The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency by an investment program that was launched in 2012. The Portuguese government issued 9015 investment permits as of July 2020. The most sought-after investment option for the Golden Visa is Real Estate Purchasing, which was the number 8487 of the 9015 permits.
EUR500,000 is the usual minimum investment threshold in real investment. The threshold drops to EUR350,000 if you buy a property older than 30 years and then renovate it. The Portuguese government offers a reduction for those who invest in low-density areas.
Low-Density Zones
Portugal offers a 20% discount on minimum investments to prevent a real estate bubble.
This is why it’s not the most preferred option. It is a substantial reduction in the minimum investment but you should remember that it is more difficult to rent or sell real estate in low-density locations.
There are also fewer opportunities for real estate in lower-density regions. Portugal’s largest population lives in and around large cities. This means that property outside these areas may not provide a good return on investment.
People who want to retire in Portugal and live away from the hustle and bustle of big cities often take advantage of this option.
What are the low-density areas in Portugal?
| City/ Municipality | Neighborhoods | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Portugal’s Most Popular Lower Density Areas
Popular tourist spots include Alentejo and Viseu as well as affordable properties in neighborhoods such as Evora and Viseu. Faro, Viseu and Santarem are the most sought-after areas in the country.
The advantages of lower density areas
These areas require less capital to invest, which gives investors more control over their business affairs. These areas are ideal for starting a new business, despite the crowds. These areas are also popular with tourists from all walks of life for their diverse nature. Students are increasingly drawn to the inner cities of Portugal. These cities are becoming more popular with students because of the increased youth population. This opportunity is available to new investors. People who decide to retire in Portugal might enjoy the lower living costs and tranquility of these areas.
Update: Portugal Golden Visa changes starting in 2022
Starting in January 2022, the Portugal Golden Visa will undergo a major makeover.
The following applies to real estate investments:
Golden Visa Scheme:
- Property investments in Portugal, Porto and other coastal high-density towns will not be eligible for properties located in Lisbon, Porto or any other high-density areas.
- Real estate investment in low-density regions will continue to be eligible, starting at EUR280K for rehabilitation and EUR400K for any property acquisition.
The current Portugal Golden Visa investment options are still available and will continue to be open for the remainder of the year. If you are interested in property investments in Portugal’s cities, we recommend that you apply as soon as you can. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you move forward in your application or alternatively, consult our Portugal Golden Visa changes article for more information. In addition, stay informed on the latest Portugal Golden Visa statistics for the year, to get a better idea of popular investment routes for the remainder of 2021.
I am a Nigerian Citizen but work with the UN in South Sudan. I am married with five children and all of them are studying in Canada. I will need your advise on property choice as I would want to do a property investment for Golden visa in places like Silver Coast, Madeira Island or apartment in Lisbon or Porto or Bragga, and wondering if you can help me with the property investment up to 350, 000 Euros and complete the Golden Visa application (that would benefit me, my wife and five children) before the end of the year. I will want to visit Portugal in a couple of weeks to see things for myself. Wondering if you could assist in securing the temporary visa for me for this purpose i.e. letter of invitation e.t.c.
I am also interested in having a breakdown of the cost of the Golden visa application, details of the services you will be offering to me and the costs.
Looking forward to receiving your reply to all my inquiries soonest.
Best regards,
Anthony Nwapa.