The definitive Portugal Golden Guide for 2023
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive Portugal Golden Visa guide to help you navigate the process and make an informed decision about your investment.
Portugal has been a popular destination for tourists and ex-pats alike for many years, thanks to its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and fantastic climate.
However, in recent years, Portugal has become even more attractive to foreign investors looking to get residency through the Portugal Golden Visa program.
If you’re considering investing in Portugal and obtaining a Golden Visa, you must understand the application process and requirements.
This Portugal Golden Visa Guide will tell you everything you need to know about the program and how it can work for you.
The Portugal Golden Visa is the most popular program across the globe. Launched in 2012, it has earned a massive name as a residency by investment program.
But with so much information on the internet and many changes to the rules, it is easy to get overwhelmed and confused about where to start -so, without further ado, let’s take a look.
Portugal Golden Visa Guide overview:
Qualifying Options & Eligibility for Investment
Here’s everything you need to know about the Portuguese Golden Visa:
The first thing you need to know about the Portugal Golden Visa is there are multiple investment options to qualify for the Golden Visa. The most sought-after route is real estate investment because it’s the one with the lowest investment thresholds, 280,000 EUR.
In the first year after buying a Portugal Golden Visa property, you must stay seven days per year to maintain your residence status in the country.
To apply for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must gather all the documents to start the process. Just so you know, if you are applying with your family, you must also collect their documents.
After five years, you have three options: Make an application to become a Portuguese citizen, apply for a permanent residency in Portugal, or continue with the Golden Visa program for temporary residence
The Portuguese government offers you a range of investment options to be qualified for the Golden Visa. Here’s a list of the investment options you get to choose from.
- Real estate investment: €280,000 to €500,000
- Investment fund: Minimum of €500,000
- Capital transfer: €1.5 million
- Job creation: Create at least 10 new full-time jobs in a Portuguese business or invest €500,000 in an existing Portuguese business and create a minimum of 5 full-time jobs.
Real estate investment is by far the most selected option among investors and entrepreneurs because some properties have a guaranteed rental income, which means you can have a return on investment while waiting for your Portuguese citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Portugal Golden Visa are straightforward, you must meet the following points to apply:
✅ Main applicant must be 18+
✅ No criminal records
✅ Not having a EU citizenship
✅ Invest in Portuguese real estate / funds
One of the things you might be looking forward to is the Portugal Golden Visa program’s fee structure, we’ll talk more about this in the next chapter.
As far as the requirements for investments are concerned, you need to have a clear criminal record and medical insurance to clear any stay in Portugal.
The time it takes to process and issue the Portugal Golden Visa permit will depend on how busy its corresponding immigration office is at the time.
Though the purchasing process of the property might take 1 -3 months, the visa application would be completed in the following months.
Our Lisbon-based international team will assist you through getting the Golden Visa. You don’t need to spend time looking for properties or handling legal paperwork.
Benefits and Privileges
The Portuguese residency program is one of the most popular both in Europe and the world and for good reasons.
- You can choose from various investment options that will give you and your dependants permanent residency and citizenship in 5 -6 years.
- You only need to spend seven days per year to maintain your residency.
- While you hold a Portuguese residence permit, you are allowed to travel visa-free in the entire Schengen area.
- Once you become a citizen, you can live and work anywhere in the EU/EEA and get the world’s 4th best passport.
- Portugal is a safe and stable country with an excellent and affordable quality of life, good healthcare and education options, well-connected airports, and the best climate in Europe.
How much does it cost? - Portugal Golden Visa Costs, Fees, and Real Estate Taxes
The Portugal Golden Visa costs, fees, and taxes are considerably lower than other European countries’ golden visa programs which makes the Portugal’s program one of the most affordable and cost-effective Golden Visa program in the world.
In this section, we will inform you about the additional costs, government fees and real estate taxes, if you are planning to invest in the Portuguese real estate market and get the benefits of the Portuguese residency.
There are Portugal Golden Visa fees and costs directly related to the application submission fees, the investment costs and renewals.
The processing fee is paid at the time of application submission for both the primary and dependent applicants. At renewal, all members will need to pay this fee again.
Real estate investment payments
When purchasing a Portugal Golden Visa property, there are costs directly related to the purchase of a property.
The costs vary depending on the purchase price, type of property (commercial or residential) and whether it will be your primary or secondary residence in Portugal.
Portugal Golden Visa calculator
We offer you a standard calculator so you can play with the different investment amounts as well as the family members you wish to add to your Portuguese Golden Visa application.
The final cost is informative only. Contact us if you wish to receive a custom quote for a project.
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Disclaimer: This calculator refers to standard values for the Portugal Golden Visa. A specific calculator will be sent upon request for each project.
How long does it take to get the Portugal Golden Visa?
Portugal started issuing golden visas in 2012, and to this day, it is one of the most affordable and fastest way to become an EU citizen. Simply your best option as a non-EU citizen looking to obtain EU citizenship or simply visa-free travel.
So, if you are ready to start the process and have checked all the documents required then the ultimate question is, how long does it take to get the golden visa?
Applying for a second residency does take a bit of work and effort.
But don’t worry, here at Golden Port Visa we assist you through the entire application process from the beginning to the end, and the best of all? You don’t need to come to Portugal until it’s time to submit your biometrics.
Getting your Portuguese Golden Visa will take between 4 to 12 months.
The time it takes to process and issue the Portugal Golden Visa permit will depend on how busy its corresponding immigration office is at the time.
The process can be done remotely – our expert Portugal Immigration consultancy is ready to help you with the entire process and navigate the local bureaucracy to make the application process as smooth as possible. Learn more about Portugal’s Golden Visa Application here.
Portugal golden visa timeline
Month 1-3
Application starts here
Get a NIF number,open a bank account € make your investment
Month 10th
Get your golden visa
You and your family get a two years valid care after submitting your fingerprints
Year 2
Renew your residence permit
In these two years,you must have spent 14 days in portugal to renew your card
Year 4
2nd renew or residence permit
With each renewal your residence permit will be extended for anothwer 2 years
Year 5
Apply for citizenship
At the end of the fifth year,you can apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency
After 5 years, you are eligible for Portuguese citizenship or Permanent residency as well as your dependents. This gives you the right to live, work and study in any other Schengen Area country. Overall, Portugal is a very people-friendly country and provides a quality life for anyone who wants to invest, live or retire here. If you want to know more about investment via the Golden Visa Program, Golden Port Visa is here to guide you through the process and give you local insights.
I’m sold. I love Portugal. Let’s Begin.
You’ve already taken the first step that many people aren’t willing to take.
Some people will look at our page, read our blogs, and say, “Wow, getting a second residency is simple.” But they never took action and forgot about the benefits and the safety of having a second residence.
Filling out our form and opting into the Portugal Golden Visa Guide is a huge first step.
And you can directly apply some of this information today when the time’s right. So, you have decided Portugal is the best option for you and your family, and we want to congratulate you for putting their future and safety first.
The average processing time for Portugal Golden Visa is 8 months, according to our latest experience with applicants.
But with the new Golden visa rules in Portugal, you should expect a delay of more than 10 months for new GP applicants.
So better start now than later. Here’s the first mission you can take now to start your application process and get the Portugal Golden Visa.
The first step is to collect all the required paperwork for you and your dependents (if you are applying with your family members).
At Golden Port Visa, we will assist you through the entire process and ensure all the paperwork is in place before making your application. These are the documents you must collect to start the process:
- Valid passport
- Evidence of healthcare coverage
- Clean criminal records check
- Evidence you don’t owe any taxes in Portugal
- Proof of investment payment
- Proof you’ve paid your application fee
Whether you’re seeking to invest in the sunny Algarve in Portugal or secure your family’s future with an EU passport, we’ll review all of your documents and prepare your Golden Visa application in a way that complies with government requirements without risking your application being delayed or even denied due to a simple mistake.
Working with Golden Visa experts gives you a streamlined application process.
In this Portugal Golden Visa Guide we’ve covered most of the frequent questions our clients ask from the processing time to how they can take action now.
Still got questions about the Portuguese residence permit by investment? Here are some common questions and answers you might want to look.
If your question is not displayed in the Portugal Golden Visa Guide or our FAQs, please contact us to assist you better.
Portugal Golden Visa Guide last update: 24/05/2023
FAQs - Portugal Golden Visa Guide
Is the Portugal Golden Visa still available?
Although the Portugal Golden Visa program is ending, there is still time to apply for it. However, it is crucial to start the process now because time is of the essence.
Applications submitted before the new legislation takes effect will be exempt from any subsequent changes to the program.
Is the Portugal Golden Visa ending?
Yes, the Portuguese Government announced that the Portugal Golden Visa program is ending. More information about the program on the 2nd of June.
Can you still get a golden visa in Portugal?
Yes, you can still apply for the Portugal Golden Visa program; further details will be available on June, 2023.
What are the Portugal Golden Visa changes in 2022?
The Portugal Golden Visa program changes in 2022 pertain to real estate and capital transfer investment options.
Since January 2022, applicants have been unable to purchase residential property in Lisbon, Porto, and much of the Algarve, as well as in coastal areas such as Setúbal and the Silver Coast.
Capital transfer requirements have increased from €1 million to €1.5 million, and the requirements for the investment fund route, research option, and investment in an existing Portugal-registered business have increased from €350,000 to €500,000.
How much is a Golden Visa in Portugal?
Fees paid to the government over the five years for the primary applicant are around €11,000 EUR. The investment amount and related fees total will vary (depending on the investment option chosen). However, the lowest amount when investing in real estate is €280,000 EUR.
What is the Portugal Golden Visa approval fee?
Portugal Golden Visa approval fee imposed by the Portuguese government per family member is €5,325 EUR. The renewal fees are 50% of those rates. And there is a processing fee on application and renewal of €533 EUR for the principal applicant plus €84 EUR per family member.
How does Golden Port Visa make money?
Although you do not pay us directly, we get paid by referrals from the lawyers and real estate developers. Now, you might think its good to go directly to them and organise the Golden Visa application yourself, but you will probably find that you will pay the same price yet not have the benefit of support and point of contact for all your application and renewals.
We are committed to be your partner in Portugal for the success of your Golden Visa. We are a valuable partner for you.
Thank you for the informative post. So no major changes announced yet? do you know if they will close the 280,000 threshold?
Dear Artur,
At this stage we are awaiting news and take them as they come. As of today (29.05.2023) the latest governement annoucement was that it will not backdate (because they legally cannot) Golden Visa applications, so all applications done prior to any official closing date will be processed normally and correctly. We advise you to apply as soon as possible so you can take full advantage of what our beautiful country has to offer.
Best
Abi