Citizenship - Portugal, Golden Visa, Investment

How to Renew my Investors Visa or Golden Visa ?

Hot to Renew your Golden Visa  | renew your Investors Visa

Hot to Renew your Golden Visa

At the time of renewal, what do you need to present to be able to renew your Investors Visa or Golden Visa ?

To be able to renew your residence permit and continue on your Investors Visa program, you are required to get the following conditions:

1- Show a document that proves the required investment

2 – Show a declaration of no debt from Tax Department and Social Security Department

3 – Show a valid health insurance if you do not have Social Security contributions

4 – Show documents that support the fact that you have spent over 7 days in 1st year in Portugal or in case of 2nd renewal 14 days from past 2 years. This can be with one visit or several visits. (Hotel bills, flight tickets, etc.)

5 – Show a valid declaration that you will fulfill the remaining requirements for the next period of renewal in Portuguese territory (14 days stay over next 2 years).

If the investment is capital and over 1.000.000 euro, which documents are requested to be presented for renewal?

1 – Declaration of Finantial Institution autorized in National Territory to show that average trimester balance in bank account is over 1.000.000 Euro. In case the investment are stocks from stock market with a current value, if the value is under 1.000.000 Euro it can be used to renew your visa, if the same number of stocks from same companies are kept as the initial investment over 1.000.000 Euro.

If the investment is a company created with over 10 permanent employees which documents are requested for renewal?

1 – Updated declaration from Social Security to confirm that you have kept at least 10 permanent employees during the full period.

If the investment is in Real Estate what do you need to show to renew your Residence Permit?

1 – Property Registry Certification confirming that properties declared as investment are still in Investors name.

The process of renewing your investors visa becomes pretty easy to obtain as long as all the documents are presented. To fulfill all the requirements is advised to check clearly all the papers before submitting the  application in order to avoid big troubles. An interruption of Investors Visa might put in risk the possibility of getting citizenship in 6 years.

It is very important that you keep the records from your trips to Portugal and respect all the time frame requirements for Visa renewal. Any doubts we strongly suggest you check our ebook at www.portugalinvestorvisa.com

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Citizenship - Portugal, Golden Visa, Investment, Real Estate - Portugal

Portuguese Government expects to collect over 500 million euro investment in Portugal for 2014 – Investor Visa

Vice-Prime Minister of Portugal announced yesterday that he expects to collect over 500 million euro investment for Portugal with Investors Visa in 2014. After a total collection of 306 million euro in 2013, Paulo Portas expects to be able to collect over 500 million which represents an increase of over 60% for 2014.

Investors Visa Program is surpassing the expectations and according to Paulo Portas words, it is a credible and sustainable way to get foreign investment in Portugal and overall results are very positive. This Program is today one of the most important instruments to help Portuguese economy to recover from global crisis.

Investment in Portugal to surpass 500 million euro in 2014 with Investors Visa

Investment in Portugal to surpass 500 million euro in 2014 with Investors Visa

Real Estate Industry has been seen an unexpected recovery with this program which can account with a volume increase of 40% in 2013 for number of transactions processed through this program. Till the end of December 2013 have been accounted a total of 471 Golden Visas | Investor Visas.

This is a clear message of how important this program is for Portuguese Government and how much efforts are being put into this resource of foreign investment.

Real Estate prices are already overseeing an increase due to all positive factors that are surrounding Portuguese economy. Great expectations are still open for the period after IMF intervention in Portugal.

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Golden Visa

Investor Visa Portugal : I have 3 wifes can I join all my wife and children into my application?

Investor Visa Portugal - Can I join many wifes to my golden visa application ? What about kids from those wifes ?

Many countries allow marriage between a man and several women. In those cases investors usually ask us how they will manage to insert all their wifes together with their children into their investor visa application. In fact by Portuguese law there is possibility to recognize only one wife, so looking into this perspective there is no possibility to add into their application all the wifes as spouses. As for the children, as long as all of them have the investor name in their birth certificate, you will be able to directly join all kids even if they are from different wifes.

In resume, all children will be able to join the program, for the wife position you will need to select one. To solve the problem of having several wifes out of this application you can always make them an investor themselves and make a separate application for them.

The application for this visa does not discriminate any national from any country or by race or religion. All nationals, all races and all religions are welcome to join the program and become a residence permit investor.

So far there is also no restriction in the amount of applications approved by month or year. It becomes a very straight forward process, if you invest within the requirements and present the correct paperwork, you will be granted with a golden visa and become a Portugal Investor Visa member.

 

 

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Golden Visa, Investment, Real Estate - Portugal

Portugal Golden Visa : How to invest in a Vineyard in Portugal with 500.000 Euro ?

Vineyards Portugal Opportunities Real Estate Golden Visa

If you are a Wine lover and always had a dream of owning your own vineyard and cultivate grapes, investing in a Portuguese vineyard might be the investment you were looking for. In Portugal most of wine production comes out of boutique wine labels and is known for extremely good quality even though market price for wine in Portugal is still very affordable.

With the expertise on wine lasting for several generations, in Portugal is still easy to purchase a vineyard that with a little bit of marketing and export sales, can generate a good return on investment, able to grow at a much faster speed than global economy.

The question is whether you are able to invest 500.000 Euro in a vineyard and still be able to apply for Residence Permit / Citizenship with that investment? The answer is pretty simple, yes you can but most of vineyards business is allocated to a company and not exactly just a piece of property. In order to be able to be granted residence permit with your investment in a Portugal vineyard you need to choose between one of the following options:

Option 1)

Purchase real estate of the vineyard in a value of 500.000 Euro or bigger to your personal name and then purchase the shares / stocks of the vineyard separately. This way you will be able to apply for Residence Permit in Portugal for the fact that you have invested over 500.000 Euro in Real Estate and you still will own the vineyard business in a separate way.

Option 2)

You purchase the shares of the vineyard for the total value over 1 million euro instead of 500.000 Euro, since you are making a capital investment instead of real estate acquisition. Even if the company you are purchasing is itself owner of real estate in total value over 500.000 Euro. Please note that all capital transactions under 1.000.000 Euro will not be able to be considered for Residence Permit application.

It is also common that most of vineyards in good conditions in Portugal will have an asking price over 1.000.000 Euro and this can also make your business easier. Just be aware that when you acquire a company you are also assuming the full debts of the business and therefore is strongly advised that you perform a good due diligence to all company activities.

Vineyards in Portugal is a protected business since its required to have license to explore vineyards, buying a company that holds a license is definitely your best way.  For checking opportunities on Portuguese vineyards please email us with your investment budget.

 

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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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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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