Portuguese Passport: Everything You Need to Know to Obtain It

How to Buy a Portuguese Passport in 2020: Gaining Citizenship Through Investment

There are only a few EU countries that offer citizenship directly and quickly through investment programs. Portugal is not among them; it does not have a program for selling its passports. However, obtaining a Portuguese passport through investment is possible, though it requires time and several intermediate steps.

Portugal was once one of the weaker European countries, with a high national debt and unemployment rate. But thanks to sound economic policies, the country has shown significant growth in recent years. By following its strategy, Portugal has revived its economy, increased consumer demand, developed infrastructure, and more. Today, it is a comfortable country that attracts foreigners — some come here for employment, while others seek Portuguese citizenship to stay permanently.

This article discusses Portuguese citizenship, focusing on the simplest and most reliable way to obtain it.

The Investment Program – A Path to the Portuguese Passport

In 2012, the government launched a residence permit by investment program. The essence of this program is that anyone can obtain a Portuguese residence permit in exchange for investments in the Portuguese economy. Investors have several options for how to use their funds:

Option 1

Purchase a property that requires renovation, with a minimum investment of €350,000. These properties are typically located in historic areas.

Option 2

Buy one or more apartments/villas with a minimum investment of €500,000.

Option 3

Invest €500,000 in shares of various Portuguese funds.

Option 4

Create a company in Portugal and provide 10 jobs for residents.

Option 5

Invest €1 million in Portuguese company assets.

Option 6

Invest €350,000 in research and development projects.

Option 7

Make a charitable donation (non-refundable) of €250,000 to organizations dedicated to preserving Portugal's architectural and historical heritage.

In practice, most investors choose the real estate option. It is easier to manage and understand. Additionally, if you buy property in tourist areas, you can profit from it through rental income or a future sale, as property prices in Portugal are rising and this trend is expected to continue.

Now, regarding citizenship. Once you meet the investment requirements of the program and obtain a residence permit, it will initially be valid for one year, after which you can renew it twice for two years each, following a 1+2+2 scheme.

After five years, you can apply for permanent residency, which you must hold for at least one year before applying for citizenship. The entire process takes six years. However, this method has many advantages:

• Cost: For €500,000, you become an EU citizen, which is much cheaper than Malta’s or Cyprus’s passport programs. If you are not hurrying to obtain citizenship, the Portuguese option is ideal.
• Government Guarantees: As long as you meet all the requirements, you are guaranteed to receive residency, permanent residency, and citizenship.
• No Language Requirement:
• Minimal Stay Requirement: You only need to spend 7 days per year in Portugal.

From "Golden Visa" to Full Citizenship

Since 2012, Portugal has offered its investment program, known locally as the ARI (Autorização de Residência para Investimento) program, which works with non-EU foreigners. This program has gained popularity among wealthy individuals from third countries, especially investors from the former Soviet Union. It is also highly regarded by international organizations overseeing immigration projects, who consider it reliable and flawless.

For reference, over 7,000 investors (not including their family members) have obtained a Portuguese "Golden Visa" since the program began.

However, the program only grants a special status — a temporary residence permit (TRP). This article is focused on obtaining full Portuguese citizenship. How can this be achieved?

Transitioning from a "Golden Visa" to Citizenship

Initially, participants in the ARI program receive a TRP that is valid for one year. By maintaining their investment, they can renew the TRP for two more years, and then again for another two years, making a total of 5 years in TRP status.

After this period, the investor can apply for citizenship. If the Portuguese immigration authorities have no issues with the applicant, they will receive permanent residency (PR).

After living under PR status for one year, it is possible to obtain full Portuguese citizenship. The entire process, from obtaining a "Golden Visa" to citizenship, takes about 6 to 6.5 years.

Important: Before obtaining a passport, the investor must pass a language exam. The required level of proficiency is usually quite low, and attending language courses for 3 months is typically sufficient to pass.

Additionally, obtaining citizenship requires living in Portugal for at least 7 days per year (this requirement also applies to maintaining the "Golden Visa").

Summary of the ARI Program

We have described how an investor can transition from a "Golden Visa" to full citizenship. Now it's time to clarify: how can one obtain the visa itself, and what investments are required?

Key Options in the Portuguese Investment Program

The program's conditions are diverse, offering several options. By fulfilling at least one of these, the applicant can obtain a TRP. Here are the options:

• Purchase Portuguese real estate worth at least €500,000. This investment is refundable; the investor can sell the property after 5 years when the TRP expires. It is possible to purchase multiple properties with this amount.
• Invest €1 million in local businesses or a Portuguese company.
• Contribute at least €350,000 to local funds or shares. These investments are typically non-refundable.
• Invest at least €350,000 in Portuguese culture. Your money will be used to support museums, libraries, and various exhibitions and galleries. These funds are also usually non-refundable.

Important: The real estate option can be cheaper, with a minimum investment of €350,000, but in this case, you must purchase an old property in need of major repairs, selected from a special list approved by the authorities.

• Propose a business plan to local authorities that includes creating at least 10 jobs for citizens. No minimum financial requirement is specified, but your project must genuinely interest Portuguese officials.

Experience from the GARANT.in immigration center and general statistics show that most investors prefer the real estate option.

Additional Information

The program allows the investor to obtain a TRP and potentially citizenship for their family members as well. This includes a spouse, children under 26 years old who are financially dependent on the investor, and parents and grandparents of both spouses over 65 years old who are fully financially dependent on the main applicant.

Even at the TRP stage, the applicant and their family can work in Portugal, visit all Schengen countries visa-free, and stay there indefinitely. A Portuguese passport grants its holder full EU citizenship, with the right to work and do business throughout the EU without restrictions.

Conclusion

Nobody likes lengthy bureaucratic procedures. This is especially true for obtaining a "Golden Visa" in Portugal. GARANT.in has noticed that if an applicant’s case is well-prepared and the lawyers have covered everything, the Portuguese immigration authorities will review it within 4-6 months. The investor only needs to visit the country once to submit biometric data and receive the TRP card.

Thus, the key to quickly achieving your goal is working with professionals who have extensive experience in such cases.