How Much Do You Need to Invest in a Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa program is now one of the most popular residency-by-investment programs in Europe. Started in 2012, it gives those from outside the EU a chance to get residency in Portugal, which can lead to permanent residency and ultimately citizenship. Portugal's enticing way of life, strategic location, and the wide range of financial choices it offers are what make it so popular. For many people, it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get into the Schengen Area, live a good life, and have a stable future in a European country.

Understanding the Golden Visa Program

The Golden Visa Program gives non-EU investors who make a qualifying investment in the country a unique residency permit. One of the primary reasons people want to join this program is that they can get Portugal citizenship by investment after five years, as long as they meet certain requirements, such as keeping the investment and spending an average of seven days a year in Portugal. This makes it a good option for people and families who want to live in the European Union for a long time. The policy has changed a lot, especially when it comes to real estate investment. This is to move money to other areas and encourage urban renewal and cultural heritage.

Investment Options and Minimum Requirements

The Portuguese government has laid out a number of different ways to invest, each with its own minimum amount of money that must be invested. To find the best path for your money and goals, you need to know about these possibilities.

Capital Transfer: €1.5 million: This option means sending money directly to Portugal. Even though it's simple, it needs a big cash investment up front.
Job Creation: Making at least ten new jobs: To choose this route, you need to start a business in Portugal and hire at least 10 full-time Portuguese workers. This choice is quite enticing to business owners.
Investment in Funds: €500,000: You can invest in venture capital funds or investment funds that focus on raising money for businesses. Portuguese law must govern these funds, and they must have a maturity of at least five years. At least 60% of their investments must be in commercial firms based in Portugal.
€500,000: Investment in research activities carried out by public or private scientific research institutions that are part of the national scientific and technology system.
€500,000: Money spent on making art, restoring or preserving national cultural heritage through public institutions or private foundations.

Buying real estate (with some conditions):

Real estate for homes: Starting on January 1, 2022, you can only invest in residential real estate if the property is in the interior of Portugal or in the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores. Properties in prominent seaside areas like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve can no longer be used as homes.

€500,000: For homes in locations that qualify.
€350,000: For properties that are at least 30 years old and are in areas that are being rebuilt or are in areas that are being rehabilitated and where rehabilitation work is being done. If the house is in a location with a low population density, the price can be lowered by 20% (€280,000).

Commercial real estate: You can still invest in commercial real estate all around the country, including in big cities.

€500,000: For business properties.
€350,000: For commercial properties in locations that are being rebuilt, with the same age and repair requirements as residential homes. In places with low density, this can also be cut by 20% (€280,000).

Additional Costs and Considerations

In addition to the main investment, candidates must also think about other costs that come with it:

Application Fees: Fees that the government charges for applications that cannot be refunded for the main applicant and their dependents.
Legal Fees: To get through the complicated application process, you need to hire a lawyer with a lot of experience.
Due Diligence Fees: The costs of doing background checks.
Real estate investments are subject to the Property Transfer Tax (IMT) and Stamp Duty.
Fees for keeping the Golden Visa resident permit up to date each year.

These extra fees can make up a large part of the total investment, so it's important to plan for them correctly.

Prospective investors need to do a lot of research and get expert counsel to figure out the best investment path and comprehend all the fees that come with it. The Greece golden visa program is another good option for European residency by investment. It offers a competitive way to get EU residency, mostly through real estate investment.