What is necessary:

The rules governing the granting of residence permit for investment (ARI / GOLDEN VISA), effective from 8 October 2012, which allow third-country nationals to obtain a temporary residence permit to carry out business exempt visa to enter National Territory.

Beneficiaries of ARI / GOLDEN VISA are entitled to:

- Resignation of residence visa to enter Portugal;
- Live and work in Portugal, provided they stay in Portugal for a period of 7 or more days in the first year and 14 or more days in subsequent years;
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen area;
- Family reunification;
- Application for permanent residence (under the Foreigners Act - Law No. 2372007 of July, as amended)
- Apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization, provided that all other requirements established by the Nationality Law are met (Law No. 37/81 of 03 October as amended)

Eligibility - Who Can Apply?

All third country nationals who undertake an investment activity as an individual entrepreneur through a company set up in Portugal or in another EU Member State and who are moreover established in Portugal in a stable manner, provided that they comply with the quantitative requirements and the time of Requirements established in the relevant legislation, may apply for a Residence Permit for investment in the following ways:

- Capital transfer with a value equal to or greater than 1 million Euros;
- Creation of at least 10 jobs;
- The purchase of real estate with a value equal to or greater than 500 thousand Euros;
- The purchase of real estate with construction that is remote for over 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for remodeling, for a total value or equal to 350 thousand Euros;
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or greater than 350 thousand Euros to invest in research activities carried out by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the National scientific or technological system;
- Transfer of capital with a value equal to or greater than 500 thousand Euros, for the acquisition of shares in investment funds or venture capital aimed at capitalizing small and medium enterprises, which in turn must present a viable capitalization plan.

What is required to apply?
Documents and conditions for applying / renewing your ARI according to investment type:
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or greater than 1 million Euros;
- Creation of at least 10 positions / jobs;
- Purchase of real estate equal to or greater than 500 thousand Euros;
- Purchase of buildings with construction dating back more than 30 years, or located in urban recovery areas. For remodeling, for a total value, equal to or greater than 350 thousand Euros;
- Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros to invest in research activities carried out by public or private scientific research institutes at National level;
- Capital transfer worth 250,000 Euros or more for investing in artistic production or supporting arts for reconstruction or remodeling of national heritage through local and central authorities, public institutions, corporate public sector, networked local authorities, organizations local associations, maintenance of artistic heritage and reconstruction or renovation.

How much ?
Fees: http://www.imigrante.pt/PagesPT/BancoInformacao/Docs/Tabela Fees.pdf

Applicable Law, The Aliens Law - Law No. 23/2007, of 4 July (as amended later) Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007 of 5 November (as subsequently amended) Decree No. 305-A / 2012 of 4 October.

For more information see:
The website of

Portuguese Immigration and Border Service [Aliens and Borders Service] www.sef.pt
The website of
Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] www.secomunidades.pt
The website of
Development Agency [Portuguese Investment and Foreign Trade Agency - AICEP] - http://www.portugalglobal.pt/EN/Paginas/home.aspx

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