Portuguese Citizenship: Ways to Obtain It

After the dissolution of the USSR, Portugal saw an influx of hundreds of thousands of labor migrants. However, this does not mean that obtaining citizenship in this country is easy. As a member of the European Union and the Schengen Zone, Portugal takes a strict approach to ensuring the reliability of its new citizens, imposing stringent requirements on those seeking a passport. Special attention is given to the period between obtaining a residence permit and citizenship.

Obtaining a Residence Permit for a Limited Group of Individuals

Citizenship by Birth

A child is entitled to this advantage if one of their parents is a Portuguese citizen, or if the parents are foreigners but have lived in Portugal with a residence permit for at least 10 years.

Citizenship Through Marriage to a Portuguese Citizen

Spouses must live in a registered marriage and reside in Portugal for at least 3 years. The passport applicant must pass an exam demonstrating proficiency in the national language.

Citizenship by Naturalization

In theory, anyone who has lived in Portugal for at least 6 months a year for 6 years can obtain a passport. However, the government does not provide any guarantees—passports are granted within quotas, and the waiting period may extend over decades.

Obtaining a Residence Permit Through Investment — The Optimal Way to Get Portuguese Citizenship

A more reliable and promising path is participating in the government’s investment program, which offers a real opportunity to obtain Portuguese citizenship through investments. Launched in 2013, the program allows potential citizens to first secure a temporary residence permit for 5 years, then permanent residency for 1 year, followed by a citizenship application.

Investment Amounts and Methods for Program Participation

Applicants can make capital investments in one of the following ways:

• Purchase of real estate: new properties starting from €500,000; properties requiring renovation due to disrepair from €350,000.
• Investment in an existing Portuguese company — from €1 million.
• Investment of €350,000 in a company, leading to the creation of 5 jobs.
• Creation of a business in Portugal without a fixed investment amount, but employing 10 Portuguese citizens.

What Are the Requirements for Potential Investors?

• Legal adulthood.
• Up-to-date medical documentation.
• No criminal record.
• Documented investment amount, which must be earned outside of Portugal.
• Ownership of residential property in Portugal.
• A Schengen visa.
• Residence in Portugal with family for at least 7 days per year.
• Prohibition on the return of investment funds for the entire residence permit period (minimum 5 years).

The residence permit can also be obtained by the spouse and children, as well as the investor's parents, provided they have no independent income.

Although, as mentioned above, investors can obtain Portuguese citizenship only after 6 years, the residence permit status also opens up good prospects for non-EU citizens.

Advantages of a Portuguese Residence Permit

A residence permit in exchange for investments provides the following opportunities:

• The residence permit is issued without quotas.
• Visa-free travel within EU and Schengen countries.
• Storing savings in reliable European banks.
• Access to high social standards in European countries for healthcare, education, etc.
• The ability to live and work in any EU country.
• No requirements for knowledge of the national language and traditions.
• Favorable tax treatment on income earned outside of Portugal.
• Application for permanent residency after 5 years, and a year later, for citizenship.

Obtaining Portuguese Citizenship in 2020

The investment program continues to operate successfully. However, in early February, the government introduced some changes. Due to the concentration of investments in major cities like Lisbon and Porto (where it is easier to purchase property that will always be "in demand"), less populated regions suffer from a lack of investors, which does not contribute to their development.

Therefore, a decision was made to suspend the possibility of purchasing residential properties in these cities. However, although the document has been signed, it will only take effect in 2021. Potential investors should hurry to invest in more profitable properties.

Garant.in Migration Center provides professional services for navigating all stages of investment programs. Now you know where to turn if you need to relocate from Russia to Portugal. We will provide a portfolio of investment-attractive properties, offer consultation on document preparation, and assist with other organizational issues.

Portuguese Passport: What This Country Offers in 2023 and How to Get the “Golden Visa”

The Portugal Golden Visa is a program that grants a residence permit in exchange for making an investment contribution to the development of the economy, real estate sector, business, or science. The main advantage of the program is that the candidate can obtain a residence permit not only for themselves but for their entire family. Launched in 2012, the project has been operating successfully and is intended for residents of countries outside the EU.

The Golden Visa is a popular option, one of the quickest methods for relocating to Portugal, and eventually obtaining Portuguese citizenship through investment.

Benefits of Participating in the Investment Citizenship Program

A Portuguese passport allows the investor and their relatives to legally obtain education, employment, and reside in the country.

• The ability to live peacefully for the first 2 years without additional obligations.
• The most affordable investment entry point compared to similar European programs.
• No need to reside permanently in Portugal, only 7 days per year. Since you do not live there permanently, you are not considered a tax resident.
• Visa-free entry to 187 countries, including the US, Japan, and the UK. Easy movement within the Schengen Zone without additional documents or permits.
• Favorable tax climate (NHR), a special status for newcomers — upon receiving residency, investors are exempt from paying taxes on certain types of personal income for 10 years.
• Applications can be submitted online through a licensed agency, GARANT IN.

The Golden Visa is the shortest route to obtaining an EU passport, taking no more than 5 years. It’s no surprise that with so many privileges, the Portuguese passport was recognized as one of the most significant in 2022.

How to Get a Golden Visa in Portugal in 2023?

At the beginning of last year, the project was adapted to new realities and updated with changes: in some regions, it is no longer possible to purchase residential real estate, and the entry threshold for some aspects has increased.

Several options have been developed for participating in the investment project. Here’s a brief overview of the main provisions of each:

Real Estate

• From €500,000 – purchase of any property (residential, office, new, old, in need of restoration);
• From €400,000 – purchase of a property in a part of the country with low population density;
• From €350,000 – acquisition of a property that has been in use for over 30 years and requires renovation;
• From €280,000 – purchase of a property that has been in use for over 30 years, needs major renovation and is located in a low-density area.

"Since the beginning of last year, it is no longer possible to invest in residential properties in Porto, Algarve, or Lisbon to obtain a residence permit. Commercial real estate can be purchased in any region of the country for a minimum of half a million euros."

Investment in Business Projects

• From €500,000 – contribution to an existing business, registered in Portugal, and creating at least 5 full-time jobs;
• Creation of at least 10 jobs (or 8 in sparsely populated areas) in a local business project.

Investing in real estate and business are the most popular methods. There are several other options for obtaining the Golden Passport:

• Investment in research and development — from €500,000;
• Investment in preserving cultural heritage and promoting art — from €250,000;
• Purchase of shares in investment funds — from €500,000. The minimum capitalization period is 5 years, and 60% of the investments must be made in companies registered in Portugal.

Main Requirements for Applicants:

• Stay in the country for at least 7 days each year during the first 2 years.
• No criminal record and no legal issues.
• No law violations, and no grounds for being banned from entering the EU.
• Be over 18 years old.

Residence Permit and Citizenship by Golden Visa

By participating in the investment program, the applicant receives a residence permit — a status allowing them to legally stay in the country for a certain period. Most often, the residence permit can be renewed, as long as the applicant meets the conditions of the program under which they obtained their passport.

Portugal's Golden Visa residence permit is issued for 2 years, and the status can be extended. The candidate can then go through all the stages of the migration path and obtain citizenship. How does it work? Five years after receiving the residence permit, the investor applies for permanent residency. The status is valid for 5 years and can be extended indefinitely.

Five years later, it is possible to apply for citizenship, but by that time, language proficiency must be confirmed.

Why the Golden Visa Program is Attractive:

• You must be in the country for 14 days during the first 2 years and 7 days each subsequent year (3 years).
• Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your original citizenship.
• After obtaining citizenship, the conditions of the investment program no longer need to be met.

Portugal Will Allow Citizenship by Birthright: A Major Victory for Obtaining a Golden Visa

Starting from November 11, children born to foreign parents, at least one of whom has resided—legally or otherwise—in Portugal for a year, will be eligible for Portuguese citizenship at birth.

Although children born in Portugal to foreigners could already obtain citizenship after 10 years of residence, it is now possible for parents to apply for citizenship for their children immediately after birth. This initiative has received considerable support and is considered a significant victory for foreign families residing in Portugal.

For example, the decision has been a breakthrough for Ukrainian and Brazilian immigrants who have been in the country for many years but are still considered residents. They can now obtain full citizenship for themselves and their children.