Portugal has issued 400 golden visas under the capital transfer option, according to the latest SEF statistics.
The Capital transfer option was launched under ARI golden visa scheme in Dec 2017 expanding the scope of options outside the real estate investment.
The capital transfer scheme is the cheapest option starts with 250,000 euro investment for supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage institutions.
The following are five options available for capital transfer under the portuguese golden visa scheme.
- Research activities: Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 350,000 Euros for investing in research activities conducted by public or private scientific research institutions involved in the national scientific or technology system;
- Artistic support: Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 250,000 Euros for investing in artistic output or supporting the arts, for reconstruction or refurbishment of the national heritage, through the local and central authorities, public institutions, public corporate sector, public foundations, private foundations of public interest, networked local authorities, local corporate sector organizations, local associations and public cultural associations, pursuing activities of artistic output, and reconstruction or maintenance of the national heritage
- Investment funds: Capital transfer of the amount of 350,000 Euros, or higher, for the acquisition of units of investment funds or venture capital fund of funds dedicated to the capitalisation of companies, capital injected under the Portuguese legislation, whose maturity, at the moment of the investment, is, at least, of five years and, at least, 60% of the investments is realized in commercial companies with head office in national territory
- Corporate Head office: Capital transfer of the amount of 350,000 Euros, or higher, for constitution of a commercial society with head office in the national territory, combined with the creation of five permanent working jobs, or for the reinforcement of the share capital of a commercial society with head office in national territory, already existing, with the creation or keeping of working jobs, with a minimum of five permanent jobs, and for a minimum period of three years
- Government debt: Capital transfer with a value equal to or above 1 million Euros for bonds, securities and shares.
Job creation
For those who do not want to invest big sums or startups, another interesting option is creation of 10 jobs. This requirement may be reduced in 20% (8 jobs) when in a low density territory (NUTS III level with less than 100 inhabitants per Km2 or PIB per capita less than 75% of the national average).