For those looking to invest in a second passport without giving up your citizenship or for businesses looking to set up European Union operations, a Portuguese passport is now easily available through the Portugal Golden Visa or Portugal Passport by Investment Program.
Why Portugal?
Portugal lies on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe and hugs 832 kilometers stretch of the Atlantic coastline. It enjoys sunny weather for most of the year and boasts of excellent fresh produce and a delectable cuisine of mostly seafood like sardines and cod fish. It is an excellent option for expat families as they can avail of quality education, easy access to healthcare and an overall high quality of life.
Advantages of a Portuguese passport
A Portuguese passport allows the holder free movement meaning that one can live, work, and study in Portugal and anywhere else within the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
A Portuguese passport holder can travel visa-free to 186 countries.
Citizenship
- Portugal recognizes dual citizenship and requires only 35 days over 5 years residency in Portugal.
- Investors do not need to relocate in order to obtain citizenship.
- There are multiple investment routes leading to Portuguese citizenship.
Portugal Golden Visa investment opportunities
The Portugal Golden Visa is the most successful residency program in Europe and is the most popular investment immigration program in the world. This is because of the following:
- There are many low-density investment options in comparison to other countries in Western Europe. There are many diverse and cheaper real estate market in comparison to the other countries in Western Europe.
- Portuguese investments promise a high return on investments. This is due to a stable and dynamic economy that is fueled by a continuous growth in the tourism sector that has led to a rise in the profitability of short and long term rentals.
- Portugal offers very generous tax incentives that include tax reductions or total exemptions over a ten year period.
Portugal Golden Visa real estate option
The Portugal Golden Visa real estate option is perhaps the most popular way to get residency in Portugal. This is because Portugal is seen as a prime destination among property investors, with a flourishing real estate market, high rental yields, and booming tourism industry.
Many expats buy properties in Portugal for tourism purposes, or to serve as a second home or a retirement destination. You can invest in newly-built properties in thriving Lisbon or Porto starting from €500k, or invest in used property for the Portugal Golden Visa starting from €400K.
The most economical investment route for the scheme is to make a €280K investment in the rehabilitation of real estate in low-density areas. The Portugal Golden Visa property for sale must at least be more than thirty years old and undergoing renovation.
Portugal Golden Visa investment fund
Investing in private equity funds or Portugal Golden Visa venture capital funds is a good option for acquiring residency in Portugal. The funds are managed by accredited fund managers who are accredited by Portugal’s regulatory body, the CMVM. Your dedicated fund manager ensures that the Portugal Golden Visa fund investments are appropriately managed in start-ups or medium-sized projects with optimal growth potential.
For the Portugal Golden Visa qualified investment fund, you can choose from sectors like energy, industry, technology, and real estate.
Portugal Golden Visa tax benefits
Portugal’s Golden Visa income tax benefits are a big draw for foreign investors looking to get the most out of their financial contribution. Visa holders don’t need to pay extra taxes on income produced outside of Portugal.
There’s also an option to register as a fiscal resident for tax purposes in Portugal. This is a fantastic option as it’ll allow you to then directly benefit from Portugal’s Non-Habitual Tax (NHR) Regime. NHR is a generous tax program with numerous benefits pertaining to your global income. It offers tax-free incentives on certain categories for a period of up to ten years.
Additionally, any Portuguese-sourced income would be taxed at a flat rate of 20% during the first ten years and there is also the ability to pass on your wealth to a spouse or dependent without incurring inheritance or gift taxes.
Speak to one of our Portugal Golden Visa Consultants so we can understand your objectives and help you move forward. We have an experienced, hands-on team, who help clients from around the world acquire Portugal Golden Visas or homes, while diversifying their portfolio with safe and robust investments.