Golden Visa

We advise on and help to obtain golden visa able you to freely be in Europe for 5 years.

The following costs are common to all investment routes: the Government visa application and issuing fees and the fees for obtaining professional assistance with the Golden Visa application. Although engaging professional assistance is not mandatory, it is in practice almost impossible to do away with it, and you should therefore deem it an unavoidable standard cost.

Government Fees

The Portuguese government charges an application fee per initial and renewal application, a residence permit initial issue fee per holder and a permit renewal fee at each renewal. Such fees are as follows: 

Golden Visa application fee of €533.00 payable by the main applicant and of €533.00 by each additional family member, which must be paid prior to the submission of the Golden Visa application (the government fees are updated yearly in March).

Golden Visa issue fee of €5.325.00 per applicant, payable once the application is approved. The issue fee upon each renewal is then reduced to €2.663.00 per applicant (the government fees are updated yearly in March).

Professional Fees

You will need to take into account the cost of at least the following professional services:

Professional assistance with your Golden Visa initial application, renewals, permanent residency application and citizenship application

Translation and legalisation of documents

Tax representation

Annual tax return preparation and filing in case you have Portugal-source income that is not subject to autonomous tax withheld at source, such as rents

If you choose the real estate investment route, professional assistance with the purchase (and possibly renting) of property

Professional assistance with setting up and running a company, if you choose to set up or buy a business

Property Purchase Taxes

Stamp duty (“imposto de selo”) at the rate of 0.8% of the transaction value applies in Portugal to the purchase of a property. 

In addition, we have the most significant tax – property transfer tax (“IMT”) – , which also applies to a property purchase. While there are variations according to property type (rural, commercial/industrial or residential), property status (rehabilitated properties may benefit from exemptions) and property intended use (property intended as the permanent residence of the purchaser benefits from slightly lower rates), the typical situation is that of a new residential property not intended as the owner’s permanent residence. For the purchase of such property, the applicable transfer tax rates are those indicated on this page. 

In the event you choose the property rehabilitation route, please note that VAT on the price of the works (at the rate of 23% or lower under certain circumstances) will not count towards the Golden Visa investment required value). 

Why apply for the Golden Visa Program

Permanent free entry and circulation in Portugal and the other 25 Schengen Space countries.

Freedom to live and/or work in Portugal (or not – the minimum stay requirements are 7 days in the first year and 14 days during each of the two subsequent 2-year periods, whether or not consecutive), while keeping another residence (if so wished) in another country.

Option to become a “non-habitual resident” of Portugal for tax purposes, thereby paying little or no tax for 10 years.

Option to obtain permanent resident status after 5 years of having made the initial investment.

Option to acquire Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of having made the initial investment.

The benefits are extensible to the investor’s family, including the spouse or partner, under-aged or dependent children of either spouse or partner, dependent parents of either spouse or partner, and under-aged siblings of either spouse or partner if legally under their supervision.

Flexible and affordable investment options.

Safe, stable economy and country in which to live and invest. 

Your Rights as a Resident

As a resident of Portugal under the Golden Visa Portugal program, you will be entitled to access at least the following with no need for any special authorisation:

Education and professional training

Official recognition of education diplomas and professional qualifications

A professional activity, as an employee or as an independent professional

Healthcare

Social security benefits, tax concessions and trade union protection

The law and the courts of law