Your path to European Citizenship
Updated in May 2024
Investors in the Golden Visa Program are eligible for Portuguese residency.
The residency offers you the right to live, work and study in Portugal. After five years, you can become a European citizen.
Hillforte Consultants has a solid track record with a 100% success rate with Portuguese Golden Visa investments.
Our in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese market and the Golden Visa application procedure allows investors to optimize their returns while ensuring a quick, simple and smooth process.
Why is Portugal's Golden Visa program so popular?
Permanent Portuguese Residence and Citizenship in 5 years
After five years of investment, you can get Portuguese citizenship and become an EU citizen with full rights to travel, live and work within the European Union. It is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to obtain European citizenship and residency for your long-term plans.
Developing economy
Since 2014, Portugal’s economy has been steady and growing; the government has taken numerous steps to boost the economy and introduce high-quality education. According to the European Commission’s projections, Portugal will have Europe’s highest economic growth rate in the coming years.
Safety & Security
Portugal ranks highly as one of the safest nations in Europe, since the country’s political atmosphere has been stable compared to other European countries for years and crime rates are among the lowest in Europe.
Short Minimal Stay Period & Visa Free travel
The golden visa is unique in that the investor only needs to remain in Portugal for seven days a year to maintain residency while still enjoying all the benefits of being an EU resident, including visa-free travel throughout the 27 countries of the Schengen area.
Family Reunification
Your residency rights extend to your family and dependents through ‘Family Reunification’. Therefore, you will not need to repeat the process.
Tax advantages
Investors who stay in Portugal for fewer than 183 days per year are not considered tax residents.
What is a Golden Visa Fund?
The Golden Visa Fund Investment Option Portugal’s Article 90A Residence for Investment outlines the investment funds pathway to Portugal's Golden Visa as follows:
The Golden Visa Fund involves transferring €500,000 or more to acquire units of investment or venture capital funds dedicated to capitalizing Portuguese companies. This investment must mature for at least five years, with at least 60% of it directed towards companies headquartered in Portugal.
Four essential conditions must be met by an Investment Fund to qualify for the Golden Visa:
Approval and regulation by CMVM (Portuguese Securities Market Commission).
Oversight by the Central Bank to ensure fund activities and management comply with regulations.
At least 60% of the fund’s capital must be invested in Portuguese companies.
Investors must purchase fund units for a minimum of €500,000 and maintain the investment throughout the Golden Visa process until permanent residency or citizenship is acquired, which typically takes at least five years but can extend to six or seven years.
How Does a Golden Visa Fund Investment Work?
Investing in Portugal's Golden Visa Funds involves pooling capital with other investors, ensuring the fund operates as a dedicated investment entity rather than a speculative venture.
The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) regulates the financial instruments market and promotes investor protection, extending to Golden Visa Funds, and enhancing investor safeguards.
Approximately two hundred funds operate in Portugal, but only around fifty meet the criteria set by the CMVM for eligibility in the Golden Visa fund option.
What are the advantages of investing in Golden Visa Funds?
Lower investment:
Compared to alternative channels, such as capital transfer, which demands an investment of €1.5 million, the fund option requires the amount of €500,000.
Simplified process:
Investing in a fund is a faster and more straightforward process than buying property.
Lower fees and taxes:
Unlike real estate, investment funds do not have significant fees and taxes.
Management delegation:
The Golden Visa investment fund is managed by a fund manager, subject to the CMVM regulation, to achieve your investment purposes with the GV funds.
Carefully regulated:
The funds are regulated by the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), the Bank of Portugal, and the tax authorities to ensure their legal compliance.
Tax efficiency:
Depending on your tax system and of the fund itself, you can lower or even eliminate taxes on dividends and capital gains.
Join Thousands of Golden Visa Investors with HillForte
Our team and our legal partners provide a free consultation call in order to better understand your circumstances and to offer individualized Golden Visa guidance.
How to Get Started with GV Funds Investing:
Three Pillars to analyse
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There is a range of investment sectors the VC funds can focus to invest. Since Real Estate early developments to Healthcare, tourism, technology and startups. The effectiveness of the funds will depend on how well the fund advisors and managers understand that particular industry and how capable they are of performing.
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Investors can create a diversified portfolio that benefits from current market conditions. It is crucial to diversify your investment with Golden Visa a strategy that allows you to mix different industries, risk levels, and various geographical locations. When diversifying investments, investors try to invest in sectors that have no correlation to each other.
Note: Investing in multiple Golden Visa Funds requires more paperwork and may delay your application. Most Golden Visa applicants invest in 1-2 funds.
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Low Risk
For more conservative investors who want to preserve capital rather than aiming for higher profits. Those offer lower returns but usually invest in established sectors and companies.
Medium Risk
For investors who are ready to take some risk and get slightly higher returns. Those funds aim at a balance between risk and returns, focusing on growing developments or businesses.
High Risk
For more experienced investors who are willing to risk their capital for higher returns. Due to the risky nature of these funds, they offer the highest profit potential and usually focus on startups and technology companies.
Investment Process & Application
Golden Visa Funds in Portugal
1.Planning
To apply for a Golden Visa, a lawyer, and a financial representative will help you to ensure a simple and smooth application. It is possible to do this remotely.
2. VAT/Bank account
A tax representative will get you a NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) which is a tax identification number. Opening a bank account and applying for the proc. This can be done remotely.
3.Investment & Golden Visa Application
You may proceed with the investment after performing the necessary research and selecting the most appropriate Funds to invest in.
With your investment documentation in hand, your lawyer will proceed with your Golden Visa application. This process is done remotely.
4.Biometrics and Interview
After submitting the mandatory documentation, SEF requires an in-person interview in Portugal to submit biometrics (photos and fingerprints) and check the information provided.
The interview is scheduled between two and six months after applying.
5.Get the Golden Visa
The authorities review the information and issue the Golden Visa four to six months after the appointment at SEF. You must pay the Golden Visa application fees and notify your lawyer. You can pay online and receive your Golden Visa for your next visit.
