The Portugal golden visa investment is already the best option for people looking to acquire or regain EU citizenship.
Portugal offers you many investment options you can choose from and will enable you to invest in Portugal for citizenship after five years.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Portugal golden visa investment and what’s in it for you.
What’s the Portugal golden visa?
Since its launch in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa program has been a resounding success. It’s now widely considered one of Europe’s most popular immigrant investor programs.
The Golden Visa scheme has granted nearly 10,000 visas and generated over €5.3 billion of foreign investment for Portugal, according to 2021 statistics from SEF, the Portuguese borders and immigration agency.
Most applicants have been Chinese nationals, followed by Brazilian, Turkish, South African, and Russian nationals.
Recent political developments, such as Brexit, have also produced a rise in the number of British nationals seeking to regain their rights in the European Union via Portugal’s flexible Golden Visa scheme.
People often ask if Portugal has a citizenship-by-investment program. Technically, the answer is no.
That’s because the Portugal Golden Visa doesn’t lead to immediate citizenship. It’s more of a residency-by-investment program.
You have to hold the investment (and renew your residency) for a minimum of five years to be eligible to apply for citizenship.
The same five-year period applies to anyone who wants Portuguese citizenship by naturalization.
What’s more, Portugal Golden Visa holders who want citizenship still have to pass a Portuguese language exam at A2 level.
Portugal golden visa benefits
No matter which investment option you choose, the Portugal Golden Visa has substantial benefits for you and your family members.
With your Golden Visa residency – leading to Portuguese citizenship – you’ll achieve the following:
Fast-track pathway to be eligible for EU citizenship
Beat Brexit – if you’re British, regain your lost EU rights by acquiring Portuguese citizenship
Dual (or multiple) citizenship – not every EU country allows it, but Portugal does
Travel visa-free to 186 countries with Portugal’s passport
Travel visa-free across the Schengen zone with your Portuguese residency permit
Flexible minimum stay – your choice either to live in Portugal, or just visit for two weeks every year
Free healthcare – Access to Portugal’s good quality state healthcare system
Tax benefits – Preferential tax treatment on your worldwide income (if you decide to live in Portugal) with Portugal’s generous NHR tax scheme
Getting your EU citizenship has never been easier before. You need to maintain residency and hold your investment for five years before you become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
As a pathway to citizenship, the beauty of the golden visa is its flexibility compared to other European residency programs.
The minimum stay requirement makes it convenient. That means you can choose to continue your life outside of Portugal, safe in the knowledge that your investment is accumulating over the years to make you eligible for citizenship and bring you a good financial return.
But there’s more you can get.
If you choose to live full-time in Portugal. This can bring you significant advantages in terms of tax efficiency because Portugal tax residents can benefit from the country’s ten-year NHR tax program.
Learn how to apply for the Non-habitual residence tax program here.
At Golden Port Visa, we are specialized in the Portuguese residency by real estate investment program, assisting you and your family gain freedom of movement with a stress-free paperwork process.
FAQs - Portugal golden visa investment
Can I include my family in my Portugal golden visa investment?
Yes. You can include your spouse or partner (the latter provided you’ve lived together for at least two years and can prove it), dependent children under 18, dependent children over 18 who are in full-time education, and parents, provided they’re either over 66 or under 66 and financially dependent on you or your spouse.
Can I get EU citizenship with a golden visa?
Yes. All golden visa applicants become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of residency, proving that they have held the investment.
Does Portugal allow dual citizenship?
Yes, dual citizenship is recognized under Portuguese law.