Portugal Golden Visa Is Not Closing
*** The Portugal Golden Visa programme is continuing but investment routes and amounts are about to change. There has been much uncertainty in the last few months and there are many outdated articles to be found on the web. However the Portuguese parliament has now signed off the bill ending the real estate route to the Golden Visa. Once this is signed into law (likely early October 2023) it will no longer be possible to apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa under the €280,000 or €350,000 real estate route. The main route to the Golden Visa will then be Fund Investment which is set at €500,000. Clients have until this time to take advantage of the lower investment limit. ***
Portugal Golden Visa Overview
The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility, cost and benefits. Introduced in 2012 this pioneering investment visa effectively launched the concept of Golden Visas taking it mainstream and laying the foundations for other countries such as Spain and Greece to follow. Since then, the Portugal program has been actively promoted internationally attracting over €6.0 billion of inward investment into the economy. As the leading consultancy for the Portuguese Golden Visa Universal Investment Visa is proud to have advised and assisted more than one thousand investors and applicants from over 150 countries worldwide for the programme since its introduction.
Requirements For Golden Visa Portugal
Investment
An investment of €500,000 (€280,000 or €350,000 reduced option) in real estate in Portugal will gain a golden visa residency permit for a family including dependent children. Although other methods are available (see FAQ below) the real estate route accounts for over 92% of all applications.
Associated Costs
There are several costs to consider in addition to the investment amount for the golden visa in Portugal. They include property tax, stamp duty, notary and land registry fees, government approval and application fees and legal costs for processing. Typically, they will add around 14% to a €350,000 investment.
Eligibility and Requirements
In addition to the investment and fees applicants will need to open a Portuguese bank account. Investors are required to have a clean criminal record, full health insurance and to submit their applications along with full biometrics. This requires one visit to Portugal at the application stage.
The Portuguese Golden Visa can be renewed at two-year intervals providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years and maintains their investment.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Portugal
One of the most attractive options of the Portuguese Golden Visa is the ability to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years without the need to reside in Portugal full time. The applicant and their family need only visit for two weeks every two years to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa through this period. Read more on the path to Portuguese Citizenship.
The Portuguese residency card granted through the golden visa programme allows the holder to travel throughout the EU Schengen zone. Citizenship of Portugal and a second passport conveys the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union.
From €280k + costs
Real Estate
Full family residency
Flexible. No requirement to reside.
Citizenship from 5 years
Portugal Golden Visa Benefits
The benefits of Portugal’s Golden Visa have helped establish it as arguably the world’s foremost residency by investment program. They include:
- Low minimum investment of just €280,000
- Eligibility to live, work and study in Portugal
- Visa free travel throughout the EU Schengen zone
- Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years (without needing full residency)
- Minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years
- No tax on worldwide income
- Option for Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR)
Minimum investment of €280,000
Clean Criminal Record
Open to non-EU applicants
Include Spouse and Family
Dependent Children
Parents 65y +
Short Minimum Stay
No Interview
No Language Test
Residency in an EU country
Schengen Visa Free travel
Path to citizenship after five years
How Much Does the Portugal Golden Visa Programme Cost?
Aside from the real estate investment amount there are fees in addition. These will vary depending on family size and property investment. We have set out below a typical example choosing a €350,000 investment:
| Real Estate Investment | €350,000 |
| IMT (Property Transfer Tax) 4.60% (Est.) | €16,100 |
| Stamp Duty 0.8% | €2,800 |
| Notary/Land Registry Fee €1,050 | €1,050 |
| Registration of Promissory Sales Agreement | €400 |
| Golden Visa Approval Fee €5,336 (x4) €21,344 | €21,344 |
| Golden Visa Application Fee €533 (x4) | €2,132 |
| Legal Fees | €5,000 |
| TOTAL | €398,826 |
How to Apply for The Golden Visa in Portugal
Consult with Universal Investment Visa’s team of experts to help decide the Portugal Golden Visa is suitable for you and your family. If so, we can then help you appoint a legal representative from several we can recommend and suggest any number of qualifying real estate options throughout Portugal for you to consider.
Universal investment visa”s will work with you and your appointed legal representative in Portugal to prepare for your Golden Visa application. This includes opening a Portuguese bank account and NIF number before finalising your investment choice. At this point a pre-application can be submitted online.
Following a review of your pre-application by the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF) you will need to attend in person in Portugal at a pre appointed meeting with SEF at which point your biometrics (fingerprints) will be taken and you will officially make the golden visa application.
You then wait the final approval of your application. On approval your residency cards will be forwarded to you. These are valid for two years when they can be renewed subject to retaining your investment throughout and paying the appropriate renewal fees.
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