BROCHURE The Portuguese Residency by Investment as per the changes in the law 23/2007 of 4th July 2023, can be obtained through investments which are NOT aimed directly or indirectly at Real Estate Investments.
The Portugal Golden Visa program, introduced by the amendment of Act 23/2007 on July 4, 2012, allows non-EU investors to obtain a temporary EU residence permit for up to 5 years through investment in Portugal. The program is unique as the law enables the Golden Visa holder to apply for citizenship after 5 years without ever residing in Portugal..
Citizenship Invest ensures the highest success rates through experience and a solid track-record with the different Governments. Every year, we help hundreds of individuals and families to acquire a second residency or citizenship by investment. Citizenship Invest successfully helped clients from over 85 countries around the globe. Most importantly, we have a long-term view of ‘client-advisor’ relationships and commit to our clients for life.
Minimal physical residency requirements of only 14 days visit to Portugal every 2 years.
No interview, language test, education, or management experience required.
Portugal Golden Visa grants you free travel to Europe including 29 countries in the Schengen zone.
You can apply for Portugal citizenship after 5 years of holding Permanent Residency.
No inheritance taxes in Portugal
Only residents who stay in Portugal for more than six months a year must pay tax on income earned in Portugal.
The Portuguese residency permit allows visa-free travel to 27 European countries in the Schengen Area.
The Portuguese residency permit allows visa-free travel to 27 European countries in the Schengen Area.
*The list of countries is subject to variations depending on each government's policy and so is access to these countries.
Portugal's Golden Visa program, launched in 2007, allows non-EU citizens to live, work, and study in Portugal by investing in real estate. This program offers a safe and successful path to Portuguese citizenship in only five years.
The Golden Visa is a residency by investment program allowing third-country nationals to obtain a temporary residence permit through an investment activity in Portugal.
The Portuguese Residency by Investment as per the changes in the law 23/2007 of 4th July 2023, can be obtained through investments which are NOT aimed directly or indirectly at Real Estate Investments.
Applicable to ALL options.
A one-time payment made at the time the application is submitted for both the primary applicant and all subsequent applicants
In addition to the required investment, there are other costs for the Portugal Residency by Investment Program, which are Citizenship Invest professional fees, documents certifications when applicable, courier fees, and other small disbursements. If you wish to receive a detailed quotation outlining all costs, please get in touch with us.
Client signs Citizenship Invest (CI) Retainer Agreement and pays the first Professional Fees.
Clients selects investment option. Citizenship Invest starts preparing the documentation required for the Portuguese Golden Visa application and submits it on your behalf.
The client must travel to Portugal to acquire the passport stamp and submit the Residency application. If the client does not have a Schengen Visa, they must obtain a Portuguese Tourist Visa from the Portuguese Consulate in their country of origin or residence.
All applicants, including the client, must travel to Portugal on a Schengen or Tourist Visa to obtain the passport stamp and visit the Immigration Department. Client transfers the capital directly to their new Portuguese bank account opened by CI.
CI team submits the Residence Permit documentation to the Government, including the proof of capital transfer.
Government Processing Application Fees and CI fees are payable at this point.
Once approved, the CI team schedules a meeting with the authorities, and the client pays the Government Residency Permit Fees and CI final fees.
Clients can travel to Portugal to receive the Residency Permit, or CI lawyers can receive it on their behalf. The government issues the Portugal Residence Permit within 45 days.
The estimated time for Portugal residency by investment visa approval depends on the processing time for due diligence and the individual case.
15 pages 700Kb
The Main Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Maintain a clean criminal record in both your home country and Portugal.
Must be in good health and provide a medical certificate.
Make a qualifying investment either in commercial or tourist property or in residential real estate and maintain it for at least 5 years.
Meet the 7-day residency requirement in the first year and the 14-day residency requirement in the following 2-year periods.
Citizenship Invest provides personalised assistance for the Portuguese Golden Visa application, including a dedicated Document Collection Specialist to simplify the process and create a customised checklist. Please get in touch with us for more information on the Portugal Residency by Investment program and its requirements.
Removal of Real Estate Investment Options:
The program no longer allows any form of real estate investment as a means to obtain the Golden Visa.
Introduction of New Investment Routes: New alternatives include investing in film production in low-density areas for €200,000 and other emerging opportunities.
Renewal Process: The initial residency permit is valid for two years, requiring a minimum physical presence of 7 days in Portugal for renewal.
Citizenship Eligibility: The 5-year residency requirement for citizenship eligibility now starts from the date of submitting the Golden Visa application, rather than from the date the residence permit is issued. This accounts for the processing time and reduces the total time to citizenship.
Effective Date: These changes took effect from October 7, 2023.
Portugal revamped its Golden Visa program in 2024, excluding real estate acquisition and capital transfer as qualifying investment options. However, applicants can still meet requirements through various avenues:
1-Investment in Private Equity or Venture Capital: A minimum investment of €500,000 in a fund regulated by the Bank of Portugal or the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.
2-Capital Transfer to a Portuguese Bank: Transferring at least €1.5 million to a Portuguese bank.
3-Job-Creating Investments: Establishing a minimum of 10 jobs in Portugal with full social security contributions.
4-Investing in Portuguese Businesses: Supporting Portuguese commercial sector businesses with a minimum investment of €500,000.
5-Donations Towards Portugal's National Heritage and Art: Donating a minimum of €250,000 to cultural projects.
6-Funding Research Activities: Making a donation of at least €500,000 for research purposes in the private or public sector.
Yes, you can renew your Portugal Golden Visa after it expires. The Portugal Golden Visa program requires investors to renew their cards every two years. You must pursue the renewal process between one and three months before your current residence permit expires.
Portugal's Golden Visa holders can now renew their visas online, a new system that will significantly simplify the renewal process. After you renew your initial Golden Visa card twice and complete five years, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship in Portugal.
Through the Portuguese Golden Visa program, you can pursue citizenship in Portugal. After renewing your initial Golden Visa card twice, totaling five years, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
Unlike other countries, residing in Portugal is not a requirement for citizenship eligibility. To qualify for citizenship, you must have no outstanding tax obligations in Portugal and maintain a clean criminal record in Portugal and your home country.
The Portuguese residency card acquired via the Golden Visa program grants the holder the right to travel throughout the EU Schengen area, and this program paves the way for eventual Portuguese citizenship.
The investment fund option allows you to recover your investment amount after 5 years, unlike real estate investments which are no longer eligible. This provides more flexibility compared to other investment routes. And the minimum investment required for a fund is €500,000, which is lower than the previous €1 million capital transfer option that is no longer available.
Portugal Golden Visa program is considered stable and supported by various political parties in Portugal, offering a high standard of living in terms of healthcare, climate, infrastructure, stability, safety, and education. On top of that, The Portuguese golden visa program remains the only route to a European Union passport without a minimum 6-month stay at its investment level. So whether the Portugal Golden Visa is worth it depends on individual circumstances, investment goals, and long-term plans. It is essential to seek assistance from expert consultants and authorized agency like Citizenship Invest.
“The team at Citizenship Invest was incredibly helpful in guiding me through the Portugal Golden Visa application process. Their legal advice made the experience smooth and efficient.”
“Citizenship Invest's consultants guided me through the entire Portugal Golden Visa process, from selecting the right investment to obtaining my residency cards. Their support was exceptional.”
“I highly recommend Citizenship Invest for their exceptional service in helping me obtain my Portugal Golden Visa. Their knowledge of the program's benefits, such as including my spouse and children, was invaluable”
“I loved Citizenship Invest's tailored approach to assisting me in finding the best investments for my Portugal Golden Visa. Their personalised recommendations made the entire process stress-free.”
