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The Socialist Party didn’t approve the end of Portugal’s Golden Visa

2 December 2022

At the Web Summit in Lisbon, the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa announced that the government is currently evaluating the possibility of terminating the highly popular golden visa. The possibility caused instant speculation and worrisome among investors interested in the Portuguese Residency-by-Investment program.

This matter was since debated on the Portuguese parliament and, during session held on the 22^nd November, the Prime Minister's own Socialist Party voted against the proposal of abolishing Portugal’s Golden Visa, along with another proposal to evaluate the program's impact.

Earlier in 2022, the government has made changes to the Golden Visa program, which increased the minimum investment in venture capital and private equity funds to €500,000. It also limited the purchase of residential properties in high density areas such as Lisbon, Porto, and the coastal touristic areas of the Algarve. The recent changes to the Portuguese golden visa came into effect in January, more than a year after its announcement. Therefore, any amendment is applied to the Portuguese Residency-by-Investment program, it will have a period before it enters into force.

There are multiple routes to obtain legal residency in Portugal. The D7 visa is well known for people earning passive income and wanting to relocate to Portugal permanently. On the other hand, the new Digital Nomad visa is suitable for remote workers earning an active income from sources outside of Portugal. Both options have significant stay requirements in Portugal, which often makes it less attractive for businesspeople who still need to stay close to their own businesses. The Golden Visa program is the only residency permit in Portugal with no significant stay requirements and allows the holder to enter Portugal, the EU or the Schengen Area, enjoying free movement in 26 countries.

Portugal’s Golden Visa program is Europe’s most successful residency-by-investment programme targeted at non-EU citizens and it is still growing, despite SEF’s temporary closure and the processing delays seen earlier in the year. In the latest data released by SEF – The Immigration and Border Service, Golden Visa approvals are increasing once again. From January to September 2022, a total of 926 main investors have been approved: 94 in January, 94 in February, 73 in March, 121 in April, 112 in May, 155 in June, 80 in July, 77 in August and 120 in September.

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Immigration Law Update: Major Changes for CPLP Citizens

21 February 2025

On Friday, 14 February 2025, Law No. 9/2025 came into effect, introducing amendments to Law No. 23/2007 of 4 July, which governs the legal framework for the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreign nationals from Portugal. For context, Law No. 9/2025 introduced amendments to seven articles, aiming to facilitate and simplify the entry and stay of citizens from the Member States of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Portugal. The CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries – Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa) is an international organisation comprising countries where Portuguese is an official language. Its primary objectives are to promote cooperation in political, economic, and cultural areas among its member states while fostering the Portuguese language and cultural exchange. Among the amendments, Article 75, paragraph 2 is particularly noteworthy. It states: When the applicant is covered by the CPLP Agreement and holds a short-stay visa or has legal entry into the national territory, they may apply for a temporary residence permit. In practical terms, this means that citizens who enter Portugal legally can apply for a temporary residence permit without the need for a visa. They simply need to enter the country as tourists, as is the case for citizens of CPLP member states. Tourist stays are limited to a maximum period of 90 days. Citizens from countries that are not members of the CPLP can still apply for a temporary residence permit; however, they must first obtain the appropriate visa . Temporary stay visas are intended for individuals planning to stay in Portugal for more than 90 days but less than one year. Various types of temporary stay visas are available to accommodate different purposes, such as medical treatment, family reunification, employment, study, and seasonal work. These visas are formally classified as E1 Visa, E2 Visa, and so forth. The member states of the CPLP include: The Republic of Angola The Federative Republic of Brazil The Republic of Cape Verde The Republic of Guinea-Bissau The Republic of Equatorial Guinea The Republic of Mozambique The Portuguese Republic The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Portugal stands out as a jurisdiction that facilitates the transfer of wealth.

Inheritance and Wills in Portugal: A Tax-Free Legacy for Close Family Members

by Margarida Tempera • 13 February 2025

Portugal’s favourable inheritance laws make it an excellent choice for individuals seeking to efficiently secure their family's financial future.

At LVP Advogados, we provide personalised guidance to navigate the complexities of these visas.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Portugal Temporary Stay Visas

by Luís Maria Branco • 6 February 2025

Portugal’s comprehensive Temporary Stay Visas offer customised solutions for a variety of personal and professional needs.

This option is ideal for those residents who fall in love with Portugal.

To Be or Not to Be a Permanent Resident: Your Options After Five Years of Calling Portugal Home

by Danielle Avidago • 5 February 2025

Portuguese immigration law allows two paths: the Permanent Residence and the Long-Term Resident Status.

AIMA Subpoena Data: Understanding the Real Numbers

4 February 2025

As of 4th February 2025, the total number of pending AIMA subpoenas by the end of January, specifically until the 31st, stood at approximately 50,046 cases. Despite this high number, the subpoenas in January reflected a downward trend, with a daily average of 335 cases. For context, the daily average in November 2024 was 536 cases, while in December 2024, it was 404 cases.