There are some popular programs that get a higher amount of attractions. The Spain and Portugal Golden Visa programs are among the most interested ones. Both of two options offer different ways to achieve residency by investment.



Are You Eligible for Portugal and Spain Golden Visas? Understanding Investment Requirements


What makes Portugal's Golden Visa program and its requirements different from Spain's? This is one of the questions that potential investors wonder and search for as they tend to compare, especially these two programs.

Portugal’s Golden Visa underwent some significant changes recently. The program has moved away from real estate as an investment option, but it's still the top choice for Plan B investors seeking EU citizenship. So compared to Spain, this is the most significant difference between the two programs.



Spain Golden Visa Still Allows Real Estate Investment

To make an investment through the Spain Golden Visa program, the applicants' first eligibility requirement is to make a real estate investment of a minimum of €500,000. The investment made by the applicant can be made either on a single property or spread across several properties. This way, they can be more flexible regarding business development, capital transfer, and job creation. Furthermore, it gives investors a broader scope of diversity in their investments.



Portugal Golden Visa is Active and Diverse with Fund Investment Options

The minimum requirement for Portugal Golden Visa fund investment is €500,000.

Portugal Golden Visa Fund route offers several benefits:

Firstly, it doesn't include property-related taxes and offers potential tax efficiencies, which are particularly advantageous for non-tax residents.

Portugal made a smart move by eliminating real estate as a qualifying investment and encouraging investments in small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, investment funds provide an attractive addition to an investor’s portfolio. They offer intrinsic diversification, allowing investors to branch out into various funds rather than being tied to a single asset, such as real estate. Furthermore, strict regulation by Portuguese authorities ensures the fund’s compliance with local laws.

Moreover, there are some other options for applying for a Portugal Golden Visa, like a minimum donation of €200,000.


Investment Options and Residency Conditions as a Decision Mechanism


When you get residency, in different waiting time processes, both programs, either Portugal or Spain Golden Visa, offer a route to citizenship. However, the conditions differentiate between each. In Spain’s case, investors are required to maintain their property investment for at least five years. There is still an option to renew their residency permit every two years.

On the other hand, Portugal’s Golden Visa program requires a more lenient residency requirement. It allows investors to stay in the country for as few as seven days per year. This way, the investors will be able to maintain their resident status in Portugal. So, it becomes a flexible condition for investors to have the option not to relocate to Portugal immediately or commit to a long-term stay. Plus, in just a waiting period of five years, starting with the first residency application, regardless of whether it is approved or not, the investor can apply for citizenship in Portugal.


How Can You Benefit from Getting a Golden Visa in Spain and Portugal?


The investment options of Golden Visa programs in Portugal and Spain are diverse. Spain’s real estate remains the primary focus. Plus, business investment and capital transfer options take people’s attention.

Portugal’s fund investment option is an opportunity for investors to invest in diverse qualifying funds. It is the only program in Europe where you can make a genuine investment and, in return, obtain citizenship. The Portugal Golden Visa program and its requirements also encourage a more sustainable approach to investment.


Planning Tax Residency in Portugal vs. Spain: What to Expect if You Convert Your Plan B to Plan A?


Both programs, Portugal Golden Visa and Spain Golden Visa don’t have a requirement to stay in the country. However, this situation changes when you plan to become a tax resident. In Spain, the investors need to stay in the country for more than 183 days per year to become tax residents. This subjects individuals to Spanish income tax.

Tax implications of countries can become critical criteria for some investors. It might be even more important if they are looking for more flexible residency requirements.

In Portugal, there used to be an NHR program. It provided investors with a more favorable tax environment. It accordingly allowed for reduced taxes on certain income streams. The NHR program in Portugal is no longer available.


Are the Requirements and Application Process Easily Manageable?


Investors try to get to know Golden Visa programs in detail when they first research about them to understand how the application process work.

To apply for the Spain Golden Visa, investors are required to provide proof of property ownership, health insurance, a clear criminal record, and financial means to support themselves. Additionally, they need to be involved in various official documents to demonstrate that they comply with the program’s criteria.

Portugal Golden Visa application has a similar process with fewer restrictions on residency. As an applicant, the investors of the program must meet the minimum investment requirements. Plus, they need to provide a clean criminal record and financial means in case of fund investment.

Furthermore, both programs, Spain and Portugal Golden Visa have some similar requirements, such as applicants being over 18 years old. When the investors apply for these programs, they need to wait several months for the application to be processed. However, there might be delays in completing the necessary criteria to avoid complications.


Are You Taking the Road to Spain or Portugal?


They are both popular programs. Portugal's Golden Visa and Spain's Golden Visa are among the residency by investment programs in Europe. Plus, there is a route to citizenship in Portugal’s Golden Visa Program. Even though Portugal has faced some recent updates, it is as active as it can be and even more interesting with the various and diverse investment options. The new citizenship law even makes the program more appealing to apply since they made significant improvements in the citizenship waiting period, which is now 5 years from the initial online Golden Visa application.

Spain is also a suitable option for many potential investors who want to make investments in the property market. However, the residency requirements are stricter compared to the Portugal Golden Visa program.


About Get Golden Visa


Get Golden Visa helps people get additional residency and citizenship by making a qualifying investment in Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, and the rest of the world. With local offices in Lisbon, Athens, Istanbul, and London and various international associations, they offer transparent guidance with a tailormade and flexible approach.