Citizens of countries outside the European Union 

In order to enter in Portuguese territory, these citizens must have a valid and adequate permit for the purpose of travel, a travel document recognized as valid and not be subject to any alert issued on the SEF Integrated Information System or the Schengen Information System.

Third-country nationals who want to live in Portugal must apply for a residence permit at the Portuguese embassy in their country of residence. This document allows its holder to stay in Portugal for a period of 4 months, in order to apply for a permanent residence permit, which is issued by SEF. There are several subtypes of residence permits:

• Exercise of professional activity
• Exercise of teaching activity, highly qualified or cultural
• Exercício de atividade docente, altamente qualificada ou cultural
• Research, study, exchange of higher education students, secondary education students, internship and volunteering
• Family reunification

Residence Permit for Investment Activity 

The Residence Permit for Investment Activity, better known as a gold visa, is a quick solution (about 60 days) for people from third countries to obtain a residence permit in Portugal, as well as the right of free movement in Portugal and in the other countries of the Schengen area.

In addition to the general requirements for residence permits, gold visas require holders to comply with the obligation to invest in Portugal, taking into account various conditions.

The residence permit is renewed for periods of 2 years, as long as the applicant proves the maintenance of any of the above investment requirements.

The holder of a gold visa may benefit from special taxation applicable to non-habitual residents and is entitled to request family reunification.

Residence Permit for Investment Activity Condições

• Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros;
• The creation of, at least, 10 job positions;
• The purchase of real estate property, with construction dating back more than 30 years or located in urban regeneration areas, for refurbishing, for a total value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros;
• Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 350 thousand Euros for investing in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technologic system;
• Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 250 thousand Euros for investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage, through the local and central authorities, public institutions, public corporate sector, public foundations, private foundations of public interest, networked local authorities, local corporate sector organizations, local associations and public cultural associations, pursuing activities of artistic output, and reconstruction or maintenance of the national heritage;
• Capital transfer of the amount of 350 thousand Euros, or higher, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds dedicated to the capitalisation of companies, capital injected under the Portuguese legislation, whose maturity, at the moment of the investment, is, at least, of five years and, at least, 60% of the investments is realized in commercial companies with head office in national territory;
• Capital transfer of the amount of 350 thousand Euros, or higher, for constitution of a commercial society with head office in the national territory, combined with the creation of five permanent working jobs, or for the reinforcement of the share capital of a commercial society with head office in national territory, already existing, with the creation or keeping of working jobs, with a minimum of five permanent jobs, and for a minimum period of three years.

Residence Permit for Investment Activity Como obter

Gold visas can be requested online ( https://ari.sef.pt ), at SEF offices, at Portuguese consulates or embassies located abroad. To this end, the applicant must:

• Being physically present in Portugal, having or renting a residence in Portugal and having sufficient means to support themselves
• Register with the Portuguese Social Security in cases where the business activity carried out in Portugal is subject to registration
• Not having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment in Portugal for 1 year or more or with a ban on entering Portugal
• Not being marked in the Schengen Information System or the SEF Integrated Information System as prohibited from entering and staying in Portugal
• Have a valid Schengen visa
• Request the legalization of your stay in Portugal within 90 days from the date of first entry into Portugal