Portugal travel objectives, real estate offers and Visa for Europe? Why live and invest in Portugal ? Because is one of the major touristic attractions of Europe and the perfect retirement home! What is Portugal’s Golden Visa Program Definition & History? The Golden Visa Portugal is an investor visa program designed to attract foreign capital and business people in exchange for residency and, after 5 years, citizenship. Portugal launched the Program 2012 and by today the program attracted more than 4,4 billion EUR and more than 7200 investors. 95% of this amount has been invested in real estate. The applicants must invest in real estate for at least 500’000 EUR for 5 years. The majority of applicants are coming from China followed by Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Russia and Lebanon.
The initial application is now submitted online, including copies of the supporting documentation. After the request is approved by Serviço de Fronteiras e Estrangeiros (SEF), you will have to appear in person for an interview. Initially, the interview would take place in the district where the investment was made. Nowadays, however, SEF will allow you to book the interview in any district of your choice. This change has helped reduce the waiting time overall, especially in the more popular districts such as Lisbon and Faro. At the end of year 4, another renewal process takes place. It is virtually identical to the process at the end of year 2.
In order to be eligible for the scheme you must conduct an investment activity either as an individual or a company set up in Portugal or another EU Member State, meet the time requirements above and do one of the following: Make a capital transfer of at least 500,000€ (five hundred thousand euros), for purchasing shares in investment funds or in venture capital geared to capitalize small and medium companies that, in turn, must present a feasible capitalisation plan. Read additional info at Get a 2nd passport with a golden visa in Portugal.
While the program has benefited more than 6,500 foreign investors so far, it has also been beneficial for the Portuguese economy. As of this writing, the total investment into Portugal as a direct result of the program has reached a whooping €4,851,321,701. That’s almost five billion euros. That’s great news for prospective investors, as the program has broad support from nearly all political parties in Portugal. While a conservative government introduced the program in 2012, the current socialist coalition government has even expanded the program since seizing power at the end of 2015.
Initiated in 2012, the Portuguese Government’s Golden Visa Scheme has reportedly seen nearly 5 billion euros already invested into the country and over 8,000 third country nationals granted temporary residence permits (14,000 people if you take into account their direct dependents). It is easy to see why it has been so successful as Portugal, with its warm climate, gorgeous beaches, fine cuisine and laid-back attitude, remains an extremely attractive proposition for those looking to live, retire or invest abroad. Find additional information on here.