Portugal

Portugal Golden Visa

The Portuguese Golden Visa enables non-EU residents not only to be resident in Portugal, but also to move freely within the Schengen Zone.

Individuals who have been resident in Portugal for 5 years can apply for permanent residence. This is usually granted, if they can demonstrate that they have held a residence visa for the last 5 years. At the end of the 5th year of being classified as resident in Portugal an individual can apply for Portuguese nationality and therefore a Portuguese passport.

Further benefits include:

• Settlement in the EU.
• Visa-free travel to approximately 170 countries, including free movement within the Schengen Zone (26 European countries).
• Minimal residence requirements of only seven days in the first year and fourteen days in the subsequent two year periods. It is therefore possible to benefit from the Golden Visa programme without becoming tax resident.
• Individuals that choose to become tax resident in Portugal can benefit from the Non-Habitual Residents Programme (it is possible for non-EU individuals to apply to the two schemes simultaneously).

Portugal Golden Visa

The following investments will each qualify for the Golden Visa:

• Capital transfer of a minimum €500,000, for the acquisition of shares in a non-real estate collective investment entity, incorporated under Portuguese law. At the time of the investment, maturity must be at least five years in the future, and at least 60% of the value must be invested in commercial companies with headquarters in Portugal; OR
• The creation of ten jobs; OR
• Capital transfer of a minimum €500,000 for research activities, carried out by private or public scientific research institutions, integrated in the national scientific and technological system; OR
• Capital transfer of a minimum €250,000 for investment in supporting artistic productions, reflecting the national cultural heritage (or €200,000 in a low-density area). Such an investment can be, through; central and/or peripheral direct administration services, public institutes, entities that integrate the business and public sector, public foundations, private foundations with public utility status, inter-municipal entities, entities that are part of the local business sector, municipal associative entities and public cultural associations; OR
• Capital transfer of a minimum €500,000 for the incorporation of a commercial company, with headquarters in Portugal, combined with the creation of five permanent jobs. Alternatively a minimum €500,000 can be added to the capital of an existing commercial company, with headquarters in Portugal. This must be combined with the creation of at least five permanent jobs, or the maintenance of at least ten jobs, with a minimum five permanent employees, for a minimum period of three years.

Portugal Golden Visa

Minimum Stay Requirements in Portugal:

• 7 days in the first year.
• 14 days in the subsequent periods of two years (i.e. years 2-3 and 4-5).

In order to obtain Portuguese nationality an individual must provide the following:

• A copy of an existing Portuguese Residency Card.
• A declaration issued by the Portuguese authorities stating that an individual has been resident in Portugal for the past 6 years.
• A Portuguese Criminal Record Check.
• A Criminal Record Check from the individual’s country of origin, duly translated and certified by the Portuguese Consulate and Apostilled.
• Proof that the individual has taken the official Portuguese language test for foreigners.

The Portugal D7 Visa (Available to Non-EU/EEA nationals)

Benefits:

• Ability to obtain Non-Habitual Resident Status (NHR) for 10 years – this includes exemption from tax on certain foreign income if specific requirements are met.
• Permanent Visa Free entry and movement in the Schengen Area.
• After a period of 5 years, being able to apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.

The Portugal D7 Visa (Available to Non-EU/EEA nationals)

Applicants must have proof of income, of at least, an amount equal or greater than the Portuguese guaranteed minimum wage, generated from:

a. pensions or revenue from retirement schemes
b. income from movable and/or immovable property
c. income from intellectual and financial assets

It is not possible to work in Portugal under the terms of the D7 Visa.

In 2024, the Portuguese guaranteed minimum wage is, 12 x € 820 = € 9,840, with a per capita increase for each family unit as follows: first adult – 100%; second adult and additional adults – 50%; children under 18 years old – 30%.

Accommodation is required in Portugal for a minimum 12 months. There are 3 possibilities; buying a property, renting a property or having a ‘term of responsibility’ signed by a family member or a friend, proving that they will provide accommodation to the applicant for 12 months

The individual will be Portuguese tax resident (183 day rule), which means that worldwide income will be taxed in Portugal.

The Portugal D7 Visa (Available to Non-EU/EEA nationals)

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Not be absent from Portugal for more than 6 months consecutively in any 12-month period, or 8 months intermittently over 24 months.
• ‘National Visa official documentation’, must be signed by the applicant; official documentation regarding minors and the incapacitated should be signed by the relevant legal guardian
• Two photos
• Passport (valid for at least three months)
• Valid Travel Insurance – this has to cover necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and the possibility of repatriation
• Criminal Record Certificate, issued by the competent authority of the country of the applicant’s nationality or of the country where the applicant has resided for over a year (except for applicants under sixteen), with the Hague Apostille (if applicable) or legalised;
• Request for criminal record enquiry by the Portuguese Immigration and Border Services (AIMA)

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Enabling Residency

Benefits:

• Ability to obtain Non-Habitual Resident Status (NHR) for 10 years – this includes exemption from tax on certain foreign income if specific requirements are met.
• Work remotely and legally from Portugal Mainland or either of the Islands of Madeira or the Azores.
• After a period of 5 years, being able to apply for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.
• Permanent Visa Free entry and movement in the Schengen Area.

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Enabling Residency

The individual must work in Portugal for a foreign company with headquarters in another country.

The applicant needs to prove that a work relationship exists:
• In the case of subordinate work, the applicant needs a work contract or a declaration by the employer confirming the link
• In the case of independent professional activity, the necessary documents will be; proof of company incorporation, or, a service provision contract, or, a document confirming the services provided to one or more entities.

Proof of an average monthly income, over the past three months of at least four monthly payments equal to the guaranteed minimum Portuguese wage (2024: 4 x € 820 = € 3,280).

Means of Subsistence in Portugal: 12 x Guaranteed Minimum Wage, net of any social security deductions (in 2024 these figures are, 12 x € 820 = € 9,840), with a per capita increase for each family unit as follows: first adult – 100%; second adult and additional adults – 50%; children under 18 years old – 30%.

Accommodation in Portugal for a minimum 12 months. There are 3 possibilities; buying a property, renting a property or having a ‘term of responsibility’ signed by a family member or a friend, proving that that person will give accommodation to the applicant for 12 months.

The individual will be Portuguese tax resident (183 day rule), which means worldwide income will be taxed in Portugal.

The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Enabling Residency

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Not be absent from Portugal for more than 6 months consecutively in any 12-month period, or 8 months intermittently over 24 months.
• ‘National Visa official documentation’, must be signed by the applicant; official documentation regarding minors and the incapacitated are signed by the relevant legal guardian
• Two photos
• Passport (valid for at least three months)
• Valid Travel Insurance – this has to cover necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and the possibility of repatriation
• Criminal Record Certificate, issued by the competent authority of the country of the applicant’s nationality or of the country where the applicant has resided for over a year (except for applicants under sixteen), with the Hague Apostille (if applicable) or legalised;
• Request for criminal record enquiry by the Portuguese Immigration and Border Services (AIMA)