The Portugal Golden Visa programme has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe for non-EU nationals. Investors attracted by its flexibility and benefits such as the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and free access to Europe’s Schengen Area. With investment options starting from €250,000 it is possible to gain a residency permit for a family including dependent children. The golden visa can be renewed every two years providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years.

• €250,000 plus fees
• Approval in 6-8 months

• Visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area.
• Low minimum requirement stay.
• Family members included.
• Eligibility to apply for citizenship after five years as a legal resident while keeping other citizenships.
• Excellent international and Portuguese schools and universities.
• International quality health care clinics and hospitals.
• High quality of life and low crime rate.

• proof of legal entry into Portugal (e.g., Schengen short-stay visa).
• proof of health insurance (issued within the last three months).
• criminal record certificate from country of origin/residence (issued within the last three months).
• evidence of compliance with tax and social security obligations.
• receipt of payment of the Portuguese golden visa fees.
• Investment in Portugal through, either property, job creation or a capital transfer.
• Meet the minimum stay requirement of seven days in Portugal for the first year, then no less than 14 days each subsequent two-year period.

The programmes’ qualifying options are:

1.Investment

• Capital transfer of a minimum of €1.5 million into a Portuguese bank account or specifically approved investment options.
• €500,000 for research activities of public or private entities that are part of the national scientific and technological system*.

-€400,000 in a low population density area*

• €500,000 in support of artistic production or in the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage*.

-€200,000 in a low population density area*

• €500,000 for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital funds committed to the capitalization of companies incorporated under the Portuguese law, with a maturity of at least five years and with at least 60% of the investment portfolio in companies that have a head office in the national territory.

2. Property

• A real estate purchase with a minimum value of €500,000*(residential property is limited to designated interior areas)

-€400,000 in a low population density area*

• A real estate purchase with a minimum value of €350,000 for the refurbishment of properties older than 30 years or in an area of urban regeneration, including the cost of renovations*.(residential property is limited to designated interior areas)

-€280,000 in a low population density area.

3. Job Creation

• Creation of a minimum of 10 new jobs.
• €500,000 for the incorporation or increase of the share capital of a company that is registered in Portugal, creating or maintaining a minimum of five permanent jobs for a period of three years.

*The threshold will be reduced by 20% should the funds be committed to a low population density area, defined as less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average.

The residence permit is valid for a period of one year after issue and renewable for two subsequent periods of two years.

The Golden Residence Permit Programme requires at least four trips to Portugal during the five-year period: twice at the initial application (to choose the qualifying investment and start the legal process, and to provide the biometric data) and at each renewal (year 1 and year 3). Family reunification is possible at any stage of the programme.

In relation to those who are resident in Portugal, including those who follow the residence-by-investment programme, it is possible to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence in Portugal, if:

• The applicant is at least 18 years of age.
• The applicant has been a resident in Portugal for at least five years.
• The applicant has basic (A2 international level) knowledge of the Portuguese language.