Close

Portugal

Golden Visa Program

One of Europe’s oldest countries, positioned on the blissfully elegant shores of the Atlantic ocean, Portugal boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage. Luminosity, radiance and culture beams through whitewashed villages and lush vineyards.

WHY CHOOSE PORTUGAL?

Portugal boasts a rich and diverse culture, Mediterranean climate, and a safe and stable setting, which is an ideal location for raising families, conducting business or simply for travel. Investors find many opportunities in Portugal’s secure and fast-developing market with access to the entire Schengen zone.

Countryhighlights:

  • Most welcoming country for expats,byInterNations
  • 4th most peaceful country in the world, by Global Peace Index, Institute for Economics & Peace
  • World’s Leading Destination, by World Gold Awards
  • Europe’s Leading Destination, by World Gold Awards

Program benefits:

  • Visa waiver to enter, live and work in Portugal;
  • Visa-free travel within the Schengen member states;
  • Qualification for permanent residency and citizenship of Portugal after 5 years of temporaryresidency;
  • Qualification for citizenship of newborns when one of the parents has valid residency for a minimum of 1 year and the birth occurs in Portugal;
  • Family reunification allowed to spouse or de facto partner, dependent children and dependent parents.

BENEFITS

  • Fast and straightforward procedure where applications are processed within 3-4 months;
  • Residency cards are renewed every 5 years for the lifetime of the main applicant and their parents, provided they keep a house of minimum sales value as per the investment thresholds;
  • Applicants are issued with a 1-year long multiple entry residence visa for Greece upon application, which is canceled upon issuance of their residency cards;
  • No VAT is payable on property purchases until the end of 2023;
  • Right and no obligation for residing in the country;
  • Children up to 21 years old and parents of the spouses can participate in the Program;
  • Holders of the residence permit have access to public education (schools, universities) at the same terms as these for Greek nationals;
  • Visa-free access to 172 countries, including Schengen countries;
  • Right to enter and reside in Greece even in case of closed borders;
  • Greece has been ranked as the world’s number one country for retirement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Portugal’s Golden Visa Program is offered in accordancewith the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).

Aimed at attracting foreign direct investments to the country, the program yields a residency permit in Portugal to non-EU investors who meet the following requirements:

  • Invest in one of the available options by transferring funds to Portugal from abroad;
  • Submit the required documentation per applicant, including clear criminal record (when applicable);
  • Pay Government fees and all remaining expenses associated with the selected investment;
  • Attend appointment allocated in Portugal for physical submission of application and collection of biometrics (valid Schengen visa required, when applicable);
  • Meet or exceed the minimum stay requirements (14 days per each 2-year period once residency cards are issued).
  • Be at least 18 years old;
  • Possess a valid passport;
  • Enter Greece legally;
  • Complete in full the purchase of the property.

The following family members qualify as dependents of the main applicant:

  • Spouse;
  • Children up to 21 years old;
  • Parents of the main applicant;
  • Parents of the spouse.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

Establishing the program in 2012 and being the first country to offer a Golden Visa, Portugal remains one of the most popular options for investors seeking European residency, having surpassed the €5 billion mark in foreign direct investment.

Over the years, the program has offered investors a diverse range of qualifying options while also evolving to focus on key strategic areas of economic development. Under the latest iteration of the program, investors can choose from the following investment options to qualify for the Golden Visa:

Capital Option

  • €500,000 – Acquisition of shares in non-realestateentities

Capital and Employment Option

  • €500,000 – Incorporation of a company in Portugal that creates 5 permanent jobs, or investment in an existing company with the creation of 5 permanent jobs or maintenance of at least 10 jobs

DonationOptions

  • €500,000–Investment in research activities;
  • €250,000–Investment in arts or the reconstruction of national heritage projects.
  • Invest in a housing unit having a minimum price of €250,000. This threshold is raised to €500,000 as on August 1, 2023 for the areas of Central, Southern and Northern Athens and other specific municipalities and islands, or
  • Invest in financial products such as corporate shares, bonds and Government Treasury bonds that are traded on regulated markets, as well as bank deposits. All these must meet certain criteria. The starting investment amount is €400,000 rising to €800,000.

APPLICATION FEES

LICENSE OPTIONS

The fees associated with this program cover service for the main applicant and all qualifying family members throughout the first application for temporary residence. Additional fees are applicable depending on the investment option chosen.

Translation, notarization and authentication fees at all stages of the process are the responsibility of the investor.

All application fees charged by the Portuguese government and by entities external to Arton are subject to change. Please contact us if you have any questions or need more information.

AVAILABLE PATHWAYS

The United Arab Emirates has three pathways to company registration: mainland for global trading, free zone for 100% foreign ownership in the free zone, and offshore for tax optimization.

Mainland

A mainland company is nothing but an onshore company which is registered under the government authority of the concerned emirate. The trade license is issued by the Department of Economic Development of the particular emirate. A UAE mainland company is mainly characterized by the liberal trading conditions. Unlike the other two types of companies, a mainland company has the advantage of receiving authorization to trade both on the UAE local market and outside the UAE.

Free Zone

A free zone company is a company formed within a special economic area within an emirate where goods and services can be traded. There are more than 40 free zones operating in the UAE. Free zones have their own regulations and have a government regulatory body called the Free Zone Authority. The Free Zone Authority is in charge of trade license issuance. A UAE free zone is characterized by the benefits of 100% foreign ownership and tax concessions. A free zone company is authorized to trade between businesses in and outside of the UAE.

Offshore

An offshore company is a business entity that is set up with the intention of operating outside its registered jurisdiction and/or the location of its ultimate ownership. A company may legitimately move offshore for the purpose of tax optimization or to enjoy more suitable regulations.

AVAILABLE JURISDICTIONS

Establishing a company in any part of the world can be challenging – with a multitude of available jurisdictions in the UAE alone, how do you know which one works for you?

While this can depend on several factors like your business activity, company structure, and the necessity of a physical office space, our seasoned business setup consultants take away the hassle with personalized solutions that cater to your unique business needs.

Here are some of the best jurisdictions in the UAE:

Department of Economic Development (DED) Dubai Mainland

For businesses wishing to operate in Dubai and expand across the UAE, the Department of Economic Development Dubai Mainland enables direct trade with customers, other mainland businesses, and the provision of essential services from the government of Dubai.

Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC)

A globally recognized and strategically located freezone, DMCC is ideal for corporate businesses that require a physical presence. With more than 19,000 companies registered to date, DMCC is a trade and enterprise center for commodities.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)

Best known for its world-class port and close proximity to major markets, Jebel Ali Free Zone is an economic trade hub for industrial businesses that require warehouse spaces and logistics infrastructure

Meydan Freezone

Meydan Freezone is the place to be for freelancers and start-ups. With numerous competitive licensing options, this freezone provides a vast support system to new and emerging businesses entering the UAE market.

Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC)

RAK ICC is one of the world’s fastest growing corporate registries. For businesses looking to setup an offshore operation in the UAE, RAK ICC offers the most time-efficient and cost-effective solution.

UAE GOLDEN VISA

In addition to the business setup options which give foreigners short-term residency status, the Government of UAE has also established a successful long-term residency program. The UAE Golden Visa for investors in public projects and real estate secures 10-year visa for qualifying applicants

The minimum investment requirement is AED2M in the form of:

  • A deposit in an investment fund in the UAE, or
  • Purchased property or off-plan deal.

In some cases, there is a minimum mandatory holding period and restrictions to use loans for the investment.

Benefits :

  • Can include the spouse and children, as well as one executive director and one advisor;
  • Extended period for stay outside of UAE for more than 6 months;

APPLICATION FEES

All application fees charged by the UAE government are subject to frequent change. These fees depend on the jurisdiction type, license activity and complexity of the process.

Contact us to get precise quote based on your needs and preferences.

NEXT STEPS:

PROGRAM CHECK

Compare the different programs side by side and examine their features.

PROGRAM COST

Find out the cost estimates for each program tailored to your family.

PROGRAM MAP

See the power of global mobility for each passport.

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE (PDF)
ARTON INDEX SCORE
COST
12%
SPEED
7%
GLOBAL MOBILITY
20%
QUALITY OF LIFE
8%
SIMPLICITY
3%

The Arton Index is an overall assessment and comparative bench mark of the country and its investment program.
portugal
10,355,493

Population growth -0.27%

30,500 USD

GDP (per capita)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
314.1 billion USD

175

Visa free countries

LOCATION
SouthwesternEurope, borderingtheNorthAtlantic Ocean,

west of Spain

CAPITAL
Lisbon

DIFFERENCE
UTC -0

TOTAL AREA
92,090 km2

AGE DEMOGRAPHICS
0-14:14.01%,15-24:10.89%,24-54:42.04%,55-64:12.80%,65+:20.26%

LANGUAGE
Portuguese(official)

RELIGIONS
RomanCatholic:81.0%,

Christian: 3.3%,

Other (includes Jewish, Muslim, Other): 0.6%,

None:6.8%,

Unspecified:8.3%

GOVERNMENT TYPE
Semi-presidentialrepublic

CURRENCY
Euro(EUR)

EXCHANGE RATE
1USD=0.88EUR

Connect With Us

    footer-stamp
    rcic

    Quick Links

    338 Queen St E # 207, Brampton, ON L6V 1C4, Canada

    Translate »