Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country in southwestern Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula. The land within the borders of today’s Portuguese Republic has been constantly settled since Prehistoric Iberia or prehistoric times.
During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with its global empire which included possessions in Africa, Asia, and South America, Portugal was one of the world’s major economic, political, and cultural powers. In the nineteenth century, armed conflict with French and Spanish invading forces, and the loss of its largest territorial possession abroad, Brazil, which declared independence unilaterally, disrupted political stability and potential economic growth.
The Carnation Revolution’s coup d’état in 1974, replaced an authoritarian dictatorship with a communist state, while the country granted independence to its overseas territories in Africa.
Portugal is a developed country, and although having the lowest GDP per capita of all Western European countries, it has a high Human Development Index and one of the highest quality of life ratings in the world.
Advantages of the Portugal Golden Visa:
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Straightforward and flexible investment requirements;
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Extremely low minimum stay requirements - 7 days first year and 14 days following periods of 2 years;
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Possibility of Permanent Residency after 5 years and nationality after 6 years;
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No limitations on ownership of the selected investment;
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Residency applications quickly processed;
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Fully extensible to family members (with no further investment requirements);
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Freedom to travel to all European countries members of the Schengen area;
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No limitation on subsequent investments or employment opportunities;
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Very limited number of documents required;
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Access to all Portuguese Public Services, including health and education.
Features of Portugal Golden Visa
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New laws approved by the Portuguese Government open up the possibility of applying for a residence permit to third state Citizens.
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This new residence permit seeks to attract new investment into Portugal through the purchase of real estate for a minimum period of five years.
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The holders of the residence permit for investors will have the right to family regrouping and may gain access to a permanent residence permit, as well as to Portuguese citizenship in accordance with the current legal provisions. The investor must purchase one or more properties with a value of or above € 500,000 (five hundred thousand Euros). They may also choose to purchase a property in co-ownership as long as each co-owner invests more than € 500,000 (five hundred thousand Euros).
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The requisite of purchasing a property can also be demonstrated with a promissory contract with a deposit of or above € 500,000. This means that a residence permit for investment can be applied for with a mere signed promissory contract. The promissory contract must be registered at the Land Registry Office and before renewing the residence permit for investment, the title deeds of purchase and sale must be presented.
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A declaration issued by a financial institution is also necessary to prove the transfer of the capital for payment of the deposit in the promissory contract in the amount of or above € 500,000 (five hundred thousand Euros).
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The properties purchased can be rented out or leased for commercial, agricultural or tourist exploration.
Investment Options:
I. & II. Real Estate Investment
I. Purchase a real estate in Portugal that has a minimum value of € 500,000. Key benefit: you are not restricted as to what property you can purchase as you are in many CBI Programs. Once you have purchased a property, you will need to hold on to it for a minimum 5 years. After this you can sell it if you want, continue to rent it or live in the property yourself.
II. Purchase a property that was constructed at least 30 years ago and is in an area designated under urban rehabilitation. The property must also have an execution order for rehabilitation work. Your minimum investment requirements in this case is reduced to € 350,000.
ESTIMATE REAL ESTATE QUOTATION FOR A FAMILY OF 4 (2 minors children under 18)
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Real Estate Purchase: € 500,000
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Registration At The Land Registry Office (Value Approx.): € 350
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Deed Of Purchase And Sale Or Private Document Authenticated By Lawer: € 650
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IMT (Depending On The Choice Below*): € 30,000
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Stamp Tax (Depending On The Choice Below**): € 4,000
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SEF Process Analysis: € 532,70 Issuance Of Residence Authorization Card Investor: € 5,324.60
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Issuance Of Residence Authorization Card Spouse: € 5,324.60
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Issuance Of Residence Authorization Card Children: € 5,324.60 (2,662.30 per minor child).
*IMT: 6,5% (Urban Buildings for commercial purposes, land for constructions); 6%
(Urban Buildings for housing purposes); 5% (Rustic Buildings).
**Stamp Duty: Rate applicable between 0.3% and 0.5% (Urban Buildings); 0.8% (Rustic Buildings).
III. Capital Transfer
As an alnertative to real estate investments, you can perform a capital transfer with a minimum of € 1,000,000. You will need to transfer the funds to a financial institution in Portugal such as a bank or credit union. If you want to invest the funds, you can includind the option to invest in Portugese companies.
IV. Investment in Research
You can make a minimum investment of € 350,000 in public or private research under the national scientific and technological system.
V. Job Creation Investment
You can create or invest in a business in Portugal that will create a minimum 10 jobs. The exact amount of investments required will depend on how the jobs will be created.
VI. Investment in Funds
You can make a minimum capital transfer of € 350,000 for the acquisition of investment units or venture capital funds. This option was added relatively recently but is becoming more attractive as new venture capital funds are entering the market, encouraged by this provision.
VII. Share Capital Investment
You can make a minimum capital transfer of € 350,000 to enhance the share capital of a company that has its registered office in Portugal, so that it creates at least 5 full time jobs for a minimum 3 year period.
VIII. Investment in Art and Culture
You can make a minimum € 250,000 into an artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage.