Portugal could end its popular Golden Visa program — here’s how to get it before it’s gone
Editors note: This post has been updated with new information.
There's a win this week for anyone hoping to become a European Union citizen through Portugal’s popular Golden Visa program. Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the proposed change to legislation and sent it back to the Parliament for additional changes. This means potential applicants still have time to qualify under the current program rules.
The legislation is expected to be reintroduced in September or October, according to Jason Morgan, director of sales and marketing of the Mercan Group — an investment immigration consulting company.
Morgan told TPG: “The President´s veto can go a long way on ensuring the Portuguese Golden Visa program some very relevant last weeks. Having the President voice out the concerns that the vast majority of the political and economic stakeholders made public validates the cooperative position that our group has adopted throughout this process.
In regard to timelines, a realistic scenario is that the government calls upon the first session of Parliament after the summer break — September 15th, as the date to reapprove the bill, after which it is resent to the President for approval and publishing. Even if this date — September 15th — is indeed the chosen date, under current processual proceedings, it is doubtful that the bill will come into force before the end of September or, most likely, the beginning of October.”
He also added: “Currently, with our partners, the average timing to process a file is around one week, which allows for more than enough time to still invest and participate in the Portuguese investment program before the increase in the entry price point kicks in.”
What is a Golden Visa
You can currently become an EU citizen through real estate investment in a handful of countries with programs commonly referred to as Golden Visas.
For example, you can establish residency in Portugal with an investment starting at 280,000 euros (about $296,317). Requirements include spending up to 14 days in the country annually. However, over the five-year investment period, that requirement varies.
Back in February, Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced that the government intended to review the Golden Visa program — specifically the real estate investment option — and issued a preliminary proposal for changes. Factors prompting the review include foreign investment driving up the price of real estate and potential security risks of money laundering within transactions, according to Costa.
The program was launched in 2012 as a way to attract tourism and investment in Portugal. Over the last 10 years, the program has brought 6.5 billion euros (about $6.8 billion) in investments and issued more than 11,000 residence permits.
As TPG founder Brian Kelly outlined in his journey to EU citizenship, a Golden Visa from Portugal can be very lucrative if you are looking for ways to live, work or study in the EU.
The benefits also extend to your immediate family, and you could eventually hold dual citizenship with a Portuguese passport. This would allow you to visit 187 countries without an additional visa. A Portuguese passport was ranked sixth (the U.S. is seventh) in the list of the world’s most powerful passports according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index.
What happens next
The proposal was forwarded to the president, whose veto this week means it could be changed and evaluated again before it gets reintroduced in the fall.
Changes were made to the program in 2022, but this new announcement could mean that the program (or parts of it) could still go away forever.
Several steps must be taken before the law changes, some of which have already happened. The monthlong comment period expired on March 16, 2023, and it was followed by a meeting to draft the final proposal. This was then presented to Parliament for a vote.
Any changes to the current program could affect new applicants but not current applicants. So, if you’ve been thinking about pursuing dual citizenship, now is the time to get started.
Brian shared details of his own experience with the program and the Mercan Group, which connects investors to real estate development projects in Portugal.
You can find out more information on its website and register your interest to receive more information. It is currently offering a discounted fee of 4,000 euros ($4,343) rather than 5,000 euros ($5,428). Only 500 euros (about $529) are due upon signing.
TPG will continue to follow this story and report on developments.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.