Portugal Golden Visa - 16 June 2015

The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility, cost and benefits. Introduced in 2012 this pioneering investment visa effectively launched the concept of Golden Visas taking it mainstream and laying the foundations for other countries such as Spain and Greece to follow. Since then, the Portugal program has been actively promoted internationally attracting over €6.0 billion of inward investment into the economy. As the leading consultancy for the Portuguese Golden Visa La Vida is proud to have advised and assisted more than one thousand investors and applicants from over 150 countries worldwide for the programme since its introduction.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GOLDEN VISA PORTUGAL

Fund Investment

An investment of €500,000 into a Private Equity or Venture Capital fund in Portugal will gain a golden visa residency permit for a family including dependent children. Although other methods are available including creating jobs or charitable donation, the fund route is the only passive investment option offering clients a potential return on investment.

Associated Costs

There are certain costs to consider in addition to the investment amount for the golden visa in Portugal. They include:

• Legal Fees: Typically €5000 first year. €1500 every two years thereafter for renewals.
• Government Fees. Per applicant: €6394 first year. €3488 every two years thereafter.

Eligibility and Requirements

In addition to the investment and fees applicants will need to open a Portuguese bank account. Investors are required to have a clean criminal record, full health insurance and to submit their applications along with full biometrics. This requires one visit to Portugal at the application stage.

The Portuguese Golden Visa can be renewed at two-year intervals providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years and maintains their investment.