Formal requirements
There is a “Golden Visa” program in force in Portugal, formally designated as residence permit for investment activities.
This program is applicable to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
It allows the eligible investors to travel within the Shengen Area without a specific visa and to obtain Portuguese citizenship after a period of five years in the program.
Presently, the following investment activities are eligible to obtain the permit:
Fund subscription: acquire shares/participation units in Portuguese investment funds (except immovable property) worth at least € 500,000;
Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of Portuguese national cultural heritage on an amount of at least € 250,000;
Contribution for the scientific or technological research on the of at least € 500,000;
Creation and maintenance of at least ten jobs during the five years program period;
Investment of at least € 500,000 on the incorporation or on the increase of the share capital of a Portuguese commercial company, along with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (five of which permanent).
There may be a reduction of 20% on some of the activities identified above, if the investment is carried out in low-density Portuguese regions.
There is a minimum stay requirement in Portugal of seven days per year, guaranteeing a total of 14 days during each period of two years of validity of the residence permit.
The general documents required for the application are:
Portuguese Golden Visa application form;
True copy of a valid passport and travel documents;
Declaration for the bank institution confirming the transfer of funds to Portugal for the eligible investments;
Proof of health insurance;
Clean criminal certificate issued by the country of origin;
Declaration of compromise stating the maintenance of the investment for five years;
Declaration of non-debts near the Portuguese Tax Administration and Social Security;
Proof of payment of the application processing fee.
Other investment opportunities
New non-habitual resident tax regime (NHR 2.0) - Portuguese personal income tax
Special tax regime offering advantages to foreigners or Portuguese nationals who have not been tax residents in Portugal for the five years prior to applying.
Key Benefits
Fixed Rate: 20% for 10 years on personal income from employment and self-employment.
Tax Exemption: On passive income, such as dividends, interest, royalties, capital gains, and rental income from properties outside Portugal. It also exempts income from employment in other countries. Income deriving from pensions is excluded from the exemption.
To qualify
Must be a tax resident in Portugal.
Must not have been a resident in Portugal in the five years prior to the start of the new tax residency.
The regime cannot be combined with the old NHR or the “Return Regime.”
Individuals who have previously benefited from the NHR are not eligible.
Be highly qualified professionals, working in higher education teaching careers or scientific research, or involved in the field of entrepreneurship, subject to an additional certification process regarding the Portuguese employer.
Document link for further information.
https://www.sef.pt/pt/Pages/conteudo-detalhe.aspx?nID=62 (institutional web page – SEF - only available in Portuguese)