The Portugal 280K Investment Option for the Portugal Golden Visa
Updated: April 22, 2023
Portugal has a rich cultural heritage, and its diverse history can be seen throughout the country, from the city of seven hills, Lisbon, to the sandy white beaches in Cascais. Aside from the stunning natural landscapes, the country is safe, has a great climate, a stable economy, an attractive real estate market, and a warm and welcoming population. Portugal also has one of the most attractive Golden Visa Programs in the world.
As part of this program, foreign investors can obtain residency in the country by making a real estate investment. In this case, the minimum investment amount must be €280,000 to qualify for the program. Additionally, the property needs to be at least thirty years old, be a rehabilitation project, and be situated in a low-density area in Portugal.
Important: You must remember that Portugal is ending its Golden Visa Program. To know more, and for the latest updates, you can read our article: Portugal is Ending its Golden Visa Program. The key takeaway is that if you are contemplating applying for the program, you should do so now.
Alongside this, do note that if you are planning to invest in real estate in popular areas like Lisbon, Porto, or most cities along the coast, you can only invest in commercial properties following the changes that came into play in January 2022. Residential property needs to be located in an interior area.
How to obtain a Portugal Golden Visa through real estate investments
Relevant investment options eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa
Property renovation options for the Portugal Golden Visa
The €280,000 option for the Portugal Golden Visa
Popular low-density areas of Portugal
Benefits of investing in Portugal low-density areas
Locations of low-density areas in Portugal
About Goldcrest
Securing the Portugal Golden Visa Through Real Estate Acquisition
Portugal’s Golden Visa Program has often been selected as one of the world’s best residency by investment programs in the world. Here is a list of ten indicators that reports often take into account when evaluating the best residency by investment programs worldwide.
Citizenship requirements
Financial requirements
Compliance
Quality of life
Processing time and quality of processing
Time to citizenship
Reputation
Visa-free access
Taxation
Total Costs
Different Investment Options for the Portugal Golden Visa
Real estate investments
If you are an investor looking to invest in a real estate property in Portugal, you have to invest at least €500,000. You can choose to invest on your own, or you can invest through a joint enterprise. However, if you buy real estate in a low-density area, the minimum investment amount is €400,000.
Real estate and rehabilitated properties
Foreign investors also have the option to invest in a rehabilitation project. If you are interested in restoration, then the minimum investment value reduces to €350,000. In this case, the property needs to be constructed more than thirty years ago and must be located in a particular area designated for urban rehabilitation.
If your rehabilitation project is located in a low-density area, then the minimum threshold of investment further reduces to €280,000 under the Portugal Golden Visa Program. Please note that the minimum required investment amount includes the cost of the property and the renovation costs combined. This is the most affordable real estate option to qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa.
The Property Renovation Option for the Portugal Golden Visa
In order to invest in a rehabilitation project in Portugal, you must first ensure that the property is approved by the Town Hall (Câmara Municipal). The property owner or the architect needs to get the project approved in the Town Hall.
This real estate investment option takes into account the cost of the property and the ex-VAT expenditure of the contracted renovation works. You cannot include other associated costs like assistance fees, government fees, and taxes in the minimum investment requirement amount.
280K Investment Option for the Portugal Golden Visa Under the Portugal Golden Visa, there are various investment options that you can consider. But if you want to invest the minimum amount in real estate and obtain residency, then the investment amount is 280K. But you should also keep in mind which areas of Portugal will provide you with the best yields should if you are considering renting out your property and securing a return on your investment.
The 280K option is only applicable to rehabilitation projects located in low-density areas in Portugal. You can identify low-density areas in Portugal by their population. For instance, if an area has less than 100 residents per square meter, then the region can be considered a low-density area. In addition to this, if the gross domestic product per capita is less than 75 percent, then the area can be called a low-density area.
The main objective of this option is to attract foreign investors to invest in underdeveloped areas of the country. With the influx of more investments, these areas have the potential to develop exponentially.
Popular Low-Density Areas in Portugal
There are various low-density areas in Portugal that are popular among tourists as well as foreign real estate investors. These areas include Branganca, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Covilha, Castelo Branco, Santarém, Evora, Alentejo, Beja, Santarém, and Portimao. For real estate investment in residential properties in Portugal, it must be located in low-density areas.
Benefits of Low-Density Areas
Low-density areas are great for foreign investors as they give them an affordable option to qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa.
Many of these areas are located away from the hustle and bustle of the city. They are a great place to live in peace and quiet.
Low-density areas can provide a peaceful and calm life, which is perfect for retirees.
Low-density Areas in Portugal
The following areas in Portugal are considered low density areas: Águeda – União das freguesias de Belazaima do Chão, Castanheira do Vouga e Agadão, União das freguesias do Préstimo e Macieira de Alcoba
Amarante – Ansiães, Candemil, Gouveia (São Simão), Jazente, Rebordelo, Salvador do Monte, União das freguesias de Aboadela, Sanche e Várzea, União das freguesias de Olo e Canadelo, União das freguesias de Bustelo, Carneiro e Carvalho de Rei, Vila Chã do Marão
Amares – Bouro (Santa Marta), Goães, União das freguesias de Caldelas, Sequeiros e Paranhos, União das freguesias de Vilela, Seramil e Paredes Secas
Caminha – Dem, União das freguesias de Arga (Baixo, Cima e São João)
Castelo de Paiva – União das freguesias de Gondar e Orbacém, Real, União das Freguesias da Raiva, Pedorido e Paraíso
Condeixa-a-Nova – Furadouro
Guimarães – União das freguesias de Arosa e Castelões
Loulé – Alte, Ameixial, Salir, União de freguesias de Querença, Tôr e Benafim
Marco de Canaveses – Várzea, Aliviada e Folhada
Ourém- Espite, União das freguesias de Matas e Cercal, União das freguesias de Freixianda, Ribeira do Fárrio e Formigais, União das freguesias de Rio de Couros e Casal dos Bernardos
Pombal- Abiul, Anais
Ponte de Lima – Ardegão, Freixo e Mato, Associação de freguesias do Vale do Neiva, Bárrio e Cepões, Beiral do Lima, Boalhosa, Cabaços e Fojo Lobal, Cabração e Moreira do Lima, Calheiros, Estorãos, Friastelas. Gemieira, Gondufe, Labruja, Labrujó, Rendufe e Vilar do Monte, Navió e Vitorino dos Piães, Poiares, Serdedelo
Porto de Mós – São Bento
Santarém- União das freguesias de Casével e Vaqueiros
Silves – São Marcos da Serra
Tavira – Cachopo, Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo
Tomar – Olalhas, Sabacheira, União das freguesias de Além da Ribeira e Pedreira, União das freguesias de Casais e Alviobeira, União das freguesias de Serra e Junceira
Vale de Cambra- Arões, Junqueira
Valença – Boivão, Fontoura, União das freguesias de Gondomil e Safins, União das freguesias de São Julião e Silva
Goldcrest – Portugal Real Estate
Goldcrest is a local buyer’s agent situated in Portugal. The expert team at Goldcrest specializes in providing insightful and strategic advice about real estate in Portugal. From sourcing the property to completing all formalities of property acquisition, Goldcrest helps foreign investors in obtaining a property in some of Portugal’s finest locations.
