Portugal

About Portugal

Immigrating to Portugal has become a popular immigration option in recent years. Given the choice of different immigration countries, many Hong Kong people choose to immigrate to Portugal. The main reasons are inseparable from Portugal’s geographical advantages and relatively relaxed Portuguese immigration policy.

Advantages of Portugal Golden Residence Permit

1. Comfortable living environment
   Portugal is located at the southwestern end of the European continent, bordering Spain. The local population is about 10.28 million, and the population density is 244 times less than that of Hong Kong. The territory has a beautiful environment and pleasant climate. The southwest faces the Atlantic coast and has many resorts. Moreover, the local rich cultural atmosphere and comfortable living environment make people yearn for life after immigrating to Portugal.
2. Loose Portuguese immigration policy
   Compared with other European cities, the threshold for investment immigration in Portugal is relatively low, and the conditions for subsequent application for permanent resident status are also equally relaxed. In addition, Portugal is a member of the EU and Schengen countries. After successfully immigrating to Portugal and naturalizing, the applicant will also become an EU citizen. This is one of the reasons why people choose to immigrate to Portugal.
3. Low Resident Requirement
   The residency requirements for immigrating to Portugal are relatively simple. Under the new Portuguese immigration policy, the conditions for immigrating to Portugal are also looser. Applicants can enter through any Schengen country and only need to stay in Portugal for 7 days per year to meet the residence requirements.
4. Global Citizen Identity
   With Portugal permanent residency, one can travel EU member countries freely, eg. France, Germany, Italy and Sweden…etc. Holder of Portugal Passport enjoy visa –free around 191 countries worldwide which is the second most convenient after Denmark.
5. Well-developed Education System
   Portugal promotes both public and private education system. It provides 12 years free public education. A diverse culture of American and French style private education is offered in a lower cost compared to England and U.S. Some Private International school would offer A-Level or IB courses in only about 50% fee for similar course in China. Some of them also cooperate with colleague in England, France and Swiss in organizing bachelor degree work.
6. tax benefits
   Portugal has launched the "NHR, Non-Habitual Residents Regime". Even if you have lived in Portugal for 183 days and become a tax resident, you can be exempted from global income tax for 10 consecutive years.
7. High Medical Standard
   Well-developed overall medical system with high standard. Free medication and service provided by public hospital with a shorter queue time. Private hospital charged reasonable fee. According to World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2011, Portugal ranked 12 in the World Best Medical System. The average lifespan of Portuguese reaches 79.1 years old.
8. Favorable Public Order with low crime rate
   Portugal is named as one of the safest countries in the world.
9. Multilingual Country
   The official language is Portuguese, and most local residents are fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Immigrate to Portugal: Golden Residence Permit Program

The Golden Residence Permit Program, or "Golden Visa", is a Portuguese immigration policy launched in August 2012. The plan allows non-EU citizens to apply for Portuguese residence status by investing 350,000 to 500,000 euros in Portugal. This policy provides new immigration avenues for non-EU residents, while bringing new investment and employment opportunities to the local area.

Advantages of the Golden Residence Permit Program

• On average, you only need to stay in Portugal for 7 days per year
• You can bring your spouse, parents and children to immigrate to Portugal
• Minimum investment amount 500,000 euros
• No language, education or work experience requirements
• You can apply for Portuguese permanent residence and naturalization after 5 years
• Free travel to and from Europe’s 29 Schengen member states
• Visa-free access to 191 countries around the world

Golden Residence Permit Investment Options

• 基金投資
  • Invest 500,000 euros in a Portuguese recognized fund company and maintain it for 5 years

Eligibility for Golden Residence Permit Application (Main Applicant)

• Purchase property value not less than €500,000 Or purchase property value not less than €350,000, for properties that were constructed more than 30 years ago or are located in urban areas
• Principal Applicant must be above the age of 18
• No record of criminal issues (No more than one year sentence is acceptable)
• Applicant must be non-European resident

Eligibility for Golden Residence Permit Application (Family Dependents)

• Your spouse
• Your unmarried child below age of 18
• dependent child of Principal Applicant
• dependent parents of Principal Applicant

Golden Residence Permit Residence Requirements

• 1st-2nd Year: 14 days
• 3rd-4th Year: 14 days
• 5th-6th Year: 14 days

To immigrate to Portugal under the Portuguese Investment Immigration "Golden Visa" program, you only need to live an average of 7 days per year within 5 years to meet the residence requirements of the Portuguese immigration conditions. For details, please sign up for ourLecture on Immigration to Portugal, or contact our Portuguese immigration consultants at any time.

Investment immigration process in Portugal

• Contact a Portuguese Immigration Consultant for consultation
• Complete the preliminary assessment and sign a service agreement letter of entrustment with Uni Immigration consultant
• Travel to Portugal to meet with a lawyer, open a bank account and select a recognized fund (can be done remotely)
• After returning to Hong Kong, remit the money to Portugal to complete the fund subscription procedures, which will take 2-3 months.
• Submit the investment documents together with personal documents to the Portuguese Immigration Service and obtain the file number. It will take about 9-12 months.
• Traveling to Portugal for the second time for biometric authentication, such as taking fingerprints, will take 1 day (must be present in person)
• Successfully obtained the Golden Residence Permit for Immigration to Portugal
• The Golden Residence Permit is valid for 2 years and can be renewed as long as the renewal conditions are met.
• After 5 years, if you pass the basic Portuguese test, you can apply for permanent resident status and naturalization

Documents required to apply for immigration to Portugal

For Visa application:

• 2 copies of photos (35mm x 45 mm, white background with color painted)
• Passport
• Working Certificate Company
• Leave Letter
• Bank Bill of previous 6 months
• Household Booklet
• Invitation Letter
• Departure and return air ticket and Hotel Booking Confirmation
• Travel Insurance

For Golden Resident Permit application:

• Passport
• Notarized birth certificate (with Portuguese translation, double certification)
• Notarized marriage certificate (with Portuguese translation, double certification)
• Notarization of no criminal record (with Portuguese translation, double certification)
• Proof of address
• Proof of employment income
• Portugal Investment Documents

How to obtain Portuguese permanent resident status

When an applicant has held Portuguese temporary resident status for five consecutive years, he or she is eligible to apply for permanent resident status. Applicants must pass the following simple examination or meet other permanent residence requirements before they can successfully immigrate to Portugal and obtain permanent resident status:

1. Portugal governmental education authorities’ qualification or certificate.
2. Any qualifications or certificates issued by Portuguese Countries authorized educational constitution (should involve attending Portuguese course).
3. Certificates from IEFP and other recognizing Portuguese Courses.
4. Basic Portuguese language examination certificate issued by recognizable exam center of education department.

Common FAQ

1.	Q:	What are some examples of taxes Portugal collect?
	A:	Business Profit Tax: 21% Personal Profit Tax: 14.5% Value Added Tax: 28% in general
2.	Q:	How can applicant handle the application if documents are only available in Chinese version?
	A:	You only need to obtain Portuguese translations and certified documents at the notary office and Portuguese consulate in your place of residence.
3.	Q:	If the investment price drops to less than 500,000 euros after obtaining Portuguese residency, does the applicant need to increase the investment amount to meet the minimum requirements for immigrating to Portugal?
	A:	No, applicants only need to invest when the price reaches 500,000 euros or more. In addition, if investors purchase products of 500,000 euros or more, they must pay the first minimum amount of 500,000 euros, and then they can use loans or mortgages to purchase the remaining balance.
4.	Q:	How long does it take to apply the Golden Residence Permit?
	A:	After completing the investment procedures, the fastest time to obtain residence status is 8-12 months.
5.	Q:	Would properties renting out be taxed?
	A:	Yes, it accounts for 28% of rental income.
6.	Q:	Does Portugal collect Global Tax?
	A:	Non-tax residents are not required to pay; Tax residents (residing in Portugal for 183 days or more) are required to pay, but can apply for NHR tax benefits
7.	Q:	Could the property used for mortgage?
	A:	Any property value over €500,000 can be used for mortgage.
8.	Q:	Is it required to live in Portugal after receive the permanent residency identity?
	A:	You only need to enter once in 24 months.
9.	Q:	What is SchengenArea?
	A:	Schengen Area is formed under the confederation of SchengenAgreement. It consists of 29 European Countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Israel, Luxemburg, Netherland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Malta, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. SchengenArea not equals to European Union (EU).
10.	Q:	How to visit SchengenArea?
	A:	For China passport holder, applicant needs to execute a visa.ForHKSAR passport holder, it is visa-free.
11.	Q:	Could principal applicant purchase more than one property in order to reach the €500,000 limit?
	A:	Yes, as long as the total investment reach €500,000.For a property valued €1M. It can be used for two application of immigration investment.
12.	Q:	Is it needed to present the notarialcertificate of non-criminal if one is holder of other country’s identity card?
	A:	If you have lived there for one year or more, you need to submit a local criminal record, which must be certified by the local consulate and translated into Portuguese.