Portugal Golden Visa: A golden key can open many doors

If you are looking for a route to EU citizenship without the need to relocate, the Portugal Golden Visa is still the ultimate choice.

In 2012, Portugal introduced its Golden Visa programme in a bid to attract foreign investment with the promise of EU residency in return for economic contribution. Fast forward to October 2023, and the Portuguese government reshaped the popular programme, removing all real estate investment paths in favour of the investment fund route.

Unlike most European residency-by-investment programmes, which require in-country presence for a number of years in order to naturalise as a citizen, the Portugal Golden Visa enables investors to apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of temporary residency, regardless whether they have lived full-time, or part of the year, in Portugal.

Ranked the third strongest passport in the world by Nomad Capitalist on their 2024 passport index, the true value of Portuguese citizenship should not be underestimated. With visa-free travel to more than 180 destinations, attractive tax regimes, dual citizenship permitted, personal and press freedoms widely recognised, and a natural welcoming warmth and friendliness extended to foreigners, there are simply no reasons not to pursue this journey to nationality.

Golden Visa investors are now required to commit €500,000 to a qualifying investment fund. At Sable International we can introduce you to a qualifying Golden Visa investment option that is essentially a balanced fund with a blend of strong Portuguese-listed equities and bonds. This fund has a return objective of 5% per annum. However, it has managed to achieve 10.6% per annum over the past 30 months. Unlike other fund options touted in the market, it offers liquidity, flexibility, diversification and Euro capital growth over time.

This latest chapter of the Golden Visa programme isn’t just a diversification of your investment portfolio into a hard currency; it’s an excellent Plan B to get a second residency and citizenship without uprooting your whole life. What’s more, as a Portuguese citizen, you are afforded an open door to live, work, study and/or retire in all EU member state countries. If future optionality is key for you and your family, this programme could be just the ticket.

For detailed and up-to-date information on the Portugal Golden Visa programme get in touch with our Real-Estate and Investment Migration team on goldenvisa@sableinternational.com or give them a call on +27 (0) 21 657 1584. They can provide guidance tailored to individual circumstances and investment goals.

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