Portugal

Residency & Citizenship by Investment

One of Europe’s oldest countries, Portugal boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage. Luminosity, radiance and culture beam through the whitewashed villages and lush vineyards of this country positioned on the blissfully elegant shores of the Atlantic ocean.

WHY CHOOSE PORTUGAL?

Portugal boasts a rich and diverse culture, Mediterranean climate, and a safe and stable setting ideal for raising families, conducting business or travelling. Investors find many opportunities in Portugal’s secure and fast-developing market, including the following:

  • Residence visa waiver for entering Portugal.
  • Live and work in Portugal.
  • Visa-free travel within the Schengen member states.
  • Permanent residency or citizenship of Portugal after five years as a temporary resident.
  • Inclusion of family members, such as spouse or partner, dependent children and dependent parents.

Qualifications

Portugal’s Golden Resident Permit Program is offered in accordance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Department of Consular Affairs and the Portuguese Trade and Investment Agency (AICEP).

Aimed at attracting foreign direct investments to the country, the program yields a residency permit in Portugal to non-EU investors who fulfill one of the investment options below and meet the following requirements:

  • Provide proof that investment funds originate from abroad.
  • Hold no criminal record.
  • The main applicant’s property is not frozen within the boundaries of the EU.
  • Pay application and processing fees where applicable.
  • Enter Portugal for the first time on a valid Schengen visa.
  • Meet or exceed the minimum stay requirements. (Seven days for the first year, 14 days for subsequent two-year periods.)

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

1. Property Investment Options

In July 2015, through Act 63/2015 and Regulatory Decree 15-A/2015, the required investment options were revised and new ones added. Investors can now choose from the following:

  • Applicants may acquire property valued at €500,000 or more, or
  • Applicants may acquire property valued at €350,000 or more for properties more than 30 years old or located in urban regeneration areas designated for refurbishing, or
  • Acquisition of property fitting any of the above requirements with 20% reduction on the minimum amount of investment, if purchased on a low density population area (€400,000.00 or €280,000.00).

Property Selection

Arton handpicks prestigious projects to meet our clients’ expectations. By investing in fractions of pre-qualified projects applicants become co-owners of the entire project and qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa. Our selected projects share some key benefits:

  • Guaranteed annual rental return, starting from the first year of operation;
  • Easy and flexible exit strategy;
  • 100% funds return guarantee after obtaining permanent residency or citizenship;
  • 7 days accommodation per year.

Sé Catedral Hotel (sold out)

Located in the heart of Porto, close to the Douro River, this 50-room hotel rehabilitation consists of 38 fractions at €350,000 each. Request our project brochure.

Caldas de Canavezes Luxury Hotel and Spa (sold out)

Located in a low-density area of the country, facing the Tâmega River, this luxury hotel and spa transformation consists of 45 fractions at €280,000 each. Request our project brochure.

Cascais

Located in the center of Cascais, facing the ocean and Cidadela, this palatial house rehabilitation of a 20-suite boutique hotel consists of 22 fractions at €350,000 each. Request our project brochure.

2. Capital Investment

  • Applicants may invest a minimum of €350,000 in research activities.
  • Applicants may invest a minimum of €250,000 in the arts or in the reconstruction or refurbishment of national heritage projects.
  • Applicants may invest a minimum of €500,000 for shares in investment funds or venture capital.

Applicants must create 10 or more jobs.

DOES PORTUGAL OFFER A CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM?

Portugal’s Golden Visa allows foreign investors to become residents of the country, granting the freedom to live, work, and study in Portugal and to move within the Schengen Zone. After 5 years holding a temporary residency status, investors and their families can apply for Portuguese citizenship.

DO I NEED TO LIVE IN PORTUGAL TO MAINTAIN MY RESIDENCY?

To maintain your Golden Visa residency, you must spend 7 days in Portugal in the first year, and 14 days in subsequent years. They do not need to be consecutive. Covid-19 update: While the Portugal Golden Visa is initially valid for one year, it has been extended to two (2) years to provide investors with more time to fulfill the according requirements.

DO I HAVE TO PAY ANY TAXES IF I DON’T LIVE IN PORTUGAL?

As a rule of thumb, if you spend less than half of the year in Portugal, you are considered a non-tax resident, and are in consequence only taxed on income obtained in Portugal. If you become a tax resident in Portugal, there is the option to become a non-habitual resident of Portugal and be exempt from paying taxes on worldwide income in Portugal. However, Portuguese-sourced income would be taxed at a flat rate of 20% during the first 10 years, with the ability to pass your wealth to a spouse or dependent without any incurring inheritance taxes.

DO I NEED TO RESIDE IN MY INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN PORTUGAL?

There is no obligation to live in the property invested through Portugal’s Golden Visa Program. The investment property can be rented out, or sold for another property, provided that the minimum investment amount is maintained for the full 5-year period.

IS ANY PROPERTY IN PORTUGAL ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOLDEN VISA?

It is possible to invest in any property of choice in Portugal, as long as it meets the government’s minimum investment requirements and is located within the outlined areas for investment. Arton handpicks bespoke projects to meet clients’ expectations and offer a seamless and optimal experience.

NEXT STEPS:

ARTON INDEX SCORE

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Updated yearly, the Arton Index is an overall assessment and comparative benchmark of the country and its investment program.


Portugal

10,833,816

Population Growth: 0.07%

28,500 USD

GDP (per capita)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

297.1 billion USD

175

Visa free countries


LOCATION

Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

CAPITAL

Lisbon

DIFFERENCE

UTC 0

TOTAL AREA

92,090 sq. km.

AGE DEMOGRAPHICS

0-14: 15.50%, 15-24: 11.4%, 24-54: 41.88%, 55-64: 12.07%, 65+: 19.15%

LANGUAGE

Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)

RELIGIONS

Roman Catholic: 81%, Other Christian: 3.3%, Other (includes Jewish, Muslim, Other): 0.6%, None: 6.8%, Unspecified: 8.3%

GOVERNMENT TYPE

Semi-presidential republic

CURRENCY

Euro (EUR)

EXCHANGE RATE

1 USD = 0.9214 EUR

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