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Moving to Portugal as a U.S. citizen can be daunting. Getting a Golden Visa makes relocation much easier.

This article will discuss the advantages of obtaining a Portugal Golden Visa.

Why Should You Consider Getting a Portugal Golden Visa?

U.S. citizens can gain a lot from their Portugal Golden Visas.

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Terrific Healthcare

Portugal has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Receiving your Golden Visa gives you access to the country’s well-developed medical infrastructure.
Besides being of high-quality, medical care is also available to most people. You can get it for free at public hospitals if you’re a Golden Visa owner.

Private clinics are commendable too. Appointments are available much faster than in some U.S. states, and the level of service is impressive. For instance, you can consult your doctor by phone if you need guidance about prescribed therapy. There are also robust health insurance policies that cover the total or partial cost of your treatment.

Having Portugal’s healthcare services readily available is reassuring, but you don’t want to visit your doctor too often. This can happen if you experience stress by working with disreputable transporters. You can lose a lot of money, and your furniture can get damaged beyond repair.

To avoid this scenario, hire trustworthy Portugal international moving companies. They follow the highest safety standards and use premium containers to ensure your belongings arrive in the country promptly and in one piece.

Tax Benefits

A Portugal Golden Visa can dramatically lower your tax burden. You can get non-habitual resident (NHR) status for a decade, which means you pay just 20% of your self-employed income. Without it, the rate soars to nearly 50%

Additional NHR tax benefits include:

No taxation on worldwide income – Any salaries, dividends, and profits earned in other countries aren’t taxed in Portugal if you have a double-tax agreement.
Capital gains are taxed at a flat rate – The country taxes your capital gains at a fixed rate (28%). It gives you a stable and competitive base for your investment activities.
Flat domestic income tax – If you’re a U.S. investor with a Golden Visa, you’ll only need to pay a flat income tax rate (20%). It applies to business and employment income if you’re performing high-value activities.
Fixed pension tax – Taxes on your pension-based income are subject to a 10% flat-rate tax.

There are many other advantages of the Portuguese tax system:

No wealth or inheritance tax – Unlike the U.S., Portugal doesn’t impose an inheritance tax on its citizens. You only need to pay a 10% fee. Additionally, the country doesn’t have any form of wealth tax.
Low property tax – If you’re an investor, you can dramatically expand your portfolio in Portugal after receiving a Golden Visa. It sets your property tax between 0.3% and 0.8%. Plus, you might be eligible for various exemptions, depending on the location of your property and how you manage your profit.
Cryptocurrency isn’t taxed – Portugal doesn’t control cryptocurrency operations. After becoming a citizen with your Golden Visa, you can complete transactions without any restrictions. More importantly, you don’t pay any tax once you make a profit.

Affordable yet High-Quality Education

The Portuguese aren’t the only people who can send their kids to free public schools or kindergartens. U.S. citizens with a Golden Visa have the same right. You can also enroll your child in a nursery (at three months) and in school (at the age of six) earlier than in most U.S. states.

On top of that, paid kindergartens have no queues. Your children learn in small groups of no more than 10. You can also send them to institutions with English-speaking or teachers with mixed backgrounds (Portuguese and English).

When it comes to public schools, you can use them for free after getting a Golden Visa. There are excellent high-school certificates recognized across the EU. Also, you can choose from a wide array of boarding or private schools where your child can live and study all year long.

Unlike public schools, private institutions hold their lessons in multiple languages. Besides Portuguese, your child can also learn in English, French, and German.

Portuguese higher education is another highlight. Four of the country’s universities consistently rank high on the list of the best universities in the world.

Portugal Passport

If you’re an investor with a Golden Visa, you’ll be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years. As the country is in the EU, you can stay in any other member state for as long as you like. You won’t need to obtain special work or study permits.

However, you will need to meet some other conditions to become a citizen of Portugal:

You’ve maintained your residence permit status for five years
You have the elementary level of Portuguese proficiency (A2)
You haven’t been convicted of a crime and gone to prison for three years
You don’t threaten the country in any way

Outstanding Network of Banks

Portugal is home to over 150 banks that service businesses and individuals. A Golden Visa gives you access to these financial institutions. It also makes you eligible for less stringent checks, and your chances of taking out loans are much higher.

Investors can especially benefit from Portugal’s banking systems. They can freely access all available services from EU banks, such as opening accounts, conducting foreign transactions, and keeping savings.

Low Cost of Living

Portugal is one of the best places to live in Western Europe. Apart from its gorgeous scenery and friendly people, it’s also known for its low cost of living.

Practically everything is affordable, from healthcare and education to food, social activities, and leisure. Most people need approximately $1,400 a month to live comfortably, which is unimaginable in the U.S.
Therefore, a Golden Visa lets you enjoy a great life in Portugal without incurring heavy debt.

Portugal Is Waiting

If you want to start a new chapter in one of the most beautiful European countries, apply for your Golden Visa today. Also, hire a trusted carrier, such as Three Movers, to transport your possessions safely. Once you reach your destination, you’ll reap the benefits of your Golden Visa status.

In the first quarter of 2022, US investment more than tripled compared to the same period in 2021. With an investment of 25.1M euros in the first three months of 2022, the U.S.A. is now the number one country investing in Portugal.

I can hear American accents everywhere – whether I’m walking on the street or browsing online. There are Facebook groups for people to connect with others from the United States and Meetup groups that help provide get-togethers among those who relocated to Portugal. These types of clubs cater specifically to an American audience considering they relocated halfway across the world.

Expats are welcomed by Portuguese and international communities in the country. It is an easy place to make friends due to a quarter of the population being international. However, it is quite easy to get around now that there is less of a population than in California.

Portugal has some of the sunniest days in any country, with an average of 300 sunny days each year. However, this number varies by region.

In Portugal, Porto is a colder and cloudier city and is very similar to San Francisco in these terms. Outside Porto are vineyards that surpass Napa, with breathtaking views and endless miles of habitat. The region in which the vineyards totes award-winning wines.

The climate is warmer in the south of Portugal, and there are many surfers. Ericeira and Nazare have world-record-breaking waves and offer a relaxed vibe that’s only an hour or an hour and a half away from Lisbon.

Lisbon is a culturally rich, inviting city amid an economic boom. If you move there, you will love it.

The Portuguese city of Lisbon has a fantastic cosmopolitan setting, with European history making it perfect for Americans. Life in Lisbon can best be explored by taking trips along the river Tagus, which is very popular with local residents.

Ian Fleming was enamored by the mysterious and gorgeous villages that are only fifteen kilometers from Lisbon, Cascais, and Estoril. Ian strongly believed these two towns were the perfect spot for German and British spies before WWII. Fleming’s first novel Casino Royale was modeled after his experience at a casino in Cascais called Palacio Estoril; it’s based on the sophisticated charm of the area that remains one of the most popular national features. The nearby coast is lined with restaurants and bars for people to enjoy sunsets, sports, or even just to hang out.

Along the beach, when you travel south, better beaches keep coming. Comporta is a new Palm Springs that has a Portuguese twist. It was developed by international companies such as Discovery Land Company and Vanguard Properties. The region has attracted many rich people who are tempted by the environment and foreigners’ appreciation of it. This region has drawn celebrities like Christian Louboutin, Philippe Starck, George Clooney, Jeff Bezos, Christiano Ronaldo, and other trendsetters because they adore its natural surroundings

The Algarve, about 170 kilometers from Lisbon, is Portugal’s southernmost region and is known for its magnificent Atlantic beaches and jaw dropping Benagil cliffs. Fishing villages on cliffs overlooking sandy coves were transformed in the 1960s and are now lined with villas, hotels, bars, and restaurants. The sunny shores of the Algarve are great for all types of travelers, those seeking the hot nightlife in Lagos or those desiring secluded stays in Sagres. The fabulous beaches, thermal springs, and miles of limestone caves and grottoes make the Algarve one of Portugal’s most sought-after locations.

There is so much more to see and do in this country. Portugal has many coastal highlights, but they also have other destinations worth exploring. When you move to Portugal, it’s a small country, so it’s easy to get around, and the 10-year tax benefit program is spurring growth faster than a wildfire in California. With all of that growth, tourism and real estate are booming.

If you want to buy a newly constructed property in Cascais, Estoril, or greater Lisbon – RocaEstate is here to help!

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The best place to live in Portugal with family

I moved with my family to Portugal from Turkey two years ago. It wasn’t easy at all to take this decision, but we wanted to escape the political crisis that was making our country no longer safe for our children and my wife. We had heard that living in Portugal is the right choice for a family, is safe, studying here is not so expensive, and there is a strong community for expats. I didn’t think about all doubts I had in my mind at that moment, I just decided to jump on this adventure.

How to Move to Portugal for Non-EU Citizens

Finding a way to move to Portugal for non-EU citizens is really complicated. I found that obtaining a Golden Visa is the fastest way to get a residency permit.
I thought it was perfect for us, but I discovered that in order to have it, you have to invest an amount of money that we didn’t have at that time. There were other ways for us to legally stay in the country, such as creating a start-up or a business, studying, or working in the country, but the procedures seemed long, and I did not understand if we could register at university or how we could find work.

What Are Highly Qualified Professionals Work in Portugal?

I was giving up when I found a post on the expat Facebook community about a professional consulting agency based in Cascais with many positive reviews in the comments. Many people had the same problem and doubts as me, and they found their solution with MoveToCascais.

I decided to contact them and thanks to a specialist consultancy we found out the answer to our problems. I discovered that my job, I am an engineer, is recognized as a highly qualified professional work, and because of that, I can ask for a special Visa that allows me and my family to enter Portugal for work purposes and to establish there.

I needed to present a promise of work or a signed contract with national companies in order to ask for it. So after I easily found a job and presented the contract with all other requested documents, MoveToCascais managed our living in Portugal.

Is Better to live in Cascais or in Lisbon With Children?

I had many doubts about where to live in Portugal. Was it better to live in Cascais or in Lisbon? I thought Cascais was just a small fisherman’s village, far away from the urban center like Lisbon, and what characterizes it, such as the choice between different restaurants, the possibility to see many museums, and enjoying the nightlife.

I was worried about the distance from my workplace in Lisbon and Cascais, that I would need a car to go daily, having to struggle with traffic, petrol prices, and especially being away from my wife for any needs.

I had seen very good international schools in both Cascais and Lisbon, so I was most concerned about private life. Would my children have been able to integrate into the community not speaking Portuguese? Would the local community have welcomed us? And if they were sick, would the health insurance have covered us, or would it have drained my bank account?

MoveToCascais helped us once again by answering some of my questions, others were answered once I lived in Cascais.

Cascais Is a Good Place to Live With Family

We decided to live in Cascais because we realized that Lisbon would only give us more nightlife than what we were looking for at the time. In fact, I wouldn’t need a car to go to work because of the excellent transport links between the two cities. I would rather take an hour daily by train that runs along the ocean than spend my days in the traffic of a big city.

My wife had found the solution to the problem of remoteness and also of aggregation. She soon found a job as a language teacher and started to hang out with her local colleagues or expats like herself, with whom she became friends. We were welcomed into the community and created a group of friends ready to help each other in case of need.

The language difference was not an obstacle, my children studied in an international school where several languages were spoken and where they quickly learned Portuguese, for us, it also wasn’t difficult because many in Portugal speak good English. We started online courses for the basics and then improved with time through practice with our friends.

Cascais turned out to be a calm and safe city for a family, and after the first year, we were ready for our first big buy – an apartment.

We were looking for an apartment near Marina and found the perfect one. It was a two-bedroom apartment with a view of the ocean. We loved it!

The process of buying was very smooth. We worked with a real estate agent Viktoria, who helped us find the right place. We also had a lawyer who handled all of the paperwork. We are very happy with our purchase!

And again, thanks to the guys from MoveToCascais that managed to organize all this process.

So, my conclusion is very simple – if you want to move to a safe and welcoming country – Portugal is definitely the choice! And if you want this process to be as easy as possible – get professional help, and the guys from MoveToCascais are certainly the ones who can provide it!

The Portuguese NIF number is a tax identification number. Anyone who is legally living in Portugal, both official residents and citizens, as well as foreign non-residents, need to have a NIF number in Portugal!

Watch the video below and find out more information!

https://youtu.be/eIYQQb0J3HU?list=PLpsMIkRYKahNkDfzjyCpal7ij97dJ_mDp

Prospective expats and entrepreneurs should sort it out as soon as possible. If you’re planning on staying in Portugal even if only for a short-term residency. The NIF number in Portugal is a nine-digit number unique to each individual. This number is on all correspondence between yourself and the Portuguese tax authority. You’ll also find it on tax cards and the citizen’s ID card.

If you want to apply for a Portuguese NIF number in Portugal you’ll need proof of your address (like a utility bill or a bank statement).

If you’re applying from abroad through a representative, you’ll need to provide a Power of Attorney document (translated into Portuguese). This grants them permission to act on your behalf.

We will be happy to assist you in getting your NIF! With us getting a NIF in Portugal wouldn’t be difficult!

Just contact us by filling out the form.

Documents required for NIF processing:

Valid passport (or national ID card for EU citizens)
Confirmation of residence address outside of Portugal

Fill out the form and get started your applying process for NIF

Entrepreneurs from different countries are increasingly coming to Portugal. Businessmen from all over the world are attracted by the quite simple conditions for opening their own business, as well as by the stable and safe economy. The lack of corruption and the sufficient number of niches in which you can be realized, give complete freedom for choice and activity. Scared of the unknown about starting up in a foreign country? The step-by-step instructions of business registration in Portugal will help you bypass the main “pitfalls”, and if you have any additional questions or problems, contact Move to Cascais, we will help, we will prompt.

Businesses in Portugal

LLCs are opened most often in Portugal. They come in different types. Let’s look at the most popular ones.

LLC/SpQ or LLC

This option is similar to our LLC and suits those who plan to run a small business. The main condition is the director and at least one shareholder. They can be of any nationality. Under the Portuguese law it does not matter at all.
The main “plus” is the minimum requirements to the share capital.
You only need to have one euro in your account to register a company. The annual audit is cancelled if in the past two years the company’s accounts were less than one and a half million euros, if the income did not exceed three million euros, and if the firm has no more than 50 employees. Audit is not required if in the past two years the company’s accounts were less than one and a half million euros.

Publicly traded company with a public company or PLC/SA

This option is ideal for entrepreneurs planning to expand their Portuguese business, wishing to take their firm to the Lisbon or even EU stock exchanges.
To register a PLC you need:

Five individual or one corporate shareholders. Their citizenship is irrelevant.
Capital from 50000 euros.
Capital from 120,000 euros, two directors are needed.

Audit for PLCs should be done once a year.

Sociedad Europea (Eurocompany)

This type of company can operate throughout the EU, without going through the procedures required by national laws. In other words, there will be no need for a complicated system of opening subsidiaries, as it is customary under the laws of EU countries.
To create a European JSC, at least two EU companies with a total capital of at least €120,000 should be merged.

Branches

For those wishing to enter the European market without much trouble, the variant of opening a branch is suitable. It should be registered in the tax office, and then file reports on all financial transactions in due time.
Think that the income of the main office is not taxed in Portugal, there are no requirements for the size of the share capital, for the employment of workers, too.

Representation

This business format is suitable for conducting advertising companies, for defending the interests of the firm. Manufacturing and commercial activities are not included in the allowed for representation.

Features of registration

We have several detailed stories about starting a business by an individual, there is no point in retelling them, so we will just briefly summarize the information.
So, you can open a sole proprietorship. In this form of business, there are no restrictions on the size of the corporate debt and the amount of capital.
You can open a sole proprietorship with an LLC, you can open a sole proprietorship with an LLC. The start-up capital for this is 5 thousand euros.
If more than two people plan to register a Portuguese company, the following options are suitable:

a private company with a CO, with deposits from 5000 euros. Each shareholder buys shares at 100 euros and is responsible for complying with the rules of the articles of association;
LLC for one or five shareholders with at least €50,000 in investments from shareholders;
partner company with two partners;
partner company with two partners (minimum) who do business together;
non-commercial corporation. There are no strict requirements for the capital and composition of the participants.

Registration Procedure

Have you heard about the bureaucracy in Portugal? That is in the past. Now there is a special program Simplex to simplify documents. It makes it possible to open a company both online and on site. The second option is easier. In terms of time, the procedure will take no more than an hour. In the first case, you need 2-3 days, but you do not need to go to the country.
The registration fee is 360 euros. It can be done online, by check, or via ATM terminal. When registering your business in person, you should contact any Empresa na Hora. You will be asked to choose a name from an existing list. To this name will be automatically connected the number of tax payer and social security number.
It is possible to choose an individual name. But to do this, you must first obtain a certificate of approval of that name from the National Register of Legal Entities.
Of course, ideally you should draw up your own charter, approve it, notarize it. But there is an opportunity to choose ready-made charters at Empresa na Hora. It is faster and more convenient.
If there are shareholders, everyone will need to appear at any nearby office (there are service addresses on this site). No possibility to be present? A power of attorney from a notary is required in the name of the representative of the interests.
The representative of the legal entity shall, in addition to own documents, have an excerpt from the Commercial Register and a document certifying the authority to represent the interests of the company.
Important. The documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified.
The final stages of registering a business in Portugal
The following “steps” are

payment of share capital. It can be done 5 days after registration. Size from one to one thousand euros;
filing the application on the beginning of the activity (it may be done in the office of the registration service). It is better to submit it at once, but if you fail to do so, then no later than two weeks from the beginning of the activity.

Register online

Online company registration (you can see our services Online company registration ) is very fast, if you choose one of the charters approved in advance by the national register of legal entities.
If the shareholders want to draft their own articles of incorporation, it will take a little longer.
On-line registration takes 1-2 days. The basic steps are the same. You have to determine the name, prepare the company charter and go to the third step. It consists of presenting the data about the company.
Include the type of company, registered offices, area of operation, size of capital, IBAN (if any). The registrar will also be interested in the value of the shares and the methods of payment of the share capital.

Shareholder Information

The following information will be needed:

about the individual name, date of birth, gender, marital status, taxpayer number, nationality, address and contact information;
about the legal entity – name, taxpayer number and address of the main office.

Accountant

This is a very important point, which is often ill-conceived initially and causes later difficulties with the registration. If you have your own accountant, you need to specify his data (name, taxpayer code, address, phone number and e-mail). If you do not have your own accountant, you can choose from certified specialists “Association”.

Final stage of registration

It remains to print the charter, sign it, fill out the signature confirmation form. Then scan the documents and file them online. No additional mailing is necessary.
380 euros will cost to register a Portuguese firm. There is a discount for some activities.

A little about taxes in Portugal

The tax for an individual depends on his income.
At 7,000 euros, the rate is 14.5%.
For €7000-20000, the rate is 28.5%.
at 20,000-40000 euros – 37%.
at 40000-80000 euros – 45%.
And at the income above 80,000 euros the tax rate is 48%.
Non-residents of Portugal pay tax only at source in the country. Residents shall pay contributions to the budget from worldwide income.

Why it’s profitable to open a business in Portugal

Let’s conclude with the pros of doing business in the country.
Every person who made this step can receive the Portuguese residence permit (the variant of receiving it for investments), and in five years to become a full citizen of the European Union.
Every business in the country can move freely within the Schengen area.
There are great prospects for the business itself, for example, expansion into the market of Europe.
The infrastructure for the business is excellent.
Register documents in an hour. No bureaucracy!
Loyal taxation system is provided for foreigners.
Business in Portugal can be opened from scratch, or you can buy an existing one.
Let us remind you that if you have any questions about moving to your dream country, please contact https://mtcold.tesa-it.ru/

Portugal Golden Visa

Changes beginning January 1, 2022

The Portuguese government has introduced new rules regarding the “Golden Visa” of Portugal. The new Portuguese law restricts the “qualifying” zones for investments in real estate in Portugal, as well as making investment opportunities more expensive. The changes took effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

The Portuguese government attributed the changes to the need to evenly distribute foreign investment to other regions of Portugal. As the Lisbon and Porto real estate market has flourished, the government has now focused on developing the real estate market in Portugal’s interior.

Changes in real estate

Investors cannot invest in residential properties in popular urban areas such as Lisbon, Porto and Algarve as well as in coastal cities such as Setubal and the Silver Coast.
Applicants can only purchase residential property in certain interior Portuguese areas for at least €500,000 or €350,000 when investing in a rehabilitation project. If the residential property is located in an area of “low population density,” a 20% discount applies.
Investors can purchase commercial property anywhere in the country for at least €500,000 or €350,000 if they are investing in a commercial property rehabilitation project. If the commercial property is located in an area of low population density, a 20% discount applies.
Investors can purchase residential and commercial property on the autonomous islands of Portugal Madeira and the Azores with a minimum value of €500,000 or €350,000 when investing in a rehabilitation project.

Changes in the form of capital transfers

The requirement for the amount of capital transfer has increased from €1 million to €1.5 million.
The minimum subscription requirement for an investment fund increased from €350,000 to €500,000.
Investments in scientific research increased from €350,000 to €500,000.
Investments in existing registered businesses in Portugal increased from €350,000 to €500,000
The €250,000 donation for art remains the same.

It’s important to remember the difference between hinterland and low-density areas.

What can investors expect from the changes under the 2022 Portugal Golden Visa program

Although shareholders opposed the changes, they are not necessarily seen as “good” or “bad.” On the contrary, Portugal’s “golden visa” changes are designed to stimulate investment in the interior of the country, easing pressure from metropolitan areas and encouraging foreign investment in other parts of the country.

Some experts predict that alternative investment avenues to obtain a Portuguese residence permit will become more popular, namely the investment fund option.

What has not changed in the program for obtaining the Golden Visa Portugal?

The following Golden Visa investment opportunities are unchanged:

To launch the company in Portugal and hire at least ten new local employees.
A contribution of €250,000 to the arts.

Will the changes in the Portugal Golden Visa program affect existing investments in Porto and Lisbon?

If you are in the process of acquiring a property in a thriving urban area, you will not be affected by the changes in the Golden Visa Portugal program. However, if you are interested in buying property in Lisbon, Porto or some areas of the Algarve, you can only buy commercial property, not residential.

Other Golden Visa investment routes will not be affected by the visa update and will remain available. If you are not particularly interested in investing in real estate, the Portugal Investment Fund Gold Visa is a very attractive investment route. With a minimum investment of €500,000, you can become a resident of Portugal with the Portugal Investment Fund.

The advantages of the “golden visa” Portugal

The Portuguese Golden Visa program is the ultimate path to citizenship. Under this popular program, Portugal offers a residence permit in exchange for a significant investment in the country. After five years, this residency permit can be converted to Portuguese citizenship if the usual criteria are met.

The advantage of obtaining a “Golden Visa”over other arrangements is its flexibility. With a Golden Visa, you do not need to move to Portugal (unless you want to). You just need to spend seven days in Portugal the first year and a total of 14 days every two years until you reach the five-year milestone.

The Golden Visa offers several different investment options, many of which can bring you a decent income while you accumulate years for citizenship. For example, the most popular way is to invest in real estate, which can be residential or commercial (usually hotels). This route is the easiest if you plan to actually live in Portugal, although you can also rent out the property on a Golden Visa.

The standard minimum investment threshold for a Golden Visa for real estate is €500,000. At this level, you can buy property in any part of Portugal or the autonomous territories (Madeira and the Azores), but Lisbon, Porto and some parts of the Algarve are now excluded from the program.

There are several lower thresholds in real estate. If you choose to invest in a rehabilitated property (over 30 years old and located in a rehabilitation area), the minimum threshold drops to €350,000.

In low-density areas, the standard threshold drops to €400,000 and for the rehabilitation option to €280,000. However, properties in these categories can be difficult to find and difficult to obtain. In practice, most Golden Visa applicants choose the easy route of €500,000.

Real estate is not the only option for obtaining a Golden Visa. You can also start your path to Portuguese citizenship with several other types of investments, such as:

€500,000 invested in Portuguese venture capital or private equity funds;
transfer €1.5 million in capital to a Portuguese bank;
creating a Portuguese company and creating at least 10 jobs (or five jobs in a low-density area);
€350,000 investment in research projects;
€250,000 investment in national heritage or artistic/cultural projects (in practice, this route is rarely used and it can take a very long time to find a suitable project).

The investment funds route is simple and is an excellent alternative to real estate for those who want maximum flexibility, a faster investment process, and do not need to live in Portugal. Other routes are less common and can be more complicated.

Before applying for a Golden Visa, you need to make a successful investment. In the case of real estate, this means finding a suitable property and taking possession of it. In the case of investment funds, this simply means transferring money into the fund.

After obtaining the Golden Visa, you will have visa-free access to the Schengen area, and after five years you can obtain Portuguese citizenship.

Portugal passport – what does it give and what is its power? Living on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in the warm climate of Portugal, in the most comfortable conditions in all plans, is undoubtedly attractive. But the majority of those who decide to move to this country, nevertheless, put an opportunity to become a citizen of the European Union in the first place. Acquisition of EU citizenship is not just a status for oneself. It is the possibility of a prestigious education for children and grandchildren, it is life in security and stability, and it guarantees and supports business development.

Obtaining a Portuguese passport

The way to become a citizen is as follows:

Proof of Origin
Marriage with a person who has already acquired citizenship
Reuniting with your family (i.e., moving in with relatives)
Investing
Living in the country for several years (naturalization)

Please note.Investment is the most advantageous way to obtain the citizenship of Portugal, because the procedure is formalized through a specially designed program.
Any descendant of a Portuguese is eligible for Portuguese citizenship and can obtain Passport Portugal. Moreover, it is not necessary to reside in Portugal. It is enough to provide documents confirming the kinship and the procedure will be started.
Many people choose to marry a Portuguese as the easiest way to acquire citizenship. But you should understand that the passport will be issued three years after the marriage, not earlier. And it will be necessary to confirm that the applicant for citizenship papers, actually lives with his spouse (albeit in another country, but together). In addition, any ties with the Portuguese community must be confirmed. This implies work in the country, studies, or property.
Portuguese people are very careful about their homeland, its development, and culture, so those who want to become citizens require proof of language skills at the level A2 (this is the basic level, which implies the ability to communicate in general). For this purpose, it is necessary to pass the exam and receive the CILPE certificate.

Why Portugal

In addition to climate and safety, there are other advantages that “bring” Portugal to the forefront for those who choose the country to move to.
Much is said about the port, the chic architecture, the ocean, the large-scale festivals regularly held here…But little is said about the security, the level of social progress, the educational and health systems in Portugal, amazingly balanced in their approach to everyone.
And these are very significant factors!
The stable economy not only allows for tangible tax benefits on income earned in the country, but also completely tax-free foreign income (pensions, self-employment, dividends, etc.).
Portuguese people are trusted around the world. They are allowed to travel in countries of Schengen and European Union without visa, presenting only ppassport of Portugal. Those who have Portuguese citizenship can enter Japan, the USA, Australia and Canada under the simplified procedure. And not just enter, but also conclude deals and sign a variety of contracts only with the Portuguese passport.

Naturalization for citizenship

If you have been legally residing in the country for five years with a residence permit, you can prepare documents for citizenship by so-called naturalization. This option is suitable for those who do not have relatives or spouses in Portugal. It is considered the most time-consuming, and also requires an additional test of knowledge of the Portuguese language at the level A2.
It is sufficient to stay in the country for 183 days per year.
It is allowed to cross the border by tourist and national visas. The document confirming the legality of residence in the country is very important. It is issued by the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) (Service for Foreigners). In addition, for naturalization citizenship, a copy of the residence permit in the country, a birth certificate, and a handwritten questionnaire must be provided.

What documents will be needed:

certificate of proficiency in Portuguese at the A2 level;
a certificate that there is no criminal record in the home country, certified by the Portuguese consulate, and a certificate of no criminal record in Portugal;
a certificate of salary issued by the employer or a bank account statement in Portugal;
a certificate from the social security office about registration there.

All documents must be either translated into or issued in Portuguese. They must be submitted to the immigration office.
It is sufficient to stay in the country for 183 days per year.
It is allowed to cross the border by tourist and national visa. The document confirming the legality of residence in the country is very important. It is issued by the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) (service for foreigners). In addition, for naturalization citizenship, a copy of the residence permit in the country, a birth certificate, and a handwritten questionnaire will have to be provided.

Portuguese citizenship for investment

Participation in the investment programs of Portugal, although it does not provide immediately to obtain citizenship and immediately obtain a Portuguese passport, greatly facilitates this process.
Investment residence permit is easier to obtain than the usual naturalization. It is enough to be in the country only 7 days a year. You do not need to pass the exam for knowledge of Portuguese. The program is called the Golden Residence Permit Program, so it is often called a “golden visa” in Russian. But it is Golden Residence Permit Program with greater opportunities than the standard naturalization and not just a visa.
The most common way to invest in Portugal is the purchase of real estate or land for development. After five years of ownership, the object can be sold, and you can buy something else if plans change.
The price of the new property must be at least 500 000 euros. The intended use is commercial or residential.
If the property is over 30 years old and there is a need for renovation, the price can start from 350,000 euros.
Note:You don’t have to buy one object for the indicated amount of investment. You can buy two or more, and then rent them out, quickly recovering your investment.
Another option how to obtain a Portuguese passport is to open your own business and create for the Portuguese at least 10 jobs + purchase real estate.

To apply for a residence permit, depending on the investment program, you will need the following documents:

passport;
visa;
insurance policy;
confirmation of tax arrears;
a certificate of no criminal record;
documents that confirm the applicant’s participation in the investment program (for example, a contract of sale).

From 2022 it is impossible to invest in major cities. The priority is to buy real estate in the interior regions of the country, as well as in the Azores and Madeira.

Denial of citizenship

If there are not enough documents from the mandatory list if the documents or application contain false information if the level of income does not meet the requirements of the country, and if there is no confirmed connection to the Portuguese community, the citizenship may be denied.
It does not make sense to apply for citizenship for persons who have a criminal record with a term of imprisonment of three years or more, contract servicemen of other countries, as well as civil servants of other countries.
Portugal is a strong, beautiful, independent country where you can lead a quiet, confident and secure life. If you have any questions about paperwork or the move itself, feel free to ask them in the comments. We would be happy to share our experiences!