Portugal has always attracted much attention for its beautiful coastline, warm climate and friendly immigration policy.

In 2024, Portugal’s immigration policy will usher in two major changes, and the investment immigration trend will also be different from last year. Please follow Xiaoxing below

Let’s take a look at the latest changes and trends~

01

AIMA will allow online

Submit an application for a residence permit for family reunification

On January 17, local time, Portugal issued a foreigner supervision decree.

According to the new decree, the Integration, Immigration and Asylum Agency (AIMA) replaced part of the original Immigration and Border Service (SEF) and the High Commissioner for Migration (ACM), and is responsible for the entry, residence, departure and deportation of foreign citizens.

In addition, AIMA promises to provide online services on the official website. Currently, it starts with applying for family reunification residence, and may also provide other residence permit application services in the future.

This change means that the cumbersome procedures and time costs in the application process can be reduced.

02

Amend the Nationality Law

Application for naturalization will be accelerated

On January 5, local time, the Portuguese Parliament passed an amendment to the Nationality Law: "In order to calculate the legal residence time stipulated in this law, the time of application for a temporary residence card will also be taken into account, but it is subject to approval." .

This program is suitable for all applicants who have not yet submitted an application for naturalization, regardless of whether they have received a Golden Residence Permit. Once the bill officially takes effect, the naturalization time will be 5 years from the first day of submitting the immigration application, and the naturalization time will be greatly shortened.

Previously, applicants had to hold Portuguese residency for at least five years, among other requirements, before they could apply for naturalization, but this will now be counted from the first day of submission of the immigration application.

For example:

★ If the applicant applies for residency from January 2024, the naturalization application can be submitted in January 2029;

★ If the applicant applies for residency from January 2023, he or she can submit a naturalization application in January 2028 even if he is still waiting for approval from the Immigration Bureau.

However, the new bill has not yet taken effect, because the proposal will have 5-7 days to be submitted to the president for signature. After receiving the proposal, the president has an 8-day deadline to choose to publish it, and it will take effect one month after the official announcement.

03

Portugal ushered in a new era of fund investment

On October 6, 2023, Portugal announced the closure of policies for house purchases of 500,000 euros, deposits of 1.5 million euros, and property renovation policies of 280,000/350,000 euros. The popular Portuguese Golden Visa house purchase immigration channel has been completely ended.

However, Portugal retains a 500,000 euro fund immigration policy, that is, citizens of non-EU countries can obtain a golden residence permit by purchasing a 500,000 euro designated fund in Portugal, carry out business activities without a visa, and travel freely through Schengen country region.

Looking at the investment immigration projects that are still available in Europe and supported by immigration laws, the advantages of Portuguese fund investment immigration are obvious:

1

Low application threshold

There are no language, academic qualifications, funding sources, management experience, etc. requirements.

2

No immigration prison

You only need to stay for 14 days in the first year and enter for 7 days each year.

3

EU status

Travel smoothly to 27 countries, and your passport is visa-free for more than 170 countries and regions.

4

investment income

The investment cost is low and the allocation is diversified.

5

Excellent benefits

Free top education + medical resources.

If you are interested in moving to Portugal or want to know more details, please contact Xingyunhai International!