WHAT IS A GOLDEN VISA?
The “Golden Visa” Program was launched by the Portuguese authorities in October 2012. It is the best route for foreign investors from countries outside the European Union to obtain a valid permanent residence permit in Portugal, allowing them to travel freely in most of the European countries.
- No need to obtain a visa to enter Portugal
- No need to obtain a visa to travel in Europe (Schengen Area)
- Live and work in Portugal, even if you reside in a different country
- Permanent Residency after 5 years
- Citizenship after 6 years
- Right of residence extended to family members
BENEFITS
Main European Union Rights
- Free Movement: Live, work, and study freely in any EU country.
- Social Benefits: Access public services such as healthcare and education on equal terms as local citizens.
- Political Participation: Vote and run for local and European elections.
- Consular Protection: Receive assistance from any EU embassy or consulate if unable to receive help from your home country’s representative.
Main European Union Rights
- Free Movement: Live, work, and study freely in any EU country.
- Social Benefits: Access public services such as healthcare and education on equal terms as local citizens.
- Political Participation: Vote and run for local and European elections.
- Consular Protection: Receive assistance from any EU embassy or consulate if unable to receive help from your home country’s representative.
WHY A GOLDEN VISA?
FAMILY BENEFITS
Family Benefits
As the main applicant, you may extend your Portuguese Golden Visa to your family members. The application process is simultaneous for the main applicant and the dependents.
The following family members are eligible to apply along with the main applicant:
• Spouses or partners registered in partnerships in the home country.
• Children under the age of 18.
• Dependent children under the age of 26 (full-time students and not married).
• Parents of the main applicant, over the age of 65 years old.
No Mandatory Relocation
You don’t have to move to Portugal to keep your residence permit. Staying in the country for seven days on average per year will suffice (14 days every 2 years under current covid rules).
The Initial Golden Visa residence permit is valid for a period of 2 years.
Apply for Permanent Residency or Citizenship
• Your Golden Visa gets you a temporary residency, so you can enjoy free travel within the European Schengen visa zone and live, work, and study in Portugal.
• After holding a Golden Visa (and its investment) for 5 years, you may apply for citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal, which then allows you to obtain a passport.
• The Portuguese passport allows you to live, work, and study anywhere within the European Union.
• Investors qualify for no direct tax obligations for dividends generated outside Portugal.
• 20% taxation on most of the other income (except for capital gains).
• The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Regime is open to anyone who resides in Portugal and has not been a tax resident for the past 5 years
• Benefits include the removal of inheritance tax and fiscal benefits for retirees.
Tax Residency
It is important to point out that holders of a Golden Visa in Portugal, are not required to become a tax resident in Portugal. The Portugal Golden Visa Program will not carry any obligation to report taxes in Portugal unless you spend more than 183 days of the year in Portugal or qualify for the requirements to become a Portuguese tax resident. In case you decide to transfer the tax residency to Portugal, Portugal offers one of the best impratriate tax regimes in the EU (NHR Regime).
SEF Processing Fee
533.90 euros (+ 83.30 euros/family member)
SEF Initial Card Application Cost
5,336.40 euros/person
SEF Renewal Card Application Cost
2,668.20 euros/person per renewal (2 renewals are needed to reach the 5 year term)
Legal Fees
Varies between Law Firms
Fund management KYC fees
3,500 + VAT
*SEF: Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Borders Services)
APPLY FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY OR CITIZENSHIP
• Your Golden Visa gets you a temporary residency, so you can enjoy free travel within the European Schengen visa zone and live, work, and study in Portugal.
• After holding a Golden Visa (and its investment) for 5 years, you may apply for citizenship or permanent residency in Portugal, which then allows you to obtain a passport.
• The Portuguese passport allows you to live, work, and study anywhere within the European Union.
• Investors qualify for no direct tax obligations for dividends generated outside Portugal.
• 20% taxation on most of the other income (except for capital gains).
• The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Regime is open to anyone who resides in Portugal and has not been a tax resident for the past 5 years
• Benefits include the removal of inheritance tax and fiscal benefits for retirees.
TAX RESIDENCY
It is important to point out that holders of a Golden Visa in Portugal, are not required to become a tax resident in Portugal. The Portugal Golden Visa Program will not carry any obligation to report taxes in Portugal unless you spend more than 183 days of the year in Portugal or qualify for the requirements to become a Portuguese tax resident. In case you decide to transfer the tax residency to Portugal, Portugal offers one of the best impratriate tax regimes in the EU (NHR Regime).
APPLICATION COSTS
SEF Processing Fee
533.90 euros (+ 83.30 euros/family member)
SEF Initial Card Application Cost
5,336.40 euros/person
SEF Renewal Card Application Cost
2,668.20 euros/person per renewal (2 renewals are needed to reach the 5 year term)
Legal Fees
Varies between Law Firms
Fund management KYC fees
3,500 + VAT
*SEF: Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Borders Services)
GOLDEN VISA & NHR
Tax Benefits (Non-Habitual Resident Regime)
- Investors qualify for no direct tax obligations for income generated outside Portugal / [low or no taxation (up to 20%) on profits and dividends generated outside Portugal]
- The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Regime is open to anyone who resides in Portugal and has not been a tax resident for the past 5 years
- Benefits include removal of inheritance tax and fiscal benefits for retirees.
GOLDEN VISA & NHR
Tax Benefits (Non-Habitual Resident Regime)
- Investors qualify for no direct tax obligations for income generated outside Portugal / [low or no taxation (up to 20%) on profits and dividends generated outside Portugal]
- The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Regime is open to anyone who resides in Portugal and has not been a tax resident for the past 5 years
- Benefits include removal of inheritance tax and fiscal benefits for retirees.