Portuguese Golden Visa offers European residency for investors

March 04, 2019 | 10:12

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With its friendly investment and residence programmes like Golden Visa, Portugal may become a destination of choice for Vietnamese investors looking to enter the European Union.

portuguese golden visa offers european residency for investors

Opportunities were presented at the seminar titled "Portuguese Golden Visa – The Gateway to Europe" held in Ho Chi Minh City

Portugal’s Golden Visa is one of the most competitive investor visas in Europe. The Golden Visa not only allows the holder to live and work in Portugal, but also affords one the right to visa-free travel throughout the European Schengen Area. Through the Portuguese residency programme, applicants can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years.

Vietnamese investors can obtain the Golden Visa by purchasing property with a value equal to or above €500,000 ($568,325) or investing €1 million ($1.14 million) in a Portuguese company. Applicants can also invest €350,000 ($397,830) in Investment Funds or in Venture Capital Funds with the purpose of capitalising companies, and where at least 60 per cent of the investment is realised in commercial companies with head offices in Portuguese territory.

Portugal is an open door to a market of 500 million people in Europe and another door to 250 million people in Portuguese-speaking countries. Portugal signed a double-taxation agreement with Vietnam in June 2015, which took effect at the end of 2016. In addition, the upcoming valid EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will create a strong driving force for fostering trade and investment activities between two countries. Therefore, the Portuguese Golden Visa will open up new opportunities for Vietnamese seeking to invest and settle in Europe.

By Thanh Van

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