Portugal is an attractive country, with many possibilities when it comes to quality of life and career opportunities. For expats who are currently living in the UAE, and that are now seeking long-term stability and peace of mind, it might be an even better location, since it offers the possibility for permanent residency or citizenship down the line, something that is close to impossible in the United Arab Emirates. With its mild climate, excellent safety standards, high quality of life, and central location offering easy access to the rest of Europe, Portugal has become a top choice for expats. The country’s Golden Visa programme is the perfect entryway for investors currently living in the UAE and, in this article, we have compiled all the essential information for those interested in starting to plan, and live, their future.
Why Should UAE Residents Relocate to Portugal?
Are you someone who moved to the UAE to improve your earnings and quality of life but who is now concerned about what the years to come will look like? Maybe you relocated from India, the Philippines, the US, the UK or anywhere else in the world to enjoy the opportunities and amenities that the United Arab Emirates offer but is starting to realise that life in the long term will be better with more stability for you and your family. For that, it is crucial to start planning a new move, this time around to a place where you and your loved ones can settle down for good, with no concerns of having to quicky leave in case your current situation chances or for bureaucracy reasons. Somewhere you will feel welcome on a daily basis and where you can call your forever home. That place could be Portugal.
At first sight, Portugal might not be as opulent as the United Arab Emirates, but it definitely has many other luxuries that should not be underestimated. The number one is the quality of life. With a laidback lifestyle, a healthy work-life balance, and a life that surrounded by nature, this safe haven also has the 7th cleanest air in Europe and offers world-class education in both the public and private sectors, including international schools teaching in English.
Healthcare is another plus, with a public and universal system that offers quality and accessibility, complemented by a private sector that presents modern facilities, shorter waiting times and great staff at very affordable prices. In fact, the expenditure on essential goods and services is also very attractive, with the overall cost of living in Portugal being 22% lower than in the UAE.
If you, as an expat living in the UAE, still struggle with the constant high temperatures or wish to escape the perpetual need for air conditioning, Portugal’s weather might be the ultimate game changer. The summers are warm, and the winters are chilly, but temperatures never get too extreme. You can perfectly see the characteristics of each season while knowing that the weather will always be on the mild side.
Also, in Portugal, expats have similar benefits to nationals when it comes to social security, and the use of important public services, something that, according to many expats, it is left to be desired in the UAE. And then, there is the cherry on the top: in Portugal, you and your family will be able to live, work and study for an extended period of time.
The first step to be able to benefit from that is the Portugal Golden Visa, which is the pathway to something very important that you will most likely never be able to get, no matter how long you live in the UAE: the possibility to apply for a permanent residency or for citizenship after only 5-6 years.
In this guide, we will tell you all about the Portugal Golden Visa for UAE residents and how you can benefit from this move.
Portugal Golden Visa’s for UAE Residents in 2024
The Portugal Golden Visa is a Residency by Investment programme launched in 2012 with the aim of boosting Portugal's economy by attracting foreign investors. Through this option, UAE residents from various countries can obtain a residency permit in exchange of making an investment in specific pre-defined options.
Even though the Portuguese government decided to phase out the real estate investment option, which had been the most popular until then, the Golden Visa is still fully operational in 2024, and it is an excellent option for acquiring residency in Portugal. If you are currently living in the UAE and wish to explore a new, long-lasting opportunity, keep reading as we guide you through all the details of this great alternative.
Benefits of the Golden Visa in Portugal for UAE Residents
The Portugal Golden Visa offers numerous benefits for expats living in the UAE who are seeking a new place to settle without relying on external factors like job offers or sponsors. The most immediate advantage is the Portuguese residency permit, which allows you to live, work, and study in Portugal and to apply for a permanent residency or citizenship after 5-6 years, and to get the 4th most powerful passport in the world.
In 2023, over 22.000 of people benefited from the possibility of acquiring Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation, which only proves how feasible, and desirable this path is.
While you wait to be able to apply for citizenship or permanent residency, there are valuable assets that you can enjoy by simply living in the country, as Portugal offers a range of benefits to its residents, including visa-free travel to all 29 countries within the Schengen Area, where it is possible to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This convenience is complemented by the country's exceptional quality of life, characterised by a laidback lifestyle, a reliable public and private healthcare system, and top-tier education.
If you are thinking about getting a Portugal Golden Visa from Dubai or any other Emirate, you can also count on the fact that you will be allowed to extend the residency permit and all its benefits to your family, as you can also bring to Portugal:
- A spouse;
- Dependent children, including adopted;
- Offspring over 18 years old who are still studying;
- Dependent parents from either the Golden Visa holder or spouse;
- Minor dependent brothers or sisters who are under the guardianship of the main Golden Visa applicant.
In fact, according to AIMA, the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, in 2023, 2,901 Residency by Investment permits were granted in Portugal, with 1,554 referring to Family Reunification.
Portugal Golden Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
It is important to keep in mind that, even though the Golden Visa in Portugal is a fairly uncomplicated way of obtaining residency, citizens from non-EU countries must meet certain requirements in order to have a successful application.
Remember that Portugal Homes is here to help you organise and analyse the documentation and to answer any questions you may have about the process, or even about what is like to live in Portugal.
Portugal Golden Visa Investment Options for Investors Moving Out of the UAE
The Portugal Golden Visa has various and interesting options for investors seeking to relocate from the UAE while still making the best of Portugal’s opportunities.
Investment Funds
By making an investment in one or more selected funds, expats coming from the UAE can obtain residency in Portugal through the Golden Visa programme. The capital will be managed by a financial services and management company who will be responsible to best redirect the investment. The operation is fully regulated by the Bank of Portugal and the main selected sectors are in private equity or venture capital in the Portuguese manufacturing sector, in mid-sized, and prime hospitality assets and in sports and media assets.*
>>> Minimum amount: €500,000
*This page is intended solely for professional investors for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an offer to buy or sell any security or investment, nor is it an invitation to subscribe to any fund's units.
Job Creation
The Golden Visa also has a path through the creation of 10 registered job posts in Portugal. If that is to be done in locations with less than 100 inhabitants per sq. km. (around 1.076 sq. ft.) or with a GDP per head that is less than 75% of the national average, then 8 post is enough to apply.
Company Creation With 5 Permanent Job Posts
Fewer job posts are needed to start your Golden Visa application if you also open a company in Portugal. In that case, 5 permanent job posts need to be created for a minimum period of 3 years.
>>> Minimum amount: €500,000
Donation to the Arts and Cultural Heritage
Through a minimum donation to selected art projects or cultural heritage institutions you can also get a Golden Visa.
>> Minimum amount: €250,000
Donation to Scientific Research
Non-Portuguese citizens who transfer capital to be donated to a public or private or scientific research institution also have a route to the Golden Visa.
>> Minimum amount: €500,000
Documents Needed to Apply to a Golden Visa in Portugal When Coming From the UAE
Now that you can better understand the long-term benefits of relocating from the UAE to a country that offers great alternatives of extended residency and even citizenship, and that you know all the choices Portugal Golden Visa offers, it is time to gather your application papers.
Here is an easy list of the required documentation:
- The Golden Visa application form;
- A copy of your passport;
- A police clearance with a background check;
- Proof of the contracted health insurance in Portugal;
- A declaration issued by the Bank of Portugal, confirming the funds of the chosen investment have been transferred from abroad to a Portuguese bank account;
- A declaration of honour that the investment made will be kept for 5 years;
- A clearance document from Portugal’s Tax Authority;
- A clearance document from Portugal’s Social Security;
- The receipt of the paid Golden Visa application process fee.
Everything you hand in must be legally translated to Portuguese and then certified in a Portuguese consulate or by apostilling the documents according to the Hague Convention.
Gathering all those papers, making sure they are in the proper format for the application and get some specific documents in Portugal might be overwhelming. Thankfully, our After Sales team can assist you with all of that. We can help you obtain your Portuguese Tax Number and to open your local bank account with no need for you to come from the UAE just for that. Then, we will proceed with the Golden Visa Application turning the whole process into a smooth and untroubled journey.
Portugal Golden Visa - Step by Step Process for Former UAE Residents
Even for an experienced expat like you, that have already moved countries once or maybe more times than that, the process can be confusing. However, by following the steps below, the journey from the UAE to Portugal will be a pretty straightforward one.
Step 1 – Choose your Investment
Carefully research and study the options the Portugal Golden Visa presents and choose the one that best suits you. In this phase, professional consultation will give you better clarity and certainty.
Step 2 – Get the Documentation and Investment Ready
It is then time to prepare the amount to be invested and gather the documents required during the Golden Visa application process. You can count on Portugal Homes’ dedicated department to help you prepare and review all the paperwork.
Step 3 – Get a Tax Number and a Bank Account
The next step on your list is to get a Portuguese Fiscal Number, or NIF. Then, it is time to open a Portuguese Bank account where you will transfer your investment to.
This is another crucial part of the process that Portugal Homes will be able to do in your behalf remotely and conveniently.
Step 4 – Make Your Investment
You can now transfer the amount needed to invest in the selected option into your Portuguese Bank Account.
Step 5 – Submit the Application
After the investment was made, it is time to send out all the Golden Visa documents along with the application form.
Step 6 – Come to Portugal for Biometrics
All good with the documents? Good. Roughly 2 months after a pre-approval on your residency request, you will need to come to Portugal to collect your biometric information. 4 months after that, Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum will analyse everything, and once the Golden Visa is authorised, you can pay the application fee.
How Can I Get Portuguese Citizenship Through the Golden Visa?
When you get a residency permit through the Portugal Golden Visa, you do not have to actually move out of the UAE straight away in order to keep a valid permit. You can do that when the time is right for you, as long as you visit Portugal for 7 days each year. Then, after 5-6 years you can also apply for the Portuguese nationality.
Note that is only possible if you hold your investment for at least 5 years, while also maintaining the same necessary conditions of when you first applied for the Golden Visa. After having your Portuguese citizenship, an asset that is in high demand, you get the 4th most powerful passport in the world.
D2 Visa: Another Option for Investors Relocating from the UAE
If, beyond an investor you are also an entrepreneur searching for great opportunities outside of the UAE, your relocation to Portugal can be achieved through the D2 Visa programme. With this business-oriented Residency by Investment option, you can get you permit by opening, branching out a company in Portugal or becoming a partner of a local business. Very similar to the Golden Visa, the D2 Visa is an efficient way of obtaining Residency within the European Union with benefits such as family reunification and visa-free travel over the Schengen Zone and most cost-effective path to citizenship in the EU.
If this seems like a better path for you, talk to one of our experts to gather further information.
Get Your Golden Visa with Portugal Homes Now, Move in When You Want To
You know better than anyone: relocating always brings major life changes. Maybe you are considering exchanging the UAE for Portugal because of the weather. Perhaps it is more because of the long-term possibilities. The reason for you move will most likely also influence when you want to move. However, the best way to promptly have open doors for you and your family, is by having a residency permit on your sleeve.
Portugal Homes can help you make that happen, by showing you which investments can get you the permission to live, study and work in Portugal and to help you during the whole process and even after it.
If you wish to stay a little longer in the UAE and to move to Portugal down the line, rest assured that we can help you managing things here in a way that your Golden Visa will remain valid, waiting for you to be ready to make your move. If you want to move as soon as possible, we can not only help with the residency permit but also with finding you the perfect place for you live and to let it ready for your arrival.
We have a 100% application success rate in Golden Visa Applications and will always work tirelessly to keep that mark. Start your Portugal Golden Visa process now by simply reaching out to us. Before you know it, you can be in Portugal. The first coffee is on us.
FAQ
Is the Portugal Golden Visa Over?
No, the Golden Visa programme in Portugal no longer offers the possibility to invest in real estate in order to get a residency permit but remains fully operational though other investment options.
What Are the Investment Options Currently Available for Expats Seeking to Get a Portugal Golden Visa and Exist the UAE?
These are the current options provided by the Portugal Golden Visa:
- Investment in selected private or public funds;
- Donation of €250,000 to the arts and culture;
- Donation of €500,000 in Scientific Research;
- Capital transfer of €500,000 in the constitution of a company, creating at least 5 job posts for the minimum of 3 years;
- The creation of 10 job posts.
Do former UAE Expats Have to Move to Portugal in Order to Get a Portugal Golden Visa?
No. The majority of the Golden Visa application process in Portugal can be done remotely with the help of a trusted local partner like Portugal Homes. You will only need to be in Portugal to collect biometrics. After the issuing of your permit, you just need to physically be in Portugal for 7 days in the first year and 14 days every two years after that.
How Long is the Golden Visa Valid for?
The temporary Residency Permit for Portugal Golden Visa holder is of 2 years, renewable for another 2 years. Renewal must be requested 30 days before the expiration date of the visa.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Golden Visa Permit in Portugal?
Currently the processing time for the Golden Visa permit is around 18 months in total.
Can Applicants Include Family in the Golden Visa Application?
Yes, direct family and dependents are also eligible. Extras fess will apply in this case.
Can Expats Coming from the UAE Work in Portugal with a Golden Visa Permit?
Yes. All legal residents can live, work and study in Portugal and enjoy all the benefits the country has to offer, including universal healthcare and free education for children, through the public system.
Is It Possible to Get a Permanent Residency Permit or Portuguese Citizenship with the Portugal Golden Visa?
Yes. Within 5-6 years of having a Golden Visa Permit, you can apply for either Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency. Any family members that were added to the process will also be able to request it. It is always advisable to double check if your place of birth allows for Dual Citizenship, before starting your request.
How Does the Portugal Golden Visa Differ from the UAE Golden Visa, and which one is Easiest to Have a Successful Application on?
There are a few differences between the Portugal Golden Visa and the United Arab Emirates Golden Visa. The first one is that, in Portugal, the initial permit is valid for two years, which can be renewed, while in the UAE the validity of the Visa can get to 10 years. However, the main difference is that, in Portugal you will be able to apply for citizenship or permanent residency only 5-6 short years after obtaining your Golden Visa for 5 years, something that is extremely difficult to be achieved in the UAE, no matter how long you stay.
Also, you need to personally be in the UAE during the Golden Visa process while, in Portugal, only one visit to collect biometrics is needed. For all that, the Portugal Golden Visa is considered to be the easiest and best choice.
Is It Difficult to Apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
The application process for the Golden Visa is pretty simple and straightforward. However, as everything involving documentation, especially abroad, there are some complexities to be dealt with. Portugal Homes can help you to have a smooth and successful journey towards your residency permit.
