Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund | Read This First!

Portugal offers spellbinding experiences for avid travelers, foreign investors, and international families alike. Thanks to its Golden Visa program, it’s possible for expats to acquire residency by investment and even Portuguese citizenship in this charming nation. One of the best ways to get a Portuguese Golden Visa is via the Portugal Golden Visa investment fund pathway.

In this Portugal investment fund Golden Visa guide, we cover the following:

• Benefits of the Portugal investment fund
• Key considerations to take into account before investing in funds
• Fund eligibility criteria

IMPORTANT UPDATE: PORTUGAL GOLDEN VISA - OCTOBER 2023

The Portugal Golden Visa program has recently undergone substantial changes. The new legislation is now in effect, and it's crucial to note that real estate investments are no longer a valid qualifying option within the program.

However, several attractive investment routes still maintain their eligibility for the program. Please refer to our comprehensive guide: Portugal Golden Visa Ultimate Guide.

 

For more information, including continuous updates on this visa category, please refer to our articles: Portugal Golden Visa Ending: Everything We Know So Far and Golden Visa Changes.

Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund: An Overview

About The Golden Visa Program

The Portuguese Golden Visa Program is a five-year residency by investment scheme. Qualifying applicants must invest a significant amount into the Portuguese economy to obtain a Portuguese residence permit. Portuguese citizenship is attainable for Golden Visa holders after five years of keeping their investment, provided they meet all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law.

Since Portugal Golden Visa’s inception in 2012, the program has attracted over 11,535 investors to date, rewarding foreign applicants with a Golden Visa residency permit, unlimited visa-free travel access to the European Union, and the opportunity to live, work, or study in Portugal.

Known for its flexible application requirements, relatively straightforward timeline to residency, and affordable investment options, the Portugal Golden Visa scheme is a favorite among American, Russian, Chinese, and Brazilian investors. There are many different Golden Visa investment options available to investors, and the minimum investment required will depend on the route chosen.

The Portuguese Golden Visa program is also an excellent way for UK citizens to secure EU residency following Brexit. For further information, you can read our article on the Portugal Golden Visa for UK citizens.

For more information about the Golden Visa benefits, investment options, and requirements, consult our Golden Visa Portugal Guide here.

What Is The Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund?

An investment fund is a type of financial product that collects investors’ money and invests it in certain assets to increase capital, depending on a pre-established strategy (could be in real estate, the stock market, business, etc). Funds are managed and operated by a management company working under risk controls.

According to an amendment in Portuguese Law 23/2007 on July 4th, people can make contributions to the Portugal investment funds to get the Portuguese Golden Visa.

Therefore, the Golden Visa investment fund route is one of the remaining qualifying investment options for the Golden Visa Program.

For the investment fund option, a capital transfer into Portuguese investment funds or venture capital funds to the amount of or greater than €500,000 is needed to procure legal residency in Portugal.

The funds themselves must be focused on the capitalization of companies registered under Portuguese law, with a minimum maturity of five years at the time of the investment and at least 60 percent of the value of the investments made in commercial companies on national territory.

Interestingly, Portugal Golden Visa statistics point to an influx of investors rushing to invest in the Golden Visa, with enhanced interest in the fund investment Golden Visa option – particularly amongst American citizens.

Why is the Portugal Golden Visa fund option so popular?

Real estate was statistically the preferred route for investment in Portugal when it came to applying for the Golden Visa. However, the option of investing in real estate is no longer available. Currently, the Portugal Golden Visa investment funds are arguably one of the most attractive and sought-after routes to obtain temporary residence and, ultimately, citizenship in Portugal.

Having ownership of a property can be attractive to some, especially when it can result in rental income or even a holiday home. But, in practice, this method may not suit everyone, as finding and purchasing the right property can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why more and more investors are turning to the Golden Visa investment fund option, seeing it as a new way to acquire legal residency.

For extra clarity, consult our  fund investment Portugal guide, where we compare the traditional residential real estate investment route with funds. Whether you opt to invest in research funding, cultural heritage support or job creation, or Portuguese Golden Visa funds largely depends on your personal situation.  

In its ‘latu sensu’, Venture capital funds (or FCR – Fundo de Capital de Risco, dubbed to «Capital at Risk Funds») are considered a qualifying investment for those wishing to apply for Portugal’s Golden Visa. With a minimum investment amount of €500,000 in a fund that qualifies for the Golden Visa, investors can successfully apply for the Portugal residency-by-investment program and have immediate access to the program’s benefits.

The term ‘venture capital’ may sound daunting and complicated, but it is simply a designation of investment funds that are managed by corporate experts in the field who seek to invest in start-ups or medium-sized projects with strong growth potential. Some of the eligible investment funds are managed as Private Equity funds, which usually invest in more established and revenue-generating companies (later stage than VC). 

Each fund has a specific, well-defined investment mandate and may focus on sectors such as energy, industry, technology, healthcare, real estate, or even have an agnostic approach. Funds are regulated by Portugal’s regulator, the CMVM (which has a similar framework to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission).

How are the Portuguese investment funds regulated?

The Portugal golden visa fund is regulated by CMVM (The Portuguese Securities Market Commission), which requires funds to comply with the following requirements, including but not limited to:

1. Report the valuation of their net assets on a semi-annual basis. That means investors may have their participation unit price revised every six months
2. Employ independent accredited accounting firms such as PwC, KPMG, or EY for annual audits.
3. Disclose their fees in the PPM/management regulation document. That means investors should have clarity on the management entities’ fees and custodian bank charges.

Things to Consider Before Committing to the Fund Investments 

Additional considerations must be considered when choosing the fund investment Portugal option.

1. Is my selected Portugal yield fund eligible for the Golden Visa?
2. What is my fund investment strategy, and what are my legal obligations?
3. Do the Portuguese authorities regulate the fund?

As an investor for the Golden Visa, you must keep your investment for a minimum of five years, when you can then apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship. It’s essential to have an investment strategy in mind and ask about the exit strategy for the fund.

Who can participate in the Golden Visa fund?

The following applicants are eligible to qualify for the Golden Visa fund option:

• Be a non-EU/EEA citizen or a non-Swiss citizen
• Have a clean criminal record
• Be over 18 years old
• Have sufficient legal funds to invest in

Depending on the fund and the fund management company, investment funds may have extra requirements.

In some cases, the investor must:

• Have some experience with a financial instrument like company stock, government bond, company bond, fund, etc.
• Submit proof of having enough funds
• Show where the source of funds comes from

Can a US citizen invest in a Portuguese Investment Fund for Golden Visa?

Absolutely yes, an American citizen can certainly qualify for the investment fund pathway under the Golden Visa scheme. However, do note that the IRS requires foreign financial institutions and certain non-financial foreign entities to report on the foreign assets held by their US account holders. So, any bank, fund, and fund manager in Portugal who has an American client or investor must abide by the US government’s legislation.

While some banks and funds shy away from working with American investors, there are banks and funds in Portugal that are open to accepting Americans.

Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund

There are a number of benefits to picking the investment fund option for the Golden Visa that the other investment routes lack. Here you can find an in-depth overview of the key benefits.

Disadvantages of the Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund

Investment funds also have some disadvantages to them, which are outlined below.

Golden Visa Investment Options

• Fund Subscription: Make a contribution to a qualified investment fund worth at least €500,000 
• Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national heritage with a donation of at least €250,000 (Read more: Portugal’s Cultural Production Golden Visa)
• Scientific Research: Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000 
• Creation and maintenance of ten jobs: Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
• Share capital and job creation: Incorporation of a company or reinforcement of a company’s share capital, in either case with an investment of €500,000, combined with the creation of five or maintaining ten jobs (5 of them permanent)

If unsure about investment pathways, crunch some stats here on top nationalities and investment routes to residency in our Portugal Golden Visa statistics article.

Portugal Golden Visa Program: Fees and Costs

***This will vary depending on the investment fund. Performance fees usually range between 20-50 percent and are due above the preferred dividend to investors (hurdle rate). Such commissions will keep the management teams motivated with the advantage of only being due at liquidation, once all the capital plus gains have been distributed to investors.

**This will vary depending on the investment fund. It is typical for the annual management fee to range between 1-2 percent of the amount invested.

***Legal fees will vary considerably, depending on the law firm, the number of your family members, alongside other variables. Legal fees will not differ greatly between different investment routes.

Fund Investment Profile and Diversification

The overall level of security of risk of a Portuguese VC fund or ‘Golden Visa Portugal investment fund’ will depend on many factors, including (but not limited to) investment mandate, managers’ credentials, leverage and liquidity, economic cycle, and legal documents.

Some funds may offer limited potential for capital appreciation with a safer investment profile while others may have a more leveraged approach with an aim to provide Golden Visa investors multiples of the capital invested. For example, high-growth companies focused on technology have a different profile to property development projects that tend to have a more predictable cash-flow curve.

Funds may offer the opportunity of an early exit, but as a rule of thumb, usually, the investor should expect to realize all gains after five to ten years.

The risk-return profile of these funds will vary according to the sector exposure and portfolio diversification (i.e., how many companies comprise the fund portfolio).

Examples of risk-return levels based on sector exposure and investment portfolio diversification

List of funds that qualify for Portuguese Golden Visa

Portugal has long been recognized for its rich investment landscape, characterized by steady economic growth and a welcoming environment for foreign investors. While the country’s real estate sector has historically been a magnet for international capital, Portugal’s investment horizon extends far beyond. 

However, it’s important to note that recent regulatory changes have excluded real estate-related funds from eligibility for the Portuguese Golden Visa program. While this adjustment may affect some investors, the program still extends its welcome to a variety of other investment fund categories, such as Growth/Buy-out funds, and Venture Capital funds (VC).

Below, we’ll explore some of the attractive fund options that qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa.

Note: As of late 2023, the Portuguese Government passed the “Mais Habitaçao” legislation. The Portuguese government eliminated the following investment options from being eligible for a Golden Visa: All real estate acquisitions (€500,000, €400,000, €350,000, €280,000), real estate-focused funds of €500,000, capital transfer of €1,500,000.

You can also keep up to speed with any changes to the program in our article: Portugal Golden Visa Changes, Updates, and New Rules.

Growth/buy-out funds (Private Equity funds)

Typically, these funds invest in privately held companies, usually established SMEs or mid-caps. The goal is to acquire, restructure, and eventually sell these companies at a profit. In Portugal, it is estimated that family businesses may represent between 70% to 80% of the national companies, taking up 50% of the workforce and contributing to 2/3 of the GDP – such figures present opportunities for funds to help grow these businesses.

Venture Capital funds (VC)

Venture Capital funds invest in early-stage startups with high growth potential. VC investments are inherently risky, as many startups fail, but successful investments can yield substantial returns. Portugal has become an attractive destination for entrepreneurs not only for the standard of living, weather, and specialised talent but also for its strategic location and renowned Portuguese talent who is considered a critical element for the accelerating growth in its startup ecosystem.

Note regarding the funds’ investment strategy: Investors should understand the areas of focus and sectors the fund intends to invest in. Some fund’s structure themselves as sector-agnostic, while others are more sector-specific or niche-oriented. Naturally, each sector will entail different risk levels, considering the economic circumstances and trends at the time of investment. For example, funds with a growth/buy-out policy invest in established companies with proven market products and positive EBITDA typically involve larger investments comparing to VC funds that invest smaller amounts in several startups and early-stage companies, where growth is less certain (but potential can be high). Commercial real estate-backed funds might distribute dividends from early on due to the nature of the operation (having extra cash from collecting rents for example).

The Exit

When investing in an fund, it is crucial to put some thought into the exit of the investment fund.

Minimum lock-up period

Most investment funds that qualify for the Golden Visa will ensure that they do not liquidate within a minimum of six years. This ensures that your investment will remain valid for the required time period to apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship.

Resale or transfer of participation fund units

For most Portuguese investment funds, participation units can be transferred or sold between participants. But note that , it is usually difficult to find a demand for a participation unit in a fund that is suited to Golden Visa timelines, unless traded around the incorporation of the fund. 

This makes Portuguese investment funds rather illiquid until the fund reaches its maturity or is dissolved by the fund manager. Some funds circumvent the issue by offering a buy-back of their participation funds units at a specific discount, but this is uncommon. 

Extension periods

Most investment funds will have a specific exit target in terms of timing, and many of the Portuguese Golden Visa investment funds are set for a six to eightyearsix-to-eight-year period.

The majority of investment funds have the option to extend, and this option can be triggered at the six-year mark. In some cases, the fund manager will make the decision on this, not the investors, meaning that you may be locked in a bit further than the time required to apply for Portuguese citizenship. In other cases, the extension of the fund is subject to the investors vote, and those who vote against may be able to redeem their shares. We recommend checking with the fund as this could be a crucial detail.

Extension period options can be favorable sometimes, as the expected exit year might not be ideal due to an economic downturn, for example, or because the project returns will be higher if the fund holds certain businesses for a while longer.

Exit market

The primary objective of most Portuguese Golden Visa investment funds is to exit the portfolio by eventually selling it at a profit. 

Fund managers are generally highly incentivized with a performance fee based on a percentage of the appreciation in value. This is beneficial to Golden Visa investors, meaning that incentives between investors and fund managers are aligned. 

With this said, they are splitting your profit but not your potential loss. Therefore, the downside risk will fall on the investors’ shoulders. 

Documents and Requirements For The Portugal Golden Visa

When applying for the Portuguese Golden Visa, there are numerous documents you must submit to the Portuguese authorities. Note that if any document is missing or incomplete, your application for the Portugal Golden Visa can be significantly delayed. That’s why it’s important to stay informed about all the necessary paperwork you must prepare beforehand.

Note that the documents listed below are not exhaustive, and additional documentation requirements may be requested by the authorities.

List Of Required Documents

• Passport or another valid travel document
• Proof of entry and legal stay in the national territory
• Proof that you are covered by health protection, namely:
  • A document certifying that you are covered by the National Health Service or;
  • A document showing that you are an internationally recognized health insurance holder for the period of legal residence requested
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country (or countries) where you have resided for more than one year (certified by diplomatic representation or Portuguese consular office). The certificate cannot be older than three months and must be translated into Portuguese;
• Proof of your tax identification number, or equivalent, of the country of origin, of residence, or fiscal residence;
• Completion of Application (using the approved model) containing the authorization for consultation of the Portuguese Criminal Registry;
• Declaration on Commitment to Honor, by which the applicant declares that he will fulfill the minimum quantitative and time requirements (five years) for the investment activity in the National territory;
• Present a negative statement debt issued, with a maximum advance of 45 days, by the Tax Authority and Customs and Social Security or, if not possible, declaration of the non-existence of registration with these entities;
• Receipt of payment of the ARI application analysis fee.

Golden Visa Portugal Investment Fund: Documents & Application Process

Portugal Golden Visa fund requirements

If you are interested in applying for the Portuguese Golden Visa through a Venture Capital Fund (FCR), you must carefully make your decision based on two important criteria:

• Fund eligibility for the Portuguese Golden Visa
• Fund credentials, including fund strategy, management pedigree, and legal obligations

Not every private equity fund in Portugal qualifies for the Golden Visa program. You need to make sure the chosen fund fulfills all the necessary technical requirements as listed by the Portuguese border service “Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras” (SEF) and that the investment fund is regulated by the Portuguese CMVM.

Required documents

To apply for the fund investments, you must demonstrate that you’ve made the investment with the minimum required amount and must submit the following documents:

• Declaration by the credit institution authorized or registered in the national territory with the Banco de Portugal, attesting to the effective transfer of an amount equal to or greater than what is required;
• Certificate proving ownership of the participation investment fund units, free of charge and charges (issued by the entity responsible for maintaining a registered updated version of the holders of participation units, under the terms of Portuguese legislation, of the respective management regulation or contractual instrument);
• Declaration issued by the management company of the respective investment fund, attesting the viability of the capitalization plan, the maturity of at least five years, and application of at least 60 percent of the investment in commercial companies based in the national territory;
• Certificate of commercial registration, if the investment is made through a company single shareholder, demonstrating that the applicant is the partner, cf. Article 65a (13) of Regulatory Dec. 84/07, of 11/05, in its current wording.

Step-by-Step Process & Timeline

The length of time the Golden Visa process takes depends on many different factors, including how long your decision-making process takes, how quickly you are able to provide the correct documents, the experience of the law firm, and the schedule of the SEF office, amongst other things.

Here is a step-by-step process of the Portugal Golden Visa Investment Fund process:

Questions To Consider Before Investing in Portuguese Golden Visa Funds

• Are the Portugal Golden Visa funds regulated by the Portuguese authorities?
• Is the fund fully eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa, according to SEF?
• Does the fund have the right attributes to safeguard the investor’s Golden Visa status? As a Golden Visa investor, you will need to maintain your investment in the Golden Visa fund for a minimum of five years, after which you will be able to apply for permanent residency and citizenship in Portugal.

Questions to ask the fund managers

• How will the fund assure diversification? If so, how often and based on what?
• What will the fund specialize in?
• What is the expected target return?
• Does the fund distribute dividends (how often and how much)?
• What fees (subscription fee, management fee, performance fee) will the fund investment involve?

Portuguese Golden Visa Investment Fund Credentials

Once we’ve established that the fund is appropriately regulated and is an eligible Golden Visa instrument, the second phase of due diligence is required on the fund credentials.

The three main aspects of analyzing a Portuguese Golden Visa qualified investment fund include:

Fund investment strategy: Does the fund investment strategy make sense? What is the term of the fund? How does the fund plan on paying back investors?

Fund manager credentials: Do the fund managers have the right experience and credentials?

Fund legal: Are the legal documents appropriately drafted to safeguard the investor’s investment?

Useful Industry Acronyms for the Portuguese Golden Visa Investment Fund

Regarding the terms, it would be useful to understand some Portuguese-specific acronyms used in this industry, such as:

UP (Unidade de Participação)

PU (Participation Unit), in English, is the equivalent of stocks or shares.

FCR (Fundo de Capital de Risco) – Private Equity Fund or Venture Capital Fund

SCR (Sociedade de Capital de Risco) – Venture Capital Fund

RG (Regulamento de Gestão) – Management Regulation, also known as PPM (Private Placement Memorandum)

Also, an important entity to have in mind is CMVM. It is the Portuguese equivalent of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).

CMVM is a legal entity governed by public law and is part of the European System of Financial Supervisors  (ESFS) and the National Council of Financial Supervisors. (Chapter 1, articles 1 – 3).

The Importance of an Informed Decision

It is important that investors exercise careful consideration when selecting the correct fund investment. Legal documents, as well as the caliber of the fund managers, must be thoroughly scrutinized. Check out additional information on investing in Portugal for citizenship.

If you are interested in applying for the Golden Visa in Portugal, be it through buying a property or investing in a fund, we can help.

Portugal Golden Visa Fund Investment: Requirements for American Citizens

So, if you’re thinking of investing in Portugal Golden Visa Fund Investment but unsure where to begin? To ensure a smooth sailing process, you might want to learn about the rules and regulations you must factor in as an American citizen. 

US Citizens or US tax residents are subject to specific rules for the Portugal Golden Visa fund investment. This section of the article is aimed at providing American citizens with some further information regarding certain tax details that they should be aware of. Below we’ve outlined some key considerations to take into account.

FATCA Compliant Bank

One of the first steps toward acquiring a Portugal Golden Visa is to open up a bank account in Portugal. As such, we strongly recommend you consider a FATCA compliant bank.

FATCA basically stands for Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. It’s the US government’s attempt to combat tax evasion by Americans holding accounts and other financial assets overseas. 

FATCA has a set of rules that influence how overseas financial institutions directly report to the IRS on assets owned by Americans. 

As an American considering the Portugal Golden Visa qualified investment fund, picking a FATCA compliant bank will decrease the risk of falling into a trap of being non-compliant with US tax authorities, saving you a headache in turn.

PFICs

What is a PFIC?

The Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) rules are designed to prevent United States Persons from deferring tax on passive income earned through non-U corporations. Also, PFIC rules are in place to prevent converting this income into capital gains that will then be taxed at preferential rates.

A foreign corporation is a PFIC if it meets either:

1. Passive Income Test – a foreign corporation is a PFIC if greater than or equal to 75 percent of its gross income is passive income, for example, dividends, payment in lieu of dividends, interest, rents, royalties, and annuities.
2. Passive Asset Test – a foreign corporation is a PFIC if the average annual percentage of the fair market value of all passive income-producing assets is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the value of the entity’s assets. This is determined on a quarterly basis, And it is considered passive if it generates passive income or is reasonably expected to generate passive income in the foreseeable future.

Almost all foreign mutual funds are PFICs. In other cases, possible examples of PFICs include:

• Passive investments in offshore Hedge Funds, including VC Funds, Stocks, Annuities, or Income Producing Property
• Foreign Brokerage Accounts with Bond Funds, and Equity Funds
• Foreign Retirement Accounts
• Foreign Cash Value Life Insurance Policies.

What is Form 8621?

Form 8621 is the form that a US person must file if they are a direct or indirect shareholder of a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) under some specific criteria.

Who must file Form 8621?

According to the IRS, any US person that is a direct or indirect shareholder of a “PFIC” must file Form 8621 for each tax year if they:

1. Receive certain direct/ indirect distributions from a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualifying Electing Fund (PFIC).
2. Recognize a gain on a direct/indirect disposition of PFIC stock.
3. Are reporting information with regards to section 1296 mark-to-market election or a QEF
4. In Part II of the form are making an election reportable
5. Will need to file an annual report pursuant to section 1298(f)

Each PFIC must have a separate Form 8621 in which stock is held. All interests in PFIC’s must be reported annually.

When must Form 8621 be filed?

The investor must annually calculate their pro rata share of the earnings of their investment, regardless of having received or not any distribution, as it will be considered taxable income for that year.

By doing this, you will maintain the beneficial capital gain rate. Otherwise, you would be subject to a considerably higher capital gain tax rate.

Nonetheless, one must be aware that you can only make this selection in the first year of holding. It is highly complex to retroactively make a QEF election.

Portuguese Investment Funds and PFIC

Most Portuguese funds have until the end of April to report accounts, whilst US tax filing is due on 15 April.

This means that, due to the schedule difference between the date by which investment funds in Portugal issue their reporting and the US’ date of submission of tax return, US investors may consider filing for a tax extension deadline of 15 October to secure enough time to be able to appropriately file their taxes.

Any information contained in this communication is not intended as or to be construed as tax advice. We advise our clients and readers to seek professional tax consultancy from a trusted partner in their jurisdiction.

Tax treatment as a US citizen

Despite the fact that there is a Double Taxation Agreement between Portugal and the United States, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident in another country, the rules for filing income, estate, and gift tax returns, plus paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the US or Portugal. 

Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. Having said that, though, you still may be eligible for Portugal’s special Non-Habitual Resident Tax regime and enjoy certain tax benefits. 

For more information, consult our NHR Portugal tax regime guide.

Important Note: The Prime Minister of Portugal has recently announced his intention to eliminate the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime starting in 2024. While this announcement is currently informal, it should be taken seriously. Read more here: Is The Portugal NHR Program Ending?

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 so you can decide on the best option, and your investment will benefit from the legal due diligence services of a reputable Portuguese Law Firm.
• 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 Portuguese Investment Fund for the Golden Visa

Can I get residency in Portugal through investment funds?

Yes, it is possible to get a residency permit in Portugal through funds. You must make a minimum investment of €500,000 and ensure the investment fund is accepted for the Portugal Golden Visa.

Does Portugal have citizenship by investment?

The Portugal Golden Visa program doesn’t automatically lead to citizenship. However, Portuguese citizenship is possible if you hold your respective investment for five years and pass on the eligibility criteria, which would ensure Portuguese citizenship by naturalization.

How will Portugal Golden Visa changes in 2022 affect the investment fund option?

On 1 January 2022, the Portugal Golden Visa underwent an extensive makeover. Regarding the investment fund option, the investment amount increased. Specifically, a capital transfer in Portuguese investment funds to the amount of or greater than €500,000 will be needed to apply for legal residency in Portugal. The funds themselves must invest at least 60 percent of their capital in Portuguese companies (registered under Portuguese law.) The funds should be over a five years term in order to accommodate the requirements of the Golden Visa program. The investment fund option has become more popular in recent years, particularly among American investors.

What are the benefits of the Portugal investment fund Golden Visa?

Funds are specifically managed by experts in each sector, you can obtain residency with a Portuguese fund investment, and many investors are exempt from paying tax in Portugal. Funds are also regulated by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission.

Are all Portuguese investment funds eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa?

Not all Golden Visa Portugal investment funds are eligible for the Golden Visa. It is crucial to consult an expert before investing in Golden Visa eligible funds.

Can I invest in more than one fund for the Golden Visa application?

Yes, you may invest in more than one fund if the sum of your investment is €500,000 or more. For example, you can invest €200,000 in fund X and €300,000 in fund Y. Since the total sum is €500,000, you will be able to apply for the Golden Visa.

Theoretically, you could invest in three or more Golden Visa eligible funds (subject to their minimum ticket).

Would I lose my Golden Visa if my participation unit's total value depreciates?

No, if you invested the minimum required (€500,000), you should not lose your Golden Visa, regardless of the price fluctuations on shares during and at the end of the fund term. What matters is how much you invested initially.

Can I exit my investment prematurely for the Portugal Golden Visa?

It may be possible to exit, although investors should consider the following:

1. You would not be able to renew your Golden Visa application or acquire permanent residency if you exit before the five-year minimum term required for the Golden Visa.
2. Traditionally, venture capital funds are not liquid investments, and one should expect to sell their shares back to the fund or to another investor at a discount.

Is Portugal's Golden Visa worth it?

The Portugal Golden Visa is worth it if you’re looking to widen your opportunities, procure EU residency, and even Portuguese citizenship after five years.

Who is considered a US Person?

According to the Internal Revenue Service or IRS, the term “United States Person” means:

• A citizen or resident of the United States 
• A US-based partnership 
• A US-based corporation 
• Any US estate other than a foreign estate 
• Any US-based trust if: 
  • A court in
    

What rules do I need to be aware of as an American applying for the Portugal Golden Visa qualified investment fund?

Because one of the first steps in the Portugal Golden Visa program is to open a bank account, Americans interested in the investment fund route should consider a FATCA compliant bank, on top of tax treatments, COVID-19 related travel restrictions, and so forth.

What does PFIC mean?

PFIC stands for Passive Foreign Investment Company. For the sake of income tax accumulated in the United States, Portugal Golden Visa qualified investment funds usually qualify as PFIC.

What is a FATCA compliant bank?

FATCA basically stands for Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. It’s the US government’s attempt to combat tax evasion by Americans holding accounts and other financial assets overseas. Some Portuguese banks are FATCA compliant, meaning they’re in touch with the US authorities, and can help you properly account for all your tax activities.