(This article was developed in collaboration with the IMI Daily portal)
After a year of much confusion surrounding the issue, Portugal’s Golden Visa is back in the spotlight. But during 2023, when no one knew what could happen with this program, many began to explore other residency and citizenship by investment options offered by the Portuguese government.
While much attention was focused on the so-called HQA visas (for Highly Qualified Activities), Portugal’s dynamic immigration regulatory framework has much more to offer. Enter the Entrepreneur Visa.
Many may already be familiar with the Portuguese D2 visa, but there are many misconceptions about what it represents. In reality, it is an umbrella concept, encompassing a variety of work and temporary residence visas in Portugal.
The Entrepreneur Visa is one of the best options for foreign investors. It has simpler processes and requirements compared to other options, and is based on establishing a business in Portugal. There are no restrictions on commercial activity, job creation, or capital investment. It is the government’s way of attracting more business to Portuguese shores.
There is no minimum investment requirement for this visa. The amount must only be reasonable for the type of business you want to undertake.
Successful applicants receive a two-year residence permit, renewable for three years each time. The process is much faster than the Golden Visa and typically takes an average of five months.
Furthermore, the Entrepreneur Visa aligns perfectly with the new local regulatory landscape. This is because following the government’s recent decision to abolish its Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime, a new version of this tax benefit has been announced.
Once the new law is approved, holders of this visa should be among the few categories of foreign investors who can benefit from the NHR regime.
Read the full article in English on IMI Daily.
