A Golden Visa is an investment-based citizenship or residence scheme. It is intended for wealthy foreigners who wish to get residency in a specific country by investing a significant sum of money or purchasing real estate. Once someone applies for obtaining a Golden Visa, they and their family, including their spouse and children, will be granted residency benefits that can be renewed as long as the investment is kept up.
Most countries that issue the Golden Visa do not require you to live there, so in most cases, you don’t have to move or even spend a day there to keep the permits. However, most countries will demand real residency for five to ten years if you desire to obtain permanent residence or citizenship through investment.
Free Traveling
Every time you want to lawfully visit a foreign country, a visa is required. The process of obtaining a visa is tedious and time-consuming, and immigration officers have the authority to refuse a visa application without specifying the reason behind it. The holders of a Golden Visa never seek a visa to travel within Europe. With a single visa, they can travel to and trade in any country.
Golden Visa Portugal
The Golden Visa is a type of visa that allows you to enter Portugal’s residency-by-investment scheme is one of the most popular in the world. Thousands of families have successfully relocated to Portugal, the lovely heart of Southwestern Europe, since the program’s beginning in 2012. The Portuguese government added the Portugal Golden Visa fund investment option in 2018. Applicants are awarded Portuguese residency in a matter of months for a €350K investment in this fund. Investment choices for the Portuguese Golden Visa start at €250,000. After just five years, Golden Visa holders can seek permanent residency and citizenship.
Residence Permits
Obtaining a residence permit is not so simple as it may seem, especially in some EU countries. It often happens that the applicant is subjected to a rigorous background investigation, while a little issue can result in the permission being denied. Obtaining a residence permit in some EU countries can be simple if you are a golden program investor. EU governments recognize the value of golden scheme foreigners in the economic development of their countries, and due to that, there are a lot of benefits for Golden Visa holders.
The following EU countries offer Golden Visa programs:
- Spain
- Portugal
- Greece
- Italy
- Malta
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Belgium
How To Obtain The Visa?
Portugal’s strong economy, along with its positive perspective for anyone who wants to settle there, make it an attractive location for worldwide companies wanting to expand their business into the EU. Property investors are becoming more interested in going to Portugal to buy property for sale because of the country’s booming real estate market; of course, before submitting an application for a golden visa, an investment must be made since it is one of the conditions for becoming a visa holder.
Have in mind the following criteria you must meet to be eligible for a Golden Visa in Portugal:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must make a large investment that will benefit the Portuguese economy.
- You must not have any criminal records.
- You must be the owner of the funds you wish to invest.
- You must make a five-year commitment to keep the investment going.
Additionally, you can bring the following family members with you once you obtain the visa:
- Your husband/wife
- Children under the age of eighteen
- Adult children who are solely students (up to age 26)
- Parents who are financially reliant on you or your spouse
- Other dependents, such as siblings under 18.
The Portugal Golden Visa is valid for one year at first. You can then renew it for another two-year period as long as you keep up with your investment. You can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years (1+2+2). 
It’s The Chance Of Your Life!
Nowadays, the significance of obtaining a Golden Visa is more recognized, as the holders of it have many benefits while improving the country’s economy and helping its development. Also, the governments allow the investors to reunite with their families in order to assure their comfort in a new country. The main aim is, of course, to get foreign investment, but also it is important to satisfy the needs and demands of both parties, keeping in mind the success rests in both sides’ complacency.
Published on Holr Magazine