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Housing Requirement for Golden Visa

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BigWorld
  8/10/2017 15:12 EST

Hoping for some additional clarity on the housing requirement under the golden visa programme.

As I understand it, a golden visa requires Portugese residency of only 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent two year period. Also, if I purchase a residential property to qualify for the visa, I understand that I do not need to live in the property at all and can rent as an investment.

Why would I need to show a lease for 6 or more months in order to have my visa approved as some have suggested? Seems unnecessary and a considerable additional expense especially if for some reason I could not rent out when I am not in Portugal.

Perhaps I am missing something and if so please forgive my ignorance.

craigandmicki
  8/11/2017 06:13 EST

To BigWorld's question about having a Golden Visa-qualified home purchase and the proof of accommodation requirement for a Visa: You are combining two things into one. To get your initial Visa, which actually is the Schengen Visa, the Portuguese consul requires you to show proof of pre-paid accommodation. Currently, San Fran is requiring 6 months' of accommodation while other Consuls are remaining with the 1 or 3 months' accommodation. IF YOU OWN a home in Portugal already, that ownership contract will serve as your proof of accommodation as you apply for the Golden Visa. IF YOU ARE COMING HERE AND THEN BUYING, you still need the initial proof of accommodation for the initial Visa and then your home contract and your Golden Visa papers will serve as proof of accommodation for all subsequent renewals until citizenship.

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BigWorld
  8/11/2017 08:00 EST

Thanks craigandmicky for the imformation which is helpful.

You are saying that I need to apply for a Schenghen visa before applying for a golden visa? And in order to get a Schenghen visa, I need to show proof of accommodation in Portugal?

But if my intent is to buy an investment property and not a home, how can I do that without incurring significant housing expenses for a home that I will either not occupy at all or only occupy for 7 days each year?

I suspect that my strategy is not typical but if anyone has a similar strategy, please let me know.

croonerjim
  8/11/2017 08:58 EST

Your long term visa is not a Schengen visa, even though use the Schengen form. That visa is a 90 day tourist visa, which US citizens do not need (although we still can only stay 90 days without a long term visa). But to your point, you can't get a long term visa for planning to buy. You either have to lease or have bought. Most come on tourist visas to buy and then can apply for the long term visa under the Golden Visa rules.

BigWorld
  8/11/2017 12:14 EST

So perhaps I am overthinking the process? As an American, I do not need to apply for a Schenghen Visa so can freely travel to Portugal for 90 days to shop for a property. If I find one, I can secure it with a deposit and a contract of sale and then apply for the long-term golden visa?

But do I still need to provide proof of accommodations for the long-term visa? Even if I am buying an investment property which will not be my Portuguese home address?

ESprotte59
  8/11/2017 13:23 EST

I did exactly what you described. Went on typical 90 day tourist visa, last March, found a home (made the deposit). Went back a second time in July to apply for GV. I will go back next summer when the home is finished construction and it will be my "proof of accommodation" Hopefully the GV will have been approved or I will only be able to stay 90 days. As long as you don't stay more than 90 days you are fine (I think),

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craigandmicki
  8/11/2017 13:24 EST

Big World: An earlier comment to you wasn't correct. You can come to Portugal for a total of 90 days on what is called a 'tourist visa'. It's nothing...just a free pass to travel. You don't apply for it, you just travel. When you want to stay longer than 90 days, you either apply for the Schengen Long Stay Visa or try to get your 90 day tourist visa extended. That second way is tricky and you'd still need to return to the US to apply for the Schengen Long Stay Visa. The Long Stay Visa enables you to stay for 120 days while you apply for a Residence Permit and you must qualify thru a Portuguese Consul in the US...BUT, if you are applying for the Golden Visa your process is guided ONLY by the Golden Visa regulations. Just follow the GV regulations...most of us didn't follow that route and most of our posts could, therefore, confuse you.

BigWorld
  8/11/2017 13:38 EST

Yes, Craig, I think I understand all of what you describe.

What I remain stuck on is this "proof of accommodation" requirement. If I buy an investment property, maybe a commercial property, do I need to show proof of accommodation even though I only intend to live in Portugal for a minimum period of time, lets say no more than 7 days per year in the extreme?

croonerjim
  8/11/2017 13:44 EST

If you are only coming to PT a few days a year, why would you need a LT visa at all? You get 90 days automatically...180 in a year if you leave for 90 days. And the initial 90 days can be spread out.

BigWorld
  8/11/2017 14:09 EST

Croonerjim, I don't know how often I will visit Portugal probably a lot more than 7 days per year but I plan to travel a great deal in Europe, UK and Ireland so Schenghen rules are a problem for me. My goal is to get permanent EU residency which is permitted after 5 years and then decide where I might want to live permanently. Also, once I have permanent residency, I can leave Portugal for up to 2 years without loosing my status.

As I said, my situation is a bit unusual. There must be a way to reasonably deal with this proof of accommodation problem. A minimum 7 days per year is permitted under the golden visa rules so there must be others in a similar situation.

Guess I will have to keep investigating. Thanks to all for their responses.

LongRedFlorence
  8/11/2017 19:25 EST

I wish you the best, But once in Portugal it is easier. I am sure my long-term Portuguese associates (now friends) can help you. Just ping me privately if interested in my blurb. Thanks, Rachel

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lombadas
  8/13/2017 12:01 EST

to bigworld

from my interpretation of the rules you only need to holiday for these periods not have a residency or anything permanent

regards peter

official ruling

Stay in Portugal for periods that add up
to a
minimum of 7 days during the first year;
and the following two years for a total
of, at
least, 14 days.

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Learn More

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