Targeted Golden Visa investment could help all of Portugal, experts say

This was a key topic of discussion at the recent Portugal Investment Forum, a five-event series hosted across the country.

Henrique Peyssonneau Nunes, immigration and employment partner at CMS Portugal, made the point on a panel about navigating Portugal through cross-border structuring, family structures, succession and government agencies.

Asked what the government could do to shape policy, he pointed to the Golden Visa as an opportunity.

The Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme typically requires a €500,000 investment in a regulated alternative investment fund, with other options available.

He said lawyers working on immigration, and on the Golden Visa in particular, have been proposing ways the investment could be channelled into specific strategic areas.

“Imagine we have a problem of construction,” he said. “Well, we could demand that the funds, in order to become eligible for the Golden Visa, have at least 40% of their investment in affordable housing, in education, in hospitals.”

He said the benefits would reach well beyond investors. “We’re talking about promoting the Portuguese economy, which would protect not only the rich but everyone, because it would create employment.”

Chris Marson, head of wealth management at Portugal Pathways, who sat on the same panel, said investors would welcome the idea.

His work with families and investors, he said, shows they are keen to put capital to productive use in the country.

“What they want to do is bring their money and do good in Portugal,” Marson said.

“If doing good in Portugal is building affordable housing, if it’s supporting the tourism agenda, that is what they want. They’re making this their home, their long-term home, so they have absolutely no objection to doing that.”

Henrique said that, in his view, a focus on national interest in this way would make a real difference. “What would really make the difference would be putting the national interest over the political agenda,” he said. “I think that would help.”

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About Portugal Pathways

‍‍Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on estate planning, wealth management, Golden Visa and tax optimisation, including post-NHR / IFICI tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, money transfers and bespoke relocation and luxury real estate solutions to enhance life and investment in Portugal

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Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (PIO 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. Golden Visa investments need to be held for 6 to 7 years to allow for permanent citizenship/passport in the EU.

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