Can I include dependants within my Golden Visa application?

Yes, the main Golden Visa applicant can include the following family members within their application: • Spouse or long-term partner. • Children under the age of 18. • Children who are aged between 18 years and 26 years, who are unmarried and in full-time education. • Dependant parents of the main applicant, or their spouse or partner, who are over the age of 55. • All parents of the main applicant, or their spouse or partner, who are over the age of 65 • Siblings of the main applicant, or their spouse or partner, who are legally under their supervision.

Do I need to spend a minimum number of days in Portugal each year?

Yes. To renew the Golden Visa permit, applicants are required to demonstrate they have stayed in Portugal for an average of seven (7) days per year.

How often do I need to renew my Golden Visa residence permit?

Renewals are currently required at the end of years 2 and 5 and each subsequent three years after that.

Do I need to be able to speak Portuguese?

No. This is not a requirement under the Golden Visa Residency Programme. However, Golden Visa Residency Permit holders who decide to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after holding the permit for five years or more are required to have passed a Portuguese language test, to level A2.

Do I have to pay tax in Portugal?

Golden Visa Residency Permit holders who spend less that 183 days in Portugal per year are not deemed to be tax resident and are only liable to pay tax on assets and income that are located in or generated in Portugal.

What is the official name of the Portugal Golden Visa Programme?

The official name of the Portugal Golden Visa Programme is the 'Autorização de Residência para Investimento' (ARI) or Authorisation of Residency for Investment. The programme is also known as the Portugal Golden Visa Residency Permit (GVRP), Golden Visa, Investment Visa, the Residence Permit for Investment Activity and the Residency-by-Investment programme.

Are there other residency programmes available in Portgual?

Yes, but they generally require the individual to be present in Portugal for more than 183 days per year and to become tax resident in Portugal. These include the D2 Entrepreneur or 'Start-up' visa, the D3 Tech visa, and the D7 Retirement or 'Passive Income' visa. Please contact us for further information about these visa options.

When can I apply for Portuguese permanent residency or citizenship?

When an individual and/or family member has maintained legal residency for five years or more, they are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency. Please note applicants must also meet the Portuguese language requirements (Level A2) and must not have been convicted of any crime that is punishable in Portugal with a prison sentence of three years or more. Upon approval of either option, investors are permitted to sell or recoup their initial investment under the Golden Visa programme.

Are applications under the Portugal Golden Visa Programme currently subject to delay?

Since the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, applicants have experienced significant delays waiting for Golden Visa applications to be reviewed and processed. A new Agency for Integration, Migration & Asylum (AIMA) was established in October 2023 to replace Portugal's former Borders & Immigration Service (SEF). AIMA was created to streamline the process of managing immigration and asylum services. Since its creation, Sovereign has experienced an increase in the number of applications being processed. One positive piece of legislation that was passed in January 2024 provided that the waiting time for approval of an individual’s residence application will now also be considered as part of the time applicable to meet the five-year residency requirement for citizenship.

Portugal Golden Visa Residence Permit

Q: What are the investment options for Golden Visa applicants in 2024?

1. A minimum investment of €500,000 in qualifying Investment Funds. 2. Establish a single-shareholder private limited company that causes the creation of at least 10 permanent jobs that are based in Portugal. 3. A minimum investment of €500,000 in scientific research that will benefit the Portugal's scientific and technological infrastructure. 4. A minimum donation of €250,000 in support of an artistic production, or the maintenance or recovery of cultural heritage. 5. A minimum investment of €500,000 into a new or existing company, that causes the creation of at least five or 10 permanent jobs respectively, for a minimum period of three years.

About the Portuguese 'Golden Visa'

Portugal’s Autorização de Residência para Actividade de Investimento – first introduced in 2012 and commonly known as the ‘Golden Visa’ – is a residence permit that provides qualifying non-European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss individuals and their families with full rights to live, work and study in Portugal.

The Golden Visa also provides visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area of 26 European member states and, after five years, the right to apply for permanent residence in Portugal and then Portuguese citizenship.

Portugal is the leading destination for individuals and families seeking residence within the European Union. It offers a stable political and social environment, clear and transparent tax rules, good infrastructure, a favourable investment climate and an excellent quality of life. Most foreigners consider the cost of living to be low.

The benefits of the Portuguese Golden Visa programme include, but are not limited to:

01

A wide range of investment options (although all real estate options have now been withdrawn).

02

Freedom to live and/or work in Portugal, while maintaining residence in another country.

03

Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area (subject to waiver).

04

Low minimum stay requirements, averaging seven days per year.

05

The benefits can be extended to the investor’s family, including dependant children and parents, under the right to Family Reunification.

06

Potential tax advantages if the investor qualifies under Portugal's new tax incentive for scientific research and innovation, which was introduced in 2024 following the closure of the special Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax status in Portugal to new entrants.

07

Option to apply for Permanent Residency and then Citizenship in Portugal (and the EU) after five years of the initial investment.

The Portugal Golden Visa offers a fast track to residency, access to the EU, and a chance to explore the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality of this beautiful country. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity!

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Portugal's Golden Visa Programme – Minimum investment requirements

Following the Portuguese government’s decision to withdraw the previous real estate investment (direct and indirect) and capital transfer options in October 2023, the investment criteria for applicants under the Portugal Golden Visa Programme are now restricted to the following investment routes:

01

Establishment of a single-shareholder private limited company creating at least 10 sustainable jobs that are based in Portugal.

02

Donation of at least €500,000 to an accredited public or private institution involved in qualifying scientific research that will benefit the national scientific and technological infrastructure.

03

Donation of at least €250,000 to an accredited institution conducting qualifying projects to, or in support of, artistic production, or the maintenance or recovery of cultural heritage.

04

Investment of at least €500,000 in investment funds or venture capital funds for the acquisition of units with a maturity of at least five years from date of purchase. To qualify, an investment fund or venture capital fund must be registered in Portugal and have at least 60% of its capital invested in Portugal.

05

Investment of at least €500,000 for either the incorporation of a new company headquartered in Portugal that leads to the creation of five new jobs that are sustained for three consecutive years, or a capital injection in an existing company headquartered in Portugal that leads to the maintenance of at least 10 existing jobs.

The minimum investment requirements under options 1, 2, and 3 above can be reduced by 20% if the investment/donation is applied to investment activities taking place in a low-density zone of Portugal.

Portugal's Golden Visa Programme – Additional qualification requirements

All applicants must also provide evidence of the following:

01

Valid medical or health insurance

02

Valid Passport and Schengen Visa

03

Confirmation that the qualifying investment has been made.

04

Confirmation that the investment funds are from a legal source.

05

A Portuguese bank account and tax ID Number.

06

Evidence that they have submitted their application and biometrics to the AIMA.

07

No previous criminal convictions for a crime that would be punishable in Portugal by a sentence of more than one year's imprisonment.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa Residence Permit. Sovereign can however provide alternate residency routes for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who would like to establish residency in Portugal.

Portugal's Golden Visa Programme – Qualifying Investment Funds

Since the removal of all real estate investments in October 2023, the most popular Portugal Golden Visa investment option is now to invest a minimum of €500,000 in qualifying investment or venture capital funds.

To qualify, an investment fund or venture capital fund must be registered and regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), have at least 60% of its capital invested in Portugal and may not invest, either directly or indirectly, in real estate.

The benefits of choosing to make an investment through a qualifying investment fund include:

01

Minimum investment amount of €500,000.

02

Fully managed solutions are available.

03

Regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM).

04

Qualifying investment funds offer a range of different asset classes from which to choose.

05

0% tax is applicable on the purchase or sale of units.

06

0% tax on investment income for non-tax residents of Portugal and only 14% for tax residents.

Applicants are permitted to spread their total investment across any number of qualifying funds. The ability to diversify across different asset classes, sectors and fund managers will reduce the overall risk of an applicant’s investment portfolio.

The Sovereign Group does not provide investment advice but has undertaken preliminary due diligence in respect of a panel of qualifying investment fund managers to which we can introduce interested parties. This enables applicants to discuss their investment strategy, assess terms and conditions across a range of funds with the relevant fund managers, and determine which overall investment strategy is most suitable for their personal needs.

Unlock a brighter future in Europe. Secure your Portugal Golden Visa through Qualifying Investment Funds for a streamlined path to residency. Start your application today!

Portugal's Golden Visa Programme – Minimum Stay and Permit Renewal Requirements

Once an application has been approved, a Golden Visa holder will be issued with a Portuguese residency card that is valid for two years. To maintain residency, the residency card must be renewed at the end of the second year, when a three-year residency card will be issued. The following chart provides an overview of the ongoing minimum stay and permit renewal requirements.

Time Period

Minimum Stay in Portugal

Renewal Date

Available Options

Year 1 & 2

14 days in total during the 24-month time frame

End of Year 2

3 Year Residency Permit

Years 3, 4 & 5

21 days in total during the 36-month time frame

End of Year 5

3 Year Residency, Permanent Residency

or Citizenship

To ensure successful renewal of residency cards, all the initial investment and application requirements must continue to be met.

Portuguese Permanent Residence or Portuguese Citizenship

Once the Golden Visa holder and/or a family member has maintained legal residency in Portugal for five years or more, they become eligible to apply for permanent residence in Portugal or Portuguese citizenship. Please note that additional qualifying requirements are applicable. However, investors are permitted to sell or recoup their initial investment upon approval of either option.

The following documentary evidence is required during the application process, depending on whether the Golden Visa holder is applying from within Portugal or from outside Portugal:

From inside Portugal

Completed application and permission to search for Portuguese criminal record.
A Portuguese Tax ID Number.
Certificate of no debts from the Portuguese Tax and National Insurance agencies.
Signed statement by the applicant confirming that he/she has fulfilled the qualifying investment requirements.
Evidence that the minimum investment has been made.
Receipt of payment of the application fee.

From outside Portugal

Valid passport and Schengen visa.
No Criminal Record Certificate.
Proof of residence.
Proof of professional occupation.
Marriage certificate, if including a spouse.
Birth certificates for any children to be included.
Birth certificates of the applicant if dependent parents to be included.
Certificates of no income for parents under the age of 65.

All foreign-language documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified by a Portuguese consulate-accredited translator or a Portuguese lawyer.

Sovereign representatives will be on hand to assist applicants and their family to obtain and complete the documents required to submit and process their application.

Advantages and benefits of the Portuguese Golden Visa Programme

01

Straightforward and flexible investment requirements.

02

Extremely low minimum stay requirements – only seven days in the first year and 14 days during each of the two subsequent two-year periods, whether or not consecutive.

03

Inclusive of family members under the family reunification.

04

Freedom to travel without a passport to all European countries that are within the Schengen area.

05

Potential to apply for permanent residence in Portugal after five years and citizenship after six years.

06

No limitations on ownership of the selected investment.

07

No limitation on subsequent investments or employment opportunities.

08

Access to all Portuguese public services, including health and education.

Portuguese Golden Visa Programme - Application Process

Sovereign’s extensive network of offices and professional service partners means that we are well placed to assist, advise and support Golden Visa applicants throughout the application process on a worldwide basis. We will work closely with applicants during each stage of the process to ensure that their application for a Golden Visa Residence Permit will be successful.

The application process involves the following seven stages:

01

Stage 1 – An initial consultation with a Sovereign residency and citizenship adviser to determine the most suitable programme and investment options available.

02

Stage 2 – Sovereign will provide a comprehensive proposal detailing the benefits, requirements and investment options applicable to the Golden Visa Residence Permit. Sovereign is also able to introduce applicants to qualifying investment providers.

03

Stage 3 – Working with a power of attorney, Sovereign will assist with opening of a local bank account and obtaining a Portuguese Tax Identification Number.

04

Stage 4 – Sovereign will work with applicants to prepare and submit the Golden Visa Residence Permit application. Once submitted and approved online, all applicants are required to attend an appointment with the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA), during which applicants must personally submit their original application documentation and biometric data.

05

Stage 5 – Provided all the application requirements have been met, the related documentation is in order and the biometrics appointment with the AIMA has been verified, applications will be approved.

06

Stage 6 – Once approved, the individual residency permit cards will be issued.