Live or Invest in Portugal
Enjoy the benefits of EU residency in one of the world’s most welcoming and safe countries
A member of the EU since 1986 and part of the Schengen zone that allows borderless travel within Europe, Portugal has established itself as a prime destination for all looking for a new place to move either their business or their life.
With a tax code that allows foreigners to benefit from exemption of taxation on income earned abroad, and one of the most recognized Golden Visa programs in the world, Portugal has seen a steady flow of investment and affluent residents to the country for the past decade.
Why Portugal?
Safety
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the World (ranked 3rd safest country worldwide in the Global Peace Index), providing a safe and welcoming environment for residents and their families.
Tax Benefits
Portugal exempts from taxation all the income you earn outside the country, while the Investment in securities, such as Private Equity Funds, that qualify you for the Golden Visa, is subject only to a special reduced income tax (10%).
Low Cost of living…
Portugal is one of the cheapest places to live amongst developed countries. Living in Lisbon can cost half of what it costs to live in the US or Israel, or over 50% less than in other global cities such as Amsterdam, London or Sydney
…with High Quality of life
The cost of living may be low but the quality of life ranks high compared to almost any country in the World: Portugal is one of the safest countries in the World, has some of the warmest weather in Europe, excellent infrastructure, cheap good quality healthcare, a friendly and welcoming culture and unrivalled natural beauty, a mix that also made it one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world.
Stability
A member of the EU for 35 years, Portugal’s political and social stability ensure that your investment is safe and protected by a stable legal framework and you can enjoy the benefits a friendly attitude towards foreign residents and investors.
Culture and heritage
Founded in the 12th century, Portugal has the oldest border in Europe, and a fascinating History and cultural heritage that ensures there is always something new to explore and discover, regardless of your stay being permanent or just a few days a year.
Golden Visa
Launched in 2012, the Portuguese Golden VISA programme has been instrumental in assisting thousands of high net worth individuals to establish themselves in the country. It includes a residency authorization that requires an investment and a minimum 7 day yearly stay in the country, and provides a path to citizenship after 5 years.
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Portugal in brief
A quick guide to Portugal
The food, the weather, culture, the safe and welcoming environment have made Portugal one of the leading destinations for those seeking a new place to live, work
or retire in this globalized world.
Find out what all the excitement is about. Download our Guide and join us in a path that will change your life.
FAQ
The basics
Here are the most common questions people pose about living or working in Portugal and acquiring residency through a Golden Visa.
Do foreigners pay taxes in Portugal?
Most foreigners qualify for NHR (Non Habitual Resident) status, that means they don’t pay income tax for income generated outside Portugal for 10 years and pay a reduced (20%) income tax on their Portuguese income.
How is foreigners’ access to healthcare in Portugal?
Residents are entitled to use public health system, which is cheap (emergency consultation fee of 20 Euros in public hospitals) and can also subscribe a health insurance policy, amongst the cheapest in Europe, that extends the coverage to a well equipped network of private hospitals.
Are there international schools in Portugal?
You can find great international schools throughout Portugal, with a good choice of English, French and German speaking schools, particularly in the Lisbon, Porto and Algarve areas. The Portuguese public school system is also open to foreign residents.
What does a Golden VISA allow me to do?
The Golden VISA allows you to live and work in Portugal and to travel freely within the EU, and can last for 5 years. After 5 years you are eligible for Portuguese citizenship, which allows you to live and work anywhere in the European Union.
What are the requirements for a Golden VISA?
Apart from the normal documentation from their home country, applicants are required to present proof of an investment, in venture capital (can be through a Private Equity Fund), patronage of the arts or creating a new business in Portugal, with the amount starting at 500,000 Euro for funds.
What do Portuguese residents need to travel in Europe?
Residents in Portugal can enjoy the freedom of circulation and are allowed to travel anywhere to the European Union. Portugal is also part of the Schengen zone, which includes 25 EU states and Switzerland, meaning that residents can travel freely to any of the 26 countries that signed the Schengen agreement (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland).
How long do I have to stay in Portugal every year to keep a Golden Visa?
The requirements for maintaining a Golden Visa include a stay of 7 days within the first year of residency and 14 days for every 2 year period after that.
Does Golden VISA include my family?
Yes, the application can include your spouse, children and parents over the age of 65, who are able to work and live in Portugal even if they don’t reside there permanently.
Are there other similar schemes in the EU? How does the Portuguese Golden Visa compare?
Issuing special residency permits for investors and high net worth individuals is a common practice in the EU, and Portugal has probably the best balance of requirements vs. benefits. Here is a summary of the different programs’ key features:
I heard there is a blacklist of visa programs. Is Portugal in it?
Yes, the OECD does keep a blacklist of visa programs that provide insufficient transparency, that includes some EU members (such as Malta and Cyprus), but Portugal is not and has never been included in the list.
Where can I get more information and assistance?
If you are interested in investing in Portugal or at least considering it as a possibility we’d be happy to provide you with an initial consultation, free of charge, to see if our partner network can provide you with the services and assistance you will need in the whole process, from handling official requests and registration to procuring an investment that not only meets Visa requirements but is an excellent opportunity by itself.
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About
us
LIVING AND INVESTING PORTUGAL (LIP) provides guidance to foreign nationals planning to live and/or invest in Portugal. It includes information on the country and its regulatory environment for foreign nationals and connects users with third parties that can provide assistance in both the relocation process, residency and path to citizenship, as well as the investments needed to receive a Golden VISA issued by the Portuguese government.
The website provides an independent service to users as is owned and operated by the BF Group. With over 30 years in the market, headquarters in Lisbon and delegations in 8 countries, the group’s business comprises fields such as healthcare, real estate, renewable energy and consumer products, among others.
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This website is a free information service provided by the BF Group (www.bfgrupo.com) to individuals and companies interested in Living and Investing in Portugal. The responsibility for any services mentioned in this website rests with its individual providers. Information on legal and financial aspects of investing or living in the country is based on official and third party sources, but is subject to changes by said third parties, and should be confirmed before any decisions are made by the user.