FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program (commonly known as the Portugal Golden Visa Program) is a five-year residence by investment for non-EU nationals. The residence permit gives the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and allows free circulation in Europe’s Schengen Area. Furthermore, the program is currently the safest, most reliable and least expensive of all the programs in the European Union. It is well known for being the single E.U. jurisdiction that only requires an average of seven days per year stay in Portugal to qualify for Permanent Residence, Citizenship and Passport. Most European competing Golden Visa´s mostly require much longer stays, do not offer citizenship, are more expensive or are known to simply not work efficiently.
Important Note: Once a candidate´s investment has been made and the acting law firm submits their application to AIMA, the legal government entity that manages this, the candidate is 100% protected by law. Should for any reason there be a change in the political arena, whether at a local level or by the European Union, or should there be a change in government, all submitted applications will be fullfilled. This offers great comfort to candidates as most applications are submitted within a week of the candidates investment. Finally, it can be verified that Portugal is once of the safest and most politically stable countries worldwide.
Capital transfer
One of the following options:
1. EUR 500,000 for the acquisition of investment fund or venture capital fund units committed to the capitalization of companies incorporated under the Portuguese law, with a maturity of at least five years and with at least 60% of the investment portfolio in companies with a registered office in the national territory (direct real estate acquisitions are excluded). Given that Portugal´s strongest industry is tourism, the hospitality funds has remain amongst the most popular.
2. EUR 500,000 for research activities of public or private entities that are part of the national scientific and technological system
EUR 400,000 in a low population density area*
3. EUR 250,000 in support of artistic production or in the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage
EUR 200,000 in a low population density area*
Business
One of the following options:
1. Creation of a minimum of ten new jobs
Eight new jobs in a low population density area*
2. EUR 500,000 for the incorporation of a commercial company that is registered and headquartered in Portugal, creating a minimum of five permanent jobs for a period of three years (or for the increase of the share capital of a company already incorporated and headquartered in Portugal, creating at least five permanent jobs or maintaining at least ten jobs for three years)
*A low population density area is defined as less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average.
No, you are only taxed on worldwide income if you spend 183 days or more in Portugal within a year.
Non-resident investors in Golden Visa eligible funds often receive significant tax exemptions. Rental income from real estate in Portugal is taxed at a flat rate of 28%, while properties not generating income are not subject to income tax.
The processing time for the Golden Visa varies and depends on the workload at AIMA (formerly SEF). Currently, after making the investment, it typically takes over a year to receive your residence card.
No, you only need to stay in Portugal for a minimum of seven days per year. Otherwise, you can reside elsewhere.
Yes, Portugal permits dual citizenship.
After five years, you can either continue with the Golden Visa, apply for permanent residency, or pursue citizenship. If you choose residency or citizenship, you are free to sell or liquidate your investment. Once you have your permanent residence the path to citizenship and passport is pretty straight forward and normally takes an extra 12-18 months.
Yes, you are free to sell your investment if you no longer wish to hold the Golden Visa.
A NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) is required to conduct any official transactions in Portugal, including opening a bank account or purchasing real estate.
Having a Golden Visa does not automatically make you a tax resident. You will only be taxed on income earned in Portugal, and your global income will remain unaffected unless you become a tax resident. Double Taxation Treaties also help avoid paying taxes twice on the same income.
No language test is required for the Golden Visa itself. However, if you apply for permanent residency or citizenship, you will need an A2 level certification in Portuguese.
The Schengen Area includes 26 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Various capital funds with different strategies qualify for the Golden Visa. Currently our most popular fund is a hospitality fund investing in touristic developments such as hotels and aparthotels around the country. This is the country´s strongest and traditionally safest and most reliable industry. The funds often offer a contractual guaranteed payback with an annual yield of 3.5%. Some funds will legally commit to an early payback of up to 50% of your investment within a few weeks. Most funds have 7 year terms that coincide with when clients receive their citizenship and passport. Arrange a call with us for further clarity and to learn more about your options.
Disclaimer: The information on the West Iberia website and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice.