CHOICE OF A PORTUGAL RESIDENCE PERMIT BY A NON-EU CITIZEN
6 November 2018
In some cases, such as, for example, those of employees, students, eligible relatives of resident persons, choosing the most appropriate residence permit type is quite easy. But in the case of freelancers, entrepreneurs, investors or people having sufficient passive income, the main factor to take into consideration is whether or not they intend to actually live in Portugal.
In case the intention is to merely hold Portugal residency, so as to enjoy visa-free travel in the EU/EEA/Switzerland and eventually qualify for EU permanent residency or citizenship, then the so-called "Golden Visa", Portugal's residency-by-investment programme, is the permit to go for, given its minimal stay requirements (7 days during the first year and 14 days during each subsequent 2-year period).
But for someone who does intend to live in Portugal, it will be faster, more efficient and more cost-effective to apply for a permit other than the Golden Visa, in which case the general minimum stay requirements are nevertheless quite reasonable (4 months during the first year and 16 months during each subsequent 2-year period, provided in either case that no single absence exceeds 6 consecutive months), and may be waived for proven professional or force majeure reasons.
The so-called "Passive Income Visa" is a popular alternative to the "Golden Visa" for someone who intends to live in Portugal and has a sufficient net regular passive income, given that it does not preclude the holder from having a professional activity in Portugal.
The Central Register of Beneficial Ownership (RCBE, Registo Central do Beneficiário Efetivo) is a mandatory register established by the Portuguese government.
Submit IRS Modelo 3 in Portugal by 30 June 2025 or request an extension until 31 December with Modelo 49 in specific cases.
Nova lei reformula Autorizações CPLP: cartão físico de 2 anos, visto consular obrigatório e acesso à livre circulação no Espaço Schengen.
Bought or renovated a home in Portugal and found defects? You may have legal protection, with warranty periods from 5 to 10 years under Portuguese law.
A branch is not a separate legal entity. It operates as an extension of the parent company and is fully dependent on it, both legally and financially.
To maximise these benefits, property buyers should assess eligibility before purchasing a property, ensuring it meets the criteria for IMT exemption.
Acquiring Portuguese citizenship through marriage or a civil partnership with a Portuguese national may appear to be a straightforward legal process.
The D2 Visa allows non-EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals to legally start a business, invest, or engage in entrepreneurial activities in Portugal.
A “green lane” will be established to streamline the work visa process for foreign nationals being recruited by Portuguese companies.
The income earned in 2024 must be declared between 1 April and 30 June 2025 by submitting the IRS Model 3 declaration.