Citizenship - Portugal, Golden Visa, Real Estate - Portugal

Golden Visa : Buying Real Estate Off-plan or in Development

Portugal Golden Visa application states that you are able to apply for Residence Permit if you make an investment in Real Estate over 500.000 Euro. That investment can be for several properties or just one. All types of properties are able to be considered for the application, such as, lands, plots, residential properties, industrial properties or commercial properties, rural lands, parking lots or agriculture lands.

However and due to the fact that several investors in Portugal are looking at properties which are still in development, many query us if we are able to use a purchase of a property off plan or in development in order to apply for Golden Visa?

The answer for that question is a straight forward yes, however several conditions need to be considered before choosing this option. In order to be able to do this kind of procedure the investor needs to open an escrow account in the bank with the total value of the investment, exceeding the amount of 500.000 Euro and stating that money will be given to developer at the time of final deed. To set up this procedure is quite simple as long as you have an experienced immigration lawyer taking care of the procedure, but you still need to be aware that Visa application after being approved is issued for 1 year and after 1 year all the purchase needs to be complete.

What happens if my investment off-plan is not complete after 1 year?

You will not be able to use that investment to renew your visa and consequently you will not be able to count your 1st year as one of the 6 you need to be able to apply for citizenship.

Even though it is possible to apply for a Golden Visa using an escrow account and with a project off-plan / in development property, it is strongly advised to avoid this solution. You need to be fully confidence that you will be able to make the final deed before the end of your visa expiration date and most of the time this is not only dependent on conclusion of the development but also in the several authorizations the developer has to require in order to get the usage license. Sometimes this developments stay pending for the simple fact that outside developments are the responsibility of city hall which might time long time to finish everything.

 

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Citizenship - Portugal, Golden Visa

Golden Visa Portugal – What kind of taxes will investors will be required to pay?

We would like to distinguish a difference between residence permit and resident. All investors that apply for Golden Visa and get their authorization cards, they have been granted with Residence Permit. However in Portugal to be considered a Resident you need to stay over 183 days per year for tax purposes. That means if you get your investor visa and do not want to reside in Portugal you still able to get your citizenship after 6 years at the same time you are not subject to global earnings taxation.

Investors who do not live in Portugal over 183 days per year will be entitled to pay taxes for the earnings made in Portugal. Earnings made abroad do not need to be subject to any income tax. If you do live in Portugal over 183 days per year you need to pay your taxes as any regular Portuguese citizen. Your income tax will respect the IRS table which has a different tax level according to your earnings. As a resident your global earning need to be declared and subject to income tax in Portugal.

Income Tax Table 2013

Under 7.000 Euro / year : 14.5%

Between 7.000 Euro and 20.000 Euro: 28.5%

Between 40.000 Euro and 80.000 Euro: 37%

Over 80.000 Euro: 48%

Additionally you should consider an extra 3.5% Income Tax for all Levels as an Emergency Tax called by the Government to help reduce the public debt. If your income is over 250.000 Euro there is still an extra tax between 2.5%-5% on top of the 3.5%.

 

 

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Golden Visa, Uncategorized

Law: Can my adult kids apply for Golden Visa without being students in Portugal?

Many of our investors get quite confused by the fact that we mention that they can add their kids as dependents for the Golden Visa application and then mention that SEF (Government Institution) states that the kids need to be studying in Portugal.

14. As ARI holder, what family members may benefit from this same scheme, where and when may I apply for family reunification, and how much does it cost?

  • –  Children of age, who are dependent on both or one parent, provided they are single and studying in a teaching establishment in Portugal

(source: http://secomunidades.pt/ari/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127&Itemid=150 )

In fact the reality is that if you are not a resident in Portugal even though you gain Residence Permit, you are entitled to apply for Golden Visa with dependents not studying in Portugal. Our applications are quite successful on this terms and there is absolutely no need to have them studying here. The law is general and was made for foreign individuals which are legal residents in Portugal, not exactly previewing the current situation of Investors Visa which does not require to be a resident.

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Golden Visa, Real Estate - Portugal

Top 10 Reasons why to Invest in Real Estate in Portugal

There are plenty of Real Estate Reports which may give you a full picture of the macroeconomics data from Real Estate Industry but few will be able to give you inside information about the best reasons why you should invest now. I will try to put together my personal Top 10 Reasons and would be happy to discuss them in detail with you.

TOP 10 Reasons to Buy Now Real Estate in Portugal

1) Price is at Lowest Possible Level

During the last 5 years Portugal have seen the economy shrinking and loosing speed. Most of Banks are full of toxic assets and will only lend money for the acquisition of those properties. Real Estate Industry being one of the most important national industries, was seriously affected and since then very few developments have been continued. At the current stage, most of the high quality real estate available in the market was built 5 years ago. Current price level is under the construction price, there is no more room for decrease for new properties.

2) Demand exceeds Supply for New Developments

With new investors coming from abroad to invest in Portugal to get the Golden Visa Residence Permit in Shengen space, most of the developers are seeing a swift of the market usually from Europeans to other Continents Investors. The current number of investors looking to purchase new properties in Portugal exceeds in large scale the amount of new developments ready for transaction. Price is going to rise over 30% in the next 2 years.

3) No Crisis can take the Sun and Climate Out of Portugal

Even if Crisis gets worse which is far from happening, our Real Estate is still located in a place with fantastic weather:  great luminosity with clean blue sky and nice sunshine. Country is surrounded by sea and beaches all over and the weather temperature is pleasant most of the year, making it a special place for traveling for Central and Northern Europe Countries. This conditions are not subject to change.

4) No Xenophobe Behavior

Lots of people arrive in Lisbon and ask for China town, Muslim area or other types of ghetto. They get very surprised to understand that Portugal were world travelers since 1500s and never had any issues to mix with other races, civilizations or religions. If you go around Lisbon you will understand that everyone lives in community with same conditions, there is no discrimination or type of concentration. Portuguese love to be integrated and easily accept other cultures.

5) Education Level

With a big change after Revolution in April 25th 1975, country did a big effort in providing easy access to education. Most of younger generation have universities degree, speaks english and are able to perform the most sophisticated jobs.

6) Best Golf Courses in Europe

Algarve (South of Portugal Region) was voted the best Golf Destination for 2014 by IAGTO. Several golf courses in the area already won the best golf course award in Europe and lot more awards will come. With 200 kms of Beach, Algarve is a touristic region well known in most of Central and European Countries. Golf is also helping to extend the travel season by bringing customers during low season period.

7) Best City Break Cities in Europe

Lisbon was elected Best City Break Destination in 2013 by World Travel Awards. What would people prefer better than come on a flight for a few days into a city that never sleeps, is full of historical monuments to discover every corner, tiny roads reminding you about life in last century and pastries all over the streets. Lisbon is full of charm and  since is raining very few days per year, makes a great place for recharging energies with a stopover. People love the fact that besides all that is still a very easy affordable city.

8) Low Crime Rate

Most of Golden visa investors when arriving to Portugal query me why most of the premium areas are open to public and not in private condominiums. It is hard to explain that security in Portugal has very little value since crime rate is quite low. Nobody expects you to have any problem just because you have money. Freedom is a common right for everyone including famous and rich persons. Almost all of the developments are open to public and with easy access to everyone just because it is not expected that will happen any sort of crime. You feel the difference when coming to Portugal compared to most of European Countries. In Portugal you are free to walk on the street in the middle of night.

9) High Standard of Construction Materials and Engineering

Conditions to build in Portugal are quite restrictive and very demanding. Most of new developments by standard request need to use high quality materials. Since the regular price of construction increases and become more expensive than countries such as Spain or Greece, Portugal is usually having the highest standard quality.

10) Great Transport Network

If you check the distance between most of the developments and a Highway you will easily understand how easy is today to travel by car within all Portugal and Europe. With 6 international main airports is common to say that it will not take more than 2 hours to get anywhere in the country. Main airports to be Lisbon, Faro, Alentejo, Oporto, Madeira, Azores.

Looking forward to discuss with you my top 10 reasons.

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Citizenship - Portugal

Citizenship by Investment

CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT – EUROPE – PORTUGAL

Portugal is now one of the top level destinations for investors who are looking at getting a new nationality.  After researching extensively over several investment programs, Portugal is usually selected for the following reasons:

1) Does not require to live full time basis in the country

Minimum requirements of stay are 7 days in the 1st year and 14 days every each 2 years after that.

2) Is the only country in Schengen space which allows the investor to Work, Live and Study without any restrictions

Several countries in Europe are afraid the investors will still their management positions at local companies, most of the investors have other motivations than going to find a job in Europe. But freedom of moving in Europe plus the idea of being able to settle down if for any reason they want to move to Europe, brings to investors a good feeling.

3) Investment in Real Estate in Portugal is now in the right moment

During the last 5 years investment in Portuguese Real Estate have been quite low. With lack of liquidity from Portuguese banks, construction slowed down a lot and prices went a lot down. The new reality with this program is that there are new investors arriving everyday to acquire new properties and the amount of new properties in the market is quite low. Prices are already picking up and an increase of more than 20% in premium areas is giving a lot new confidence for bigger projects.

4) Tax System

Portuguese tax system is complex and quite heavy but one thing good is that if you do not live in Portugal over 183 days per year you are not required to declare your global earnings. You will just need to declare your earnings inside Portugal and respecting the double tax agreements between your country of residence and Portugal.

5) Portugal needs people.

Not only most of Portuguese are open minded in terms of race, culture or age, but we also have a birth rate lower than countries with restrictions such as China. For the economy to be sustainable we urgently need to get young people into the country in order to revitalize most of the industries and services.

If you are looking for Citizenship by Investment, Portugal is clearly one of your best choices if not the best. If you need additional information I would be happy to help.

Portugal Passport - Citizenship by Investment

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