Europe’s leading residence-by-investment program became even more affordable after Portugal further reduced investment requirements, improving its competitive edge for foreign capital.
Portugal has quickly become one of the most attractive locations for foreigners seeking to invest in order to obtain a second citizenship. Demand for residency will only increase because it further reduced minimum investment requirements. A balmy Mediterranean climate, low cost of living, low taxes, excellent wines, a lively culture and beautiful seaside residents add to the attraction for foreign investors. Launched in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa scheme has become a profitable European real estate investment venue.
The Country
- Population: 10,3 million
- Language: Portuguese
- Visa-Free Travel: 186 countries
with Portuguese citizenship - Currency: Euro (EUR)
The Program
280,000
Minimum investment amount
11180
Residence permits for pursuing investment activities (ARI) have been delivered from October 2012 to September 2019
6564956780
Have been invested from October 2012 to September 2022 on investment activities (ARI)
Benefits
You qualify for permanent residency or citizenship after five years. Residency is extended to family members. The minimum stay periods are among the lowest anywhere – 7 days for the first year and 14 days for two following periods of two years. You gain access to excellent health care, schools, and European universities. You only need to make the required investments to obtain the resident permit which allows you limited visa-free travel to all 26 Schengen countries as well as the other EU countries. A Portuguese passport allows for visa-free travel to 186 countries and the right to live and work in the EU.
Investment
There are two investment vehicles:
Property investments:
You must acquire real estate property valued at a minimum of 500,000 Euros.
Or you can purchase property more than 30 years old earmarked for urban renovation valued at a minimum of 350,000 Euros.
Or you can purchase property more than 30 years old earmarked for urban renovation and located in a low population density area valued at a minimum of 280,000 Euros.
Capital transfers:
As for capital transfers, you have different options:
Either you make a minimum capital transfer of 1,5 million Euros, or you can invest a minimum of 500,000 Euros in research activities or 250,000 Euros in artistic or cultural activities.
You can also invest 500,000 Euros in acquisition of shares in investment or venture capital funds dedicated to the capitalization of Portuguese companies.
You can invest 500,000 Euros in an existing company or in the creation of a new one, that includes creating or maintaining 5 new permanent jobs or can make an investment that creates at least 10 new jobs.
Financial Requirements
You qualify for residency as long as you have the funds to invest. All investments must be kept in place for at least five-years to qualify for permanent residency status and eventually citizenship. If you buy property you are not required to live in it. You can rent it out and manage it from outside the country as long as you return for the minimum stay requirements.
Note that should you choose the 350,000 Euros real estate option it often involves long bureaucratic delays in renovating older buildings.
In 2022, for the first time, the top market for investment activities (ARI) is the USA investors.
Commitment
Family reunion has also been made easier after Portugal no longer required children of families to study in Portugal to qualify.
There are no education requirements, no language tests, interviews, no management skills needed. However you will need to take a language test before applying for citizenship. Processing may take 3 to 6 months.
