# Your Guide to Portuguese Citizenship By Investment
At Get Golden Visa, we work with families and investors from all around the world who are interested in obtaining Portuguese citizenship through investments. Contact us to speak with one of our independent advisors who can assist you with questions about the Portuguese Golden Visa and citizenship by investment.
Golden Visa (Golden Visa) of Portugal
The concept of Portugal’s Golden Visa (Golden Visa) program dates back to October 2012. The Portuguese government introduced it to contribute to the country’s wealth. In Europe, the program serves as a pioneer for investment residency programs and can also lead to citizenship by investment after five years of residence. Countries with stagnant economies, especially those with stagnant real estate markets, often turn to this option of introducing a residency or citizenship by investment program. These programs generally require applicants to make a substantial investment in real estate.
However, Portugal’s Golden Visa scheme offers many options for potential applicants worldwide. For investors looking for various methods to choose from when applying for one of these schemes, the Golden Visa program has no shortage of options. The costs and returns from investments vary depending on the chosen investment methods.
What You’ll Find in This Article:
– Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship by Investment
– Investment Options to Obtain a Portuguese Golden Visa
– Requirements for the Portuguese Citizenship by Investment Program
Benefits of Portuguese Citizenship by Investment
Not Obligated to Stay in Portugal
Unlike many other European citizenship by investment programs, Portugal’s program does not require investors to maintain their investment and spend most of the year in the country. Over the course of the five years to qualify for citizenship, you only need to spend 7 days a year in Portugal and a total of 35 days.
Diverse Investment Options
There are numerous investment options to obtain a Golden Visa for Portugal, including capital transfer, property purchase, and investment in a fund. The multiple options mean that each investor can choose the route that suits them best. We’ll briefly go over the investment options in this article, and we’ve also prepared a Definitive Guide to Investment Options for the Portuguese Golden Visa.
Attractive Tax Programs in Portugal
One of the benefits that attracts many investors to Portugal’s citizenship by investment program is the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime. Briefly, the NHR program allows investors to enjoy significant tax reductions and exemptions for ten years. Read our Guide on How to Become a Non-Habitual Resident in Portugal for more information about the program and how to qualify for it.
Strong Investment Opportunities and Returns
Portugal boasts a steadily improving economy, especially in the tourism sector. It has been a prime destination for tourists and expatriates, especially those from the UK. This means that investing in Portugal is a smart economic move, allowing you to tap into one of the strongest economies in Europe. That means you’ll get great returns on investments in funds or even rental income, especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto.
While Portugal has an impressively stable economy and a high quality of life, it remains one of the most affordable countries in Europe when it comes to buying property. The diversity of investment options also offers many affordable choices, with one of them starting as low as €280,000!
Access to Healthcare and Social Security in Europe
Becoming a citizen of Portugal grants you access to all the benefits that this highly developed country offers to its citizens, including social security and healthcare.
Social Security
Portugal’s social security system covers employees and self-employed individuals, providing various benefits in various areas, such as:
– Unemployment benefits
– Occupational disease benefits
– Disability benefits
– Maternity benefits
– Pension benefits
– Death benefits
Healthcare
As a permanent resident or citizen of Portugal, you can access free healthcare. Very few procedures, like visiting the emergency room or a general practitioner, might incur a low fee of €5-20.
Please note that while you’re a temporary resident in Portugal, you’ll need to have private insurance, which can cost between €400 per year for a basic plan and up to €1000 per year for comprehensive coverage.
Read our guide to Portugal’s healthcare system to learn more.
Investment Options to Obtain a Portuguese Golden Visa
There are many options to qualify for a Portuguese citizenship by investment program, including:
Money Transfer
In this method, the investor transfers at least €1.5 million to Portugal. You can choose from these different routes:
– Bank deposit.
– Purchase of shares in a Portuguese company or the incorporation of a single-member private limited company that has paid up share capital of at least €1.5 million; the company is then free to invest the capital as it wishes.
– Purchase of Portuguese sovereign debt instruments.
– Purchase of shared ownership securities of Portugal.
If the investor chooses to make a bank deposit, the deposit must not fall below €1 million until the investor obtains their permanent residence permit or Portuguese citizenship.
Real Estate Investment
Investors can choose to invest in Portuguese properties worth at least €500,000. They can invest as individuals or as joint legal entities. If the property is in a «low-density area,» the minimum requirement is reduced to €400,000.
Rehabilitation of 30-Year-Old Property
Investors can choose to invest in properties in Portugal that need rehabilitation and restoration. In this case, the minimum requirement is reduced to €350,000. The property must have been built 30 years ago, or it must be located in the designated urban rehabilitation area. If the property is in a «low-density area,» the minimum requirement is reduced to €280,000.
Business Investment and Creation of 10 Jobs
Investors may prefer to create a business that generates ten new permanent jobs. The number is reduced to eight if the business is located in a «low-density area.»
Investment in Scientific Research
Investors can opt to invest €350,000 in scientific research conducted by accredited institutions that are part of the national scientific and technological system. If the project is located in a «low-density area,» the amount is reduced to €280,000.
Cultural Contribution
Investors can also invest at least €250,000 in artistic production or the recovery or maintenance of national cultural heritage conducted by accredited institutions. If the contribution is made in a «low-density area,» the minimum requirement is reduced to €200,000.
Investment in a Portuguese Fund
Investors can choose to invest at least €500,000 in units of a Portuguese fund that invests in the shared capital of small or medium-sized businesses.
Get Golden Visa: Who We Are and How We Can Help You
Get Golden Visa is a specialized team of investment advisors. We assist individuals in obtaining additional residence and citizenship through qualifying investments by acquiring property, subscribing to funds, or other investment vehicles.
With our team of legal professionals in the offices of Porto and Lisbon, we offer our clients a personalized and transparent journey in their pursuit of the Portuguese Golden Visa through real estate acquisition and fund investments.
Requirements for the Portuguese Citizenship by Investment Program
To obtain citizenship by investment in Portugal, you must reside there for seven days a year for five years, which is the requirement for your Golden Visa. Additionally, you must have a clean criminal record when applying for the Golden Visa. If you commit any crime punishable by imprisonment, either in your home country or in Portugal during the duration of your temporary residence (five years), your Golden Visa will be revoked.
Required Documents
– Passport, identification, or birth certificate
– Certificate stating that you have passed the Portuguese language test (CIPLE)
– Clean criminal record certificate
– Portuguese residence permit
– SEF document showing that you have been a resident of Portugal for at least five years
FAQs
**How long do I need to reside in Portugal to become a citizen?**
To apply for Portuguese citizenship, you must have a valid residence permit there for at least five years. Note that it doesn’t mean you need to reside in Portugal for the entire duration; you’re only required to spend seven days a year there to keep your residence permit valid.
If applying through marriage, this period is reduced to three years.
**How long does it take to obtain Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa program?**
In 2018, the Portuguese government changed the Portuguese Nationality Law and reduced the mandatory residence period from six years to five. Therefore, residents who obtained the right to reside through Portugal’s Golden Visa can obtain citizenship after five years of residence.
**Can I travel to the UK with a Portuguese passport?**
The UK is currently in an unclear situation with the European Union, but a Portuguese passport allows its holder to reside, work, and study in any European Union country.
**Can I work in Canada and the United States with a Portuguese passport?**
The Portuguese passport grants the possibility to travel visa-free to Canada, but to work, those with this passport need to go through a different application process. Traveling to the United States requires a visa as Portuguese citizenship does not grant that. As these countries are not European Union members, working in these countries requires other permits.
**Can I travel visa-free to the United States and Canada with a Portuguese passport?**
The Portuguese passport grants its holder the right to travel freely to and from Canada, but not to the USA.
**Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?**
Portugal allows dual citizenship, but if the applicant’s home country does not allow it, the applicant may have to renounce their own country’s citizenship.
**How strong is the Portuguese passport?**
Portugal is an EU country, meaning that having Portuguese citizenship grants its holder the right to reside, study, and work in the EU. The country ranks 18th according to the Passport Index. In terms of visa-free travel, it is one of the strongest passports in the world.
**After obtaining Portuguese citizenship, do I need to keep the property or can I sell it and keep the citizenship?**
After Portuguese citizenship is granted, the owner can sell the property or retain it and maintain citizenship.
**Can I include my children later?**
The Portuguese Golden Visa allows entry to the country without a visa. It grants the right to reside and work in Portugal and to bring the resident’s family to the country. If a family member has a residence permit, the Portuguese Golden Visa program allows their family to access permanent residence and Portuguese citizenship according to legal provisions. They can also enter the country without a residence visa.
