Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa program is one of the most popular schemes among EU countries. Its main feature is that it requires only seven days of annual visits to Portugal, eliminating the need for relocation. This makes it an ideal option for individuals seeking to obtain an EU passport without permanently leaving their home country. An EU passport allows you and your children to travel, study, and work freely across all EU countries.
In 2024, significant changes were made to the Portugal Nationality Law. According to the updated legislation (Lei n.º 37/81, de 03 de Outubro, Article 15 (4)), the five-year period for citizenship eligibility will now commence from the date of your application submission. For example, if you submit your application in 2025, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship in 2030.
At Janine & Co, we specialize in guiding clients through the Portugal Golden Visa process. With comprehensive support and expertise, we ensure a streamlined experience from initial consultation to application submission. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your residency goals in Portugal.
Benefits of Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa Program allows you and your family to enjoy European Union Rights:
- Visa-Free Travel: Enjoy free movement within the Schengen Area, allowing you to travel across 27 European countries without additional visas.
- Residency Rights: Live, work, and study in Portugal.
- Minimal Stay Requirements: Only 14 days in Portugal over a two-year period is required, making it ideal for those who wish to maintain flexibility.
- Pathway to Citizenship: After five years of maintaining your Golden Visa, you can apply for permanent residence and, ultimately, Portuguese citizenship, granting you access to free movement across all EU countries.
Basic requirements
Age requirements
- The main applicant is over 18 years old
Family requirements
- Spouse
- Children under 18 years of age
- Children of 18-25 years old, being unmarried and full-time students
- Retired and financially dependent parents (65 or above do not require proof)
Character requirements
- Not been convicted of a criminal offence in any country
- Able to provide proof of no criminal record
Qualifying Investments
Fund Investment:
Invest €500,000 in one or more qualified investment funds. These funds must allocate at least 60% of their investments to companies headquartered in Portugal and are prohibited from directly or indirectly investing in the real estate market.
Charity Donation:
Donate €200,000 to a local charity or NGO for lower-density projects, or €250,000 for projects located in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto.
Investment Funds
In Portugal, fund establishment requires approval from the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), which continues to supervise investment operations. Investor funds held by custodian banks are regulated by both the Bank of Portugal and the European Central Bank. Fund management companies also follow strict standards for investment direction, ensuring maximum risk control.
Investment funds diversify capital across multiple businesses, managed by professional financial teams to spread risk. Fund investments are tax-free, and non-tax residents who stay in Portugal only 7 days per year do not pay taxes on profits when exiting the fund at maturity.
When choosing funds, applicants should consider the fund company’s background, the fund’s legal structure, past performance, and most importantly, the investment strategy and expected returns.
We collaborate closely with investment fund companies in Portugal to provide our clients with a diverse selection of funds.
There are three main types of funds available:
- Low-Risk Funds: These funds come with buy-back options, allowing you to sell them back at the original price once you obtain citizenship. They are ideal for those focused on capital preservation. You can expect a fixed annual return, typically ranging from 4% to 4.5%. Examples include hospitality funds, supermarket funds, and education funds.
- Higher Expected Return Funds: These funds are linked to the performance of tangible assets. While they do not offer a buy-back option, the potential returns can be significantly higher, reaching up to 10% per annum. Examples of these funds include agricultural and renewable energy funds.
- Open-End Funds: These funds invest in the stock and bond markets, providing a more flexible investment approach.
Most of our clients choose to diversify their €500,000 investment across at least two funds to minimize risk and maximize returns.
Contact us to discover the best solutions for you.
Portugal Video series
Our company founder, Janine, has been visiting Portugal regularly each year, capturing insightful site view videos and conducting interviews with a range of funds. Join us on this journey and explore the opportunities that Portugal has to offer. Watch Now!
Visa application process
Latest News
Path to citizenship: The timeline for obtaining Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa program has been revised. The 5-year period required to qualify for citizenship now begins from the date of application, rather than from the issuance of the Golden Visa card. This adjustment results in a time-saving of 18 to 24 months for investors seeking to obtain a passport.
Onboarding: We will facilitate your application with our trusted law firm in Portugal to assist you in obtaining your Portuguese Tax Number and opening a Portuguese bank account.
Choose your investment: Invest €500,000 in a government-regulated fund or €250,000 in an eligible donation project.
Visa preparation: Collect relevant documentation for your Golden Visa Application, including No Criminal Record Certificate.
Visa Submission: Submit your Golden Visa application. The 5 years countdown for citizenship starts here, from the date of online application!
Biometrics Appointment: After the Golden Visa application is approved, you will need to travel to Portugal to attend visa centre appointment in person.
Residence card: After the visa appointment, you will be issued with a 2 year residence card, which allows you to live in Portugal and travel freely in all Schengen countries.
Residency 1st renewal:
Need to prove ownership and maintenance of Investment Funds , minimum residency requirement of 7 days per year or 14 days over 2 years
Residency 2nd renewal:
Need to prove ownership and maintenance of Investment Funds , minimum residency requirement of 7 days per year or 14 days over 2 years
Apply for citizenship:
After five years from the submission of your initial application, you will be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you pass the Portuguese A2 language test. Please note that the current processing time for permanent residency and citizenship applications is approximately 12 to 24 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to invest in different GV eligible funds to diversify and split your investment funds. By investing in multiple funds, you can potentially benefit from different market opportunities and minimize the impact of any individual investment’s performance on your overall portfolio.
The Golden Visa involves the following government fees and third party fees:-
| Items | Description |
Gov Fee | Visa application fee | Initial: EUR605.10 / Applicant Extension: EUR605.10 / Applicant |
Gov Fee | Golden Visa fees | Initial: EUR6,045.20 / Applicant Extension: EUR3,022.60 / Applicant |
Portugal Lawyer Fees | Processing investment and visa applications | Depend on different law firms’ quotation |
Third Party Professional and Documentation Fees | Documents apostilled, notarized and translation | Depend on the number of documents |
Portugal Tax Accountant Fee | Tax representative | Around EUR 500 per year per family |
You must pass the Portuguese A2 exam before you apply Portugal Permanent residency/ Citizenship. The A2 level is the ability to communicate in the simple, basic and predictable situations in daily life, such as in workplace and in school.
The Portugal language test (CAPLE) consists of three parts: writing, listening and speaking.
There are many institutions teaching Portuguese in Hong Kong (such as HKU Space, etc.), and applicants can also apply the online course.
CAPLE has 3 examination periods each year, which are May, July and November. Applicants can take the examination at 3 officially recognized institutions in Macau, including:
- Instituto Português do Oriente，IPOR,
- University of Macao,
- Macao Polytechnic University
The exam takes about 2 hours and is structured as follows:
- Speaking (10-15 minutes – 25 % total)
- Reading and Writing (1 hour 15 points – 45 % total)
- Listening (30 minutes – 30 % total)
Exam scores range from 0-100 with passing score at 55. Once you passed the exam, you will be issued with a certificate, and the certificate is permanently valid. After completing the 5-year valid temporary residence, the applicant can be eligible to apply for permanent residence or passport.
If taking the exam doesn’t appeal to you, you can opt to provide a recognized A2 course certificate instead. We can connect you with our trusted course, which requires only 150 hours of online lessons. You are guaranteed to receive the A2 certificate upon successful completion of the course.
We will provide comprehensive guidance and support throughout the entire Golden Visa process. This includes assisting you in selecting eligible GV funds, handling the filing of the Golden Visa application, and acting as a liaison with a Portuguese lawyer on your behalf. We will also ensure continuous follow-up on the entire process, from the initial application to the visa renewal at Year 2 and 4. Our commitment is to support you every step of the way until you successfully obtain Portugal permanent residency or citizenship, providing you with personalized assistance and guidance throughout the journey.
