Golden Visa Portugal

The Portuguese golden visa is a manner of acquiring residency in the country (and in some cases even Portugal citizenship) through investments in real estate for third-country nationals. Initially launched as a program to encourage foreign investors to seek opportunities in the country, it has been largely popular and receives significant applications every year.
Individuals who are interested in immigration to Portugal in 2022 and wish to obtain a golden visa in Portugal can reach out to one of our immigration agents for complete details as well as assistance during the application procedure.
Quick Facts | |
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Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) | Non-EU |
Business investment option (YES/NO) | Yes |
Real estate investment option (YES/NO) | Yes |
Other investment options (if available) | Investments in artistic outputs or for the reconstruction/refurbishment of national heritage |
Living requirement in Portugal (YES/NO) | Yes |
Residence or direct citizenship option | Residence |
Family members allowed to join the program | Yes
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Visa application after confirmed investment (Yes/No) | Yes |
Residence visa/citizenship processing time (approx.) | > 3 months |
Mandatory documents for golden visa application | Filled-in application form Valid identification document Proof of investment activity |
Mandatory conditions for applicants | Absence of convictions which, in Portugal, are punisheble by a custodial senntence of more than one year No prohibition to enter the country after an expulsion measure |
Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment | Citizenship can be obtained through naturalization after 5 years of residency |
Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) | Yes |
Reasons to choose Portugal | Quality of life Low living costs Beautiful scenery Climate Good for digital nomads as well as retirees |
Personal income tax rate | Progressive rates starting at 14.5% and up to 48% according to the taxable income |
Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | 180 countries |
What are the conditions for obtaining the golden visa in 2022?
The conditions for those interested in obtain a golden visa in Portugal is to invest in real estate, irrespective of its nature (commercial or residential). The owner can then rent the property as needed and obtaining a mortgage is also possible in some conditions.
What is the real estate investment amount?
The minimum real estate investment under this program is 500,000 euros and a smaller investment of 350,000 euros is possible when the property that is acquired will also go through a renovation and is located in an urban regeneration area. The amount can also be reduced to 400,000 euros when the investment is made in a low-density territory (understood as a location with less than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer or with the PIB per capita of less than 75% of the country average).
Because the investment amount can vary according to the region in which the property is located, it is often useful to explore the available options. Investors are advised to carefully consider their options and talk to a constructor or a real estate consultant when evaluating their options and moving to Portugal.
An individual who has applied for and obtained the golden visa in Portugal may receive a residence visa waiver for entering the country, live and work in Portugal provided that he or she stays there for more than 7 days in the first year and 14 days in the following ones. Moreover, the golden visa holder may be exempt from traveling with a visa within the Schengen Area. In case you need other types of legal services in another European country, for example in assistance in divorce cases in Spain or in drawing up a will this country, we can put you in contact with our Spanish partners.
The investor is required to provide ownership or the pre-contract agreement. He may acquire the property in full or in a co-ownership regime, provided that the applicant’s part in the investment is equal or above 500,000 Euros or 400,000 Euros in a low-density territory. The property can be leased or held for commercial, agricultural, industrial or tourist purposes.
For the minimum of 350,000 Euros investment, the property needs to have been constructed for at least 30 years or it needs to be located in an urban rehabilitation area (and in this case its construction date can be less than 30 years). Foreign investors who wish to apply for the golden visa in Portugal may prefer this version, given that the investment costs are lower, however, they will want to speak to a real estate specialists about the types of constructions that qualify. Our agents can provide more details. The reduced investment option is also available in this case (20% off the initial value, making the minimum investment of 280 thousand euros) when the construction is located in a low-density territory, one that has the PIB per capita of less than 75% of the national average or one that has less than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer. For this investment, investors may acquire real estate or a set of real estate properties. Like in the case of the 500,000 Euro property, the 350,000 Euros one can be used for commercial, industrial, agricultural, or tourist purposes.
Three special conditions apply for those who wish to obtain the golden visa in Portugal via 30-year-old real estate. The following three points should be noted in addition to the other documents presented in this article by our immigration specialists. The special documents that attest to the rehabilitation and the age of the construction and the following:
- prior notification for engaging in urban rehabilitation operations;
- supporting evidence for the real estate construction date (attesting that the construction is at least 30 years old if this information is not stated in the legal description);
- a statement attesting that the real estate is located in a rehabilitation area.
Please keep in mind that further documents may be needed, depending on particular factors. You can always reach out to our Portugal immigration specialists for complete assistance before making the investment and once the purchase has been made, for the purpose of preparing the golden visa application file before submission with the authorities.
How can one apply for a golden visa in Portugal?
The applicant is required to first make the investment in real estate and then apply for the golden visa in Portugal. This may take some time as securing the property purchase can take between one month and even three months in some cases. The applicant will also need to provide adequate documentation to prove that he has no criminal record and also provide proof that he has medical insurance in the country.
- passport or another valid travel document;
- evidence of health insurance;
- criminal record extract from the country of origin;
- tax identification number evidence;
- authorization for the consultation of the Portuguese Criminal record;
- statement of compliance with the time and amount requirements;
- tax obligation fulfillment proof (negative debt declaration).
- natural or legal person investment: the investment can be made (in part or in full) through a limited liability company in which the applicant is a shareholder.
- proof of investment: pre-contract agreement or the real estate deed and the legal description of the real estate, if applicable.
- proof of international transfer: a declaration from the credit institution attesting the transfer of assets for the real estate payment.
- certificates: the land register certificate with the attached documents, proving the ownership of the real estate.
How does one acquire residency through the golden visa program?
When entering into the golden visa program in 2022, the applicant can apply for permanent residency after five years without having to reside in Portugal. The conditions are much more flexible than for those who would wish to acquire residency through conventional methods. When using a golden visa, the applicant and the families need to come to Portugal for less than one month every two years in order to renew the golden visa. An immigration lawyer in Portugal who works in our team can give you more details.
The permanent residence permit for investment purposes, including investments in real estate, is subject to case analysis and it is regulated by amendments to a special ordinance. One of our immigration lawyers in Portugal can provide investors with complete details about the legal framework governing this type of visa. Certain fees apply for the issuance of the residence permit for investment activities, and they are approximately 5,000 euros for the initial issuance. Other fees apply for the renewal of the investment activity residence permit as well as for the residence permit for the family members (separate fees are payable by the holder and by the family members).
The permanent residence permit in Portugal, which may be obtained after having held the golden visa in Portugal, is issued once the applicant has made a proper application for long-term resident status and he has submitted all of the needed documents. These are the following:
- two identical color photographs and there is a requirement for them to be taken against a blank background allowing for proper identification of the applicant;
- a valid travel document or a certified copy thereof;
- proof of having stable and regular inform, sufficient for one’s own subsistence and that of the relatives, without applying for the welfare subsystem in the country;
- proof of accommodation;
- authorization for the authorities to consult the criminal record;
- proof of tax and social security payments;
- proof of having held a temporary residence permit for at least five years;
- proof of having sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language.
Those who apply for the golden visa in Portugal will need to keep in mind that the language requirement is an important one and, in the five years before they apply for permanent residence, they have several options to present as proof of language proficiency, including:
- a certificate of eligibility issued by an official Portuguese teaching institution or a private teaching establishment recognized by law;
- the certificate of completing the Basic Portuguese issued by the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training;
- the certificate of completing the Basic Portuguese course and the passing of a test in an Assessment Centre of Portuguese as a foreign language, recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science;
- an alternative is to provide in addition to these a certificate of completing the level A” of higher of the Course on Portuguese as Host Language; one o four Portugal immigration lawyers can provide more details on the specific requirements that apply in this case.
Another important condition for obtaining the permanent residence permit in Portugal is for the applicant to not have been subject to a custodian sentence or sentences that individually or jointly exceeded one year of imprisonment in the five years immediately preceding the application for the permit. This is a condition even if the enforcement of the sentence has been suspended (in case of felonious crime).
We invite you to watch the following video about the Golden Visa:
Additional information about Portugal immigration
- capital transfers with a minimum amount of 1 million euros;
- the creation of at least ten job openings;
- capital transfer of at least 350,000 euros in research activities;
- capital transfer of at least 250,000 euros for supporting the arts, the reconstruction of national heritage, public foundations, artistic activities, and others;
- capital transfers of at least 350,000 euros for acquiring units in investment funds or venture capital funds (subject to certain conditions) or for the formation of a corporate entity with the head office in the country, plus the creation of five permanent jobs.
- a declaration of a credit institution attesting the transfer of the legally required amount;
- a declaration issued by the public or private scientific research institution attesting the capital transfer; while the usual amount is 350 thousand euros, this is lower in territories that have a low density (280,000 Euros);
- when the investment is made via a limited liability company in which the applicant is a shareholder then a company register excerpt is also required.
- a statement from an authorized credit institution attesting the actual transfer of the minimum amount;
- a declaration issued by the Strategy, Planning and Cultural Assessment Office attesting the fact that the investment will support the arts or the restoring and maintenance of the national cultural heritage.
- like in other cases, the minimum investment amount is reduced by 20% to 200,000 thousand euros when it is performed in a low-density territory.
Lawfully living in the country based on a permanent residence permit allows the foreign national to apply for Portugal citizenship after a number of years.
Golden visa investment statistics in Portugal
- 1009 permits issued in 2018;
- 1810 permits issued in 2018 for family reunification purposes under this scheme;
- 3952 permits issued to immigrants from China, followed by 590 for immigrants from Brazil; the following countries are South Africa, Turkey, and Russia.
- 8,273,296 individuals born in a country within Europe;
- 10,391 people born in North America;
- 15,689 born in Asia;
- 332,393 individuals born in Africa.
- more than 10 years of stay, 280,154 individuals from all countries of birth;
- between 5 and 10 years, 59,067 individuals.
For more information on how to obtain a golden visa in Portugal in 2022, we invite you to contact us.