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When do I become a tax resident of Portugal as a Golden Visa holder?

I am a Canadian citizen and am considering relocating to Portugal through its Golden Visa program. I was informed by my accountant that I might be subject to dual taxation exerted by both countries after I become a tax resident of Portugal. I want to know when and under what circumstances would I become a tax resident in Portugal.


Answers
  • N-Advogados
    September 27, 2019

    You can be considered a Portuguese tax resident when you have the tax identification number, which is a number that identifies a taxpayer with the tax administration. This number is required for making investments. The Golden Visa holder benefits from the non-habitual resident tax system, which is designed to attract high value-added professionals and individuals with significant income. This type of tax system applies to non-habitual residents in Portuguese territory who, after becoming tax residents in Portugal, have not been in the previous five years. A person who meets these two requirements acquires the right to be taxed as such for a period of 10 consecutive years from the date of registration as a Portuguese citizen.

  • NEXT/Gali Macedo & Associados
    September 30, 2019

    A holder of a temporary residence authorization (Golden Visa) does not immediately qualify as a tax resident in Portugal. A valid option would be, however, to enter the partial residence regime for tax means, according to which you must stay in Portuguese national territory for more than 183 days, consecutive or not, in a period of 12 months or, on the other hand, be owner of housing in Portuguese territory in conditions that suggest that you wish to keep and occupy the house as your habitual residency. Finally, if you wish to live in Portugal, another valid option would be to become a non-habitual resident, after you have spent more than 183 days in Portuguese territory in a period of 12 months or if you own a house in the terms explained above. The non-habitual residence regime allows you to maintain this status for a period of 10 consecutive years and this regime has a few particularities: most of the income that comes from a foreign source is not taxed in Portugal; the income that comes from national (Portuguese) activity can be taxed at a fixed rate of 20%.