The Golden Visa is a Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI) and consists of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Portugal, by making an investment in the national territory, in accordance with the legislation in force.
As of February 2020, the portuguese Parliament will allow the Goverment to introduce changes regarding the type of investments to qualify for the portuguese Golden Visa Program. The intention is to favor the promotion of investment in local communities in the interior and in the autonomous regions of the Azores an Madeira. This means that Golden Visa will not be available through investment in real estate in major cities like Lisbon and porto.
Changes to the Golden Visa rules will only come into effect after the law is published and approved, so if you are considering in the Lisbon metropoltan area to obtain a Golden visa, it is advisable to do so as soon as possible.
For now, the conditions in force are those shown below.
Golden Visa
Golden Visa
Who can apply?
All citizens coming from States not belonging to the European Union or to the Schengen Area, which carry out an investment activity, either personally or through society, and which meet the requirements laid down by law.
Benefits
- To enter Portugal with exemption of residence visa;
- To reside and work in Portugal, being able to maintain another residence in another country;
- Circulate freely through the Schengen area;
- Benefit from family reunification;
- Possibility of access to permanent residence, after 5 years;
- Possibility of obtaining Portuguese nationality, after 6 years.
How to obtain the Golden Visa through real estate investment?
- Acquisition of real estate with a value equal to 500 thousand euros or more. The value of this investment can be reduced by 20% (400 thousand Euros) when it is carried out in low density territory.
- Acquisition of real estate built for at least 30 years (or located in an urban rehabilitation area) and completion of rehabilitation works, totaling at least 350 thousand euros. The value of this investment can be reduced by 20% (280 thousand Euros) when it is carried out in low density territory.
Family Reunification
Holders of Golden Residence Permits for Investment Activity have the right to family regrouping, and may gain access to a permanent residence permit, as well as to Portuguese citizenship in accordance to the current legal provisions.
Minimum Permanent Residency Periods
For the purposes of renewing a residency permit, you may have to show that you have resided in Portuguese territory for a minimum period of 7 days, either consecutively or non-consecutively, during the first year, and 14 days in subsequent two year periods.
THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION DOESN´T EXEMPT FROM CONSULTATION OF THE APPLICABLE LAW
