Portugal’s Golden Visa program attracts foreign investors seeking EU residency and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. In this article, we prepared a complete step-by-step guide to accessing a Portugal Golden Visa investment fund, in a secure and hassle-free way.
4 Major Benefits of a Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund
Among the pathways to get residence rights in an EU country, and legal circulation within the Schengen Zone, the Portugal Golden Visa is one of the most popular. This is due to its distinct advantages:
1. Can Be Extended to the Investor’s Family
Obtaining a residence permit through a Portugal Golden Visa investment fund allows you to include your family members. With this option, your family can live, study, and work in Portugal, an EU country known for its stability and safety.
2. Flexible Permanence Requirements
The Portugal Golden Visa requires a minimum stay of 7 days in the first year and 14 days every two subsequent years. In comparison, other countries require significantly longer stays, usually around 6 months per year.
3. Gives Opportunity to Apply for Portuguese Citizenship
After five years of maintaining a Portugal Golden Visa investment fund, investors (and their families) become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship and can officially become EU citizens, if they wish.
4. Offers Tax Benefits for New Residents
Portugal offers tax benefits for non-habitual residents (NHR), including potential exemptions on foreign-sourced income for up to 10 years, subject to eligibility. This fiscal advantage helps to reduce the financial obligations of investors.
How to access a Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund in 6 steps
Choosing the right investment fund and the best partner to accompany the whole process is essential. These are the main actions to be taken:
1. Choose an Eligible Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund
Any Portugal Golden Visa investment fund needs to meet some specific requirements to be approved. The minimum investment is €500,000, which must be maintained for at least five years to satisfy the Golden Visa criteria.
After that five-year period, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all additional requirements.
2. Obtain a Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF)
To be able to open a Portuguese bank account and invest in a Portugal Golden Visa investment fund, you will need a Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF). Foreign citizens can apply for the NIF at the Portuguese Tax Office (Serviço de Finanças).
3. Open a Portuguese Bank Account
In order to make your Portugal Golden Visa investment, the funds need to be transferred from a Portuguese bank account.
To do this, you need to choose a Portuguese bank and open an account in your name. You can handle this personally in Portugal, or appoint a legal representative to assist you with the process.
4. Transfer Funds to Your Portuguese Bank Account
After depositing or transferring a minimum of €500,000 into your Portuguese bank account, you’re ready to get started with your Portugal Golden Visa investment fund.
This is essential because the source of the capital to start your investment fund must come from a bank account based in Portugal.
5. Subscribe to the Chosen Investment Fund
Begin by signing the subscription agreement for the investment fund you selected, ensuring it meets all the legal requirements to qualify for the Golden Visa in Portugal.
Next, all you have to do is transfer the €500,000 directly from your Portuguese bank account to the selected Portugal Golden Visa investment fund.
6. Gather and Submit Your Golden Visa application
After making your Portugal Golden Visa investment fund, you can gather all the necessary documents to apply for residence in Portugal:
- Proof of investment, certifying that the required amount has been invested in a qualifying fund;
- Personal documents, such as passport, birth certificate, and criminal record certificate from your country of origin;
- Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF), which is required for the Golden Visa application and investment process.
Explore our Portugal Golden Visa Investment Funds
The benefits offered by the Portugal Golden Visa investment funds make them an ideal choice for those seeking excellent investment opportunities and to obtain access to EU citizenship.
At Magnify, we work with several funds that qualify for the ARI - Residency and Citizenship by Investment Program, also fully aligned with USA-FATCA and PFIC standards. You can choose between different investment areas and our agents deal with everything else.
Work with Portuguese specialists to reduce risk and access the best Portugal Golden Visa investment funds.
