I am going to invest in Portugal. How can I obtain a golden visa?
Portugal has a Residence Permit programme for Investors (known as Golden Visa), which enable non-EU citizens to invest in Portugal and obtain a temporary residence permit. The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility and benefits.
Portugal is a safe and stable country with an excellent and affordable quality of life, good healthcare and education options, well-connected airports, and the best climate in continental Europe.
How to apply?
As far as Golden Visa programs go, the Portuguese program is also relatively accessible. These being the best options for most people:
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros;
- The creation of, at least, 10 job positions;
- The purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros;
- The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros;
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros for investing in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technologic system;
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 250 thousand Euros for investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage, through the local and central authorities, public institutions, public corporate sector, public foundations, private foundations of public interest, networked local authorities, local corporate sector organizations, local associations and public cultural associations, pursuing activities of artistic output, and reconstruction or maintenance of the national heritage;
- Capital transfer of the amount of 350 thousand Euros, or higher, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds dedicated to the capitalisation of companies, capital injected under the Portuguese legislation, whose maturity, at the moment of the investment, is, at least, of five years and, at least, 60% of the investments is realized in commercial companies with head office in national territory;
- Capital transfer of the amount of 350 thousand Euros, or higher, for constitution of a commercial society with head office in the national territory, combined with the creation of five permanent working jobs, or for the reinforcement of the share capital of a commercial society with head office in national territory, already existing, with the creation or keeping of working jobs, with a minimum of five permanent jobs, and for a minimum period of three years.
Who may apply?
All third country citizens who conduct an investment activity, as an individual businessperson or through a company set up in Portugal or in another EU Member State and who, in addition, are stably settled in Portugal.
The beneficiaries of Golden Visa are entitled to:
- Residence visa waiver for entering Portugal;
- Living and working in Portugal, on condition that they stay in Portugal for a period of 7 or more days, in the first year, and 14 or more days, in the subsequent years;
- Visa exemption for travelling within the Schengen Area;
- Family reunification;
- Applying for permanent residence;
- Applying for Portuguese citizenship, by naturalization.
Tax advantages
- Special tax regime for Non Habitual Resident (NHR), who transfer tax residency to Portugal and have not been considered as tax resident in the past five years.
- Under the NHR, income derived from “high value-added activities” is taxed at a 20% rate.
- Under the NHR Regime, foreign pension income should be exempted from taxation in Portugal.
- Under the NHR, foreign interest and dividends may be exempted from taxation in Portugal.
- Tax Authorities issue tax resident certificates for NHR taxpayers.
- Capital Gains arising from the sale of shares are, in general, taxed at a flat rate of 28%.
- There is no inheritance/gift nor wealth tax.
- Special tax regime for Non Habitual Resident (NHR), who transfer tax residency to Portugal and have not been considered as tax resident in the past five years.
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