Golden Visas
Golden Visas have new rules since January 1 and apply to areas of Portuguese territory such as the Autonomous Region of Madeira
On January 1st, the new rules for obtaining a Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI), commonly known as Golden Visas, came into force, with alterations introduced by Decree Law No. 14/2021, dated February 12th.
According to the new rules and as far as real estate investment is concerned, only the acquisition of real estate located in the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores or in the interior territories of mainland Portugal will be eligible for obtaining the Golden Visa.
We are talking about the acquisition of real estate valued at €500,000.00 (five hundred thousand euros) or more, or real estate the construction of which has been concluded at least thirty years ago and is located in an area of urban rehabilitation, with rehabilitation works of €350,000.00 (three hundred and fifty thousand euros) or more of the acquired real estate.
As for investment options, the highlight is the change in the limit for capital transfers, which has increased from €1,000,000.00 (one million euros) to €1,500,000.00 (one
million, five hundred thousand euros) as well as the change in the limit for capital transfers to be applied in research activities, acquisition of units in investment and venture capital funds, and the incorporation or capitalization of companies that lead to the creation or maintenance of jobs, which increased from € 350,000.00 (three hundred and fifty thousand euros) to € 500,000.00 (five hundred thousand euros).
The Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI) programme, which started at the end of 2012, allows foreign citizens to obtain a permit to reside and work in Portugal through an investment, thus being exempt from a residence visa. The beneficiaries of the visa must stay and work in Portugal for at least seven days in the first year and 14 days in the following years.
With this visa they can move freely within the Schengen area. The Golden Visa may be requested by "all nationals of Third States who carry out an investment activity, personally or through a company incorporated in Portugal or in another State of the European Union and with a permanent establishment in Portugal.
At this moment you can already apply for your Gold Visa. Make your pre-registration online mandatory at: https://ari.sef.pt/account/default.aspx