The following are the most frequently asked questions about portugal golden visa program..
What is Portugal Golden visa ?
Golden visas are investor residence programs offers long term permanent residency status against investment activities in Portugal. Portugal launched GV program in Oct 2012 since then it is very popular.
Can investment funds invest in properties?
As per golden visa rules, investments funds must not have direct exposure investing in properties. We offer several hospitality investment funds that invests in hotel operations (not property) and also eligible for Golden visa. This fund may be attractive to real estate investors. Investment funds should not be confused with real estate investments. Each has its own merits and demerits.
Can i Invest in Multiple Funds?
Yes, it’s possible to split your investment into several funds for diversification (spread the risK). The downside is more paperwork and potentially a bit higher fees (as some fees may be fixed, not a percentage of the invested amount).
What ROI can be achieved ?
Typically 4% to 20% depending on the risk level with the fund (not guaranteed) as per GV rules.. Investment fund must be venture capital or private equity or AIF fund and must meet eligibility criteria. You can invest in sectors such as energy, tech, cars, and digital money.
Can i invest in Portugal property market ?
No. The New GV rules implemented from Oct 7, 2022 has removed all property investments (direct, indirect), bonds, bank deposit options .
What investment options do you offer?
- Portugal Art/Cultural visa – EUR 200,000 (donation)
- Portugal Investment Funds – EUR 300,000 (instead of EUR 500,000 financing option). See list of popular golden visa investment funds
Can i Switch from one fund to another?
Yes, it should be possible. The subscribed fund must be under the same Golden Visa category and that you own the required amount of fund units (above 500k euro).
Are there minimum stay requirements?
Yes, 14 days in 2 years to maintain your residence permit.
Has Portugal increased the citizenship time to 10 years?
No. The law is not in force yet. Until the law comes into force, 5 year rule applies.
What are the current processing times?
The processing times are 12-20 months due to backlog of applications with AIMA.
Who cannot apply for Portugal Golden visa?
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens cannot apply for GV. The following conditions known to the competent authorities, would prevent the granting of the visa;
- Conviction for a crime that in Portugal is punishable by a custodial sentence of more than one year;
- applicant is not within the period of prohibition of entry and stay in Portugal, following a removal measure
- Absence of indication in the SII UCFE for the purposes of refusing entry and stay or return, under the terms of articles 33 and 33-A of REPSAE.
Can UK nationals apply for Portugal GV scheme?
Yes, UK nationals will be eligible to apply for Portuguese golden visa scheme as a result of Brexit from Jan 1, 2021.What makes Portugal golden visa super attractive?
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, real estate market resisted decline due to Covid and its geographic location with proximity to US, Canada and South America with excellent travel connections, makes Portugal a desirable country to invest.How long is the residence permit issued?
Depending on the investment you make, the residence permit under golden visa program is issued for one or two years with the possibility of unlimited extensions
Can i get work permit with golden visa?
Yes, the golden visa allows full working rights for investors and family members. No separate work permit required. If you want to work in other EU countries, you must apply for separate work permit, unless you are permanent resident or citizen of Portugal.
Can US citizens invest from IRA?
Yes, US citizens can make the investment from IRA through use of delaware company. Please consult your CPA for specific advice.
Can i pay directly with Bitcoin/USDT?
GV rules do not permit to accept bitcoin directly, but strategy here is borrow from a lender against bitcoin, receive fiat and make the investment. We can help you with this through our crypto experts.
Can Russian/Iran nationals apply?
Yes, they can provided they are not in blacklist and should not fail due diligence checks. Each case is different. please contact us for specific advice.Additional FAQs
Do you offer real estate properties in Portugal?
Not anymore after the closure.
When did Portugal launch golden visa scheme?
Portugal launched ARI/Golden visa scheme in Oct 2012, since then it has been the most successful golden visa program in Europe.
Can i get Portuguese citizenship?
It is possible to get portuguese citizenship after 5 years through golden visa scheme. There are no strict residence conditions (2 weeks per year). You also have to pass portuguese language test.
What is Non habitual tax regime?
It is a special tax regime where portuguese sourced income will be taxed at a flat rate of 20% if the income is derived from activities abroad. This benefits many expats and foreigners. This scheme is now reopen.
Can i visit and live in other schengen countries?
Yes with the residence permit issued by Portugal, you can visit or live in other schengen states for upto 90 days in 180 day period.
How do i apply for golden visa from abroad?
You can apply for C or D visa in any portuguese embassy or consulate abroad for the purpose of golden visa investment
Are there any residency or living requirements?
The PGV program does not require you to live or stay in Portugal at all. You are only required stay in Portugal are 7 days on the first year and 14 days over the subsequent periods of 2 years
How much time it takes to get golden visa?
The normal processing times are 12-20 months
Why chose Portugal?
- Pleasant warm climate.
- Low cost of living.
- Excellent healthcare system.
- 300 daily flights from Portugal to destinations worldwide including USA.
- Freely travel in schengen.
What is the difference between Portugal and Greece?
Portugal is slightly a better program than Greece. You can see comparison here
Can EU/EEA nationals apply?
No, it is only open for third country nationals outside EU.
Are there any residency requirements?
No, except you have to visit Portugal using schengen visa once a year (7 days).
How do i start the process?
You have to pay 10% initial retainer fee and our lawyers will start the process .
When do i get permanent residence permit (PR)?
After 5 years of holding valid residence permit.
Can family members apply?
Yes, all family members can apply for visa under “family unification”.
Can i travel to all Schengen countries?
Yes, you can enter and exit through any schengen country with the green ID card issued by Portugal immigration office (AIMA).
Can i travel to US and UK with the schengen residence permit card?
No, you will need a separate visa. UK does not participate in schengen, neither does US. You may apply for UK and USA at the consulates in Lisbon using your residence status.
What is the visa procedure?
After completing the real estate acquisition with the necessary papers, you have to apply for long term residence permit status, at the Portugal embassy in your country. After 2 months they will issue you D visa which is valid for 1 year. You have to enter Portugal using D visa and within 30 days, you have to report at SEF immigration office and collect your residence permit card which is initially valid for 1 year.
Remember with D visa, you must enter Portugal first (not other schengen countries). Only after getting your residence permit card (pink card) you may travel to schengen countries.
If you already have schengen visa, you can come to Portugal to complete the investment process, but you still have to apply for long term status at the Portuguese embassy in your home country.
If you already have schengen residence permit, issued by another EU member state, then you can apply for Portuguese residence permit (under golden visa rules) at Portuguese consulate in that EU member state.
What is the processing time frame?
It may take from 6-8 months.
What is the validity of the residence permit issued under golden visa?
Permanent residence permits issued with 2-5 year validity depending on the investment. If you dont visit Portugal, you cannot prolong your residence permit.
How many years for Portuguese citizenship?
Golden visa investors qualify for citizenship after 5 years of uninterrupted living. You must pass portuguese language tests (A2). Portuguese citizenship means you get full EU citizenship. (rules are changing soon)
How good is the Portuguese passport?
Portugal is one of the founding members of Schengen. Portuguese passport is ranked 6th best passport in the world with visa free travel to 172 countries according to henley restrictions index 2016. Portuguese passport gives right to live and work in 26 member states of EU including Switzerland and United Kingdom.
What are the taxes with property investment?
Stamp duty(0.8%), Property transfer tax (5-6%), and IMI (municipal tax annually 0.3% to 0.5%) are applicable.
Can i invest in Government bonds or securities?
This route is closed.
Who are the main foreign investors in the Golden visa portugal scheme?
Chinese, Brazilians, Turks, South Africans and Lebanese. These are the people who have invested in properties
What are the reasons for golden visa refusal?
- Criminal record in the past.
- Threat to safety, health and security of the EU
- Ban in Schengen information System (SIS)
- Frozen property assets in EU
You wont be able to prolong or extend your residence permit if you dont maintain the investment for 5 years.
Do i have to pay income taxes in Portugal?
No, only if you have lived in Portugal for 183 days.
Can the investors apply jointly?
Yes, joint acquisition of funds or shares allowed, provided that each of the joint owners invest €500,000 or more 3 investors could make a joint investment of 1,5 million euro. Only then each investor will get their visas approved.
What are the additional costs with investment funds?
All the fees clearly disclosed in the brochure and agreements.
Can US citizens purchase investment funds for golden visa?
Yes, US citizens do qualify. However it must be reported duly to IRS under FATCA and foreign assets held by US citizens abroad. Some investment funds may be restricted to US citizens. Some banks in Portugal may also deny banking services to US citizens. Some funds are classified as PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Companies) are taxed by the IRS.a
Are there any country restrictions for golden visa?
No, the golden visa program is open to all country nationals. But EU/EEA and Russian citizens cannot apply.
How long investment must be held for?
You must hold the real estate for 5 years, if not golden visa will stand canceled.
How to prolong the validity of the portuguese residence permit issued under golden visa?
You can renew or prolong the validity of your portuguese residence permit, at immigration offices in Portugal well before 30 days of expiry date, by satisfying the following conditions.
- You have met the minimum periods of stay in Portugal ( 7days 1st year, 14 days 2nd year onwards)
- You have maintained the investment for the minimum period of 5 (years)
- You have no criminal record in Portugal
- You have been a threat to public health or security in Portugal.
- You have sufficient funds to live in Portugal.
It will take about 60 to 90 days and the authorities will arrive at a decision .
Can i invest for Portugal Green visa?
This is approved but still in the pipeline. The minimum required is €500,000 invested in clean green energy projects.
