Are you dreaming of visiting Portugal? 

Who doesn’t? It has a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. 

As a traveler, the first thing that comes to mind is Visa. And when you are going to Europe, you have definitely heard of Portugal’s golden visa program. It is not a regular tourist visa but also an investment opportunity with lots of benefits. And one major benefit of this Visa that attracts a lot of travelers is that it makes you eligible to travel to most other European countries without obtaining any additional visa. So that’s something to look forward to, right? And guess what? That’s not it. With the Portugal golden visa, one can also apply for permanent residency; of course, a few terms and conditions are attached to it, but they are not anything complicated.

With all these perks and advantages of the Portugal Golden Visa, one might wonder what the process of obtaining that Visa is.

We have created this step-by-step guide to getting a Portugal golden visa to answer that question.

Step 1. See the eligibility requirements

The first thing you need to make sure of while obtaining a Portugal golden visa is that you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Worry not, as the requirements are straightforward and easy to meet. For the golden Visa program’s eligibility, you need to:

1. Be a non-EU citizen
2. Make a qualifying investment in Portugal
3. Maintain your investment for at least five years
4. Spend at least seven days in Portugal during the first year and at least 14 days during the subsequent two-year period.

Once you meet these requirements, you are eligible to apply for the visa program.

Step 2. Choosing the right investment option

The next step in the process is choosing the type of investment suitable to you. As a golden visa applicant, you have several investment options, which include:

1. Buying real estate worth at least €280,000 in low density areas or commercial properties
2. Buying real estate worth €350,000 if the property is more than 30 years old or located in an urban regeneration area
3. Investing at least €250,000 in a research and development program
4. Investing at least €500,000 in investment funds unit
5. Deposit at least €1 million in a Portuguese bank account

For most people, the best option is buying real estate, as it allows you to own a property in Portugal and generate rental income. This can help you offset the cost of maintaining your investment.

Step 3. Understanding the application process and required documents

Did you check your eligibility and choose the right investment option?

It’s time to understand the application process and the required documents. For application, you have two options — Either you can do it online or contact your nearby consulate.

During the application process, you may require the following documents:

1. A valid passport
2. Proof of your investment
3. Proof of health insurance
4. A criminal record certificate from your home country
5. A declaration stating that you meet the eligibility requirements for the golden visa program
6. Declaration stating that you will comply with the investment and residency requirements of the golden visa program

These are commonly required documents, but authorities may ask for a few more documents depending on the candidate’s application.

Step 4. Submitting your application

After gathering all the required documents, you can submit your golden visa application. Typically, the application process takes around three months. During this time, the Portuguese authorities will review your application and make sure that you meet the eligibility requirement for the Visa.

After your application’s approval, you will receive a residence permit for Portugal that will be valid for one year.

If you want to renew your residence permit, you can do that for 2-year periods as long as you maintain your investment and spend the required number of days in Portugal.

Step 5. Moving to Portugal and obtaining the residency permit

After receiving your golden visa approval, you can move to Portugal and obtain your residency permit. For this, you need to visit Portugal Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) within four months of your arrival in the country. The SEF will issue your residency permit once you provide proof of your investments and spend the required number of days in the country.

Step 6. Maintaining your golden visa status

In order to maintain the status of the golden Visa, you need to keep your investments in place and spend the specified number of days in Portugal.

The residency permit is also required to be renewed after every two years. After five years of maintaining the golden visa status, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.

Conclusion

Portugal’s golden visa program is an excellent option for non-European citizens who want to live or work in Europe while enjoying its great culture and beautiful landscapes. 

The program offers a way for residency in Portugal through various investment opportunities, like investing in real estate, local businesses, research and development institutes, or investment fund units.

Also, the eligibility criteria are not that difficult, and the application process is easy and straightforward. However, to ensure a successful application, it’s essential to choose the right investment and understand the application process completely.

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