The Portugal Golden Visa Program is a five-year residence by investment program for non-EU nationals.
Launched by the Portuguese government back in 2012, this initiative aims to encourage foreign investments into Portugal, granting the right to live, work, and study in Portugal for both the investor and its family and allowing free circulation in Europe’s Schengen Area.
At MdME Lawyers, we have a dedicated Golden Visa Team, comprised of multilingual experienced immigration lawyers, and thus are capable of providing day-to-day assistance to our clients.
Benefits of Golden Visa
- Having the right to work and live in Portugal
- Access to Portuguese Healthcare and Education
- Visa-Free Travel within Europe
- Lowest Costs of Living in Western Europe
- Portuguese Passport in Five Years
- Lenient Residency Requirements
Want to Know More? golden.visa@mdme.com
Golden Visa Qualifying
Applications Procedures - Investments
Golden Visa Residence Permits are available to non-EU citizens performing the following investments in Portugal:
- Acquisition of property with a minimum value of EUR500,000
- Acquisition of property with a minimum value of EUR350,000 for the refurbishment of properties older than 30 years or in an area of urban rehabilitation
- Investment of at least EUR500,000 in private equity funds
- Capital transfer of at least EUR 1.5mio to a financial institution operating in Portugal
- Create 10 full-time jobs in Portugal
- Investment in the amount of at least EUR250,000 into the conservation of national heritage, arts and culture
- Investment in the amount of at least EUR500,000 in research conducted by an accredited institution that is part of the national scientific and technological system
- Investment of EUR500,000 into the incorporation of a Portuguese company or reinforcement of share capital, together with creation or maintenance of full-time jobs.
Portugal Immigration Requirements
Mandatory documents and how to request it
- Passport
- Criminal record
- Taxpayer number of the country of tax residence
- Portuguese taxpayer number
- Portuguese bank account for investment
- Application form with permission for checking the Portuguese criminal record
- Sworn statement by which the applicant declares on his / her word of honour that he/she shall comply with the minimum quantitative requirements and maintain the investment for a minimum period of five years
- Up-to-date declarations issued within 45 days by the Portuguese Tax Authorities and by the Portuguese Social Security confirming the absence of any debts to those authorities or declaration confirming that the applicant is not registered with those authorities,
- Declaration issued by a financial institution accredited or registered in national territory by the Bank of Portugal, confirming an international capital transfer into a bank account in the name of the applicant, as applicable
- Relevant documents related to the investment
Portuguese Permanent Residency and Citizenship
After 5 years of residency, the holder of the Golden Visa is entitled to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship
PERMANENT RESIDENCY (PR)
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hold a temporary Residence Permit for a minimum period of five years;
- No criminal record during the last 5 years of residence in Portugal (a sentence that exceeds one year's imprisonment)
- Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence;
- Evidence of adequate accommodation;
- Proof of compliance with tax and social security obligations;
- Pass the Portuguese CAPLE language test (A2 Level) or other equivalent certificates.
MAIN DIFFERENCES
- Must be renewed every 5 years and involves maintaining investment and a minimum stay of 7 days per year;
- Can live and work in Portugal and freely travel within Schengen area;
- Entitled to access the education and health care system.
CITIZENSHIP
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
- Be over 18 years
- Hold a temporary Residence Permit for a minimum period of five years;
- Pass the Portuguese CAPLE language test (A2 Level), or other equivalent certificates;
- No criminal record (imprisonment for more than 3 years);
- No terrorist activities.
MAIN DIFFERENCES
- Citizenship grants the investors an EU passport;
- It does not involve maintenance of any investment requirements (investment, minimum stay etc.);
- Grants political rights.
Why MdME Lawyers?
- Offices in Hong Kong, Macau and Portugal
- More than 10 years of experience in providing professional legal services
- Experienced immigration lawyers which comprise Chinese lawyers that are fully qualified in Portugal
- Chinese capability to conduct the procedure with the client in Chinese offices and communication channels in the same time zone of the investors (eases communication and speeds up the process)
- Reputation in the market, responsiveness and experience with the Golden Visa application; and
- One stop service for HK investors within our firm without having to resort to third parties