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Portuguese residency by investment
The Portugal Golden Visa Program remains a preferred option for investors seeking permanent residency or citizenship in Europe, thus establishing businesses and securing the lives of family members.
If you are a citizen outside the European Union and have a fixed income and can invest in Portugal, it is sufficient to obtain a residence permit and then a European passport from Portugal.
The Portugal Golden Visa program has been reactivated again after canceling the real estate investment method and retaining the rest of the other methods, the most important of which is investment in non-real estate funds. Therefore, experts advise to seize the opportunity and submit the application as soon as possible.
Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal is a beautiful country with an attractive climate, nature and a long cultural history. It is located in the southwestern part of Europe and shares borders with Spain and Morocco.
Portugal has a population of 10 million people. Its capital, Lisbon, and is located within the Schengen countries. Portugal introduced the most popular Golden Visa program in order to promote economic growth and international cooperation as well as bring global investments into the country.
The Portugal Golden Visa Program helps individuals establish roots in Europe, benefit from international mobility, and take advantage of the excellent European tax, business, health and education systems.
The Parliament of Portugal recently made some changes to the coveted Portuguese Golden Visa programme, the most significant change being the abolition of real estate investment and real estate funds, and retaining other methods, one of which is investment in non-real estate funds.
Existing applications related to renewing the Golden Visa, adding family members, or matters related to obtaining Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency are not affected to the investor despite the new changes.
The residence card is issued first for 2 years and then for 3 years, after which you will be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship, but you must apply minimum residency requirements and basic knowledge of the Portuguese language and Portuguese history.
What will I gain after obtaining a Portugal Golden Visa?
- Portugal has a high quality of life, delicious local cuisine, a desirable mild climate, a high level of safety and a rich culture.
- Portugal has little residency requirements, requiring the investor to reside for two weeks every two years, either fully or partially. The nice thing is that this is taken into account when applying for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship.
- After basic knowledge of the Portuguese language and maintaining the short residency requirements as mentioned, you can obtain Portuguese citizenship. After obtaining Portuguese passport, means you will have one of the 5 most powerful passports in the world, with the ability to enter 190 countries in the world without a visa, including Britain, all the Schengen countries, Japan, Canada, Australia, and America. Portuguese citizenship brings about a radical change in an individual’s life by obtaining permanent European citizenship for himself and all generations, thus obtaining all the free European health and education systems, not to mention opening companies all over the world.
- Access to the outstanding Portuguese national health system.
- Benefit from European educational systems and prestigious Portuguese universities.
- Practicing independent commercial activities with the possibility of opening companies and external bank accounts.
- Access to favorable Portuguese tax systems. One of these advantages is that Portugal offers special income discounts for the first 10 years of residence. Portugal also does not impose any tax if the investor’s stay does not exceed 183 days per year.
- Family reunification, including spouse, children, parents of spouse and the main investor.
- Permanent residency in all Schengen countries, so you can study, work and live in any European country of your choice.
- The best alternative to citizenship programs for countries that do not accept dual citizenship, especially the Gulf and Middle East countries.
Ways to obtain a Portugal Golden Visa
1. Creating work jobs
Creating job opportunities for 10 people or creating 8 new job opportunities in areas with low population density.
2. Open a trading company
By investing $500,000 to open a new company based in Portugal or increase the capital of an existing company in Portugal while creating 5 new jobs or maintaining 10 jobs for 3 years.
3. Investing in funds
Investing in funds of €500,000 or investing in units of capital funds allocated to companies incorporated under Portuguese law. Provided a maturity period of 5 years and a capital of no less than 60% of the investment portfolio of registered companies, excluding real estate institutions.
This type of investment is distinguished from others by the following:
✓ The possibility of investing in many different investment funds, and this diversification is important.
✓ This type of investment is managed by industry experts who have a higher return strategy than individual investors.
✓ This type is exempt from taxes imposed on it.
✓ The European and Portuguese Authority strictly monitors these funds, ensuring that these funds operate to the maximum extent possible.
✓ These funds are continuously reviewed by external auditors who ensure their highest credibility.
✓ Each box is linked to a depository bank, which means a high layer of security.
4. Investing in scientific activities
By investing at least €500,000 in scientific and research activities of both private or public institutions, which form part of the Portuguese scientific and technological system. The corresponding amount is 400 thousand euros in sparsely populated areas.
5. Investing in the arts
By investing at least 250,000 euros to support artistic production and the revival of national heritage, and a similar amount of 200,000 euros in areas with low population density.
Note: Low-density areas mean that the population density is less than 100 people per km or that the per capita output in these places is less than 75 percent of the average GDP.
Portuguese residency by investment
~ GCC
The steps that an investor goes through to obtain a Portugal Golden Visa
Before mentioning the steps, it must be noted that the application must be made it exclusively through one of the approved offices, and the office and the investor, in turn, do the following:
✔ Make sure you are someone who has no criminal record, you are from outside the EU, and has sufficient funds to invest.
✔ Choose one of the investment methods that suits you, as we mentioned above.
✔ Look for an accredited office as referred. All remaining steps are performed by them.
✔ Collect the necessary documents.
✔ Send documents to the Portuguese government and ensure their availability, authentication, and translation into Portuguese.
✔ Attendance for the fingerprint and other biometrics.
✔ The Portuguese authorities take some time to study the file and conduct security checks.
✔ Obtaining a Portugal Golden Visa
✔ Maintain minimum residency requirements.
✔ Possibility of obtaining Portuguese citizenship after 5 years.
Documents required to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa Program
◈ Visa application form.
◈ passport.
◈ Judicial certificate.
◈ Marriage certificate if adding a spouse.
◈ Birth certificate if adding children.
◈ Bank statement to prove the investment.
Who is entitled to be added with the applicant?
◈ Spouse
◈ Children under 18 years old.
◈ Unmarried children under 26 years old, provided that they are studying.
◈ The applicant’s parents or spouse are over 65 years old.
Global Citizen Consultants has helped more than 30 nationalities, including Gulf investors, obtain a Portugal Golden Visa. Global Citizen Consultants is an office accredited by the Portuguese government and trusted by many government sites and clients around the world. You can contact us if you have any questions regarding residency and citizenship by investment programs.
About Author
Taher Shehab
As co-founder and CEO, Taher Shehab has guided Global Citizen Consultants to be a leader in providing citizenship by investment in over 20 territories, including the Caribbean.
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