EnglishPortugal is a country that has many options in terms of real estate investment. The significant advantage of this investment is that you do not have to have Portuguese citizenship to make it and it allows you to get a high yield on interest rates and affordable loans with the bank. Out of many real estate investment options, we recommend a program that is gaining momentum called a golden visa that grants permanent residency in Portugal and five years later Portuguese citizenship. Permanent residency does not require living in Portugal on a regular basis, but only coming for 7-14 days a year, making the program even more convenient.
In this article, we will explain about the program of the investing in real estate, about the minimum capital for investment, the areas in which it is possible to invest and to whom the route can suit.
Golden Visa Real Estate Investment program
The Golden Visa program started in 2012 and as of 2020, the Portuguese government has approved residences for 9015 investors in the program routes out of which, 8487 investors have chosen the real estate program, making it the most popular route among the Golden Visa routes.
The minimum capital required for investment in a real estate program is 280-350 thousand euros, on condition that you invest in properties built 30 years ago or more in areas with low population density. From January 2022, the minimum capital will increase to 500,000 euros.
Low-density areas
Naturally, places with a high population density have more real estate options, the prices there are higher, and on the other hand, it is easier to trade in real estate.
That is why the Portuguese government is promoting investment in the periphery, among other things through a 20% reduction (280-350 thousand euros) of the minimum investment capital.
Investing in the periphery, therefore, can be a real opportunity in terms of price, but it is important to remember the challenge of renting the property or selling it afterwards.
In case you are interested in real estate for residential purposes, and you actually want to get away from the hustle and bustle, it could very well be that this is exactly the option for you.
What are the low-density areas in Portugal?
In the following table from the website govisafree.com, you will find a list of all the areas (for your convenience, the original names appear in Portuguese) with a low population density, as of 2020:
| 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 | |
The real estate investment route is not the only route in the Golden Visa program. It also includes additional routes: investments in venture capital funds, a route for business owners who want to set up or invest in a company in Portugal, investment in culture and the arts.
Read here about the routes and terms of the Golden Visa program.
In the Real Estate and Business category, you will find more articles on everything related to real estate in Portugal. You are also welcome to join the Facebook group “Over the Rainbow Portugal” where you will find all the updates and information about Portugal.
