Despite the recent legislative changes regarding Golden Visas, Portugal still aims to attract foreign investment through residency programs.
The Golden Visa Program currently established by law includes various types of investment, whether it be through the creation of jobs or the transfer of capital, with the lowest investment amount being €250,000.
Among the investments allowed for residence permits, the most attractive is the investment of capital in securities funds, with a minimum entry value of €500,000, as they offer special security and profitability for investors, in addition to lower tax and emoluments charges, as opposed to, for example, the old real estate investments which involved the payment of IMT, IS and notary fees.
With the shift in focus from real estate investment to securities investment, there is currently a wide range of funds in Portugal specially structured to meet the requirements of the Golden Visa Program, ranging from renewable energies to the development of start-ups or classic car restoration and preservation companies, as well as the development and promotion of hypercars.
The increase in demand should, however, be viewed with caution and any investment should be accompanied by professionals equipped with the tools to undertake the necessary due diligence.
The Golden Visa Program also maintains the benefits related both to the waiver of a residence visa for entry purposes and to the reduced periods of stay, requiring foreign citizens to stay in Portugal for between 7 days in the first year of residence and 14 days in subsequent years, which can be consecutive or interpolated.
One of the benefits associated with this Program also concerns the possibility of citizens with legal residence in Portugal being able to obtain Portuguese nationality, which is now easier, since the period of legal residence for this purpose is now calculated from the moment the residence permit was applied for, if the permit is granted.
In addition, the Gold Visa Program extends to the family members of the foreign citizen applying for the residence permit, including, provided certain requirements are met, the spouse, unmarried partner, minor and adult children, first-degree relatives in the ascending line of the resident or their spouse and minor siblings.
Therefore, considering all the aspects mentioned, Portugal is a particularly advantageous country to obtain residency and nationality, allowing investors and their families free access to Europe and the European market.