In 2012, Portugal introduced its Golden Visa programme in a bid to attract foreign investment with the promise of EU residency in return for their economic contribution. Fast forward to October 2023, and the Portuguese government reshaped the popular programme, removing all real estate investment paths in favour of the investment fund route.
Unlike most European residency-by-investment programmes which require in-country presence for a number of years in order to naturalise as a citizen, the Portugal Golden Visa enables investors to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5-years of temporary residency, regardless as to if they have lived full-time, or part of the year, in Portugal.
Investors are now required to commit €500,000 to a qualifying investment fund. At Sable International we have identified a qualifying Golden Visa investment option that is essentially a balanced fund with a blend of strong Portuguese-listed equities and bonds. This fund has a return objective of 5% per annum. However, it has managed to achieve 10.6% per annum over the past 30 months. Unlike other fund options touted in the market, it offers liquidity, flexibility, diversification and Euro capital growth over time.
According to Sarah Young, the Investment Migration Manager at Sable International, this latest chapter of the Golden Visa programme isn’t just a diversification of your investment portfolio into a hard currency; it’s an excellent Plan B to get a second residency and citizenship without uprooting your whole life. What’s more, as a Portuguese citizen, you are afforded an open door to live, work, study and/or retire in all EU member state countries. If future optionality is key for you and your family, this programme could be just the ticket.
