The Portuguese Golden Visa isone of the most popular investment residency programmes in Europe. Its advantages and the unique features of this European country attract people from all over the world.
This programme offers the chance to live, work and study in Portugal, with free movement throughout the Schengen area.
Despite its popularity, there are still some doubts about the requirements, eligible investments and the whole process involved. To help clear up the most common queries, in this article we've put together the most frequently asked questions about the Portuguese Golden Visa.
1. Who Can Apply for a Portuguese Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa is one of the most attractive options for those seeking European citizenship and the freedom to travel within the Schengen Area without restrictions.
As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you can qualify for getting a Portuguese Golden Visa. These are the main requirements:
- The applicants for the Portuguese Golden Visa cannot be citizens of the European Union, Switzerland or the European Economic Area.
- Make a minimum and qualified investment in Portugal within one of the defined categories.
- Fulfil the residence requirements in Portugal.
- Present proof of a clean criminal record (both for applicants and their family members).
2. What Are the Investment Options to Get Access to the Portuguese Golden Visa?
According to the latest updates, the investment options approved for obtaining Portuguese Golden Visas are the following:
✔ Choose an eligible Investment Fund
Invest at least 500,000 euros in one of the certified Portuguese investment funds to get access to the Portuguese Golden Visa.
✔ Job creation in Portugal
Apply your capital in the creation of at least 10 jobs for Portuguese citizens or legal residents in this country.
✔ Invest in Scientific Research in Portugal
Invest a minimum of 500,000 euros in scientific or technological research carried out by accredited institutions in Portugal.
✔ Support the Portuguese arts or cultural heritage
Donate a minimum of 250,000 euros to projects related to the arts, culture or the preservation of national heritage in Portugal.
✔ Business Investment
Invest 500,000 euros in a new or an existing Portuguese company, with the requirement to create or maintain at least 5 permanent jobs, for at least three years.
Remember that the transfer of capital to a Portuguese bank account is no longer one of the investment options.
3. What Are the Residency Requirements?
This is one of the features in which the Portuguese Golden Visa stand out: the residence requirements are easy to comply with. You only need to stay in Portugal for a minimum of 14 days every 2 years.
4. How Long Does the Process Take to Obtain the Golden Visa in Portugal?
If you are considering applying for a Golden Visa in Portugal, you should know that it's essential to rely on the support of experienced professionals in the Portuguese Golden Visas, in order to deal with the administrative complexities of the whole process. This will prevent problems and delays, helping everything to run smoothly.
From the initial preparation to receiving the Golden Visa residence card, the application procedure is carried out in stages.
On average, the whole process can take between 12 and 24 months. However, bear in mind that increased demand may extend this period further.
5. Can the Portuguese Golden Visa Lead to Citizenship?
Yes, Portuguese Golden Visa can be a pathway to living in Europe and becoming a Portuguese citizen. The Golden Visa is a temporary residence permit, but after only 5 years you can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
The first step is to submit an application to the program and meet the minimum investment and permanence requirements. After maintaining your investment and fulfilling the minimum residency requirements for 5 years, you may become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The process also requires passing a basic Portuguese language test and meeting legal and criminal record criteria.
6. Are There Any Hidden Costs When Applying for the Portuguese Golden Visas?
There may be some less evident (or hidden) costs associated with the Portuguese Golden Visa application, in addition to the investment requirements.
This is one more reason to choose a trusted partner to accompany you throughout the process of the Portuguese Golden Visas. Being aware of all the expenses involved will help you plan your budget better.
These are some of the potential hidden costs to take into account in this process:
- Legal and administrative expenses;
- AIMA (Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo) services and fees;
- Golden Visa application and renewal fees;
- Taxes may apply to income generated from investments in funds or companies.
- owever, non-residents may benefit from exemptions on capital gains under Portuguese tax regulations;
- Notary and registration fees associated with the process.
Start a New Life in Europe with Magnify Capital Partners
At Magnify Capital Partners, our experts offer you full support throughout the process of obtaining Portuguese Golden Visas. We give you all the assistance to gather the necessary documents, provide legal advice and manage communication with the Portuguese authorities.
