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 attracting over one thousand main applicants each year. An investment of €500,000 (€280,000 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.

Why La Vida Golden Visas for Portugal

La Vida has over eight years’ experience promoting the Portuguese Golden Visa program. There are many agents involved in a fragmented market for Portugal and based on websites alone it may be difficult to distinguish. In 2021 La Vida provided over 20% of all applicants and investment for the Portuguese Golden Visa. It’s a record of experience none of our competitors can match.  The changes introduced by the government in December 2021 limited the number of projects meeting qualifying criteria for the €350k or €280k categories and all but ended the €500k option of choosing any residential real estate. Most investment now gravitates towards certain qualifying projects in regions where the government wished to direct inward investment and La Vida works with all the key developments many of which you will find listed on our website.

Contact our advisors for further details.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Portugal

One of the most attractive options of the Portuguese Golden Visa is the ability to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years without the need to reside in Portugal full time. The applicant and their family need only visit for two weeks every two years in order to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa through this period. Read more on the path to Portuguese Citizenship.

The Portuguese residency card granted through the golden visa programme allows the holder to travel throughout the EU Schengen zone. Citizenship of Portugal and a second passport conveys the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union.

Property Investment

The property market in Portugal like many southern European countries suffered with the credit crisis in 2010-2012 and prices in 2015 were still typically 20% – 30% below their 2007 peak. Since then the market has recovered strongly with average price rises of 7.5% a year through to 2020. In 2021 prices grew a further 11.6%. Despite the rise in property values, Lisbon remains one of the most affordable cities in western Europe in which to buy real estate. Outside the capital, where many Golden Visa projects are now being built, property is even more affordable.

Reduced €280,000 and €350,000 Investment Option

The most common option since the rule changes is to apply for the golden visa through a reduced investment of €280,000 and €350,000 into real estate requiring renovation. Such projects have to meet geographic location and development rules in order to qualify. 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.

Further information on Portugal’s Golden Visa programme can be found on our FAQ page.

Contact our advisors for further details.