D9 Visa (Portuguese Golden Visa)
If you are a non-EEA investor who wants to invest money in Portugal, you might be eligible for the D9 Visa. Find out more about the requirements and the application process.
Call our immigration lawyers on +44 (0)333 305 9375 for professional assistance with your visa application. We are here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.
What is the D9 Visa?
The Portuguese D9 Visa is intended for non-EEA nationals who want to make an investment in Portugal. There are several types of investments that foreign citizens can make to qualify but the minimum amount required is €250,000.
The D9 Visa is a residence visa, which means that those who successfully obtain it can stay in Portugal long-term. While being in Portugal on the D9 Visa, foreign nationals can work without having to obtain a separate employment permit.
Initially, the D9 Visa is valid for one year. However, its holders can continue to renew it for two-year periods as long as they maintain their investment. Then, after living in Portugal for five years, holders of the D9 Visa can apply for Portuguese citizenship.
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Who is eligible for the D9 Visa?
To be eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa, foreign citizens must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have enough funds to make a significant investment in Portugal
- Intend to make an investment that will be beneficial to the Portuguese economy
- Have no criminal record
- Be committed to maintaining the investment for at least five years
In addition to meeting these general requirements, non-EEA nationals must plan to make one of the following investments:
- Purchase a property worth at least €500,000
- Invest €350,000 in a property in a Portuguese urban regeneration area
- Invest at least €350,000 in a qualifying Investment Fund
- Invest at least €350,000 in scientific research in Portugal
- Invest at least €250,000 in the sectors of arts or culture
- Invest at least €500,000 in small- or medium-sized businesses in Portugal
- Create at least 10 jobs in Portugal
- Make a capital transfer of at least €1 million into Portugal
- Purchase company shares worth at least €1 million
Depending on their financial situation and the type of investment they wish to make, applicants for the D6 Golden Visa can choose which route they want to venture down. Regardless of the type of investment made for the Golden Visa, the foreign investor.
If you are not sure whether you qualify to apply for the D6 Visa, get in touch with our lawyers who can assess your eligibility for it.
What is the application process for the D9 Visa?
Before being able to apply for the Portuguese Golden Visa, foreign citizens must set up a Portuguese tax number and bank account. Once they do that, they must complete their investment in Portugal. Applications for the Golden Visa cannot be made until the investor has documents confirming that their investment has been finalised.
Only then can they apply for the D9 Visa online using the website of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). It is worth noting that they need to pre-register prior to submitting their visa application.
It is also possible to apply for the Golden Visa in person by the applicant or their appointed legal representative. Then, applications must be submitted to the closest Regional Directorate or local branch of the SEF.
As part of the application process, foreign citizens must submit documents that prove their eligibility for the D6 Visa and must pay all the relevant fees.
If their visa application is successful, they receive their residence permit card valid for one year initially. After one year, the card can be renewed provided that the investor maintains the investment in Portugal. The residence card confirms their right to live and work in Portugal.
What supporting documents are required?
When applying for the Portuguese Golden Visa, foreign investors must provide the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Two passport-size photographs
- Proof of having no criminal record
- Proof of having private medical insurance
- Sworn Statement that they will maintain the investment for at least five years
- Receipt confirming that they paid the relevant visa fees
- Documents proving that their investment in Portugal has been finalised
Depending on the type of investment the foreign citizen has made in Portugal, the exact documents they need to submit can vary.
For example, those who purchased a property worth at least €500,000 must provide the acquisition deed of the property or the pre-contract agreement. Those who made a capital transfer of at least €1 million into Portugal must provide a declaration from a financial institution registered in Portugal confirming the deposit.
Our immigration lawyers can analyse your individual situation and explain to you in detail what documents you must submit. Thanks to their help you can be sure that your portfolio of evidence is complete.
Can my family come to Portugal with me on the D9 Visa?
Holders of the D9 Visa have the right to bring the following family members to Portugal through the process of family reunification:
- Spouse
- Dependent children younger than 18 years old (including adopted ones)
- Dependent children older than 18 years old if they are studying
- Their dependent parents
- Their spouse’s dependent parents
- Dependent siblings younger than 18 years old if they are under their guardianship
Once their family members come to Portugal they will be able to remain there for as long as the foreign investor’s D9 Visa is valid. While being in Portugal they will enjoy the same rights as their family member who holds the D9 Visa. And after living in Portugal for at least 5 years, they will be able to apply for permanent residence.
How Can Total Law Help?
The process of applying for the Portuguese Golden Visa can be complex as there are numerous investment options available and each of them comes with different requirements.
Depending on the type of investment you want to make in Portugal, our lawyers can tell you how much money you need and what documents you have to provide. Thanks to the help of our immigration experts you can make your case as strong as possible and maximise the chances of your application being approved.
They can also help you submit your application and gather all the documents necessary to prove your eligibility for the D6 Visa. And, if you want to bring your loved ones to Portugal with you, they can tell you how the process of family reunification works.
Call us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 to find out more about how our team can help, or find us online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Those who want to obtain the Portuguese Golden Visa must pay the following fees:
- The processing fee: €533
- The Golden Visa issue fee: €5,325 for each family member
Holders of the D6 Visa who want to renew it after the first year must pay €2,663. These fees come on top of funds needed for the main investment.
Holders of the Portuguese Golden Visa can live and work in Portugal long-term. And, after living in Portugal for at least 5 years, they can apply for their Portuguese citizenship. They also have the right to bring their family members to Portugal with them.
While living in Portugal on the D6 Portuguese Golden Visa, non-EEA nationals and their family members can enjoy free travel within the European Schengen zone. They do not have to apply for a Schengen visa separately.
The Portuguese Golden Visa is initially valid for one year. After that, its holders can renew it for two-year periods. To be able to do that, however, they need to prove that they are maintaining their investment in Portugal. After spending 5 years in Portugal on the Golden Visa, foreign nationals become eligible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
It is worth noting that, to keep their Golden Visa, foreign citizens do not have to be present in Portugal all the time. To maintain their visa, they need to spend at least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and at least 14 days in the following two-year periods.
Even if holders of the Golden Visa do not reside in Portugal, they can still be eligible for permanent residence or Portuguese citizenship.
Foreign investors who want to apply for the Golden Visa do not have to take a language test to do so. However, they need to complete one if they want to get Portuguese citizenship after living in the country for at least 5 years.