Investing in Portugal to obtain a golden visa: what are the advantages?

September 16, 2021

The golden visa: I often see questions about this on the Vivre au Portugal Facebook page and the Amoureux du Portugal Facebook group. Many of you know little or nothing about the golden visa. So I’ve decided to tell you about it today in this article.

In 2012, to boost the country’s economy, Portugal offered foreign investors a residence permit. On September 2, 2015, new amendments were added to the procedures that make it possible, thanks to investment, to obtain the residence permit known as the golden visa (The golden visa).

The golden visa will enable foreigners (from outside the EU) and their families to live in Portugal by allowing them to obtain a visa: residence permit in Portugal. Portugal has thus become a privileged gateway to Europe, allowing holders to move freely within the Schengen* area.

Find out in this article about the conditions for obtaining a golden visa: this precious sesame and the associated benefits.

How much to invest in a golden visa?

There are precise rules for obtaining a golden visa. Certain investments must be made. Here is a list of possible investments:

Acquisition of one property worth €500,000 or more
Acquisition of several properties worth €500,000 or more
The acquisition of a single property by several investors, provided that each investor invests an amount equal to or greater than €500,000
Transfer capital of €1,000,000 or more
Creation of at least 10 new jobs
Acquisition of property over 30 years old or located in urban renewal zones, with rehabilitation work costing at least €350,000
Capital transfers of €350,000 or more to national public or private institutions for scientific research
Capital transfers of €250,000 or more to invest in or support artistic production, recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage
Capital transfers of €500,000 or more to purchase shares in mutual funds set up to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises.
The acquisition of real estate worth €400,000 or more if the property is located in a sparsely populated area. A sparsely populated area is one with fewer than 100 inhabitants per km2 or a GDP of less than 75% of the national average.

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What are the benefits for golden visa holders?

Here are the benefits for golden visa holders:

Once the property has been purchased, it can be rented out immediately
After acquisition, investors and their families can move freely within the 27 countries of the Schengen area
After acquisition, possibility of basing operations in Portugal, enabling operations throughout Europe and worldwide.
5 years after investment, residence permit can be granted on a permanent basis
5 years after investment, possibility of selling the property as already considered a permanent resident
6 years after investment, possibility of acquiring Portuguese nationality through naturalization

The residence permit granted via the golden visa is valid for a period of 1 year, renewable for two successive periods of 2 years, for a total of 5 years. Investment must be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years, and presence on Portuguese territory for 7 days (consecutive or not) in the first year and 14 days (consecutive or not) in subsequent 2-year periods.

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