Portugal golden visa by investment fund: From Investor to Citizen

The Portugal golden visa provides individuals and their families with the opportunity to gain residency and, eventually, citizenship through a variety of investment options.
 

Among these options, investing €500,000 into a Private Equity or Venture Capital fund stands out as a passive investment option that offers a potential return on investment.

The Fund Investment Option

Investing in a Private Equity or Venture Capital fund in Portugal is one of the pathways to obtaining a Golden Visa residency permit for an entire family, including dependent children. This investment option allows individuals to passively invest their funds while also potentially earning a return on their investment. While other methods, such as creating jobs or making charitable donations, are available, the fund route offers a unique combination of investment potential and visa benefits.

Associated Costs

In addition to the required investment amount, there are certain costs associated with obtaining a Portugal golden visa. These costs include legal fees and government fees. Typically, legal fees amount to around €5,000 for the first year and €1,500 every two years for renewals. Government fees, on the other hand, are €6,394 for the first year per applicant and €3,488 every two years thereafter.

Eligibility and Requirements

Apart from the investment and associated costs, there are several additional eligibility criteria and requirements that applicants must fulfill to obtain the Portugal golden visa. These include opening a Portuguese bank account, maintaining a clean criminal record, securing full health insurance, and submitting their applications along with full biometrics.

Applicants are required to have a Portuguese bank account to facilitate the investment process. Additionally, they must provide evidence of a clean criminal record and obtain full health insurance coverage. The application process also involves the submission of biometric information and requires at least one visit to Portugal during the application stage.

Once the Portugal golden visa is granted, it can be renewed at two-year intervals, provided that the applicant spends a minimum of two weeks in the country during every two-year period and maintains their investment.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Portugal through Investment

One of the most appealing features of the Portugal golden visa is the potential to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years without the requirement of full-time residency in Portugal. Instead, applicants and their families are only required to visit Portugal for two weeks every two years to renew their Golden Visa and maintain their status.

The residency card granted through the Portugal golden visa program allows holders to travel freely within the European Union's Schengen zone. Additionally, obtaining Portuguese citizenship and a second passport provides individuals with the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union.

Portugal Golden Visa Benefits

The benefits offered by Portugal golden visa have contributed to its status as one of the most sought-after residency by investment programs in the world. Some of the key benefits include:

- Low minimum investment requirement of just €500,000

- Eligibility to live, work, and study in Portugal

- Visa-free travel throughout the EU Schengen zone

- Opportunity to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years without full residency requirements

- Minimum stay requirement of just 14 days every two years

- No taxation on worldwide income

- Option for Non-Habitual Tax Residency (NHR)

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Funds

In the past, it was possible to obtain the Portugal golden visa by investment in real estate. However, a change in legislation in October 2023 has restricted investment options for the Golden Visa program. As of that date, the only passive investment option available is through Private Equity or Venture Capital Funds registered under Portuguese legislation. Investing in real estate is no longer permitted.

Private Equity or Venture Capital Funds eligible for the Golden Visa must have a minimum maturity of five years and allocate a minimum of 60% of the fund to companies with a head office in Portugal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the Portugal Golden Visa cost?

A: The cost of the Portugal golden visa includes legal fees and government fees. Legal fees are typically around €5,000 for the first year and €1,500 every two years for renewals. Government fees amount to €6,394 for the first year per applicant and €3,488 every two years thereafter.

Q: What family members can I include in my Portugal Golden Visa application?

A: The main investor applying for the Portugal golden visa program can include their spouse or partner, children under 18 years old, dependent children over 18 years old who are unmarried and enrolled in full-time education, and dependent parents of either spouse or partner who are over 55 years old. Evidence of dependency is not required for parents over 65 years old. It is also possible to include siblings under 18 years old if legally under their supervision.

Q: Do I have to take a Portuguese language test?

A: There is no language test required for the initial Portugal golden visa residency application. The language test is only applicable when applying for citizenship, which gives applicants five to six years to prepare. Children under the age of 10 are not required to take the language test. The test itself is at an A2 level and mostly presented in a multiple-choice format.

Portugal golden visa by investment fund: From Investor to Citizen

• Tags
• portugal golden visa program
• portugal golden visa by investment fund
• Golden Visa Program Fund Investment Option