Golden Portuguese visa: What are the requirements to access it? - Personal Finance

Portugal It is an attractive country, not only for tourists who want to know more about its culture and beautiful landscapes, but also for those who are looking to live and invest in a European country.

To do this, many choose to access the golden visa programwhich offers citizenship through investment in real estate or other types of assets allowed by the Government.

(Don’t stop reading: Portuguese Citizenship: This is how you can obtain it while investing in real estate).

According to Interra International Brokers, through a minimum investment of €280,000 in a propertyThose interested could access the Golden Visa program.

This not only gives the investor the possibility of applying as a resident, and later as a citizen, in that country, but also includes great benefits for the applicant and his or her family nucleus.

However, this is not the only requirement to do so.

What are the requirements to apply for a golden visa in this country?

This program was created in 2012 in order to allow investors to apply for a residence permit by carrying out an investment activity.either in person or through a company, in one of those established by law for a minimum period of five years.

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It should be remembered that there are several countries around the world that have this type of program, among which are Canada, Germany and even the United Kingdom.

In the case of Portugal, this is governed by Ordinance No. 305-A/2012, of October 4, and Order No. 2360/2017, of March 20 (regulation of Investment in the cultural sector), and regulatory decree No. 84/2007, of November 5.

However, said investment must be a minimum of €280,000 if the property is located in an area with low population density. The higher this is, the investment must be greater.

This is how the experts from the Visa Guide web portal explain it, which specifies that, according to consulting companies, the project in which it is invested must be qualified by the Immigration and Borders Service of Portugal (SEF).

Other requirements are:

-Must have no criminal record.
-You must be over 18 years old.
-Your assets must have been obtained legally.

How to apply for the Golden Visa?

The portal also explains that, after making your investment, must carry out a process before the SEF.

To do this, you must enter the page www.ari.sef.pt, select the type of subject that requires the visa and fill out the corresponding form.

After this, you must submit the application and pay the established fee.

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Most applicants have a team of lawyers for these procedures.

Once the payment is made on the official platform, the SEF will confirm the process and you must schedule an appointment, in which your biometric data will be taken and you will be asked for copies of the documents indicated during the process.

Procedures against the clock?

The visa is a document that allows a subject to enter a country for a specific period of time. On the other hand, residency will allow you to enter, live and even work in the foreign nation.

With the issue of the Golden Visa, it can be said that the process is speeding up. After you have held your investment for five years, You can apply for Portuguese citizenship or permanent residence.

Now, in February 2023 the Portuguese government has suggested the discontinuation of the Portuguese Golden Visa scheme due to the housing problems and crisis in the country.

However, the legislation to close the program has not yet been passed, which is why you can start the process before the law goes into effect.