The benefits of the Golden Visa Portugal are numerous and attract international investors looking for strategic advantages when investing and/or establishing residence in Portugal.
The Golden Visa program, created to facilitate the residence of investors from outside the European Union, grants access to Portuguese citizenship after five years of fulfilling the established requirements. But that’s not all, there are many advantages to choosing the program, either individually or for your family.
This article explores the main benefits of the Portuguese Golden Visa for foreign investors, emphasizing the factual advantages and the most recent empirical data on the program.
Happy reading.
Access to the Schengen Area
The Golden Visa offers investors and their families unrestricted freedom of movement through the 26 countries that make up the Schengen Area, eliminating the need to obtain additional visas for travel within this region in Europe.
According to the European Commission, by 2023 more than 18 million people will have benefited from free movement within the Schengen Area.
This unrestricted mobility is especially advantageous for investors who have diversified economic interests across Europe, facilitating business travel and significantly reducing the costs associated with the time and bureaucracy of visa processes.
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The road to European citizenship with a Portuguese Golden Visa
After five years of maintaining a qualified investment and meeting the legal requirements, Golden Visa holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
This grants them all the rights and privileges of a European Union citizen, including freedom of residence, work and access to public services in any member state.
In this way, it is also possible to benefit your family, as long as they are also included in the Golden Visa Portugal Program.
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Attractive Tax Benefits
Portugal offers highly favorable tax regimes, particularly for those who qualify as Non-Habitual Residents (NHR).
This regime provides substantial tax exemptions or reductions on various types of income, including income earned abroad.
This advantageous tax structure makes the country extremely attractive to investors seeking greater tax efficiency. In 2022, more than 30% of Golden Visa holders joined the NHR regime, using it to minimize the tax burden and maximize income, especially in sectors such as real estate and finance.
It’s worth understanding the changes that are taking place in this format, as it changes dynamically over the years.
High Quality of Life in Portugal
Portugal is widely recognized for its security, ranking 7th in the 2024 Global Peace Index, which ranks countries according to their level of peace and security.
In addition, the Portuguese healthcare system is considered one of the best in Europe, being ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 15 healthcare systems on the continent.
With a mild climate, relatively affordable cost of living and a rich cultural heritage, cities such as Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve offer an ideal environment for both living and investing.
The quality of life in Portugal is frequently highlighted by expats, with over 90% expressing satisfaction with their living experiences in the country, according to the 2023 Annual Expat Report.
Diversification of investments eligible for the Golden Visa Portugal
The Golden Visa program offers a wide range of investment options, including investments in venture capital funds, support for scientific research and job creation in specific sectors.
This diversity gives investors flexibility, allowing them to allocate resources according to their risk profile and financial return expectations. It is a great opportunity for portfolio diversification.
In the case of Venture Capital Funds, they are regulated and supervised by Portuguese financial authorities, guaranteeing transparency and security in operations.
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Family Reunification
The Golden Visa also extends its benefits to family members of the main investor, allowing reunification for:
- Spouse
- Underage children
- Adult dependent children
- Parents of the investor or spouse
- Dependent siblings
This ensures that the whole family can enjoy the rights of residence in Portugal, including access to the health system, education and other public services.
Since the program was created in 2012, 12,718 investors and 20,424 family members have benefited from the Golden Visa.
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Flexible stay requirements
One of the most attractive features of the Golden Visa Portugal is its flexible stay requirements, compared to other residence visas in Portugal, such as the D7 Visa for Income Holders or the D2 Visa for Entrepreneurs.
Holders only need to reside in Portugal for seven days during the first year and, in subsequent periods, 14 days every two years. This minimum presence requirement is ideal for investors who maintain significant commitments outside of Portugal and do not wish to or cannot reside in the country full-time.
In 2023, around 70% of investors cited the flexible stay requirements as one of the main reasons for opting for the Golden Visa, allowing them to effectively balance their international responsibilities and the benefits associated with residing in Portugal.
