Announcement Icon
Season's Greetings! Please note our response times may be slower over Christmas and New Year. Wishing you a joyful festive season!
Portugal Pathways Logo Dark
  • Solutions
    • Visa SOLUTIONS
      • Golden Visa
        Explore Portugal’s residency-by-investment programme
      • D7 Visa
        Visa solutions for retirees and passive income earners
      • D2 Visa
        Visa solutions for entrepreneurs and freelancers
      • D8 (Digital Nomad) Visa
        Visa support for remote workers relocating to Portugal
      • Golden Visa Fund Index
        Portugal’s top investment fund options for the Golden Visa
    • Tax & Financial Solutions
      • IFICI (NHR 2.0) Tax Incentive
        Portugal’s newest tax regime option, the IFICI (NHR 2.0)
      • Plan Early for End of NHR
        Mitigate progressive taxes by planning early for the end of your NHR
      • Tax & Wealth Management
        Optimise your cross-border income and assets for the future
      • Investment Strategy
        Investment advice aligned to your life and financial objectives
      • Business Solutions
        Business set-up, accounts, auditing and operations in Portugal
    • Real estate & concierge
      • Real Estate Solutions
        Location scouting, property research and guidance in Portugal
      • Concierge Services
        Personalised travel, private education, language, utilities and events
      • Healthcare & Insurance
        Private healthcare, insurance, and wellbeing in Portugal
      • Foreign Currency Exchange
        Make significant savings on your foreign currency transfers
      • Mortgage Solutions
        Compare mortgages in Portugal and secure the best rates

    Current NHR Tax Holders: Are you structured and protected?

    Mitigate high taxes and safegaurd your finances by planning early for the end of your NHR status!
    Explore
    Arrow Icon
  • About
  • Insights & Events
    • Insights
      • Articles
        In-depth insights and news on living and investing in Portugal
      • Guides
        Step-by-step advice for navigating life in Portugal
      • FAQs
        Clear answers to your most common questions
      • Case Studies
        Real-life success stories from our clients
    • Events
      • All Events
      • Upcoming Events
      • Past Events
      • Major Events/Festivals in Portugal
    June 10, 2025

    Securing EU Residency Through Portugal's Golden Visa

    Get EU residency by investing in Portugal's Golden Visa programme. Get dual-citizenship and freedom of movement throughout the EU for you and your qualifying family while only needing to spend 7 days per year in Portugal.
    Explore event
    Arrow Icon
Talk to our experts
Visa & Finance
February 12, 2025

Potential reprieve for NHR tax scheme – but is it real and for how long?

Potential reprieve for NHR tax scheme – but is it real and for how long?

Dramatic scenes at the top of the Portuguese government have resulted in a last-minute potential delay of the end of its hugely popular Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax scheme. to new applicants. Whilst the politics indicated that it may be delayed, this has not been confirmed and individuals should not assume it has been officially extended.

But those wishing to take advantage of its unexpected survival are being urged not to delay in applying, amid claims it could be short-lived due to pressure from both inside Portugal and the European Union.

The NHR tax scheme offers beneficial tax rates for up to 10 years for successful applicants. Designed to attract wealthy investors to Portugal, it had been set to close to new applicants by the end of 2023. ‍

(See our updated guidance and process for NHR tax status applications, dependant on whether you are an EU passport holder or non-EU passport holder that requires a separate visa exemption to expedite your tax status in Portugal.)

However, the resignation of Portugal Prime Minister António Costa has slammed the brakes on his government’s legislative agenda.

Costa quit amid a corruption probe. He denies any wrongdoing.

But as a consequence, the annual state budget, which included instructions to wind down the NHR tax scheme to new entrants, has been scrapped.

It will come as a huge relief to thousands hoping to take advantage of the scheme but were facing challenges to hit the tight deadlines. There is, in addition, a significant backlog in visa processing at the newly formed Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).

It was reporting 350,000 visa applications were currently stuck in limbo and getting a SEF appointment is taking many months.

Aziz, an NHR tax regime and visa specialist advisor in Lisbon, is part of Portugal Pathways, which supports people seeking a new life in Portugal by advising on how best to structure their life, income, tax and assets to ensure a smooth transition.

He says the extension should not be relied upon and we must act as though the deadline is still set for 31st of December 2023 until an official statement comes out.

He said: “Because the current government has resigned, its legislative programme – which was due to be approved in parliament – has to be declared null and void.

“Which means the proposals to end the NHR tax regime maybe dead in the water too. However, with no official changes to the bill yet nobody can be certain.

“Also, I think it would be a surprise for the NHR tax scheme to survive under a new administration anyway, so while it may potentially be extended – I would urge anyone looking to take advantage of the tax scheme and act now.

“With delays at AIMA and uncertainty as to the NHR’s long-term future, the quicker you can get your details submitted, the better.

“We have seen how quickly things can change and the impact it can have on people’s plans – so while this potential extension is welcome, it would be unwise to assume it will last for long.”

Steve Philp from Portugal Pathways added: “We’ve gone from a mad dash to get NHR and, separately, visa applications in by the end of the year to potential hope but we must not kid ourselves that it's automatically going to be extended.

“We would advise anyone looking to take advantage of the NHR tax regime to act now. Get advice, but don’t think you can wait six months because the chances are the NHR tax benefits will still close to new applicants very soon.

“The sooner you can get the ball rolling the more confident you can be in terms of your financial and life planning.

“We have seen incredible pressure on the professional supply chain from law firms, tax advisors, NHR and visa specialists, wealth management and real estate companies. This is unlikely to change at least in the short term as more and more people see the opportunity that was thought lost with the old deadline.”

Guidance and process advice for NHR tax status applications

See our updated guidance and process for NHR tax status applications, dependant on whether you are an EU passport holder or non-EU passport holder that requires a separate visa exemption to expedite your tax status in Portugal.

‍

‍

Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways website and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice.

‍

Current NHR Tax Holders: Are you structured and protected?

Mitigate high taxes and safegaurd your finances by planning early for the end of your NHR status!

Explore

Related Articles

View all
Portugal’s Property Market Predicted to Grow at Over Twice the Rate of EU, UK, and North America Until 2027
Property

Portugal’s Property Market Predicted to Grow at Over Twice the Rate of EU, UK, and North America Until 2027

Read more
Arrow Icon
Portugal Drives World-Leading European Private Equity Performance
Visa & Finance

Portugal Drives World-Leading European Private Equity Performance

Read more
Arrow Icon
Existing NHR Tax Holders Fail to Act Early Enough to Mitigate Impending Tax Hike
Visa & Finance

Existing NHR Tax Holders Fail to Act Early Enough to Mitigate Impending Tax Hike

Read more
Arrow Icon
View all
Contact Us

Maximise your wealth, tax status, property & life in Portugal

Talk to our expert team, so that we can offer personalised support to meet your specific needs.

Interested in partnering with us? Contact Us >Do you have a media enquiry? Contact Us >
Please note that during the Christmas and New Year period, response times for form submissions may be longer than usual. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this festive season. Our team will do their best to attend to your submissions as promptly as possible. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
In order for us to best help you, please state: what solutions you require, the status of your residency, if you hold NHR tax status, if you are currently applying/intending to apply for NHR, if you hold a NIF ID, if you are currently applying/intending to apply for a NIF ID, if you have medical insurance in Portugal, and if you have proof of an address in Portugal, in addition to any other pertinent information.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Portugal Pathways Logo White

Sign up for updates

Stay informed and be the first to know about our latest newsletters, articles, guides, and exciting upcoming events

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Facebook IconIstagram IconTwitter/X IconLinkedIn Icon
Visa Solutions
Visa SolutionsGolden VisaD7 VisaD2 VisaDigital Nomad VisaGolden Visa Fund Index
Tax & Financial Solutions
IFICI (NHR 2.0)Post-NHR PlanningFinancial PlanningInvestment StrategyBusiness Operations
Real Estate & Concierge
Real Estate SolutionsConcierge ServicesHealthcare & InsuranceForeign CurrencyMortgage Solutions
Links
About usSolutionsCase StudiesArticlesGuidesFAQsEvents & WebinarsContact
© 2025 Portugal Pathways Limited. All rights reserved.
Privacy policyTerms of service

Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (P Club for short) websites and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice.

Upcoming Webinar
Investing in Portugal: Optimise your income and assets for the future
January 16, 2024 4:00 PM

Gain expert insight and guidance from our specialist panel on navigating Portugal's investment opportunities, such as Portuguese investment funds and real estate. Hear experts discuss optimising your income, wealth, assets, and tax position going forward.

Register