Investment Visa
Portugal Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is a visa for foreign investors who wish to invest in Portugal. Some of the investments provided are the purchase of real estate, scientific research and capital transfers, among others. With the Golden Visa, you will be able to work, study and live in Portugal, as well as being able to move freely through the countries of the Schengen Area. In addition, you will have the possibility to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of maintaining the qualified investment. If eligible, your family members will be able to join you.
Who can apply for the Golden visa:
- investors and entrepreneurs who are not nationals of states member of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, who have carried out one of the investments provided for by Portuguese legislation.
With the Golden visa you can:
- Live in Portugal
- Work
- Study
- Family members can apply to join you, if eligible.
- After 5 years of maintaining the qualified investment, if eligible, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship
About
EU Settlement Scheme
The Golden Visa program allows foreign citizens who have made certain investments in Portugal, provided for in Portuguese Law, to apply for a residence permit for investment and benefit from certain privileges, such as entry into the country without a visa, the possibility to live, work and study in Portugal, and even the possibility of applying for Portuguese citizenship, as long as you keep the qualified investment for at least 5 years and fulfil the other requirements.
Another advantage of the Golden Visa is that it allows direct family members and dependents, if they are eligible, to apply for family reunification (D6 visa) or a residence permit directly in Portugal.
It is worth mentioning that despite being able to live in Portugal, it is not mandatory to reside in the country to maintain the Golden Visa. For you to enjoy the benefits, you are only required to stay in Portugal for a minimum period of 7 days in the first year and 14 days in the following years. This means you can invest in Portugal and live in Brazil while the time to acquire your Portuguese nationality is being counted.
In terms of the provided investments, there are many categories to be explored, but the most common has been in the real estate industry. Real estate turns out to be a good opportunity because, in addition to requiring a smaller investment, it can be rented out later.
Currently, the investments that are allowed to obtain the Golden Visa are:
- Transfer capital with a minimum amount of 1.5 million euros;
- Create at least 10 jobs vacancies;
- Purchase properties totaling at least 500 thousand euros in areas considered developed or 350 thousand euros in areas under development;
- Purchase properties to be rehabilitated, if they are over 30 years old, or they are located in urban rehabilitation areas, totalling at least 350 thousand euros;
- Invest at least 500 thousand euros in scientific research activities;
- Invest at least 250 thousand euros in artistic production, recovery or maintenance of cultural heritage;
- Transfer at least 500 thousand euros to investment funds or capital funds;
- Transfer at least 350 thousand euros to open a commercial company, creating at least five jobs, or invest the same amount in a company that already exists, creating or maintaining at least five jobs, for a period
How to apply for the Golden Visa?
You can apply for the Golden Visa only after completing the investment. The documents required will vary depending on the type of investment.
The first step to applying for the Golden Visa and the residence permit for investment (ARI), as well as to making the investment itself, is to provide your NIF (Tax Identification Number), which is a document equivalent to the CPF in Brazil. This document is essential to open a bank account in Portugal, buy properties or carry out other commercial and financial operations. To apply for the NIF, you will need to provide the required documents and present them at one of the Finance Units existing in most Portuguese cities or at a “Loja do Cidadão” (Citizens’ Bureau).
In the case of citizens who do not have a fixed residence in Portugal or who do not yet have proof of residence, to apply for the NIF it will be necessary to appoint a tax representative with residence in Portugal.
In addition to the NIF, it will be necessary to provide a series of documents that prove that you meet the investment requirement and that you are committed to maintaining the investment for 5 years, as well as identity documents, a certificate of criminal background and proof of payment of fees, among others.
After preparing all the documentation required, you will be able to apply for the residence permit for investment and the Golden Visa on the website of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), where you will also be able to schedule, in person, the date and time for the delivery of your application and documentation at the SEF service point.
How can we help?
The Golden Visa is a special type of visa that requires a large investment. That’s why it’s very important to have the help of a reliable professional. We can help you from defining the best investment and applying for your NIF to assisting you in the process of obtaining your visa and residence permit.
By scheduling a consultation with one of our professionals, we will be able to study your case and guide you throughout all stages, including documentation and legal procedures with the SEF. We will check all documents and information to avoid any doubts or errors.
And even if you don’t fit the Golden Visa criteria, no problem! There are many other routes that allow you to work, study and live in Portugal. Schedule an appointment so we can find the best route for you.
