According to Fortune Magazine, Portugal's Golden Visa stands out as one of the top 3 best countries to get a Golden Visa in Europe, alongside Greece and Spain. Naturally, many people are wondering why it is becoming increasingly attractive to take up citizenship by investment in the most western part of Europe.

What type of Investment options are available with Portugal’s Golden Visa?

Put simply, you can apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal by investing in two main areas: property and capital investments. In order to obtain a golden visa by purchasing real estate, there are a few options:

- Purchase of real estate property with a value equal to or above 500 thousand euros;

- Purchase of real estate property built more than 30 years ago or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand euros. The amount of this investment can be reduced by 20% when made in a low-density territory.


If you choose to apply for a Golden Visa via capital investments, you’ll have to invest a minimum of 500 thousand euros in the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital funds.

What are the new rules for applying for a Golden Visa in 2022?

One of the major changes that have taken place since the start of the year is related to the rules which apply to those choosing to invest in real estate. The minimum amount of 500 thousand euros remains unchanged, but Golden Visa applicants may no longer purchase property for residential purposes in high-density areas such as Lisbon, Porto and most of the coastline.

Purchase of retail, offices, serviced apartments and other commercial property in high-density areas are still eligible for the Golden Visa.

Alongside this, the minimum amount to invest in funds rose from 350 thousand euros to 500 thousand euros, and the minimum capital transfer value rose from 1 million euros to 1.5 million euros. If you choose to invest in R&D, the stakes are also higher, up to a minimum of 500 thousand euros, from the previous 350 thousand euros threshold.

Ensuring you get a Golden Visa: moviinn relocation services expertise

There are many details to unravel as you go through the process of choosing which type of investment may fit you best, and ensuring that you get a golden visa is exactly what sets moviinn apart: “I’ve also been an expat for the past 20 years, so I fully understand how important it is to have a plan B, especially in today’s world. Ensuring our clients and their families get access to the Golden Visa in such a safe and welcoming country, and being there every step of the way - from the first steps of an application to the part where they’re getting to know this beautiful country - is what motivates us every day to do our very best” refers James Muscat, CEO and Founder of moviinn.

The Portugal Golden Visa program allows you to invest in; acquiring real estate, fund subscriptions, capital transfers, companies, and donations. For instance, investors can apply for a golden visa if they start a company in Portugal and create a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs in a business they own (or 8 in a low-density region) or they can invest a minimum of 500 thousand euros in an existing Portuguese company.

Another option is a donation to preserve national heritage in Portugal - for which one should invest a minimum of 250 thousand euros.

For countries such as the US, in which Roe Vs. Wade has brought up considerable social turmoil and uncertainty about the future, investing in a plan B is obviously attractive, and we may witness even an increase in American applicants in the coming months.

Golden Visa’s benefits for investors

As mentioned, one of the advantages of investing in Portugal’s Golden Visa is its low investment threshold when compared to other European countries, as you can qualify for this visa with as little as 280 thousand euros, if you choose a property in a low-density area.

As if that wasn’t enough, it is also one of the only countries which do not require you to move to Portugal in order to obtain - and keep - your residence permit. When you invest in a Portuguese Golden Visa, you merely need to spend on average 7 days per year over the 5 year period, on this sunny side of Europe so that you can maintain your residency status. That’s what citizenship by investment is all about - and that’s part of the reason why Portugal is becoming such an appealing Plan B for investors and their families.

Plus, the Golden Visa has the added advantage of being extended to the applicant’s family members with a sole investment, through the so-called Family Reunification scheme, which can be applied for, simultaneously, avoiding the need for the main applicant to wait for the final Golden Visa approval.

For those looking to acquire a European passport and visa-free access to 188 countries, this is also a fast-track solution, as those investing in a Golden Visa are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship within five years.

Golden Visa timeline: how long does the golden visa take to be granted?

With moviinn, you can safely apply for a Golden Visa. We will be there every step of the way to ensure everything runs smoothly. You can expect the whole process to last around 6 to 8 months, with the following steps to take into account:

1. Choose your investment: in this phase, you’ll be choosing the investment solution that fits you best, with our full support, advice and expertise, alongside with applying for the Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) and opening a Portuguese bank account. This stage usually takes around 30-60 days;

2. Online submission: submission of all the required documents followed by SEF’s (Portuguese Immigration Office) analysis and validation, that may take between 90 and 120 days;

3. Appointment at SEF for the re-submission of original documentation and collection of biometric data: this is the final approval stage, and it can take anywhere from 60-90 days to have the appointment scheduled;

4. Issuance of the residency card: around 20 working days.

With its endless shores and beaches, rich culture, safety, and welcoming people, moving to Portugal is becoming increasingly appealing - and the Golden Visa is a very straightforward way in.

Learn more about how to get Citizenship By Investment, a.k.a. Golden Visa, in Portugal with our team at moviinn. Get in touch with us directly at +351 912 322 858 or email us at contact@moviinn.com.