CYPRUS
PORTUGAL
PORTUGAL
"Portugal has a peaceful feel about it. I sit on the terrace overlooking the vineyard there and I feel cut off from the world. You need that sort of thing." Cliff Richard
GDP
TIME DIFFERENCE
UTC 0:00
​
TOTAL AREA
92,212 sq. km
​
AGE DEMOGRAPHICS
0-14 years: 15.5%
15-24 years: 11.4%
25-54 years: 41.88%
55-64 years: 12.07%
65 years and over: 19.15%
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Portuguese 75%, English 25%
​
RELIGIONS WORSHIPPED
Roman Catholic 81%, No-Religion 19%,
​
GOVERNMENT TYPE
Representative Democracy
​
CURRENCY
EURO
EXCHANGE RATE
1 USD = 1.06 EURO
POPULATION: 10,460,000
Population Growth: -0.50%
​
GDP (per capita)
21,386
GDP (purchasing power parity)
223.7 billion USD (2013)
​
VISA FREE COUNTRIES: 172
​
LOCATION
South Western Europe
​
CAPITAL
Lisbon
Portugal
​
The Portuguese government launched the Residence Permit Program in 2012 to enable foreigners to obtain residence in Portugal by investment. A number of different routes are provided to applicants who fulfil the quantitative requirements and the time requirements set out in the relevant legislation. With 35-day stay over 5 years of holding residence permit, permanent residence can be obtained.
Why Portugal?
​
“Portugal has a peaceful feel about it. I sit on the terrace overlooking the vineyard there and I feel cut off from the world. You need that sort of thing.” – Cliff Richard
One of Europe’s oldest countries, Portugal boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage. Luminosity, radiance and culture beam through the whitewashed villages and lush vineyards of this country positioned on the blissfully elegant shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Benefits
​
-
Visa-free travel to Schengen area
-
Citizenship of Portugal in 5 years
-
Only 7 days of residence requirement per year
-
Tax relief for the first 10 years
Eligibility
​
-
Over 18 years old
-
No criminal record
-
Possess health insurance
Minimum Investment Requirements
Capital Investments
​
To qualify for the residence permit program, a capital investment can be made to the following:
​
-
A minimum of €1 million in a Portuguese bank account or other approved investment options
-
A minimum of €350,000 in research activities conducted by scientific research institutions that are part of the national scientific or technological system
-
A minimum of €250,000 in support of artistic production activities or reconstruction or maintenance of national cultural heritage
-
A minimum of €350,000 for the acquisition of investment or venture capital funds aimed at providing capital to Portuguese companies that meet certain requirements
-
A minimum of €350,000 for the incorporation or increase of the share capital of a Portugal-registered business, together with the creation of 5 permanent jobs for a period of 3 years
Real Estate Investments
​
Real estate investment is the most popular option chosen by investors. This includes:
​
-
Acquisition of real estate with a minimum value of €500,000 for a period of 5 years*; or
-
Acquisition of real estate with construction completed at least 30 years ago or located in urban regeneration areas at a minimum value of €350,000*
​
Business
​
Job creation is also another option to get a residency permit under the program. A minimum of 10 new jobs shall be created to qualify for the residency permit.
*The threshold will be reduced by 20% should the funds be committed to a low population density area. (i.e. less than 100 inhabitants per km² or with a GDP per capita below 75% of the national average)
​
The residence permit issued is valid for 1 year and renewable for two subsequent periods of 2 years. Upon reaching 5 years, an applicant can apply for permanent residency and citizenship.
Residence visa program for entrepreneurs
Start-up Visa Program
​
Start-up Visa is a residence visa for entrepreneurs, which aims to attract to Portugal investment, talent and innovation capacity.
​
Young entrepreneurs from all over the world who want to open an innovative company will have quick access to a residence visa that gives them the possibility to create or move their startup enterprise to Portugal, subject to the following requirements:
​
-
The business activities to be developed should produce innovative goods and services
-
The companies or projects established should focus on technology and knowledge, with a perspective of developing innovative products
-
The business should have the potential to create qualified employment
-
The business should have the potential to generate a turnover of €325,000 per year and/or assets value over €325,000 per year, after 5 years of incubation period
The visa granted will be valid for 4 months and can be extended for a period of 90 days. A right to apply for residence permit is granted afterwards.