Golden Visa in Portugal

Portugal has introduced changes to the regime of entry and residence of foreign nationals in the country. This regime is more attractive in terms of visa requirements enhancing Portugal’s ability to attract foreign nationals to invest in the Portuguese territory. In general terms, it is possible for a temporary residence permit to be granted without the need of a residence visa.

Golden Visa is a residence permit given to non-EU citizens who decide to invest in Portugal. It is a fast track visa for investors, taking less time to be issued than a regular visa. This kind of visa also allows the investor to freely travel within the Schengen area while the visa is in force.

This Golden Visa regime was launched in 2012. As of December 2021, 10,254 Golden Visa permits and 17,221 residence permits for respective family members, have been issued in Portugal.

In order to obtain a Golden Visa, the investor must comply with at least one of the following conditions:

• Capital transfer in the minimum amount of €1,500,000 that may include a direct investment in Portuguese companies through the purchase of the respective shares.

• Creation of at least 10 jobs positions;

• Acquisition of real estate property in the minimum amount of €500,000 (or €400,000 in case of low density areas), located in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira or in the interior territories.

• Acquisition of real estate property, located in the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira or in the interior territories, which construction has been concluded at least 30 years ago or is located in an urban rehabilitation area, to be subject to rehabilitation works in the minimum amount of €350,000 (or €280,000 in case of low density areas). If it is not for residential purposes the real estate property in the minimum of €350,000 can be located in all the national territory.

• Capital transfer in the minimum amount of €500,000 which shall be applied in research activity developed by public or private institutions of scientific investigation, part of the scientific and technologic national system.

• Capital transfer in the minimum amount of €250,000 which shall be applied in investment or support of arts productions, recuperation or maintenance of national cultural heritage, trough services of the central and peripheral direct administration, public institutes, entities of the State-owned company sector, public foundations, private foundations with public utility status, intermunicipal entities, entities that pertain to the local business sector, municipal associative entities and public cultural associations pursuing their function in the field of artistic production, recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage.

• Capital transfer in the minimum amount of €500,000 for purchasing shares in investment funds or in venture capital funds geared to capitalize companies that are incorporate under the Portuguese law with the maturity of at least 5 years and provided that at least 60% of its capital is invested in companies based on the Portuguese territory.

• Capital transfer in the minimum amount of €500,000 for the establishment of a commercial company in Portuguese territory combined with the creation of at least 5 permanent jobs. Or transfer for the capital increase of a commercial company already established in Portuguese territory with the creation or maintenance of, at least, 5 permanent jobs for a minimum period of 3 years.