Portugal Golden Visa Overview
The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility, cost and benefits. Introduced in 2012 this pioneering investment visa effectively launched the concept of Golden Visas taking it mainstream and laying the foundations for other countries such as Spain and Greece to follow. Since then, the Portugal program has been actively promoted internationally attracting over €6.0 billion of inward investment into the economy. As the leading consultancy for the Portuguese Golden Visa La Vida is proud to have advised and assisted more than one thousand investors and applicants from over 120 countries worldwide for the programme since its introduction.
Requirements For Golden Visa Portugal
Investment
An investment of €500,000 (€280,000 or €350,000 reduced option) in real estate in Portugal will gain a golden visa residency permit for a family including dependent children. Although other methods are available (see FAQ below) the real estate route accounts for over 92% of all applications.
Associated Costs
There are several costs to consider in addition to the investment amount for the golden visa in Portugal. They include property tax, stamp duty, notary and land registry fees, government approval and application fees and legal costs for processing. Typically, they will add around 14% to a €350,000 investment.
Eligibility and Requirements
In addition to the investment and fees applicants will need to open a Portuguese bank account. Investors are required to have a clean criminal record, full health insurance and to submit their applications along with full biometrics. This requires one visit to Portugal at the application stage.
The Portuguese Golden Visa can be renewed at two-year intervals providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years and maintains their investment.
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 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.
Portugal Golden Visa Benefits
The benefits of Portugal’s Golden Visa have helped establish it as arguably the world’s foremost residency by investment program. They include:
- Low minimum investment of just €280,000
- Eligibility to live, work and study in Portugal
- Visa free travel throughout the EU Schengen zone
- Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years (without needing full residency)
- Minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years
- No tax on worldwide income
- Option for Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR)
How Much Does the Portugal Golden Visa Programme Cost?
Aside from the real estate investment amount there are fees in addition. These will vary depending on family size and property investment. We have set out below a typical example choosing a €350,000 investment:
Real Estate Investment |
€350,000 |
IMT (Property Transfer Tax) 4.60% (Est.) |
€16,100 |
Stamp Duty 0.8% |
€2,800 |
Notary/Land Registry Fee €1,050 |
€1,050 |
Registration of Promissory Sales Agreement |
€400 |
Golden Visa Approval Fee €5,336 (x4) €21,344 |
€21,344 |
Golden Visa Application Fee €533 (x4) |
€2,132 |
Legal Fees |
€5,000 |
TOTAL |
€398,826 |
Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding Portugal’s Golden Visa programme. No doubt you have many more and we would be happy to help. Please contact our advisors for further details.
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.