Portugal
Golden Visa

Do I have to take a Portuguese language test?

For the initial residency application, there is no language test required. The language test is only applicable when applying for Citizenship, so applicants have 5-6 years to prepare for this step. Anyone under the age of 10 years old does not need to take the language test. The language test is an A2 level (conversational level) and most of the test is in a multiple-choice format. You can read more on the citizenship language test here.

Do I have to pay tax in Portugal?

Unless you reside in Portugal for 183 days of the year or more, you will not be taxed on your worldwide income. As a non-tax resident, you only need to pay tax in Portugal if you earn any income in Portugal, for example, a rental return from your property. If you do choose to reside in Portugal, please note the previous Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program is no longer available from 2024. This granted certain tax exemptions for overseas income tax for the first 10 years of residence. For overseas investors there is no tax on investment gains or investment income from funds in Portugal but such income may well be taxed in your home country as overseas income.

Can I include children over 18 years old?

Children over the age of 18 years old can be included, however, they must remain dependent for each year until citizenship is achieved. There is no official age limit for dependent children, but we would advise no older than around 22 or 23 years as they need to remain dependent for the five-to-six-year period following. In reality, it can be much harder to prove a 28 year old child is still dependent, unmarried and in full time education, although it is possible.

Can I purchase the investment through my company?

No. It must be purchased personally.

Do I get access to free healthcare in Portugal?

As a Portuguese resident, you can gain access to Portugal’s national health service (SNS), providing you are a fiscal resident.

However, as part of the Golden Visa application process, you must provide evidence of a private health insurance policy to be granted the residency visa. Price can vary depending on the individual’s health and any pre-existing conditions. If you are not residing in Portugal full time, as many Golden Visa holders will not be, we would advise continuing with a private healthcare policy.

Can I apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal through a fund investment?

Yes, you can. This is now the only passive investment route for the golden visa unless you want to be investing in a specific company, your own or an established business, that will create jobs. Programme rules and benefits remain the same whichever route.

Can unmarried or same-sex couples apply for Portugal’s Golden Visa programme?

If you are cohabiting with a long-term partner, sometimes referred to as a common-law partner, it is possible to apply for most of the European Golden Visa programmes under one joint application. In Portugal, unmarried couples who have been residing together for a minimum of 2 years are eligible to apply together, providing they can supply evidence of their relationship. Official documents confirming they share an address, have joint assets or evidence that they have children together would be sufficient to support the case. It is also possible for same-sex couples to apply together under the same application. More info on our website here.

How Many applicants have been approved for Portugal’s Golden Visa programme?

Since Portugal introduced their Golden Visa programme in 2012, at the time of writing over 12,000 main investors have now been approved for Portuguese residency, with over 18,000 family members also being accepted. The total revenue generated by the programme is over €5.3 billion.

What happens if my Golden Visa application is rejected?

In theory, the only reason an application would be rejected is if an applicant has a criminal record, has been dishonest on the application, or has not fulfilled the minimum investment requirements. It is a document-driven process and La Vida’s advisors, and legal partners will work closely with you throughout the process to compile your file to ensure your application is successfully approved.

Where do Portugal’s Golden Visa applicants come from?

In the early days of the program China was the dominant source country. Today it is the USA. The growth in the US market has been quite staggering. Over 40% of all investors through La Vida are now from the US. Other popular source countries include Nigeria, Lebanon, India, South Africa, Turkey and since Brexit, the UK.

What Investment methods are available for the Portugal Golden Visa?

Since the rule changes in October 2023 qualification for the Portuguese Golden Visa can be through:

▪ Fund Subscription: Minimum €0.5m

▪ Company creation: With minimum 10 jobs created

▪ Donating a minimum €250,000 to national heritage.

▪ Investing a minimum €500,000 in Research & Development

▪ If you are interested in any of these options, please contact us for further details.

Are there other Portugal Residency Visas?

There are several residency visas available in Portugal. However they are not part of the Golden Visa and carry different benefits. They include the D2 Entrepreneur or Start up Visa, D3 Tech Visa, D7 Retirement Visa and D8 Digital Nomad Visa. These visas tend to require residency, ie living and becoming tax resident in Portugal. They are very different to the Golden Visa which for most investors is held as an option to reside with minimal requirement to visit.

Is there a Portugal Golden Passport?

After five years of holding a golden visa in Portugal the holder can apply for citizenship and if successful then a Portuguese passport can be applied for. The applicant would need to retain their golden visa investment.

What is the Portugal Investment Visa?

The Portugal Investment Visa is another term for the Portuguese Golden Visa. So called because the golden visa requires investment in Portugal of a minimum €500,000.

Is it possible to get Portuguese Citizenship by Investment?

It’s not possible for golden visa investors to get immediate citizenship through investment in Portugal. Citizenship is only possible after a period of residency. If the investor holds a golden visa, which is a type of residency visa, for five years then they can apply for Portuguese citizenship (which is EU citizenship). Recent legislation in 2024 means that the five year time period now begins at the point of application for the golden visa. This is a positive development for anyone in the process of waiting for their GV application to complete.

What is the residence permit for Investment (ARI) Regime

The Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) regime is the official name for the Portuguese Golden Visa. The legislation allows Nationals from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland to obtain a temporary residence permit for investment activities in Portugal. Among the benefits it allows the granting of a Permanent Residence Authorisation under the terms of the Foreigners Law (Law no. 23/2007) and the acquisition of Portuguese nationality (citizenship), through naturalization under the Nationality Law (Law no. 37/81).

Can I use Cryptocurrency to Invest

Unfortunately you can not invest with Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency. Investments need to be made in Fiat currency through the banking system and from a bank account opened in Portugal. It may be possible to pay some limitedamount of fees with Crypto.

How successful has the Golden Visa been in Portugal

The Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) (known as the golden visa) was launched in 2012. Since then, it has delivered €7.3bn in inward investment to the Portuguese economy. Chinese nationals were the dominant investors over this time period although in recent years this has switched towards the USA. In addition, Brazil, Turkey, Nigeria, Hong Kong and South Africa are also strong investors. Close on 85% of all investment (from 11383 main investors) was channelled into real estate until the change in the programme in 2023. A total of 723 investments were made into venture capital projects, 1312 by transferring capital and just 23 for creating ten jobs. These statistics will shift going forward from 2024 as real estate has been eliminated as a potential route.

What is the latest on timescales and delays in processing the Portuguese Golden Visa Applications

There are still lengthy delays in processing golden visa applications in Portugal. One positive piece of news is the impending change to the citizenship laws. This will mean that wait times will count in the five year period before Portuguese citizenship can be applied for. The five year clock will start ticking from the point of application. The Portuguese Government has taken several steps to reduce the golden visa backlog by 50%.

What about the Portugal D7 Visa or HQA Visa?

Other residency routes exist as an alternative to the golden visa scheme. The Portugal HQA visa seeks entrepreneurs with a proven track record looking to start a business in the country through foreign investment. This may work for business people wishing to spend significant time in the country while establishing their new venture. The Portugal D7 visa requires the applicant to make Portugal their primary country of residence. Neither offers the flexibility of the Portugal golden visa programme which is a passive programme allowing the golden visa holder to live elsewhere, having to visit Portugal for an average of just 7 days each year. Golden visa investors have far less restrictions on their lives than those on the D7 or HQA.

What are the benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa?

Portugal Golden Visa benefits include:

• Low Minimum Investment: Starting at €500,000 in a qualifying fund.
• Family Inclusion: Residency permits extend to immediate family members, including dependent children.
• Visa-Free Travel: Access to the EU Schengen zone.
• Path to Citizenship: Eligibility to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years without the need for full-time residency.
• Minimal Stay Requirements: Only 14 days every two years.
• Tax Benefits: No tax on worldwide income and the option for Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR).

What are the main steps in the Portugal Golden Visa Application?

The Portugal Golden Visa application steps are:

1. Consultation: Engage with La Vida’s experts to determine suitability and appoint a legal representative.
2. Preparation: Open a Portuguese bank account and obtain a NIF number; select and finalize your investment.
3. Application Submission: Submit a pre-application online, followed by an in-person appointment in Portugal for biometric data collection.
4. Approval and Renewal: Upon approval, receive residency cards valid for two years, renewable by maintaining the investment and meeting stay requirements.

Does Portugal allow Dual Citizenship?

Yes, Portugal permits dual citizenship. This allows investors to retain their original nationality while acquiring Portuguese citizenship, granting the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union.​

Is the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa a good alternative to the Portugal Golden Visa?

The Digital Nomad Visa suits remote workers who want to live in Portugal full-time. However, it offers no investment returns, no flexibility on stay requirements, and no direct route to citizenship without becoming tax resident.

For global investors, the Portugal Golden Visa offers far greater benefits:

• Minimal stay (14 days every 2 years)
• Path to EU citizenship
• Include family
• Investment returns through funds