PORTUGAL

LOCATION: Southwestern Europe

POPULATION: 1,01,86,233

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Portuguese, English

CURRENCY: Euro

CAPITAL: Lisbon

NEAREST AIRPORT: Lisbon, Porto, Faro

MAJOR INDUSTRIES: Tourism, Textiles, Clothing, Dairy products

Portugal is one of Europe’s oldest countries, Portugal is known for its rich natural resources, highly literate population, export-orientation, and diversified industries and also boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage. It has a high level of security, making it one of the world’s most globalized and peaceful nations. It enjoys a rich and diverse culture, Mediterranean climate, and a safe and stable setting, ideal for raising families, conducting business or travelling.
Portugal has an efficient process by which non-EU citizens may obtain a residence permit based on investment via its five-year Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program. The residence permit allows free circulation in Europe’s Schengen Area and requires an average stay of only seven days per year in Portugal over this period, which can also count towards citizenship eligibility after five years.

OPTIONS FOR PORTUGAL GOLDEN

RESIDENCE PERMIT

CAPITAL TRANSFER

  • EUR 1 million transfer into a Portuguese bank account or approved investment options.
  • EUR 350,000 for research activities *  
  • EUR 250,000 in support of the arts or maintaining national cultural heritage*
  • EUR 350,000 for acquiring units of investment funds or venture capital funds 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 head office in Portugal.

REAL ESTATE

  • Applicants may acquire property valued at €500,000 or more*, or  
  • Applicants may acquire property valued at €350,000 or more for properties more than 30 years old or located in urban regeneration areas designated for refurbishing*

BUSINESS

  • Creating a minimum of 10 jobs*
  • EUR 350,000 for the incorporation or increase of the share capital of a company registered in Portugal, creating or maintaining a minimum of five permanent jobs, for a period of three years.

*The threshold will be reduced by 20% should the funds be committed to a low population density area, defined as less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average.

The residence permit is valid for a period of one year after issue and renewable for two subsequent periods of two years.

Applicant Requirements:

  • Provide proof that investment funds originate from abroad.
  • Hold no criminal record.
  • The main applicant’s property is not frozen within the boundaries of the EU.
  • Pay application and processing fees where applicable.
  • Enter Portugal for the first time on a valid Schengen visa.
  • Meet or exceed the minimum stay requirements. (Seven days for the first year, 14 days for subsequent two-year periods.)

Key Advantages of Portugal Golden Residence Permit:

  • Visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area
  • The right to live, work, and study in Portugal.
  • Eligibility to apply for citizenship after five years as a legal resident while keeping other citizenships.
  • Entire Family are eligible, spouses, dependent children and parents.
  • Low physical presence requirement (seven days during the first year of residence and fourteen days for the two subsequent years).
  • Excellent healthcare system, international and Portuguese schools and universities.
  • High quality of life and low crime rate.
  • Attractive taxation system: Option to become a “non-habitual resident” of Portugal for tax purposes, thereby paying little or no tax for 10 years.
  • Let out your property and gain potential returns on your investment.

Application Processing Time: 3–8 months
Minimum Stay Requirement: Seven days during the first year of residence and fourteen days for the two subsequent years.

Disclaimer:
1. Please note, all information provided here should not be considered legal advice.
2. The text is intended as a source of basic information. It is regularly updated. No liability can be accepted for the accuracy or completeness of its contents.