There’s no doubt that Portugal has one of the best golden visa programs in the world. Many things make Portugal an attractive option specifically for most retirees, including its incredible weather, beautiful coastline, and cultural variety.
Portugal Golden Visa Program is one of the most distinguished European golden visas. Non-EU citizens will be able through the visa to reside in Portugal in exchange for real investment. The program was established in 2012 to become a well-known and a popular Residency by Investment Program globally.
Why Portugal Golden Visa Program?
The first thing that comes to people’s minds when choosing a country to get a Golden visa is its many benefits. There are numerous advantages to being a European resident, for instance, Portugal’s investor visa holders are granted the freedom to travel, live and work in all Schengen countries. Let’s look at Portugal as a country and why it makes an excellent place to become an EU citizen.
Friendly Weather
Portugal has incredible weather, with most places receiving sunshine all year round. Ideally, Portugal has more than 300 days of sunshine in a year, and its coastline is an attractive place for both locals and visitors.
A Rich Culture Full of History and Traditions
If you are looking for a place full of culture and entertainment, Portugal is the place to be. Portugal has a wealth of culture, traditions, sports events, and religious celebrations.
Portugal has 17 heritage registered sites, including Porto’s historic center, Serra do Pilar, Sintra, and Luiz 1 bridge.
The Carnaval period is the biggest festival in Portugal that attracts people worldwide. This festival happens in February and offers an excellent opportunity to sing, dance, and celebrate.
Besides that, the many festivals and parties during summer in Portugal offer you an excellent opportunity to meet and interact with locals and discover the culture.
Other celebrations and festivals that you may want to participate in Portugal include Fatima Pilgrimage, Holy Week, Festa de São João, Praia Grande Beach Games, among others.
An Easy and Beautiful Life: Benefit of Portugal Golden Visa Program
Freedom and the beauty of life are among the things that people consider when choosing a residency by investment program. Portugal has maintained its traditional values and charm and is ideal if you want to live an easy, free and beautiful life.
Due to its favorable weather, you can spend more time outside and enjoy the barbecue when returning home. Besides, Portuguese people have a great sense of hospitality that will make you feel good when there. The locals are friendly and open and will greet you and do their best to make you feel good and comfortable.
How to Get a Golden Visa and Residence Permit
Compared to other countries, it’s relatively easy to retire in Portugal. As long as you have no criminal record and meet the set requirements, you can retire comfortably in Portugal. For instance, Algarve hosts more than 100,000 retirees, most of whom are British nationals.
There is more than one option to get a Portuguese visa, depending on whether you are a European citizen or non-EU citizen.
EU Citizens
If you are a European Union (EU) citizen, you can simply apply for residency in Portugal and then enjoy most of the benefits that residents are offered.
To get your residency in Portugal, EU citizens should apply for a SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), Portugal’s official immigration service office.
Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU citizens need to apply for a Golden Visa in Portugal. To do so, you need to meet the following qualifications:
- Non-EU citizen.
- Maintain investment.
- Reside for at least seven days in the first year of receiving the visa, and 14 days after two years of receiving it.
The Golden Visa Scheme is a great way to attract investors into the country. To obtain the Golden Visa residence card, applicants must invest in real estate.
Top benefits of Portugal Golden Visa Program:
- Applicants will become European Resident.
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen zone.
- Register and run businesses in Portugal and other European countries.
- Permanent residency obtained following 5 years from initial investment.
- Option to get Portuguese citizenship following 6 years from initial investment.
Applicants will obtain their residence permit within only four to six months due to the quick processing time. Besides the above benefits, you can include dependent family members to the Portugal Golden Visa without making an additional investment.
What is the Cost of Healthcare in Portugal?
Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), the Portuguese National Health Service, provides healthcare to Portuguese citizens and other people residing in Portugal. This service is funded by the government and serves through community health centers, local health units, and hospitals.
SNS services are mainly free, although some fees may apply in some circumstances. Portugal adheres to high-quality healthcare standards, and the government has invested in modern and well-equipped public hospitals.
The majority of doctors in both private and public hospitals speak in English. Making an appointment with doctors is straightforward, and wait time is less than an hour in Portuguese Private healthcare. In most cases, the cost of all healthcare services is relatively lower compared to other countries like the United States.
EU Citizens
As an EU citizen in Portugal, you can access free healthcare through the SNS. You will need an S1 form issued in your country of origin. While you can opt for extra private health insurance, SNS’s healthcare is sufficient in Portugal.
Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU residents will only qualify for free healthcare after obtaining a permanent residency status in Portugal. That being the case, you may need to get private health insurance for your first five years in Portugal.
Best Places to Visit in Portugal
There are many beautiful places in Portugal that you should consider visiting or residing in, including:
- Lisbon and Around
- Algarve
- Madeira
- Alentejo
- Azores
- Porto Area
- Central Portugal
Lisbon is an excellent place to visit, reside or retire in if you want to be part of the city and access the countryside and beaches with ease.
With an approximate area of about 3,000 square kilometers, Lisbon metropolitan has about 3 million people. There you can enjoy great views from the seven hills and the magnificent Tagus river that surrounds it.
You can also enjoy a boat, short bus, or train ride to the beaches close to the city.
Lisbon is known for being a place with a number of activities and for meeting new people. Many activities happen in Lisbon, and you won’t get bored or feel lonely.
Algarve also hosts some of the most attractive beaches and coastlines in Portugal, making it a popular destination for tourists. Besides, its warm weather makes it an ideal choice for residents.
Why Choose Portugal Golden Visa Program – Final Thoughts
Applying for a Portuguese golden visa is not easy as it seems, especially for Non-EU citizens. At Bluemina, we provide more than 16 citizenship and residency programs, granting individuals a second passport to secure you and your family’s future. Bluemina helps people with its over two decades of expertise in becoming global citizens and have freedom of mobility, world-class healthcare and education services as well as thriving business opportunities.
