GOLDEN VISA-ARI

 

The Golden Visa is a modality of residence permit that allows the entry and stay in Portuguese territory for investment purposes with exemption of residence visa of foreign citizens who wish to invest in Portugal and that has been in force since 2012.

 

Which citizens can apply for the Golden Visa?

All national citizens of Third State who carry out an investment activity, in person or through a company incorporated in Portugal or in another State of the U.E and with a permanent establishment in Portugal, by means of investment in one of the following possibilities:

  • The acquisition of immovable property of value equal or superior to 500 thousand euros;
  • Acquisition of real estate, whose construction has been completed for at least 30 years or located in urban rehabilitation area and realization of rehabilitation works of real estate acquired, in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than 350 thousand euros;
  • Transfer of capital in the amount of 350 thousand euros or more, which is applied in research activities carried out by public or private scientific research institutions, integrated in the national scientific and technological system;
  • Transfer of capital in the amount of EUR 1 million or more;
  • Transfer of capital in the amount of 250 thousand euros or more, which is applied in investment or support to artistic production, recovery or maintenance of cultural heritage, through services of the central and peripheral direct administration, public institutes, entities that integrate the public sector public foundations, private foundations with public utility status, intermunicipal entities, entities that integrate the local business sector, municipal associative entities and public cultural associations, that continue their attributions in the area of ​​artistic production, recovery or maintenance of the national cultural heritage;
  • Transfer of capital in the amount of 500 thousand euros or more, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital aimed at the capitalization of small and medium-sized companies that, for that purpose, present their capitalization plan and if it proves viable.
  • The creation of at least 10 jobs (no minimum amount of investment required) in any business area;

 

Other requirements:

 

  • Absence of conviction for a crime that in Portugal is punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of one year or more;
  • Not to be in the period of prohibition of entry into national territory following a measure of removal from the country;
  • No indication in the schegen information system;
  • No indication in the SEF’s integrated information system for non-admission;
  • Maintenance of investment activity in Portugal for a minimum period of 5 years, counted from the date of granting the residence permit.

Documentation Required

  • Criminal record of the country of origin where you have been living for more than 1 year;
  • Proof of health insurance contract;
  • Proof of entry and legal stay in Portugal;
  • Passport or other valid travel document;
  • Regularized contributory situation;
  • Request for consultation of Portuguese criminal records by SEF (Aliens and Borders Service).

Advantages of Golden Visa

  • Enter Portugal with exemption of residence visa;
  • To reside and work in Portugal, and at least to remain in Portugal for a period of not less than 7 days in the first year and not less than 14 days in subsequent years;
  • Circulate through the Schengen area, without visa requirements;
  • Benefit from family reunification;
  • To request, after five years, the granting of Permanent Residence Authorization under the
  • Foreigners Law (Law 23/2007, of July 4, with the current wording);
  • Possibility of requesting at the end of six years the acquisition of Portuguese nationality, by naturalization, fulfilling the other requirements required by the Nationality Law (Law 37/81, of October 3, with the current wording);

Family Reunion

  • The request for family reunification may be requested simultaneously with the ARI Concession of the investor, but will always be conditioned to the deferral of this and are considered members of the family for the purpose of family reunification:
  • The spouse; the minor or incapable children in charge of the couple or one of the spouses, the eldest children, dependent on the couple or one of the spouses attending a school, even in another country, the parents of the resident or spouse, provided they are under his responsibility, the minor siblings, provided that he is under the custody of the resident.

Duration of Golden Visa

  • The residence permit is granted for an initial period of 1 year and may be renewed for periods of 2 years (fulfilling the award requirements).

Assoaciated Costs

The Golden Visa implies payment of the following fees (payable directly to the SEF):

  • Fee for analysis of the visa application process for the investor: € 514.80
  • Rate of analysis for each family member independent of the degree of kinship: € 80.20
  • Visa card fee for all members, including the investor (price per person): € 5,147.80
  • Renewal fee for all members (amount per person): € 80.20
  • Visa renewal fee (value per person): € 2,573.80

Process Deadlines

Estimated time for process analysis: 3 days

Phase II – If the application is granted, the applicant must be interviewed, in person, at the SEF, where his biometric data will be collected and requested the Casa da Moeda to draw up his residence authorization card.

Estimated time for requesting the residence card: 15 days, however due to the large flow can delay between 6-9 MONTHS

Other Requirements

Fiscal Identification Number (NIF) and Fiscal Representative:

The NIF can be obtained from the Tax and Customs Authority, and the presence of the applicant is waived, upon presentation of a Power of Attorney.

The tax representative, who must be resident in the national territory and has a Portuguese Tax Identification Number, may also be appointed and accept this representation by proxy, with the Tax and Customs Authority, once again not requiring the presence of the applicant.

Documents required to open a bank account in Portugal, (required in case of transfer of funds and recommended in others):

Portuguese Tax Identification Number;

Passport;

Proof of Profession.