Portugal

Portugal Investment Immigration Programs Overview

*** On February 16, 2023, the Portugese Prime Minister António Costa announced the end of the Golden Visa program citing raising costs of real estate properties as the main reason. The announcement kickstarts a month-long discussion period with different stakeholders. On March 16, 2023, the council of ministers will gather once againto draft a final proposal to the parliament regarding the Golden Visa. Stay tuned to this page for further developments.***

Portugal offers a five-year pathway to the Portuguese (European) passport, which is one of the strongest travel documents in the world according to the Global Passport Power Rank 2020.

This citizenship pathway is built under the popular European Union Golden Visa residency-by-investment program. It’s a simple option that includes full residency, social, health, educational and working rights in exchange for a capital transfer, real-estate purchase or other qualifying investments. There are eight options of investments, ranging from 200,000 to 1.5 million euros, in different areas. The majority of applicants have used the real estate option, mostly due to the tourism boom and the possibility of converting the property in local housing allowance (Airbnb).

In the last year, the interest for non-real estate option has been growing, especially in investment and venture capital funds, thanks to the simplicity of the process, zero tax impact and inexistent maintenance costs.

The Portuguese program suffered in 2015 with its enormous success, generating analysis and approval timings of more than one year due to the lack of available logistical capacity and human resources. Since then, the program has undergone several legislative amendments that made it faster with more diverse investment options and clearer procedures. These amendments also guarantee their holders access to recent changes to the nationality law, which covers not only adults but also foreign children.

Applications are normally processed within nine months. The golden-visa program has drawn 4.8 billion euros in new capital to Portugal since 2012.

This program can couple with the NHR Tax program to grant a 10-year period of tax exemption on foreign personal income and a lower flat rate on income obtained in Portugal from qualified activities.

Citizenship By Investment

Although Portugal doesn’t offer a CBI program per se, successful residency applicants can obtain citizenship — and a well-regarded E.U. passport — after five years of holding this residence card, which only demands a minimum stay of seven days per year in a Portuguese territory and works as a Schengen Visa to allow free travel around Europe.

How to Apply

The application process is straightforward, especially for the real estate pathway. Applicants are required to request a Portuguese Taxpayer Number (NIF), open a Portuguese bank account and transfer the necessary investment amounts. Once the purchase of real estate is completed, applicants must submit their application through the Immigration and Borders Service’s online platform. After the online approval, they must then visit Portugal in person to submit the biometric data.

The application itself is painless, requiring only basic personal documentation along with a police background check. If an applicant wants to bring the spouse and children to Portugal, a marriage certificate and birth certificates are needed.

Investments in areas other than real estate are also very appealing, with different documentation and complexity required to demonstrate qualifying investment. After the approval, the residence card can be collected by the Investor or his representative.

Mobility

Portuguese residency confers the right to live, study and work in Portugal, as well as visa-free travel across the European’s Schengen Zone. It doesn’t bring any travel benefits outside the E.U.

Investors who persevere and gain citizenship can obtain a Portuguese passport, which is among the world’s strongest, allowing visa-free travel to 187 countries.

Country

Portugal enjoys a high standard of living with low costs, an internationally well-developed healthcare system and quality educational offerings. The country is ranked for consecutive years as the third safest country in the world, according to the 2019 Global Peace Index. It is also putting considerable resources in attracting entrepreneurs and startups, as well as into renewable energy, supporting the development of green and blue projects.

Updated by Tiago Gali Macedo, Sara Sousa Rebolo and Staff

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