Earlier this year, the Residence Program Index 2024 was published, ranking Portugal’s Golden Visa as one of the best in the world.
This publication by Henley & Partners evaluates various residence-by-investment programs considering factors like processing time to citizenship, taxes, costs, and the country’s reputation.
In the top 5 of the index, which is led by Portugal, Austria and Greece tied for second place, followed by Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Spain.
Why is this country so highly rated in this important ranking?
Its Reputation as a Peaceful Country: Portugal stands out as one of the most globalized and peaceful nations, with a high quality of life and well-rated in both the Human Development Index and the Global Peace Index 2024, where it ranks 7th. It is a very safe country with stable politics and economy, with no significant changes causing social or investor stress.
Investment Amounts: Following recent announcements about changes to the Golden Visa, Portugal remains attractive to investors. Options include contributing to cultural and artistic projects with an investment starting at 200,000 euros, or investing in private funds with a minimum investment of 500,000 euros – offering expected returns much higher than those of other programs – or creating at least 10 permanent jobs.
Family Inclusion: The program covers the investor’s family: spouse, financially dependent children, parents, and even the spouse’s children and parents. Additionally, the citizenship acquired this way is inheritable.
Timelines and Deadlines: The passport can be obtained without residing in the country, just by taking vacations. The Golden Visa processing time is 12 to 18 months to get the residence card. Those who maintain the investment for at least five years can apply for permanent residence and/or citizenship. During this period, only a minimum stay of 7 days per year is required.
Associated Benefits: For those applying for this visa with their family, it’s undoubtedly attractive that it provides access to Portugal’s high-quality education and healthcare systems. And, of course, being a resident in an EU country allows you to travel in the Schengen area as much as you want, accessing its 27 countries without a visa.
High Level of English Proficiency: Portugal ranks among the top 10 European countries with the best English-speaking skills, according to the annual ranking by Education First (EF). In this index, Portugal is on par with countries like Germany and Greece.
These are just some of the key points when comparing Portugal’s Golden Visa program with those of other European countries. Other factors to consider include the climate, gastronomy, or the beautiful landscapes of the peninsular nation, as well as the warmth and tolerance of its inhabitants, and their high quality of life.
In short, it’s a combination of elements that undoubtedly explain why the Portuguese Golden Visa is so positively evaluated worldwide.
At AIM Global, we understand the charms and benefits Portugal offers to all kinds of investors, not just those seeking nationality through the Golden Visa, but also those looking to expand their businesses or explore other investment opportunities. We know that every case is unique, so we invite you to schedule a meeting with our team to explore your own goals and possibilities.
We specialize in finding investments that suit your profile and accompany you throughout the process. We are experts in international mobility, and our goal is to help you achieve yours.
