Portugal’s full name is the Portuguese Republic (Portuguese Republic), and is one of the member states of the European Union and the Schengen Convention. Major cities: Lisbon, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Coimbra. Theofficial and lingua franca is Portuguese, and 84% of residents believe in Catholicism.
From January 1, 2022, the Portuguese government has introduced new regulations regarding the Portuguese Golden Visa. This law limits the “eligible” areas for real estate investment in Portugal. The government interprets the changes as a necessity to evenly distribute foreign investment to the rest of Portugal. With the booming real estate markets in Lisbon and Porto, the government has focused its attention on developing the real estate market in the interior of Portugal.
The rules are as follows:
Real estate changes:
1. Investors cannot invest in residential property in popular urban areas such as Lisbon, Porto, and much of the Algarve, as well as coastal towns like Setúbal and the Silver Coast.
2. Applicants can only buy residential property in designated interior areas of Portugal worth at least €500,000 or €350,000 if investing in a rehabilitation project. If the residential property is located in a designated ‘low-density’ area, then a 20 percent discount applies.
3. Investors can purchase commercial property anywhere in the country worth at least €500,000 or €350,000 if investing in a commercial rehabilitation project. If the commercial property is located in a designated ‘low-density’ area, then a 20 percent discount applies.
4. Investors can buy residential and commercial property anywhere in Portugal’s autonomous islands of Madeira and Azores, worth at least €500,000 or €350,000 if investing in a rehabilitation project.
Capital transfers changes
1. The capital transfer amount requirement increased from €1 million to €1.5 million.
2. The Investment fund minimum subscription requirement increased from €350,000 to €500,000.
3. Investment in scientific research increased from €350,000 to €500,000
4. Investment into an existing Portugal-registered business increased from €350,000 to €500,000
5. An investment into the arts and cultural heritage worth €250,000 stayed the same.
It’s important to note the difference between interior areas and low-density areas. Check out the map below explaining the differences.
PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA BENEFITS
The benefits of Portugal’s Golden Visa have helped establish it as arguably the world’s foremost residency by investment program. They include:
- Low minimum investment of just €280,000
- Eligibility to live, work and study in Portugal
- Visa free travel throughout the EU Schengen zone
- Ability to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years (without needing full residency)
- Minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years
- No tax on worldwide income
- Option for Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR)
Portuguese passport ranks sixth in gold content in the world
1. Visa-free global coverage includes: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and other 186 countries
2. Free movement, work, trade and business within the EU
3. EU public medical and educational benefits
4. US E2 visa candidate countries
Three generations of immigrants can be made with one investment
Application Process
Decide on an investment project and prepare all the necessary documents for the whole family. We can make sure the correct paperwork is in order and we will submit it for review.
We can help you open a bank account and tax number NIF in Portugal. This can be done remotely by empowering Portuguese lawyers. .
Investment funds are remitted to a personal Portuguese bank account to secure your investment, and you will be guided through the necessary paperwork and submission of your application to ensure the success of your investment.
Investment funds are remitted to a personal Portuguese bank account to secure your investment, and you will be guided through the necessary paperwork and submission of your application to ensure the success of your investment.
After completing the biometrics, it takes approximately four months for the visa card to be approved by the SEF (Portugal Service of Immigration and Borders). Pay the government license issuance fee.
Project Description
- Your pension income is taxed at a flat rate of 10%, including retirement savings and life insurance.
- Income from “high value-added activities” in Portugal is taxed at 20%. This includes employment and self-employment income from activities of scientific, artistic, or technical character performed in Portugal. Still, you will pay the same income tax as ordinary tax residents for other types of domestic income.
- You will only be taxed on your worldwide income after the first 10 years of residence.
- Foreign interest, dividends, rents, and property capital gains can be exempted from taxation. You will also not pay an inheritance or wealth tax.
Application Conditions:
The main investor applying for Portugal’s Golden Visa programme can include:
▪ A spouse or partner
▪ Children under 18 years old
▪ Dependent children over 18 years old, as long as they are unmarried and enrolled in full-time education
▪ Dependent parents of either spouse or partner, over 55 years old. No need to provide evidence of dependency if over 65 years old.
▪ Siblings under 18 years old of either spouse or partner if legally under their supervision
Children over the age of 18 years old can be included, however, they must remain dependent for each year until citizenship is achieved.
There is no official age limit for dependent children, but we would advise no older than around 22 or 23 years as they need to remain dependent for the five-to-six-year period following.
In reality, it can be much harder to prove a 28 year old child is still dependent, unmarried and in full time education, although it is possible.
PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA FAQ'S
1. Does applicant has to take a proturguese lanaguage test?
For the initial Golden Visa residency application, there is no language test required. The language test is only applicable when applying for Citizenship, so applicants have 5-6 years to prepare for this step. Anyone under the age of 10 years old does not need to take the language test. The language test is an A2 level (conversational level) and most of the test is in a multiple-choice format.
2. Do I have to pay tax in portugal?
Unless you reside in Portugal for 183 days of the year or more, you will not be taxed on your worldwide income. As a non-tax resident, you only need to pay tax in Portugal if you earn any income in Portugal, for example, a rental return from your property. If you do choose to reside in Portugal, there is a favourable Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) program. This grants certain tax exemptions for overseas income tax for the first 10 years of residence.
3. Do I get access to fee healthcare in Portugal?
4. What happens if my golden visa applicatio is rejected?
In theory, the only reason an application would be rejected is if an applicant has a criminal record, has been dishonest on the application, or has not fulfilled the minimum investment requirements. It is a document-driven process and JR Marriott’s advisors, and legal partners will work closely with you throughout the process to compile your file to ensure your application is successfully approved.
5. Can Portugal’s Golden Visa get me citizenship?
The Golden Visa is an indirect route to citizenship. You must hold your investment for at least five years before you’re eligible to apply for permanent residency and a Portuguese passport. With citizenship under your belt, you can enjoy the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU and travel visa-free to 172 destinations.
Keep in mind that to acquire citizenship, you must have a clean criminal record, have an A2 Portuguese language certificate (or be willing to undergo a Portuguese language test), and demonstrate that you have genuine links to the country (simply provide evidence of your investment, along with documents that prove your registration in Portugal such as your NIF number and Portuguese bank account).
