I read that as of 2022 foreigners can only invest in inland territories and specific autonomous regions. There is a business opportunity I wish to fulfill in Porto. Can I buy real estate in inland Portugal for Golden Visa purposes but still relocate to Porto, perhaps to live in a rental residence? Would this affect my application?
Real estate located in Porto will only be eligible for purposes of golden visa application if it is licensed for other purposes than residential ones. As such, it is important to check the license and the tax certificate of the real estate to understand what is the legal purpose of the building. Serviced apartments, touristic development, shops or vineyards are still eligible, for instance.
One of the possible ways of acquiring a Golden Visa is, in fact, through investment in real estate. This investment can be made anywhere in the country, regardless of whether it is inland or in the autonomous regions. The only amendments to the law have to do with residential real estate; that is, the investment of residential real estate is now excluded in Lisbon and in the majority of the Porto area. All other properties which are not residential may be located anywhere in the country. Furthermore, there is no impediment to live in a place other than the place of investment, as long as the above assumptions are met.
It is not mandatory for the investment in real estate to be executed in the same place where the investor wishes to live; therefore, it is possible, as you stated, to invest in the inlands and autonomous regions of Portugal and still live in Porto.
The city of Porto is not an inland territory. To be qualified for Golden Visa, the investment in real estate, in Porto, must not be destined for housing. So if you want to invest in Porto, and use this investment for Golden Visa, it should be in real estate destined for commerce, services, industries. But for GV purposes, there is no liaison between the place of the investment and the place where the investor lives. It is possible to make an investment in an inland territory (if the real estate is destined for housing) and still live anywhere else. It does not affect the GV application.
Yes, you can do your investment following that path. Even in Porto there are specific solutions to get a Golden Visa Permit. And you can do an investment for Golden Visa and still have another investment where you really want to live.
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