The Portugal Golden Visa was launched in 2012, amidst economic recovery efforts, and part of a broader strategy to attract foreign investment into Portugal.
The government legislated the minimum threshold of certain eligible investment activities and to limit the areas where real estate investment can be executed. As such, two major investment activities have been affected by these changes:
-
Increase from 350,000 euros to 500,000 euros for subscription to investment funds;
-
Real estate investment for residential purposes was limited to the interior of the country, as well as to the islands of Madeira and Azores. Urban areas, such as Lisbon and Porto, are only available for the purchase of property for commercial and tourism purposes.
-
Capital transfers - Maintenance equal to or greater than €1.5 million (the previous law required a minimum of €1 million);
-
Investment Funds - Minimum investment of €500,000 (previously the law required a minimum of €350,000);
-
Incorporation and job creation - Minimum amount required of €500,000 for the incorporation of a company with 5 jobs and maintaining them permanently for at least 3 years (previously the Law required € 350,000);
-
Research and Science Activities - Minimum amount required of €500,000 (previously the Law required €350,000).
The investments through the creation of at least 10 jobs, and the transfer of capital in an amount equal to or greater than €250,000, in investment or support for artistic production, maintenance, or recovery of the national cultural heritage, did not have any changes.
The Government legislated that it will no longer be possible to buy residential properties in Lisbon and Porto including Algarve region. All Golden visa investments for residential properties will be shifted to inner regions of Portugal plus Azores and Madeira which increases to €500,000 for residential properties. Capital investments (bonds, cash deposits) increased to 1.5 million euros.
After continuous proposed changes and debate, the final law was published ending real estate investments under the golden visa. From October 2012 until 2023, in total about 12,500 investors have obtained the Portugal Golden Visa. Citizens from these top 5 nationalities have benefited from the program:
-
China 5,366 from
-
Brazil 1,221
-
United States 729
-
Turkey 584
-
South Africa 534
The government also launched a new Immigration and Borders agency replacing the previous Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Foreigners and Borders Service), shortened to SEF. The new agency,Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), shortened to AIMA, promises more efficiency in the handling of immigration processes by streamlining, modernising and simplifying administration processes. AIMA was allocated an operational budget of € 81 million for hiring more staff, the opening of 34 service desks nationwide with plans to add at least 10 more in 2024.
These are currently the investments and contributions routes to obtain a Portugal Golden Visa:
- 1.Minimum investment of €500,000 in Venture Capital Funds
- 2.Creating 10 Jobs creation
- 3.Investing a minimum of €500,000 in a new company or capital reinforcement of €500,000 in a company plus 5 job positions
- 4.Contributing a minimum of €250,000 in activities of artistic output, reconstruction or maintenance of the national heritage
- 5.Contributing a minimum of €500,000 in research activities in the scientific or technologic areas
Check in or subscribe for the latest news in Portugal Golden Visa
2024 news
Portugal's Golden Visa Funds in 2024: Navigating New Frontiers in Strategic Residency and Investment - IMI - Investment Migration Insider (imidaily.com)
Portugal Golden Visa Investments