Golden Visa in Portugal

The Golden Visa programme in Portugal offers individuals and their families the possibility to live and work in Portugal.

The Visa application process takes around 4 months and the visa is issued initially for a 1 year period, renewable for 2 years, until year 5.

Once the holder of a Portuguese Golden Visa has lived in Portugal for 5 years, an application for citizenship may be made.

• Main applicant must be over 18 years of age
• Valid passport
• Valid Birth Certificate
• Suitable private health insurance
• No criminal record in Portugal or in your country of Origin
• Evidence of having made one of the approved investments and that it is maintained for a minimum of 5 years

Approved Investments

Portugal offers the Golden Visa upon a minimum investment by the applicant: The amount of the investment varies according to the type of investment made, as follows:

• €500,000 in any real estate
• €350,000 an any property built at least 30 years ago
• €350,000 an any property located in an area of urban rehabilitation, with a requirement to renovate and improve the property
• €280,000 where the property is either over 30 years old or located in an area designated a¡for urban rehabilitation where the area is also an area designated to be sparsely populated.
• €350,000 towards scientific research (in companies integrated in the national scientific and technological system)
• €350,000 in investment funds. The investment company must be a regultated Portuguese firm of at least 5 years of operation.
• €350,000 in a commercial company with a registered office in national territory
• €1 million via capital transfer to an approved Portuguese bank account, for specified investment options
• Unspecified amounts may be invested in a business that results in the creation of at least 10 jobs in Portugal (reducing to 8 jobs if this investment takes place in an area of low population)

• Expedited Process (much simpler than other visa application processes)
• Goldent Visa holder may leave and return to Portugal as often as they wish without restriction
• You may also travel freely to any of the 27 countries that comprise the European Union
• This visa confers a right to both live and work in Portugal
• Ability to bring your family

As of early 2021, Portuguese officials are considering applying restrictions to the ambit of the Golden Visa such that there may be introduced restrictions on where property may be purchased in order to qualify for the visa.

Likely to be excluded would be the most popular locations in Portugal such as the Algarve area, Lisbon and Porto.

• An initial discussion with lawyers highly experienced in making successful applications for a Golden Visa
• An application for visa by property purchase is prepared, and all other documents required for a successful application are assembled under the guidance of your lawyer
• Your lawyer makes the application to the appropriate governmental bodies, on your behalf, in the correct time-frame
• You will be informed of the success of the application
• Once approved, your lawyer will assist you to collect your foreigner identity card(s)