Last update: 01.08.2022
With beautiful landscapes, incredible history, and vibrant culture, it’s easy to see why retirees, investors, and entrepreneurs come to Portugal. The Golden Visa program has helped many to settle in the country and unlock new opportunities.
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.
In-depth Portugal Golden Visa Guide:
Chapter 1: You know you must get it - Portugal Golden Visa Guide: Everything you need to know
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 continental Europe.
Here’s everything you need to know about a golden visa in this country
The first thing you need to know about the Portugal Golden Visa is there are multiple investment options to qualify for the Golden Visa. However, the residency by real estate investment is the most attractive and affordable, you need to make a minimum investment of €280.000. We help you source the matching property which comes under this investment option.
In the first year after buying a Portugal Golden Visa property, you must stay a minimum of 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 stated to start the process. Note that 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.
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 Portugal’s Golden Visa properties are concerned, the real estate investment applicants 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.
These are all the things you should know about the Portugal Golden Visa before applying.
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.
Chapter 2: 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.
This article 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.
Government cost
All the Portugal Golden Visa government fees related to submission are as follows.
Portugal residence permit fees
Temporary residence permit fees: €73 EUR
Permanent residence permit fees: €222 EUR
Note: Fees are subject to changes in the future by the Portuguese government.
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.
Here’s a simple chart break of the Portugal Golden Visa fees and taxes for the investment in a property
Property Purchase Tax – IMT
The IMT transfer fee tax is a fee the buyer must pay before the time of deed transfer. This cost is for the transfer of title/ownership of real estate in Portugal.
The percentage ranges from 6% to 8% for the property prices that qualify for the Golden Visa, €280,000 to €500,000 EUR.
But there are a couple factors that determine the fee percentage. These include:
Price paid
Location
If it’s a first or second home in Portugal
Stamp duty
Another property transfer tax is stamp duty. This tax needs to be paid before the time of deed transfer.
The fee charged is a fixed price of .80% of the property purchase price. This is a minor cost when compared to other countries’ stamp duty fees.
Notary payment
Portugal Golden Visa notary fees are typically combined with the Land Registry fees but can be separate.
The cost will range from €1,000 to €1,500 EUR. It’ll be less if the registration fee is charged separately.
Land Registry fees
The fee will be based on the value of the property. It will range between €200 to €300 EUR.
Immovable Property Taxes – IMI
Portugal Golden Visa property taxes are costs that come after the purchase.
It is a straightforward fee that is paid annually.
This tax should be on your radar if you intend on purchasing a property for long-term rental purposes.
Legal costs
At Golden Port Visa we’ll assist you from the start to the end of the process of the Golden Visa. Having an ally with years of experience and local insight will give you an unfair advantage compared to those who are doing it alone.
How do we make money then?
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.
In a simple overview this is how the cost and fee structure of the Golden Visa program looks.
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.
Chapter 3: Is it difficult? - Portugal Golden Visa: Is it difficult to get the Golden Visa Portugal in 2022?
Portugal’s residency by investment program is well managed, transparent, and offers a clear and fast-track path to European citizenship.
Importantly the Portuguese government made significant changes to the Portugal Golden Visa program in 2022. These changes include new rules for buying properties in high-density areas and increasing the investment thresholds.
The residency requirements for the Portugal Golden Visa for investors and entrepreneurs are not hard to meet.
You just need to collect all your documents required, including documents for dependents, to start the process and have the capital to deploy on a property or the investment of your choice.
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 and submitting your application might take 1 -3 months, the visa application would be completed in the following months.
We’ll cover more on the Portugal Golden Visa timeline in chapter 4 of this Portugal Golden Visa Guide.
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.
Chapter 4: How long does it take? - 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. It depends on how fast you can make up your mind and choose the investment. Here’s the Portugal Golden Visa application process timeline you need to know:
Stage I – Choosing an investment and signing a contract with an immigration consultancy (1-3 months)
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.
Stage II – Temporary residency (3 – 12 months)
One of the benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa program is its flexibility and minimum stay in the country. You don’t need to move to Portugal to maintain your residence status and enjoy the Portugal Golden Visa benefits, instead, you should visit the country for a period of 7 -14 days.
The residence permit allows you and your qualifying family members to live and work in Portugal and provides the right to travel visa-free throughout the EU.
The residency card doesn’t give the right to live and work in any other country than Portugal.
However, the most appealing aspect of the Portugal Golden Visa is the ability to apply for citizenship at the end of 5 years.
Stage III – Citizenship/Permanent residency (6th year)
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.
Chapter 5: 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 10 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 12 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.
