Portugal’s golden visa is the best way to move to Europe plus real estate options and travel attractions? Why live and invest in Portugal ? Because is one of the major touristic attractions of Europe and the perfect retirement home! What is Portugal’s Golden Visa Program Definition & History? The Golden Visa Portugal is an investor visa program designed to attract foreign capital and business people in exchange for residency and, after 5 years, citizenship. Portugal launched the Program 2012 and by today the program attracted more than 4,4 billion EUR and more than 7200 investors. 95% of this amount has been invested in real estate. The applicants must invest in real estate for at least 500’000 EUR for 5 years. The majority of applicants are coming from China followed by Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Russia and Lebanon.
The Portuguese parliament recently passed a budget proposal (translation) that seeks to exclude properties in Lisbon, Porto and (potentially) all other coastal municipalities from qualifying for the Golden Visa. The minimum investment amount and number of people you need to employ if you go the business investment route may also be increased. The actual rule changes aren’t yet known. The budget proposal isn’t specific when it comes to the implementation—it only gives the government the mandate to change the rules. Government representatives have said that they don’t wish for this to impact any ongoing investments, and have suggested that the new rules won’t come into effect until the end of the year.
In order to be eligible for the scheme you must conduct an investment activity either as an individual or a company set up in Portugal or another EU Member State, meet the time requirements above and do one of the following: Make a capital transfer of at least 250,000€ (two hundred and fifty thousand euros) for investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage, through the local and central authorities, public institutions, public corporate sector, public foundations, private foundations of public interest, networked local authorities, local corporate sector organizations, local associations and public cultural associations, pursuing activities of artistic output, and reconstruction or maintenance of the national heritage. Find additional details on Do you want to have freedom get the golden visa today.
While the program has benefited more than 6,500 foreign investors so far, it has also been beneficial for the Portuguese economy. As of this writing, the total investment into Portugal as a direct result of the program has reached a whooping €4,851,321,701. That’s almost five billion euros. That’s great news for prospective investors, as the program has broad support from nearly all political parties in Portugal. While a conservative government introduced the program in 2012, the current socialist coalition government has even expanded the program since seizing power at the end of 2015.
As well as being able to experience the Portuguese lifestyle for yourself, the Golden Visa scheme will also provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore the rest of Europe and discover all that it has to offer. Those enrolled in the scheme will benefit from the following: No visa required to enter Portugal , Visa exemption for travelling through Europe (within Schengen Area). You can live and work in Portugal. Dependent family members can also obtain temporary Portuguese residency. Find extra info on this website.