business activity in Portugal. It offers residency while allowing you to establish and grow a business in one of Europe’s most dynamic markets. The D-2 Visa is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to secure residency while benefiting from Portugal’s favorable business environment.
Government fees and legal expenses apply, along with the cost of setting up and running your business. Your family members can also be included in the application, providing them with access to Portuguese residency and its many advantages.
HQA Start-Up Visa
€200.000
Alternatively, you can apply for the HQA (Highly Qualified Activity) Visa in Portugal, which is designed for highly skilled professionals and entrepreneurs involved in innovative projects or research. This option requires you to collaborate with Portuguese research institutions or launch high-value business ventures, making it ideal for innovators and professionals seeking residency in an EU country known for its dynamic startup ecosystem.
In addition to meeting the program requirements, government fees and legal costs apply based on the number of applicants. Your family can also benefit from this program, granting them residency and access to Portugal’s world-class education and healthcare systems.
International Property
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month 1
Investor Orientation and Initial Security Assessment
We commence our onboarding process with Form 1, enabling us to conduct a GMC pre-screening. Upon completion of this screening, we will provide you with a Customer Agreement (CA) for your review and signature.
Upon receipt of the signed contract and advance payment, our transaction team will assist you in completing the necessary forms and compiling the required documents. If you are investing in real estate, it will be essential to enter into a sales and purchase agreement with the developer. Subsequently, we will liaise with the property developer and the Portuguese Immigration Unit through Investment (CIU).
Global Mobility Capital attorneys conduct initial background checks to identify potential risks that may result in application rejection promptly. Due Diligence minimizes the risk of rejection to 1%.
Should any risks be identified, we will propose an alternative solution, such as recommending the selection of a different program or the inclusion of supplementary documentation in the application.
The verifications we conduct are confidential. The sole document required is a passport.
The Global Mobility Capital team comprises certified Anti-Money Laundering Officers who possess extensive knowledge of the complexities involved in due diligence procedures across various countries.
Applicants are assigned a Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF/tax number), which consists of nine digits. The NIF is necessary for opening a bank account in Portugal, purchasing or renting real estate, registering a business, and in numerous other situations.
Investments under the Portugal Golden Visa Program must originate from a bank account held by the applicant in Portugal. We facilitate the process of opening and activating this account. Upon completion of all necessary procedures, the applicant will transfer the required investment amount.
month 2
Making the Investment
Depending on the option selected by the applicant, the investment fund acquires units, establishes a company, and provides the requisite employment, or makes an investment to support the arts or sciences. Attorneys gather all supporting documentation to substantiate the investment made.
month 6-7
Background Verification and Procedures
Global Mobility Capital’s attorneys furnish the investor with a personalized list of documents necessary for the residence permit application. They also complete official forms and offer assistance with the translation and notarization of documents.
This process may require up to two weeks. Electronic copies of the documents are submitted to the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Immigration, and Asylum (AIMA) for assessment. AIMA evaluates the application within a timeframe of 4 to 5 months.
month 7
Biometric
The investor and their family are required to travel to Portugal to present the original documents for the residence permit cards and to provide fingerprints. The appointment for fingerprinting must be scheduled in advance via the electronic registration system.
month 8
Golden Visa
AIMA is able to review documents up to eight months following the investor’s submission of the original documents and biometric data. Upon approval, the investor is required to pay the fee for the residence permit cards. These cards are prepared within two weeks and delivered either personally to the investor or to their attorney by proxy, who subsequently forwards the documents to the investor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
The Portugal Golden Visa Program is a residency-by-investment initiative that allows non-EU nationals to obtain residency in Portugal by making a qualifying investment. It grants visa-free travel within the Schengen Area and offers a pathway to Portuguese citizenship after five years.
What investment options are available for the Portugal Golden Visa?
Investment options include a minimum €280,000 in real estate in low-density areas, €500,000 in investment funds, €1 million in capital transfer, or creating at least 10 jobs in Portugal. Each option provides flexibility to suit different investment goals.
How long does the Portugal Golden Visa process take?
The processing time for the Portugal Golden Visa is typically 6-9 months from the time you submit your application, depending on the complexity of your case and the investment route chosen.
Can my family members be included in the Portugal Golden Visa application?
Yes, your spouse, dependent children, and even your parents can be included in your Portugal Golden Visa application. This allows your family to enjoy the benefits of residency, including visa-free travel and access to healthcare and education.
Do I need to live in Portugal to maintain the Golden Visa?
No, you do not need to live in Portugal full-time. The program requires you to spend only an average of seven days per year in Portugal, providing great flexibility for international investors.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa a pathway to citizenship?
Yes, after five years of holding the Portugal Golden Visa, you may apply for permanent residency or citizenship. To qualify for citizenship, you must pass a basic Portuguese language test and meet the residency requirements, which are minimal.
What are the tax implications of the Portugal Golden Visa?
Portugal offers favorable tax regimes for new residents, including the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program, which can offer tax exemptions on foreign-sourced income for up to 10 years. However, tax implications depend on whether you become a tax resident, which requires living in Portugal for more than 183 days per year.
Can I rent out my property after investing in real estate for the Golden Visa?
Yes, if you choose the real estate option, you can rent out the property to generate income while maintaining your residency. Portugal’s strong rental market, especially in tourist areas, offers excellent potential returns.
What are the fees associated with the Portugal Golden Visa?
In addition to the investment, there are government application fees, typically around €5,000 per applicant, along with legal and administrative costs. Despite these fees, the Portugal Golden Visa remains a cost-effective option compared to other EU residency programs.
Can I sell my investment property or withdraw my investment and still keep the Portugal Golden Visa?
To maintain the Golden Visa, you must hold your investment for at least five years. After this period, you can sell your property or withdraw your investment and still retain your permanent residency or citizenship status, as long as you meet the other program requirements.
The Portugal Golden Visa Program is established under the Portuguese Immigration Law (Law 23/2007, as amended by Law 28/2019) and its accompanying regulations. This program offers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Portugal by fulfilling specific investment criteria.
To acquire a residence permit under this program, a foreign national must make a qualifying investment in Portugal. The most common investment options include a minimum of €500,000 in real estate, a €350,000 investment in real estate that requires renovation, a €500,000 investment in an approved investment fund, or a capital transfer of €1 million. All investments must be officially sanctioned by the Portuguese government, and approval is required from the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners (SEF).
In addition to meeting the investment criteria, the investor must submit the necessary documentation and follow the legal procedures. The process for applying for a residence permit includes the following steps:
- Full copy of the passport: A complete and certified copy of the applicant’s passport, including all pages, must be submitted, and the passport’s validity must be certified by a public notary.
- Residence permit application form: The official residence permit application form issued by SEF must be completed accurately and thoroughly.
- Photograph: A biometric passport-style photograph, taken within the last six months, that adheres to international standards is required.
- Proof of financial status: The applicant must provide documents verifying the source and amount of their investment, such as bank statements, tax returns, or other financial records.
- Investment documentation: A copy of the title deed for the real estate investment, a notarized lease agreement, or documentation proving the completion of the investment fund or capital transfer must be submitted.
- Medical report: The applicant must submit a valid medical report outlining their general health status, which may include specific tests depending on the applicant’s health condition.
- Criminal record: A clean criminal record is required and must be obtained from the relevant authorities in the applicant’s country of residence.
To expedite the process, investors may grant power of attorney to a legal representative in Portugal. This allows the representative to complete the application on the investor’s behalf. Once approved, the residence permit is granted for an initial period of two years and is renewable for subsequent periods of two years, provided the investment is maintained.
Additional documents may be required when applying for the Portugal Golden Visa, such as:
- Investment certificate: Official proof that the investment has been completed and approved by the Portuguese government.
- Tax identification number: The applicant must acquire a Portuguese tax identification number (NIF), which is necessary for real estate or other financial investments in Portugal.
- Documents for family members: If the application includes dependent family members, such as a spouse, minor children, or other dependents, their passports, criminal records, and medical reports must also be submitted and fully notarized.
All documents must be presented accurately, translated into Portuguese (if necessary), and notarized as required. The residence permit application is processed in accordance with Portuguese Immigration Law and its related regulations. Maintaining the investment is essential for renewal, and after five years, the applicant may apply for permanent residency or citizenship, provided they meet the residency and language requirements.