Golden Residence Permit Programme
New legal provisions provide the possibility for those who pursue investment activities in Portugal to apply for a Residence Permit, for example, those who transfer capital, create jobs or acquire real estate.
The holders of a Golden Residence Permit for the purposes of investment activity have the right to family regrouping, and may gain access to a permanent residence permit, as well as to Portuguese citizenship in accordance with the current legal provisions.
Portus Bay provides full Assistance Services with clients´Application for Golden Visa. We represent our client at Serviços de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras, collect and submit all necessary client documentation for Visa Application and for Tax Advantages application and monitor client´s application status, pick-up issued card.
Other requirements under General Law:
• Applicants must not have been convicted of a crime punishable with deprivation of liberty exceeding one year
• Applicants must not be subject of an entry ban in national territory following a removal order from the country
• Applicants must not be subject of alerts in the Schengen Information System
• Applicants must not be subject of alerts in SEF’s Information Integrated System issued for purposes of non-admission
Family Reunification
The holders of Golden Residence Permit for Investment Activity may apply for family reunification under the provisions of the General Law.
Note: Information on this page is displayed from SEF official website www.sef.pt
Who may Apply?
Investors who apply for a golden residence permit may benefit from the special tax framework for non-habitual residents.
In order to acquire the non-habitual tax resident status the applicants must have not been taxed as a resident in Portugal in the previous 5 years.
During 10 years those who acquire the non-habitual resident status can benefit from the following tax advantages:
I.Income acquired in Portugal
• 20% flat tax rate, instead of progressive tax rates that can reach 48%, on income from employment and self-employment earned within the listed high added value activities or as senior company employees with binding powers regardless of the activities of such companies.
II.Foreign sourced income exemption provided that the following requirements applicable to each type of income are met:
• Employment income is taxed in the source country under the terms of the Double Tax Convention signed with Portugal or in its absence such income is not considered to be acquired in Portugal;
• Self-employment income earned within the listed high added value activities as well as capital income, real estate income and increase in wealth, are entitled to be taxed in the source country under the terms of the Double Tax Convention signed with Portugal or, in its absence, under the OECD Model Tax Convention as long as the source country is not included in the Portuguese tax havens list and such income is not considered to be acquired in Portugal;
• Retirement pension income is taxed in the source country under the terms of the Double Tax Convention signed with Portugal or such income is not considered to be acquired in Portugal.
Who may apply?
Third State citizens involved in an investment activity, either individually or through a company conducting, at least, one of the following operations in national territory for a minimum period of five years:
I) Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros;
II) Creation of, at least, 10 job positions;
III) Acquisition of real estate with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros.
It covers shareholders of companies already set up in Portugal, or in another EU State, with a stable residence in Portugal and with tax obligations fulfilled.
Where do I apply?
Online at:
I. www.sef.pt
Provided all legal requirements are fulfilled, SEF will notify the applicant to grant a Golden Residence Permit.
Or
II. At the Portuguese Diplomatic or Consular Posts.
Or
III. At Regional Directorate and Regional Delegation of the Immigration and Borders Service [SEF] in Portugal.
Documents
• Passport or another valid travelling document;
• Proof of legal entry and permanence in national territory;
• Proof of health insurance;
• Signed application enabling consultation of the Portuguese Criminal Record by SEF;
• Criminal Record Certificate from the relevant authority of the applicant’s home country or from any other country where he / she resided for over a year; • As means of evidence of compliance with tax obligations, the applicant shall deliver a declaration proving the absence of debts issued by the Inland Revenue and Customs Authority and by the Social Security.
Requirements on the Investment Activity
• Performing an investment activity for a minimum period of five years attested by a bona fide declaration signed by the applicant.
Creation of, at least, 10 job positions
Provide evidence of having created 10 job positions
and registered the employees in the Social Security.
• An up-to-date certificate issued by the Social Security.
Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros
Provide evidence of having invested the minimum amount required, including stocks or shares of companies.
• Declaration of a financial institution authorized to exercise its activity in Portugal certifying: the effective transfer of capital in the amount of not less than € 1 million, to an account demonstrating the investor is the sole or first holder of capital; or, the acquisition of stocks or shares of companies, and
• An up-to-date certificate issued by the Commercial Register, certifying that the applicant holds a share in the capital of a company.
Acquisition of real estate with a value equal to or above 500 thousand Euros
Provide evidence of having the ownership of real estate property.
• Public deed or promissory share-purchase agreement of the property , with a declaration of an authorized financial institution to exercise its activity in Portugal stating the effective transfer of capital to its acquisition or to execute as a down payment of the promise to purchase in equal or superior value of 500 thousand Euros,
• an up-to-date certificate issued by the Real Estate Registry, which must always be, in the case of contract-promise and where legally feasible, the respective register.