Immigration to Portugal

Residence permit in Portugal

Many of our fellow citizens are interested in immigration to Portugal, therefore programs of obtaining a residence permit in this country of the European Union with the subsequent possibility of obtaining citizenship are extremely in demand.

As in many European countries, the easiest way to get a residence permit in Portugal is through one of the investment programs that have been operating in the country for more than 9 years. It should be pointed out that the golden visa of Portugal was issued to more than three thousand applicants (foreign residents) in the past year alone.

Return on investment can be made after 60 months. At the same time, documents  for obtaining permanent residence or even obtaining a passport (under separate naturalization programs) shall be submitted. The current status of a residence permit of Portugal shall be confirmed by residence in the territory of this country for at least 1 week per year.

How and in what situations shall a residence permit of Portugal be issued? It should be understood that options for immigration programs for each applicant may differ significantly, taking into account his financial capabilities, professional qualifications, family ties, and so on.

At the same time, any naturalization process in the country includes several basic steps for any applicant. Among them:

1. Selection of an appropriate immigration program;
2. Checking the applicant by special services and control authorities;
3. Preparation of necessary documentation;
4. Delivery of a package of prepared documentation to the Portuguese consulate at the place of residence of the applicant;
5. Obtaining entry permits and visas;
6. Submission of documents for a residence permit and subsequent obtaining permanent residence;
7. Issuance of a passport after a sufficient period of residence;
8. Moving to Portugal for permanent residence (observance of the minimum periods of stay in the country)

Advantages of residence permit in Portugal

For what purpose might a potential applicant be interested in obtaining a residence permit in Portugal? Of course, everyone pursues his or her own goals and objectives, but the general advantages of having such a status are quite understandable and easily explained.

Having obtained such a status, you are granted almost the same rights as the native Portuguese. The only exception is the prohibition to participate in elections and conduct any political activity. To do this, you need to reside permanently in the country and obtain citizenship.

Why should you apply for a residence permit in Portugal? The main advantages are:

• Security Guarantees

The country is considered to be one of the most peaceful in terms of crime level. Your personal safety and safety of each member of your family is guaranteed at the highest level here.

• High level of medical care

Everything related to health protection is implemented at the highest level. The country has an advanced infrastructure, very qualified doctors work here, the hospitals and clinics are equipped with the latest technology.

• Ideal climate

The maximum number of sunny days per year without precipitation, ideal climate and ecology, the warm sea, Mediterranean cuisine – all this attracts migrants to the country from all over the world.

You can obtain a residence permit for the whole family In Portugal, this is important if you are going to move to Europe together. At the same time, obtaining permanent residence in Portugal and obtaining citizenship takes about five years, which is one of the shortest waiting periods.

You get the opportunity to open accounts in state and private banks of the country and use loans on favorable terms. Residence permit holders can register companies in their own name, open subsidiaries of foreign companies, and buy shares in Portuguese companies. Among many advantages of doing business in this country, many note the loyalty of controlling authorities and low tax rates.

Portugal D7 Visa for financially independent people

The conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Portugal may be different, therefore, migration programs should be selected consciously, taking into account the characteristics of each applicant. For example, a D7 visa for applicants who are financially independent is appropriate for IT people, merchant seamen, businessmen who have stable external income.

This type of residence permit with no right to work in Portugal does not allow one to be officially employed in the country. The applicant must confirm that he or she has sufficient permanent income to allow him or her to reside in the territory of Portugal for more than 3 months per year.

What are the main advantages of a Portuguese residence permit with no right to work or obtain a D7 visa? These include:

1. There is no need to invest in the acquisition of real estate objects or invest large amounts;
2. You can move to a permanent place of residence and obtain a passport within 5 years;
3. Each member of your family obtains the status;
4. There is no need to confirm knowledge of the language.

The terms and conditions of the “Portugal residence permit with no right to work” service from our company are as follows:

1. Existence of the minimum required income (calculated every year anew);
2. Opening accounts and deposits in financial institutions of the country;
3. Acquisition of one or more real estate objects (or their lease);
4. No outstanding convictions in the EU and the country of origin of the applicant.

Portugal Golden Visa through investment

If you are looking for a quick way to obtain citizenship, the Portugal Golden Visa program or Portugal Golden Investment Visa may be your best option. This immigration program was developed by the state specifically for foreign residents from the countries that are not part of the European Union.

We provide services for obtaining a residence permit of Portugal through investment visa programs for anyone who wishes to do so. For this, the applicant must have a certain amount of funding, which will be used to invest either in the purchase of a real estate object, or in the acquisition of shares in local companies, or in the establishing of their own business with creation of job opportunities for the native Portuguese.

This program provides for obtaining a residence permit for a period of 24 months, which can be extended in the future. The main options for participation in this program are:

• Acquisition of real estate (one or more objects) in the amount of €350,000 and more.

• Opening deposits, purchasing government bonds and other economic investments in the economy in the amount over €250,000.

• Registration and establishing of your own company, which will create job opportunities for native citizens (the amount and terms are not specified, the main thing is to pay taxes and comply with the requirements of local legislation).

Business immigration to Portugal. Opening a start-up in Portugal

Business immigration to Portugal is also a good naturalization option, as the country is one of the best European residences with minimal taxation. Doing business in Portugal is really profitable: at the same time, you may definitely get permanent residence and citizenship.

Why do many foreign residents choose Portugal for doing business? There are many reasons for this, but the main ones are traditionally the following:

• Minimum office expenses for office premises (on average it is 40-50% cheaper to maintain an office in Lisbon than in London, Berlin, Paris or Rome).

• Minimum taxation load.

• The value added tax rate of 23% can be reduced to 5% for businesses, if it concerns preferential areas.

Any foreigner can carry out business activities in Portugal under certain conditions, including:

1. Existence of the necessary minimum capital to carry out entrepreneurial activities. These finances shall be deposited in a financial institution at the place of origin of the entrepreneur. As soon as the visa is obtained, the funds shall be transferred to the selected Portuguese bank. There is no need to invest in the purchase of real estate objects or invest large amounts;
2. The business activity must have a positive impact on the Portuguese economy;
3. The entrepreneur provides a clear and detailed business plan describing each stage of the project and its expected results.

The main condition is that a new project must become profitable as soon as possible from the moment of its launch (this period varies from 12 to 36 months). Entrepreneurs must pay their taxes in due time.

What is a Start-up visa?

Your residence in Portugal can become a reality if you are going to take an advantage of the residence permit program through Start-up visas. The Portuguese Ministry of Economy has offered this program for non-residents from the countries that are not members of the European Union. The main requirement for the applicant is the creation and launch of a start-up project.

What are the requirements to a new project? A start-up is evaluated according to such parameters as:

1. Benefit and innovation;
2. The applicant has the relevant experience and skills to effectively manage the project and hired personnel;
3. Sufficient personal capital to launch a start-up project;
4. Quick return of the project to profitability;
5. Hiring a team of native citizens.

If you wish to take an advantage of this naturalization program, you can submit your documents at any time. The application form shall be drawn up on a special set form and sent via email.

Immigration to Portugal through employment visa

Naturalization in Portugal through employment visa can take place by means of:

• Transfer of an employee within a corporation

The so-called Intra Corporate Transferees is a transfer of an employee of a company whose office is not located in Portugal and not in the countries of the European Union. Both managers and ordinary employees can be transferred to work in branches located on the territory of Portugal and the European Union.

• Issuance of a Blue Card

Only highly qualified specialists who are counting on a residence permit and are going to be officially employed by one of the Portuguese companies can get a “blue card”.

The main requirements for applicants for a residence permit through a “blue card” are as follows:

1. Existence of an employment contract with one of the companies in Portugal;
2. Confirmation of the level of qualification (diplomas, academic degrees, certificates, extracts from previous places of employment);
3. The salary level should exceed the average for a local specialist in this profession;
4. Absence of outstanding convictions and problems with the law both in the home country of the applicant and in Portugal;
5. Registered local medical insurance.

Residence permit of Portugal through family reunification

This option will be relevant for family members of the native Portuguese, as well as foreign residents who have obtained a residence permit and permanent residence in this country. This category includes:

1. Husband (wife);
2. Little children (under the age of 18);
3. Children under the age of 26 who are dependent on the applicant;
4. Elderly dependent parents.

The applicant’s parents must be over 65 years old and must provide documents confirming the existence of a place of residence in the country.

Registration of tax residency in Portugal

What does the term “tax resident” include? It describes any individual or legal entity that, in accordance with local laws, is required to pay a certain tax. The tax is calculated based on the place of residence, permanent residence or registration point.

Tax residency is not a reason for changing citizenship. The country has a fairly low rate of taxation for persons coming within this law. Applicants who fall within the definition of Non Habitual Resident may be exempt from taxation for up to 10 years. At the same time, their income should be a consequence of foreign activities. Also, the applicant must pay taxes in his or her own country or any other country.

Conditions for obtaining permanent residence and citizenship of Portugal

An applicant who has legally resided in the country for 60 months is eligible to apply for permanent residence. This status is valid for 5 years and can be renewed several times if necessary. Obtaining citizenship after a five-year permanent residence status has a number of advantages.

You obtain equal rights with the natives of the country and can visit any country of the EU without restrictions. In addition, you officially reside, work or obtain education, as well as conduct business legally in any country of Europe of your choice.

The legislation of the country stipulates several options for obtaining citizenship of the country, including:

1. Birth within the territory of the country;
2. Origin (presence of Portuguese roots);
3. Existence of a permanent residence status.

Any foreign citizen who lives in the territory of the country for more than 60 months has the opportunity to be naturalized.

Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal through the lease or purchase of a real estate object

Applicants have the opportunity to obtain a residence permit by means of:

• Lease of a real estate object in the country

Our company offers services for the selection of real estate objects appropriate for your requirements (residential, administrative, industrial buildings). We prepare all the necessary documentation, consult and extend the rental periods if necessary.

• Acquisition of one or more real estate objects in the country

We will help you choose an object, prepare all the documents, check the seller for the legality of owning this real estate object.

• Acquisition of an operating company

You can purchase an operating business, which is checked by our specialists at all levels. We will help you choose a company in accordance with your requests, conduct an audit, and provide a full report on the business situation.

Changes in the residence permit program in Portugal starting from 2022

Please note that on 01/01/2022 some types of investments will be revised upwards in the minimum contribution. Also, applicants applying for an investment visa can no longer count on obtaining a residence permit in certain cities and resorts of Portugal.

If you want to use the old conditions for obtaining a residence permit, you must apply for participation in the Golden Visa program well in advance of the above deadline.