Portugal Golden Visa

Golden Visa Portugal through property investment

The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility and benefits. Launched in 2012 the investor visa program has been actively promoted internationally by the Portuguese government. An investment of €500,000 (or €350,000 reduced option) in real estate in Portugal will gain a residency permit for a family including dependent children. The golden visa can be renewed every two years providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years.

Contact our advisors for further details.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship

One of the most attractive options is the ability to apply for permanent residency and citizenship after 5 years without the need to reside in Portugal. In fact, the applicant and their family need only visit for two weeks every two years in order to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa. In Portugal citizenship can be granted without the applicant having resided in the country. However the investor having acquired residency through the golden visa programme will need to demonstrate ties to the country and pass a basic language test. Citizenship of Portugal and a second passport conveys the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union. The Portuguese residency card granted through the golden visa programme allows the holder to travel throughout the EU Schengen zone.

Property Investment

The property market in Portugal like many southern European countries suffered with the credit crisis and prices in 2015 were still typically 20% – 30% below their 2007 peak. However prices have been rising strongly since then, particularly in Lisbon on the back of the golden visa programme and investors have seen strong gains in recent years. Investors buying into the real estate market in Portugal for the Golden Visa now have excellent prospects for capital gain in the coming years. Advice is recommended for serious buyers as there are clear distinctions between typical vacation homes on the coast in Portugal, city properties in central Lisbon and renovation projects qualifying for the reduced legislation (€280,000 and €350,000 categories). Enquire here. Investors may wish to check further details on the Portugal golden visa program or see our outline procedure for applications.

Reduced €350,000 Investment Option

It is possible to obtain the golden visa through a reduced investment of €280,000 and €350,000 into real estate requiring renovation. Such projects need to be approved by SEF as qualifying for the reduced investment amount and it is critical to ensure the right project and legal advice is obtained before embarking on such investment. La Vida has experience of many applications and projects for the reduced initiative since its introduction. Please contact us for details on our real estate investments.