What happens if my application to Portugal's Golden Visa was submitted but not approved by Dec. 31, 2021?

Answers

• 

  Tiago Gali Macedo

  NEXT/Gali Macedo & Associados

  July 02, 2021

  The application is divided in two stages: first is the online stage, where all basic documents are uploaded to the SEF’s platform; once that is approved, the second stage begins where the main applicant (and family members, should they apply) personally go to the SEF facilities and have their biometrics data collected; they also handover all necessary documents in this stage. About the Dec. 31 “deadline”, what matters here is the moment when your online application got executed. If you applied under the former legal framework, your rights cannot be jeopardized due to a new set of rules that go against them. Therefore, if by Dec. 31, 2021, your application (at least the online one) has been executed but hasn’t been decided yet, there won’t be a problem.

• 

  Nuno Albuquerque

  N-Advogados

  July 01, 2021

  The changes the government has introduced so far on the program have been in way to reduce the investment amounts or to create new investment opportunities. Although regarding property acquisition, the Annual Budget Law for 2021 granted power to the government to review this specific scheme in order to increase the investment amounts for the property acquisition and restrict this investment activity to sparsely populated regions and to Madeira and Azores Islands. Meaning that big cities such as Lisbon or Oporto will no longer be eligible for Golden Visa Program. Nevertheless, for applicants who apply during 2021, the possibility of renewing residence permits issued under the current regime is guaranteed, and also the possibility of granting or renewing residence permits for family reunification, when the authorization for investment residence has been granted, also, under the current regime.