The ultimate guide to Portugal's Golden Visa – unlocking European citizenship with Optylon Krea

Portugal’s Golden Visa program is one of the most attractive residency-byinvestment schemes in Europe. It offers non-EU citizens a pathway to obtaining Portuguese residency and eventually citizenship through qualifying investments. Since its inception, the program has gathered significant interest due to its flexible requirements and numerous benefits. For individuals seeking to enhance their global mobility, secure a stable and high-quality lifestyle, or diversify their investment portfolio, the Portuguese Golden Visa stands out as an excellent choice. And despite what you may have heard, it has not ended, though some criteria have changed. Let’s take a deep dive into Portugal’s Golden Visa scheme and learn all there is to know about it, shall we?

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Benefits of the Portuguese Golden Visa

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1. Minimal stay requirements: one of the standout features of the Portuguese Golden Visa is its lenient stay requirement. Investors are required to spend only seven days per year in Portugal, making it ideal for busy professionals and global citizens.

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2. Pathway to citizenship: after five years of holding a Golden Visa, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided they pass an A2-level Portuguese language test. This citizenship grants access to the ‘powerful’ Portuguese passport – ranked fourth worldwide – allowing visa-free travel to a spectacular 175 countries.

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3. Family inclusion: the Golden Visa extends to family members, including spouses, children, and dependent parents, under the family reunification scheme. This ensures that families can enjoy the benefits and opportunities that come with residency.

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4. Freedom of movement: Golden Visa holders can travel freely within the Schengen Area, encompassing 26 European countries, without the need for any additional visas.

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5. Right to live, work and study: the visa grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, and after obtaining citizenship, these rights extend to the entire EU.

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6. Stable economy and safety: Portugal is known for its stable economy and is considered one of the safest countries in the world (ranking 7th worldwide in 2023) making it an ideal place to reside and invest.

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Investment requirements and options

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To qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa, investors must make a minimum investment of €500,000. The investment options include:

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1. Capital transfers: investors can acquire shares in non-real estate collective investment undertakings. These must be set up under Portuguese law, have a minimum maturity of five years, and at least 60% of the investment value must be made in Portuguese-based commercial companies.

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2. Real estate investments: though there are restrictions on direct real estate investments, the program still allows for investments in hospitality and serviced-apartments through funds like the Ando Europe Fund managed by Optylon Krea.

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The Ando Europe Fund

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Optylon Krea offers the Ando Europe Fund as a Golden Visa-eligible investment option. The fund focuses on:

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Hospitality sector: investing in serviced-apartments and clubhouses, predominantly in prime locations across Portugal and select European cities.

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Food and entertainment: enhancing the lifestyle offerings within the serviced-apartments through strategic partnerships with leading operators. The fund aims for a diversified investment strategy with a target return of 7% per annum and a minimum investment of €500,000, ensuring compliance with Portugal’s Golden Visa requirements.

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Comparing Portugal’s GV with other Golden Visa programs:

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Up until now, we’ve seen all the benefits, requirements and options of Portugal’s Golden Visa, but where does it stand when compared with other similar programs

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1. Greece: Greece offers a more affordable Golden Visa with a minimum investment of €250,000 in real estate (to be bumped to € 400,000 to 800,000 from September 2024). However, it does not provide a direct route to citizenship as easily as Portugal’s Golden Visa does.

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2. Spain: Spain's Golden Visa also has a €500,000 real estate investment requirement. While it offers residency, the path to citizenship is longer, requiring ten years of residency instead of Portugal’s five years requirement and 7-days minimum stay/per year.

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3. Cyprus: the Cypriot program demands an investment of €300,000 (excluding VAT) in real estate, but contrary to Portugal's scheme, offers no direct route to citizenship, as this requires a continuous physical stay in the country of at least seven years.

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In conclusion, the Portuguese Golden Visa program, as facilitated by Optylon Krea, presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking residency and citizenship in Europe. With its minimal stay requirements, family inclusion, and strong economic and safety profile, it is more than an attractive proposition, it’s the ultimate solution for global non-EU citizens. When compared to other European residency programs, Portugal's Golden Visa stands out for its balance of affordability, benefits, and a clear pathway to citizenship. And by investing in the Ando Europe Fund, applicants not only secure their Portuguese Golden Visa, but also gain exposure to a diversified and potentially lucrative investment in the country's thriving hospitality sector.

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