The Portuguese Government has approved recently a legal regime in order to grant a residence permit for investment activities in the country, the so-called Golden Visa.

Among other possibilities, non-European Union investors that purchase real estate in Portugal worth at least 350.000,00 (three hundred and fifty thousand euros) or 500.000,00 (five hundred thousand euros) will be qualified for the Golden Visa, provided other legal requirements are also met such as the absence of criminal record.

The main advantage of the Golden Visa is that investors will be granted the right to move freely within the Schengen Area while making a secure investment in an increasingly attractive real estate market. Following the period of the Golden Visa there is also the possibility to apply for Portuguese nationality provided certain conditions are fulfilled.

The Golden Visa regime also allows for the regrouping of the family members.

(Updating)