Marian Vasilescu August 27, 2020

Portugal travel attractions, real estate opportunities and entry 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 are the investment requirements? The investor has the option to choose one of the following investments. Transfer of at least 1,000,000 EUR to the investment fund. He has to create at least 10 new jobs. He is free in purchasing a property of at least 500’000 EUR. He can invest 350’000 EUR in a 30 years old property located in an urban rehabilitation area, in scientific projects, in projects supporting national cultural heritage, investment fund or environmental projects. Since 2018, you can invest 350’000 EUR in a fully regulated investment fund. Just 15 investors of more than 7’208 (28 February 2019) opted for the 10 jobs creation program. Nearly all investors are investing in profitable real estate properties in the capital Lisbon, Faro and in touristic areas. Based on Golden Visa Portugal property prices are increasing by 10% to 12% per year. Real estate investments in the main cities are very attractive investment opportunities.

The Portuguese parliament recently passed a budget proposal (translation) that seeks to exclude properties in Lisbon, Porto and (potentially) all other coastal municipalities from qualifying for the Golden Visa. The minimum investment amount and number of people you need to employ if you go the business investment route may also be increased. The actual rule changes aren’t yet known. The budget proposal isn’t specific when it comes to the implementation—it only gives the government the mandate to change the rules. Government representatives have said that they don’t wish for this to impact any ongoing investments, and have suggested that the new rules won’t come into effect until the end of the year.

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. Find extra information on Get a 2nd passport with a golden visa in Portugal.

Established in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program (ARI) enables non-EU/EEA citizens to obtain a special residence permit in exchange for a 5-year investment in Portugal. What’s unique about the permit is that the investor only has to spend about seven days per year in Portugal to maintain the residency, while still reaping all the benefits of being an EU resident—including visa-free travel in the entire Schengen area. By far the leading share of Golden Visas have been issued to Chinese nationals (although their share has been declining recently), followed by Brazilian, South African, Turkish, and Russian citizens.

As well as being able to experience the Portuguese lifestyle for yourself, the Golden Visa scheme will also provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore the rest of Europe and discover all that it has to offer. Those enrolled in the scheme will benefit from the following: No visa required to enter Portugal , Visa exemption for travelling through Europe (within Schengen Area). You can live and work in Portugal. Dependent family members can also obtain temporary Portuguese residency. See additional information at https://www.idealhomesinternational.com/.