Portuguese Citizenship By Investment

The D2 Visa, often referred to as the Entrepreneur Visa, is a visa route for individuals engaged in independent activities seeking Portuguese citizenship. This pathway does not require substantial investment in the country or the purchasing of property, but depends on the strength of your business plan, which must underscore the value that your entrepreneurial endeavour brings to Portugal and the value it will bring to Portuguese society.

The D2 Visa program proves to be an ideal avenue for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent service providers seeking legal residency and a Schengen visa.

What sets this program apart from other visas is its flexibility; aspiring entrepreneurs do not need to establish a formal company to secure a D2 Visa. Instead, if you can substantiate your industry experience and qualifications, you can function as an independent service provider without the need for company registration.

Potential visa holders must provide evidence that they can sustain themself in Portugal for a year before their business fully takes off. To meet this criterion, you must demonstrate a minimum bank balance equivalent to Portugal’s annual minimum wage, which currently stands at €8,460.

The D2 Visa program serves as a gateway for enterprising individuals, offering a pathway to Portuguese citizenship requiring a business plan and financial stability.

The D7 Visa program is residence opportunity tailored for financially independent applicants with a substantial stream of passive income from global sources. This program means visa holders are able to reside, work, and study in Portugal as well as any dependants they wish to include on their visa, while also enjoying visa-free access to the Schengen zone.

The D7 Visa accepts a variety of passive income sources, such as pensions, interest, royalties, dividends, income from remote work, or rental property proceeds, among others.

The Immigration Service mandates that the passive income must equate to at least Portugal’s minimum wage, currently set at €705 per month for the primary applicant. Dependant spouses are required to prove income exceeding 50% of the minimum wage, amounting to €332.5 per month, while each dependent child would need a minimum of 30% of the minimum wage, equivalent to €199.5 per month.

To maintain legal status in Portugal, the applicant must spend a minimum of 183 days in the country, necessitating the purchase or rental of residential property, supported by substantiating documentation. Dependant family must also be included in the utility bills.

The application process for the D7 visa begins with getting a tax resident number in Portugal, a task that can be undertaken by a legal representative if the main applicant cannot physically visit Portugal. Following this, securing long-term residency is crucial, as well as establishing a local bank account and collating all necessary documents.

After this, the applicant must submit their application at the Portuguese consulate, which can be done in the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence. Upon approval, a national visa valid for four months is granted, allowing entry into Portugal and allowing for the subsequent residence permit application, with all necessary documents to be submitted to SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Border Service).

There are plenty of different investment options to get Portuguese citizenship. Those investment options are:

• To create at least ten job positions in the country
• To invest €250,000 in art, culture, or national heritage;
• To invest €350,000 in specific real estate – 30+ years old or located in certain areas;
• To invest €500,000 in fund shares;
• To invest €500,000 in research programs with national institutes;
• To invest €500,000 in commercial or residential real estate;
• To invest €500,000 in a business of any kind, creating at least 5 job positions;
• To perform a capital transfer of at least €1,500,000 to a Portuguese bank account.

Remember that if you want to obtain Portuguese citizenship this way, you will have to be aware of various fees that come along with the investment. These fees can include the following:

• Golden Visa application fee – €533 per family member;
• Medical insurance – €400 per family member;
• Issuing the residence permit fee – €5,340 per family member;
• Fees and commissions for the bank account;
• Taxes and commissions regarding the fund share or real estate investments.
• Insurance costs
• Paying a legal advisor
• Travel costs
• Medical insurance costs

Obtaining Portuguese citizenship through investment typically takes 6 to 8 months. The process can be complex, so we strongly recommend hiring a legal representative to guide you. It’s also wise to contact the nearest Portuguese consulate for accurate information.

Keep in mind that you must maintain your legal status in Portugal. Your residence permit must be renewed every two years until you’re eligible for permanent residence or decide to apply for Portuguese citizenship.

If you opt for the Golden Visa route, there’s no requirement to reside in Portugal full-time. You only need to spend a minimum of 7 days in the country annually to secure permanent residency.

You can apply for Portuguese citizenship through naturalization, even if you choose to get citizenship through investments. You must have the following documents:

• Citizenship application form;
• Two passport photos in color;
• Valid passport;
• Valid residence card;
• Birth certificate;
• Police clearance document showing that you have no criminal record;
• Proof of proficiency in the Portuguese language;
• Bank statement proving you have a monthly income passing the minimum wage amount for you and your dependent family members;
• Proof of long-lasting accommodation;

Remember that you can apply for citizenship after maintaining your legal status for five consecutive years in Portugal. The process takes about seven months before you are granted citizenship, and the application fee costs €250.

Moreover, you do not have to bring proof of a clean criminal record – the SEF will automatically send that information.

What Are the Portugal Citizenship Requirements?

There are several requirements you must fulfill to be able to apply for Portugal citizenship. Those requirements are:

• Being a full resident for at least five years;
• Clean criminal record;
• Being at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated – children can apply for Portuguese citizenship if their parents have legal status in Portugal for at least five years;
• Certificate proving you speak Portuguese – A2 level;
• Not being a threat to national security or involved in terrorist activities.

Children under 12 don’t have to bring proof of language proficiency, and children over 12 that study Portuguese at school may also be exempt from taking the exam.

When contemplating a move to Portugal, it’s crucial to recognize the benefits that come with obtaining Portuguese citizenship. One of the most appealing advantages is that you can secure citizenship through the investment route without the need for prior residence in the country.

Under the Golden Visa program, you are only required to spend seven days per year to maintain your status for five years. Opting for the D7 visa route necessitates a minimum of 183 days of presence in Portugal.

The potential return on investment is notably high, with the possibility of recouping your entire investment after five years. For example, if you invest in Portuguese property, you can sell it for a profit within this timeframe.

What further adds to the attractiveness of the citizenship application process is the prospect of tax optimization. By obtaining a residence permit in Portugal, you can apply for non-habitual resident status, which grants a ten-year period during which you can significantly reduce your income tax to just 20%.

Portugal boasts a high standard of living coupled with relatively affordable prices, positioning it as one of the more cost-effective countries to reside in within the European Union.