Spain vs. Portugal Golden Visa Program: A Comprehensive Exploration

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Spain and Portugal are one of Europe’s biggest and most flourishing economies. The duo is known for welcoming immigrants into their countries. Portugal’s data shows 7.5% foreigners by 2022 end, while Spain had 12.9% foreigners by the end of 2023. The two Western European countries are famous for their Golden Visa programs, which benefit people to become residents. When comparing the Spain Vs Portugal Golden Visa, the two programs have their unique features. You can choose the one that suits your goals and ambitions.

Spain and Portugal Golden Visa – A Golden Ticket Especially for Non-Eu Citizens

Spain and Portugal are the two famous countries offering Golden Visa programs to attract foreign investments. This creates an opportunity for non-EU nationals to become residents and get visa free travel access to 27 Schengen zone countries. This blog guide helps you make a fair comparison of Spain Vs Portugal Golden Visa programs.

Spain Golden Visa Program by Investment

The Spain Golden Visa program is a lucrative investment option for people to invest in the flourishing real estate market. The Spanish golden visa program targets investments to support the economy while you get the benefit of being a Spanish resident. This Spanish residency by investment (Visado de Residencia para Inversores) was launched in 2013 to allow people:

  • Purchase Real Estate
  • Investing in Spanish companies/businesses
  • Investing in funds or bank deposits
  • Contribution to government funds

As of 2021, the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration records show that 13000 plus Spanish Golden Visa applications have been approved. Wikipedia statistics for immigration to Spain show that immigrants in Spain are mainly from China, Russia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Pakistan, India, and Morocco.

Investment in Real Estate

The real estate investment must be of €500,000 or more to get a 2-year renewable Spanish TRP (Temporary Residency Permit). The property can be anywhere in Spain.

Investment in Company Shares

You need to buy shares of a Spanish company valued at €1,000,000 or more.

Bank Deposit

Investing €1 million in a Spanish bank also makes you eligible for the Spanish golden visa program.

Contributing to Public Debt

A contribution of €2 million to public debt is also a pathway to Spanish golden visa.

How is the Spain Golden Visa different from the Spain Work Visa?

The Spain golden visa program welcomes people to invest in any eligible sector and ultimately become residents. On the other hand, the Spain work visa is a type of employment visa for a person from a non-EU country. The Spain work visa is different from the self-employment visa for Spain. The self-employment visa category is for people who want to establish a company, invest in an already established business or work as a freelancer.

Portugal Golden Visa Program

Portugal Golden Visa Program was launched in 2012, and it offers residency by investment. The country has become a haven for immigrants. Portugal opened the border with a warm heart and reduced the citizenship time via its Golden Visa program. The golden visa program attracts individuals and families to be residents and become citizens in the long run. Having a Portugal golden visa gives you legal status and the right to live, work, study and the power to move within the Schengen zone without any visa requirement.

What are the Portugal Golden Visa 2023 Updates?

The government of Portugal made some changes to its golden visa program. Effective from October 2023, the program removed real estate from the list of investment options. The golden visa category for Portugal still offers a wide range of investment options including:

Fund Subscriptions: To qualify for the Portugal golden visa program, you can contribute to a qualified investment fund with an investment of €500,000. This could be any venture capital fund or a private equity.

Investment or Donations: You only need to invest €250,000 in arts or donate the same amount for preserving national heritage.

Scientific Research: Golden visa investment of €500,000 for scientific research or technology innovation projects.

Share Capital and Job Creation: €500,000 investment for company incorporation or reinforcement of share capital of a company subject to the creation of 5 jobs or maintaining ten jobs.

Is the Government Scrapping the Portugal Golden Visa?

You may have heard that the government of Portugal has announced to end of the Portuguese golden visa. The news was right as the government announced on 16 February 2023 to end the program. However, the Portuguese parliament voted to change the program instead. This resulted in eliminating real estate from investment options only. So, the program will continue to work as usual.

Loan to Pay for Investment for Portugal Golden Visa

You may consider taking a loan to pay for the investment required to get a golden visa for Portugal TRP. The golden visa program prevents people from taking loans from any Portuguese financial organization. However, you can use a loan from a lending institution outside of Portugal.

Residency Requirements: Spain Vs Portugal

Each of the golden visa programs has its own requirements that must be fulfilled. The following table compares the requirements for Spain Vs Portugal:

ConditionsSpainPortugal
Temporary Permit2 Years Temporary permit1 Year Temporary permit
Permanent Permit5 Years permanent permit5 Years permanent permit
CitizenshipAfter 10 Years of ResidencyAfter 5 Years of Residency
DependentsAllowed for VisaAllowed for Visa
Visit RequirementOnce a YearSeven days presence in first year and 14 days every two years

FAQs

Which option is more feasible to get residency in Spain or Portugal?

Both Portugal and Spain offer golden visas, and there is no such difference. It all depends on your preference and which option seems best for you. 

Which country offers a high-quality living standard?

Both countries offer high living standards and excellent healthcare and education systems, making them attractive destinations for investors and their families.

What is meant by the NHR program in Portugal?

For ten years, the NHR program has offered significant tax benefits for new residents, including reduced tax rates and exemptions on foreign income.

What investments qualify for the Golden Visa program in Portugal following the recent changes?

  • Non-Real Estate 
  • Research Activities
  • Job Creation Opportunities
  • Funds
  • Cultural Heritage

After how many years did both Spain and Portugal offer citizenship?

Spain offers citizenship after ten years while Portugal offers it after five years of legal residency.

How long does processing the Golden Visa application in Spain and Portugal take?

It takes almost 12 months to process Portugal’s Golden Visa application, and Spain takes 3 to 4 months. 

What minimum investment is required for the Golden Visa programs in Spain and Portugal?

For Spain, EUR 500,000 is the minimum investment required. For Portugal, investment options have been changed. Real estate is no longer available, so the minimum investment amount is EUR 350,000. 

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