Understanding Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility Criteria

Portugal Golden Visa attracts top investors worldwide, and you can earn the right to work and live in the country through this program. The processing time is usually six months before opening gates to Europe residents. A candidate can enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen zone. The program requires no interview, education, language test, or management experience is required. After temporary residential permit for five years though golden visa, you can apply for permanent residence and citizenship, leading to Potuguese passport.

Any individual from a third country who invests significantly in Portugal or another European Union member state as a businessperson through a company set up gets Portugal golden visa eligibility by one of the following routes:

  • Minimum investment of Euro 280 thousand in properties to be rehabilitated in the country’s interior, Madeira, and sparsely populated areas.
  • Minimum investment of EUR 400 thousand if not for rehabilitation.
  • Minimum capital transfer of EUR 1.5 million
  • Investment in private equity, venture capital funds or existing Portuguese business, minimum EUR 500 thousand.
  • Investment in research or preserving national heritage, minimum investment EUR 250 thousand.
  • Creation of at least 10 jobs

Portugal Golden Visa Eligible Areas

The investment in Lisbon and Porto no longer qualifies for Investor Visa in Portugal after changes were implemented last year. The changes in Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility Areas are intended to boost investment in Portugal’s low-density and interior regions, easing pressure from metropolitan cities and increasing foreign investment in other areas of the country.

Interior areas

Interior areas are where you can make a residential and commercial real estate investment to qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa. For commercial real estate, there are no location restrictions in place.

Low-density areas

Low-density areas are generally classified as territorial units with below 100 residents per square km or a GDP per capita less than 75% of the country’s average. Portugal Golden Visa program offers a 20% discount on investment in such areas. A discount may not apply to real estate purchases if the area is both interior and high-density.

Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility by Countries 

The Portuguese Residence Permit for Investment (ARI / Golden Visa) scheme is available to all who still need citizenship in the EU, European Economic Area, or Switzerland. The applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a clear criminal record inside or outside Portugal. Must contribute to the Portuguese economy with qualified investment. The funds for the investment should arrive in a newly opened investor bank account from outside of Portugal.

USA and UK also come in Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility by Countries. US citizens can apply for the Portugal Golden Visa. Foreign-owned real estate has many tax advantages for residents of the United States.

After exiting from Brexit, UK citizens are interested in residency by investment program in Portugal to earn travel rights across Europe, comprehensive lifestyle, and European citizenship.

Portugal Golden Visa Eligibility by Gender

Under family reunification, a candidate can extend the Golden Visa to the rest of the family members, including spouse or legal partner, dependent children, parents and siblings of either spouse.

Portugal recognises and enforces the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and that’s why spouses of same sex can also apply with the principla applicant. This means, candidates in the LGBT+ community are also eligible for Golden Visa Portugal program.

DM Citizenship by Investment can help you understand the eligibility criteria through a FREE counselling session and assist you in choosing investment options, and guide you in the application process after you hire our services.

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