Portugal Immigration Programs
Portugal has several attractive and competitive immigration programs and one of the most competitive tax regimes for foreigners who transfer their tax resident to Portuguese territory.
Portugal has implemented a residence permit program that allows foreign citizens to obtain a temporary residence permit and freely circulate within the Schengen Area, through certain eligible investments (e.g. real estate and capital investments among others). Investors are required to a minimum period of 14 days stay per each 2 years, for a minimum period of 5 years. Family regrouping is also available under the Portuguese program.
- Transfer of € 1,000,000.00 or more, through.
- bank deposits,
- creation of a company
- acquisition of Portuguese government debt, namely treasury bonds;
- acquisition of Securities and Acquisition of Shares in Commercial Companies
- Creation of at least 10 jobs
- Acquisition of real estate with a minimum investment of € 500.000,00, or € 400.000,00 in some low density areas
- Acquisition of real estate with a minimum investment of € 350.000,00, whose construction was completed at least 30 years ago, or located in an area of urban rehabilitation, with works of rehabilitation of the assets; or € 280.000,00 if the real estate is located in some low density areas
- Transfer of capital in the amount of € 350.000,00 or more, which is applied in research activities carried out by public or private research institutions of scientific institution, integrated into the national scientific and technological system
- Transfer of € 250.000,00 or more, which is applied in investment or support for artistic production, restoration or maintenance of national cultural heritage
- Transfer equal or above to € 350.000,00, for the acquisition of units in investment funds or venture capital enterprises, or for the capitalization of companies, which meet certain requirements
- Transfer equal or above € 350.000,00, for the incorporation of a company with head office in Portugal, combined with the creation of five permanent jobs, or to reinforce the share capital of a company with headquarters in Portuguese territory, already established, with the creation or maintenance of work, with a minimum of five permanent, for a period of three years
The residence permit is granted for a period of 2 years, always renewable for 2 years, until a minimum of 5, at which time you can apply for the permanent residence permit or Portuguese nationality, if you meet the respective requirements.
The pandemic and the need for investment it has brought has caused the government to fall behind in restricting eligible investment, so this is the right time to make your investment and benefit from the Golden Visa program.
The investor has also the right to apply for family regrouping, for his or her direct relatives, including spouse or partner, dependent children and stepchildren, dependent siblings, parents and in-laws.
- Obtaining a residence permit that allows you to live, work and study in Portugal
- Free movement within the European area
- Short mandatory stay period (14 days every 2 years)
- Family reunification
- Permanent residence after 5 years
- Nationality after 5 years
- Special tax regime for residents in Portugal - Non Habitual Resident
Unlike the Golden Visa program, the following residence permits require the applicant to stay in Portuguese territory for more than 183 days per year, in which case he/she may benefit from the most favourable tax regime of the non-habitual resident.
- Visa and residence permit for teaching or highly qualified or cultural activity
- Visa and residence permit for entrepreneurs
- Visa and residence permit for retired persons
- Visa and residence permit and foreign citizens with own income
- The holders of temporary residence may apply for derived Portuguese nationality after 5 years
- Descendants of Portuguese parents or ascendants up to the first degree, who didn’t lose the nationality
- Children born in Portugal from foreign parents who have been living in Portugal for more than 1 year (as soon as the new Law of Nationality come into force)
- Citizens born in the former state of India and their descendants
- Descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews
- Spouses or de facto cohabitees of Portuguese citizens