The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment scheme that grants non-EU nationals a Portuguese residency permit in exchange for a significant investment in the country.

Launched in 2012, the Portuguese Golden Visa has several attractive benefits. These include the possibility of obtaining legal residency in Portugal, getting visa-free travel in the EU, and applying for European citizenship after five years.

The Golden Visa has provided 10,748 foreign investors with residency in Portugal, and it’s an attractive option for people from New Zealand looking to make connections in Europe.

In this guide on the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders, we’ll delve into the program’s many benefits. You’ll also learn how to apply and what investment options are available.

Here’s what you’ll learn about this Portugal residency visa:

What is the Portugal Golden Visa?

The Portuguese Golden Visa program allows non-EU nationals to work, live, and study in Portugal if they make a significant investment in the country’s economy.

Introduced by the Portuguese government in 2012 to attract foreign investment and boost the country’s economy, the Portugal Golden Visa is one of the world’s most popular residency-by-investment schemes.

Some of the program’s benefits include getting a temporary residency permit in Portugal, visa-free travel in the European Union, and the possibility of acquiring Portuguese citizenship after five years.

According to the Portugal Golden Visa statistics, this investment program has awarded 20,000 Golden Passports to families worldwide and raised over €4 billion in funds.

Currently, the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders provides residency through several attractive investment options. These include investment in public or private scientific research institutions, a fund investment, and job creation.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA 2023

The Portugal Golden Visa program has recently undergone substantial changes. The new legislation, which took effect in October 2023, eliminated the purchase of real estate and real-estate-related funds as qualifying investment options for the program. 

However, several attractive investment routes still maintain their eligibility for the program. To learn more, please refer to our comprehensive guide: Portugal Golden Visa

Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders

The Golden Visa in Portugal offers an array of benefits for New Zealanders, including the potential for an EU citzenship after five years. Here are some of the programs biggest advantages.

GCS-ICONS-51The right to live and work in Portugal

Portugal Golden Visa holders can live, study, and work in Portugal legally. The residence visa extends to cover your family members as well. Portugal has a very high standard of education, making it an excellent option to consider for your children’s future.

GCS-ICONS-04Flexible stay requirements

The Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders provides an excellent opportunity if you are looking for a backup plan but are not ready to leave your homeland of New Zealand. With a flexible short-stay requirement, you will only be required to spend seven days on average in the country per year, and you’ll be able to retain your Portuguese residency.

GCS Icon EU PassportOpportunity to become an EU Citizen

For New Zealanders, one of the most attractive aspects of the Golden Visa scheme is that after five years, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship as long as you fulfill all the other requirements. With a Portuguese passport, you can live, work, reside, and travel in any of the 27 EU member states.

GCS Icon FamilyFamily reunification

As previously mentioned, you can include your family in your Golden Visa application. Along with your spouse and children, you can also include your parents.

GCS-ICONS-56Easy travel within Europe

If you want to move to Portugal, it is very easy to travel to the rest of Europe. Lisbon, Porto, and Faro each have airports with international travel, where you can easily jump on a plane and explore a whole host of exciting cultures. Portugal is also a member of the EU’s Schengen Area, meaning you would have access to borderless travel to the other countries in the Schengen Area.

GCS Icon EurosAffordable cost of living

While Portugal boasts an excellent quality of life, the affordability of living there is sure to catch your eye. Living expenses in Portugal are much cheaper than in New Zealand. To give you some examples, here are some comparisons between the two capital cities.

  • Consumer prices in Wellington are 57.7% higher than in Lisbon, not including rent.
  • Rent prices in Wellington are 40.73% higher than in Lisbon
  • Restaurant prices in Wellington are 42.15% higher than in Lisbon

Eligibility for Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealand Citizens

To be eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa program, the main applicant must:

  • Be either non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA nationals
  • Be able to prove the source of their investment funds
  • Have a criminal record certificate proving the absence of conviction in a crime punishable in Portugal for one year or more.
  • Spend at least 14 days in Portugal for each two years. You must maintain your investments in Portugal and meet the program’s renewal criteria to keep your Golden Visa residency status valid.

To get the Portuguese residence permit, then an investment must first be made before the application can be filed. The minimum investment amount is €250,000.

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Options

As previously mentioned, there are an array of investment options available. The minimum investment amount is €250,000, which is the portugal golden visa donation pathway.

In brief, here are the investment options available for the Portugal Golden Visa:

  1. Fund Subscription: Contribute to a qualified investment fund worth at least €500,000
  2. Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national heritage with a donation of at least €250,000
  3. Scientific Research: Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000
  4. Creation of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
  5. Share capital and job creation: Incorporation of a Portuguese company or reinforcement of the share capital of an existing Portuguese business, in either case with an investment of €500,000, combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (5 of them permanent)

The minimum investments for options 2 and 3 may be reduced by 20% when the activity is carried out in low-density areas of Portugal.

Investment Option

Minimum Investment

Fund Subscription

€500,000

Arts or Cultural Heritage Donation

€250,000

Scientific Research

€500,000

Creation of Ten Jobs

€500,000

Share Capital and Job Creation

€500,000

Portugal Golden Visa investments in 2024

Real estate purchases, property investments, and capital transfers are no longer eligible; the program is shifting its focus toward the Portugal Golden Visa investment funds.

Private equity and venture capital funds approved by Portugal’s regulatory body (CMVM) remain a pathway for New Zealanders and others to invest and work toward Portuguese citizenship. These funds are managed by accredited professionals to ensure compliance and proper oversight.

This change aims to provide Portugal Golden Visa investors with a more diverse portfolio within the program, as the investment fund route allows you to explore sectors such as energy, technology, and industry.

Portugal Golden Visa Requirements for New Zealanders

Golden Visa Portugal required documents

Here’s a list of the Golden Visa Portugal required documents:

  • Portuguese Golden Visa application form
  • Copy of a valid passport and travel documents
  • Declaration from your bank in Portugal confirming the transfer of funds
  • Proof of private health insurance in Portugal (only required if the investor resides in Portugal)
  • Supporting evidence that they have invested the minimum amount required. A declaration of honor compromising to maintain the investment for five years is also needed.
  • A certified copy of the clean criminal record or a police clearance letter from your country of origin
  • A completed form authorizing AIMA (former SEF), to get an extract of your Portuguese criminal records
  • Documents proving good standing with the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority and Social Security system. These can be issued 45 days before your online application.
  • A receipt showing that you already paid for the Golden Visa application processing fee

The certificates of criminal records or police clearance letters must have been issued no more than 90 days before submitting your application. All other certificates are 180 days.

Note: The Portugal Golden Visa documents and the application form must be legalized, translated into Portuguese, and then certified.

The translation can be certified by one of the three agents:

  1. A Portuguese Consulate
  2. A Portuguese lawyer
  3. An official notary

The Global Citizen Solution has a team of legal experts who can translate the documents for your Portugal Golden Visa process.

Take a look at our Portugal Golden Visa Guide by local experts

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How to Get a Portuguese Golden Visa

The application process for the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders is as follows:

  1. Gathering the required Golden Visa documents
  2. Decide on which investment you will move forward with
  3. Acquiring a Portugal taxpayer identification number (NIF)
  4. Opening a Portuguese bank account and transferring funds to it. To help you with this process, here’s a guide on how to open a bank account in Portugal.
  5. Completing your investment
  6. With your qualifying investment made and your paperwork ready, you can submit your pre-application online.
  7. After analyzing your pre-application, AIMA will send you available dates for the Portugal Golden Visa biometrics appointment.
  8. After your biometrics, your investment visa takes around six months to be approved.

The Portugal Golden Visa processing time is usually between 12 to 24 months to approve and issue your temporary residence permit. The Golden Visa permit is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years. At the end of the fifth year, you can apply for a permanent residency permit and/or Portuguese citizenship.

Portugal Golden Visa Cost for New Zealanders

Wondering what is the cost of a Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders? The investment is the primary cost of the Golden Visa Portugal.

The Golden Visa legal application fees are as follows:

  • From €5,000 to €8,000 for single applicants. Dependents younger than 18 years old can be included in the application free of charge.
  • Additional fees: This will cost between €500 and € 2,000 for dependents aged 18 and older. Note that children are free of charge.

As for the new government fees involved with the submission, granting, and renewal of the residence permit, they are the following:

  • Online application submission – € 605,10
  • Granting the permit – € 6.045,20
  • Per renewal – € 3.023,30

All government fees listed above are payable per person, whether a main applicant or a family member.

Can I get Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa program as a New Zealand citizen?

Yes, you can. The Portugal Golden Visa allows you to obtain a temporary residence permit for Portugal, which, after five years, can be turned into a permanent residency permit and Portuguese citizenship. Both countries allow dual nationality, so you will not have to renounce your New Zealand citizenship if you decide to apply to become a Portuguese citizen.

Please note that to acquire Portuguese citizenship through the Golden Visa, you must spend a minimum of seven days in Portugal in the first year and no less than 14 days for each subsequent two-year period. This short-stay requirement is excellent for New Zealand nationals who are not ready to leave the beauty of their homeland just yet.

To get a Portuguese passport, you’ll also need to keep your investment in Portugal during these five years.

According to the Portuguese Immigration Law, another requirement for citizenship is passing a basic Portugal Golden Visa language test.

Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa?

  • Global approach by local experts: A team of experienced local case executives, immigration lawyers, and investment specialists based in Portugal.
  • Independent service:We are not a marketing agency for any projects. You will access all eligible routes for the Golden Visa, with over 40 vetted qualifying investment options, so you can decide on the best option for you.
  • 100% approval rate: We have the unique distinction of never having had a Golden Visa case rejected and have helped hundreds of clients from more than 35 countries.
  • All-encompassing solution: Our dedicated onboarding and immigration teams will assist you throughout the process and beyond with a single channel of communication. 
  • Transparency: Our fees are clear and detailed, covering the entire process with no hidden costs. 
  • Privacy: Your personal data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa, you can find out more here: Why Work with Global Citizen Solutions for Your Golden Visa Portugal Application?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders

What is the Portugal Golden Visa?

The Portugal Golden Visa provides investors with residence permits in Portugal, provided they make a qualifying investment in the country. The Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders is a good option for them to secure EU residency, with the possibility of citizenship after five years.

Are New Zealanders eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program?

Yes, New Zealand citizens are eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa program if they meet specific criteria. This includes being at least 18 years old, having a clean criminal record. and making a qualifying investment in Portugal.

What are the benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa for New Zealanders?

The Portugal Golden Visa offers New Zealand investors and their family members visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, the ability to live, work, and study in Portugal, and eligibility for permanent residence and citizenship after five years.

Can I get Portuguese citizenship through Golden Visa program as a New Zealand citizen?

Yes, you can. The initial Golden Visa residency card is valid for two years. It can be renewed every two years if the applicant continues to meet the investment and residency requirements. After five years of holding the temporary residency, it’s possible to apply for permanent residency and citizenship in Portugal.

What is the minimum investment required for New Zealanders to get a Portugal Golden Visa?

The minimum qualifying investment for the Portugal Golden Visa is €250,000, which is the donation pathway.

What are the Portugal golden visa new rules?

New rules for the Portugal Golden Visa came into play on 1 January 2022. Under this:

  • The minimum investment threshold to qualify for residency increased.
  • The investment fund amount option is now €500,000.
  • The capital transfer amount is now €1.5 million
  • New residential real estate investments must be made in interior areas of the country, ruling out hotspot locations, including Lisbon, Porto, and much of the Algarve.

Other Golden Visa investment routes remain available.

Can New Zealanders include family members in their Portugal Golden Visa application?

Yes, New Zealanders can include family members – including spouses, dependent children, and parents- in their Golden Visa application.

What are the residency requirements for New Zealanders with a Portugal Golden Visa?

Portugal’s Golden Visa program requires foreigners to spend a minimum period of seven days in the first year in Portugal, then a subsequent 14 days every two years

Is the Portugal Golden Visa renewable for New Zealanders after the initial period?

Yes, it is. Your initial Golden Visa residence permit is valid for two years and renewable for two more years. You can renew this temporary residence card again at the end of year four for another two years. At the end of the fifth year, you can apply for Portuguese citizenship if you meet the requirements.