Tag: golden visa

The Portuguese passport is the 5th largest passport in the world, and the country is known worldwide for its splendid culture, lavishing cities, and economic progress.

The government also offers various investment opportunities. The country first initiated the legal framework of Portugal’s residency by investment program, also known as the “Golden Visa,” in 2012.

Thousands of people got the Golden Visa for Portugal within 8 years of its initiation and secured their lives in this economically stable country.

Getting the Golden Visa for Portugal through Real Estate Acquisition   

According to a recent report of the Global Residence and Citizenship Programs, the Golden Visa program initiated by Portugal is the best residency by-investment program in the world.

This report highlights ten indicators to analyze this program. Those indicators are;  

• Citizenship Requirements  
• Quality of Life  
• Quality of Process and Processing Time  
• Reputation  
• Time to citizenship  
• Taxation  
• Compliances  
• Financial Requirements  
• Total Cost  
• Visa-Free Access  

From all these indicators, the Golden Visa program of Portugal gets 79 points out of 100. Moreover, the minimum threshold of real estate investments for this program in Portugal is €280,000. 

Eligible property options for the Golden Visa program of Portugal   

As discussed above, investment in real estate is an option for Portugal’s Golden Visa program, and the routes to follow to qualify for that are:  

1. Residential Real Estate  

To purchase residential real estate in a designated area, visa holders need to pay €500,000, and if the property is part of an urban rehabilitation project, the investment requirement is €350,000.

This minimum threshold of investments will be dropped by 20 percent if the property is in a low-density area.  

2. Commercial Real Estate  

An investor can buy commercial real estate anywhere in Portugal, and the investment should be at least €500,000.

If the property is located in a low-density area, then the minimum investment requirement can be dropped by 20 percent.  

3. Real Estate Investment in the Azores or Madeira Islands  

Investing in commercial or residential real estate in the Azores or Madeira Island will qualify the investor for the Golden visa program of Portugal. For that, the amount to be invested should be €500,000.

The investment requirement will be dropped to €350,000 if the property is part of a rehabilitation project.

However, such a discount for these islands is not available as these are not part of the declared low-density areas of Portugal.    

4. Investments in Real Estate in Lisbon, the Algarve, and Porto  

Residential Real estate Investments in a non-interior area like Lisbon, the Algarve, and Porto will not qualify the investor for Portugal Golden Visa.

However, a commercial real estate investment in these areas will help the investor to get a Golden Visa for Portugal. International investors have been investing in hotels, offices, and Airbnb apartments licensed in these areas.   

If you think that buying a residential property in a popular spot will not make you qualify for the Golden Visa of Portugal, then it is not valid.

Although the majority of the famous areas are already occupied, there are still some of the best locations in the country where you can make residential investments.  

 For instance, you can have your dream home in a mini coastal village in the Algarve, the Alijezur.

You can enjoy life to its fullest in this area as it is away from the crowds. Sagres is another example of these regions, and Douro Valley is also an option to buy residential property and be eligible for Golden Visa.

Douro Valley is near Porto, so you can visit big cities easily. Moreover, there is no geographical restriction if you consider investing in commercial property in Portugal and being eligible for the Golden Visa.

Investments Scheme in Hotels  

• Investing in a renovation project hotel can also assist you in getting a Portuguese Golden Visa, which means you can buy a room or an apartment in a hotel or a resort and be eligible for this program. These projects will give you options like;  
• Once you become a citizen of Portugal and get citizenship, then you can have the buyback option, and you can get it back in five or 6 years.  
• You can live in the apartment for a week or two a year as you have to stay in Portugal seven days a year on average.  
• The property can be given on rent for the rest of the time. The projected income upfront will be paid to you by some developments, and others will pay it as a dividend. However, some developers will only pay you some initial investment but will offer you a buyback rate.  

This Golden Visa program will help you be part of the developed community in the heart of Europe.

If you want to avail this golden opportunity, then reach out to us! We are here to help you on this journey. 

Europe is one of the finest places to live and has several benefits. Citizenship in one of the EU countries means access to varied economic opportunities and a world-class health and education system.

Having European citizenship also makes traveling more convenient; it’s affordable, visa-free, and well-connected.

One of the best options for European citizenship is the Golden Visa program offered by a few European countries.

The Golden Visa program offered by Portugal is one of the world’s top citizenships by investment programs. The Golden Visa program gets investments from thousands of people worldwide.

The Golden Visa of Portugal is unique and attractive because of its many features discussed below.

Golden Visa Portugal

Citizenship by investment, also known as the Golden Visa, allows non-EU/EEA citizens to get residency and later citizenship in European countries.

The Portuguese Golden Visa program is the most popular one in Europe because of the diversity of investment options, affordability, and flexibility available to investors.

In addition, the golden visa investment allows your entire family (blood relatives) to benefit from the investment.

New policy for Golden Visa in 2022

In January 2022, the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) introduced changes in the Golden Visa requirements.

While the minimum investment for the golden visa for specific residency properties remains €500K, the changes have limited and specified the geographical areas where residential properties are eligible and qualified for investment.

Investors can purchase commercial real estate anywhere in the country worth at least €500K.

The changes have also increased the capital transfer amount from €1 million to €1.5 million.

Investment options for Portugal’s Golden Visa

· Residential Real Estate

An investor can acquire residency by investing a minimum of €500,000 in residential real estate properties in designated interior areas of Portugal.

Another option is an investment of €350,000 in a rehabilitation project.

· Commercial Real Estate

A minimum of €500,000 investment in commercial real estate property anywhere in the county. Or a €350,000 investment if it is a rehabilitation project.

Other options for acquiring Golden Visa in Portugal

1. Capital transfer worth €1.5 million.

2. The creation of at least ten job positions

3. Contribution of €500,000 to scientific or technology research.

4. Company incorporation and creating ten jobs amount to a minimum value of €500,000.

5. Donation of €250,000 to support the reconstruction of national heritage in Portugal.

Why choose Portugal for Golden Visa Investment?

In addition to the diversity of options that Portugal provides its investors, it is one of the finest European countries.

If the investor decides not to live, they also have that option. An investor in Golden Visa must stay in Portugal for only seven days a year.

For anyone investing in Golden Visa Program, Portugal doesn’t bring any tax responsibility unless they decide to stay more than 183 days in the country. After 183 days, the person becomes a tax resident in the country.

Portugal has a favorable tax regime for foreigners interested in relocating to Portugal and wanting to become tax residents.

The non-habitual residency (NHR) offers certain tax exemptions in the income tax for the first 10 years. However, the rules slightly changed in 2020 regarding tax breaks on the pension incomes of foreign prisoners.

You can work, study, and live in Portugal through the Golden Visa Program. If you decide to live in Portugal full-time through Golden Visa, you will have access to all the public facilities, including health and education.

This visa also allows you to apply for any jobs or start your own business in the country. One of the reasons the Golden Visa program attracts foreigners is the policy regarding family reunification.

The family Golden Visa applicant can extend their visa to other family members. The application process for the principal applicant and dependents is processed simultaneously.

Eligibility for Golden Visa Portugal

· Anyone with non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationality can apply for the program.

· The main applicant must be 18 years old and above and hold a clean criminal record from their home country and Portugal.

· The investment should be transferred from outside Portugal.

The applicant should have a minimum investment in any Golden Visa Investment options mentioned above. The Golden Visa can be extended to the following family members of the applicant.

· Spouses

· Children under the age of 18.

· Dependent children under the age of 26 if they are not married and are full-time enrolled students.

· Parents above the age of 65.

Benefits of investing in Golden Visa of Portugal

1. Freedom of mobility.

2. Options of investing in multiple properties.

3. No legal obligations of residing in the purchased property.

4. Affordable and numerous investment options.

5. One investment to facilitate all family and coming generations.

6. Eligibility for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency in just five years of the investment.

7. A chance to live in a country with the best weather and affordable living.

8. The Portuguese passport is the fifth strongest passport in the world.

If you want to apply for the Golden Visa program and live in the world’s best continent, then connect with our experts today!