Are you looking for European Citizenship by Investment? Portugal has a great path to offer with the Portugal Golden Visa Program. Buying a property in Portugal could turn you into a European citizen and obtain a second passport to enjoy exciting vacations around Europe with your family.
Over 9,200 applicants already profited from one of the best investment immigration programs in the world and are on a straight-forward path to obtain their second passport in Europe. In fact, some of the first applicants already are Portuguese citizens.
However, you don’t have to wait until citizenship to enjoy the benefits of living in the European Union. You can become a Golden Visa holder in less than a year, and live with your family, do business, work, travel, or study in Portugal. Are you ready to make the investment of your life and be part of this selected group? Read more to find out.
Do you want to know more about the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
Also read: Portugal Golden Visa may see some changes next year in Lisbon and Porto
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Why Portugal Golden Visa Program is the best path to obtain European citizenship by investment?
The Portugal Golden Visa Program is a fast, direct, and safe choice that concedes lots of benefits with very few requirements for its applicants. There are no requirements for language, management experience, or education credentials to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa. If approved, the applicants receive residence permits in less than a year.
Portugal does not charge tax on worldwide income. Also, Golden Visa holders can live, work, do business, study in Portugal, and travel freely within the Schengen zone. Investors can easily apply for citizenship and take advantage of EU benefits for them and their families. The Golden Visa application can include the following family members of the investor: spouse, financially dependent children, and financially dependent parents.
To qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa process, investors must only be 18 years or older, have a valid passport, reside legally in a country, and keep the investment for at least five years or until the investor can get the Permanent Residence card or passport. The investor must also stay at least seven days per year on average in Portugal (not less than 14 days in each subsequent 2-year period) and comply with the Health Insurance Policy.
After the fifth year, the investor and their dependents can apply for Portugal/EU citizenship or Permanent Residency. Also, depending on the project, the investment can be refundable after five years or until the investor obtains permanent residency or citizenship.
Do you want to know more about the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
What is the Portugal Golden Visa program, and what investment options qualify for it?
Officially called the “ARI” (“Autorização de Residencia para Actividades de Investimento”), the Portugal Golden Visa program enables investors to gain Portuguese residency while also enjoying all the benefits that come from being a part of the European Union. The beneficiaries of ARI / Portugal Golden Visa are entitled to apply for citizenship after five years if complying with requirements.
In force since 8 October 2012, the Portugal Golden Visa Program was created as a way for the EU based country to attract more investments in their businesses and real estate while encouraging diversity through incentives.
According to the Act, residence permits to third-country nationals are granted to those who intend to perform, by themselves or through a company, certain investment activities in the Portuguese territory. In short, those activities involve the transference of capital, creating at least ten jobs, or buying a property.
Do you want to know more about the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
What is the best type of investment for the Portugal Golden Visa program?
As mentioned above, candidates have a range of options to apply under the Portugal Golden Visa program and obtain their European citizenship by investment. However, one of the most secure and popular pathways to get the Golden Visa is to purchase a real estate property.
In the current law, buying a property with a value equal to or greater than 500,000 euros is required to be eligible for the program. Alternatively, the investor could invest in a building over 30 years old, located in an urban rehabilitation area, and get it rehabilitated for a total of 350,000 euros. And if the property is in a rural area, the required amount goes down to 280,000 euros for the rehabilitation.
Generally, rehabilitation projects in rural areas do not have a high return on investment, but they represent a safe pathway to obtain citizenship by investment under the Golden Visa program. The rehabilitation projects in central areas, like Porto and Lisbon, can bring a higher return. However, it is possible that in 2021 they will not qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa program anymore, or their minimum investment amount will increase. So, it’s highly advised for investors looking for these central areas to move fast and lock in a good investment opportunity before the legislation changes.
What are the real estate investment options currently available for this program?
Mercan Group has also been working closely with the Portugal Golden Visa Program for the past years. Besides assisting investors in obtaining resident permits and immigrate with their families to Portugal, Mercan has developed several projects. All those projects are perfect for investors looking for a reliable pathway to obtain the Golden Visa while making a safe investment.
Mercan was the first developer to offer a project qualifying for the €350,000 level in Portugal and currently holds about 50% of this market segment. Mercan has the complete skill set to guide investors throughout the entire process: from tax number to submitting the application and accompanying the investor to the SEF appointment.
Do you want to know more about the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
Also read: Portugal Golden Visa Program keeps impressive investment numbers despite the Coronavirus pandemic
Also read: Portugal is elected the 3rd safest country in the world in 2020
Presently, Mercan has two exceptional projects approved for the Golden Visa Program!
The first project is the Lapa Marriott Renaissance hotel and convention center, located in the heart of Porto. This project requires an investment of 350,000 euros while providing an annual return of 3%. This investment’s unique feature is that it provides a guaranteed Buy-Back of your investment after five years. (*Please note that the Portuguese government is considering raising the price on this category of Golden Visa sometime next year, so it’s recommended proceeding rather quickly so you can submit your file before any changes occur).
The second project is in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located one hour east of Lisbon. This project will be flagged by an internationally known hotel chain, requiring an investment of 280,000 Euros. This project will also have a guaranteed Buy-Back of your investment after five years.
Are you interested in obtaining your European Citizenship by investment? Do you want to know more about Lapa Hotel and Évora Hotel projects developed by Mercan Group? Contact Mercan here for more information.
