Golden Visa Portugal

In practice, investors holding a Golden Visa and who regularly visit Portugal are exempt from presenting a residence visa to enter our country.

One of the ways to obtain a Golden Visa, and the one I am interested in describing, is through the acquisition of real estate worth €500,000 or more .

Appraisal of applications is carried out by SEF-Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras, with a maximum period of 90 days for granting residence permits and 60 days for renewals. If these deadlines are exceeded without any decision, there will be an automatic approval.

Who can apply for a Golden Visa?

All citizens from third countries – not belonging to the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area – who carry out an investment activity, either personally or through a company based in Portugal or in another EU state and with a permanent establishment in Portugal and whose contributory situation is regularized.

If the Investor has adult children and intends to integrate them into the program, he may do so, provided he proves that the children are single and are studying under his economic dependence.

Eligible properties

• The properties can be acquired under a co-ownership regime, provided that each co-owner invests an amount equal to or greater than 500,000 euros, or through a promissory purchase and sale contract, with a down payment equal to or greater than 500,000 euros, which must be submitted prior to the application. of renewal of ARI the respective title of acquisition.
• They can be encumbered (mortgage, for example) from an amount greater than 500 thousand euros;
• Acquisition of property built at least 30 years ago, or located in an urban rehabilitation area, and carrying out rehabilitation works worth more than 350,000 euros;
• They can be leased or operated for commercial, agricultural or tourist purposes.

What are the requirements and documents needed?

• Absence of conviction for a crime that in Portugal is punishable with a custodial sentence of more than one year
• Not being prohibited from entering national territory, subsequent to a removal measure from the country
• Absence of indication in the Schengen Information System
• Absence of indication in the SEF Integrated System for the purpose of non-admission

Necessary documents

• Have a valid passport;
• Hold a Schengen visa (if applicable) and regularize the situation with the SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) within 90 days from the date of first entry into Portugal;
• Have a criminal record from the country of origin or from the country where you have resided for more than one year;
• Have a statement authorizing consultation of the Portuguese criminal record;
• Have an up-to-date negative debt statement issued by the AuthorityTax and Customs and social security;
• Declare, under oath, that it will comply with the requirements of the investment activity in the national territory;
• Have proof of health insurance;
• Have proof of payment of the ARI application analysis fee (513.75 euros) ;
• Acquisition title or promise of purchase of real estate containing the declaration of a financial institution authorized to carry out its activity in the national territory, attesting the effective transfer of capital for its acquisition or for the execution of a promise of purchase in the same amount or more than 500 thousand euros;
• Updated certificate from the land registry office, which must always include, in the case of a promissory contract and whenever legally feasible, the respective registration.

What are the Benefits?

Foreign citizens, holders of a Golden Visa, benefit from special conditions, namely:

• Enter Portugal without the need to present the usual residence visa;
• Live and work in Portugal, being able to maintain another residence in another country;
• Holders of a Golden Visa are entitled to family reunification;
• Free movement in the Schengen area, without the need to present a visa;
• Access to permanent residence permit (after 5 years);
• Access to Portuguese nationality (after 6 years).

contractual obligations

• A minimum period of 5 years to maintain ownership of the property, starting from the date of issue of the Golden Visa, requiring a Declaration under Commitment of Honor;
• The minimum periods of permanence, followed or interpolated, are:
  • 7 days in the 1st year;
  • 14 days in subsequent two-year periods.