Legal & Residency Guidance

Cyprus asks for €300,000 and Portugal for €500,000, but only one permit opens the Schengen area. Here is what each programme buys, and who each one suits.

For a decade, Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime was the reason wealthy retirees and remote earners moved to Lisbon and the Algarve. That door closed on 1 January 2024. In its place sits something narrower, sharper, and far more interesting to people who build and back companies: the Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação, or IFICI, widely known as NHR 2.0.

IFICI is Portugal’s new tax regime (0% foreign income tax | 20% flat local income tax) replacing NHR, and it’s attracting major interest from founders, investors and global professionals. But qualifying depends on doing the right thing, in the right order.

Today’s global C-suite doesn’t “relocate.” They rebase strategically. CEOs, CFOs, CTOs and Managing Directors are running international teams, revenue streams, and innovation hubs across multiple markets.

Yesterday’s election delivered a result that matters beyond party politics — especially for anyone following Portugal’s policy direction and the ongoing uncertainty around citizenship rules and the Golden Visa.

IFICI is Portugal’s new tax regime (0% foreign income tax | 20% flat local income tax) replacing NHR, and it’s attracting major interest from founders, investors and global professionals. But qualifying depends on doing the right thing, in the right order.

Portugal’s innovation ecosystem has experienced significant growth in recent years, attracting international founders, investors, and professionals eager to build and scale their businesses. Three of the most compelling opportunities for founders and investors are SIFIDE, IFICI (NHR 2.0), and the Golden Visa.

Over the past months, anyone with an eye on Portugal’s future has felt the tension building. First came the announcements, then the debates, then the late-night discussions in Parliament. Headlines were dominated by one idea: Portugal was about to turn the page on its relatively open path to citizenship.

On November 20th, we had a 45-minute conversation with Mark and Jean Miller, U.S. investors who recently became Limited Partners in Ventures.eu Fund I. 

Opening a bank account in Portugal is an essential step for anyone planning to invest or settle here, especially for Golden Visa (GV) seekers. While setting up a standard account is straightforward, Golden Visa applicants need to meet a few additional requirements, such as proof of investment and fund transfers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, explain the necessary documents, and highlight some key tips for those applying for the Golden Visa.