The Portugal Golden Visa program offers a pathway for non-EU citizens to gain residency and eventually citizenship through investment. Recently, it has become accessible to Bitcoin investors through the Unbound Fund, which allows individuals to invest in Bitcoin indirectly.
Investment Requirement: To qualify for the Golden Visa, investors must hold Bitcoin worth at least €500,000 (approximately $542,000) through the Unbound Fund. This fund focuses on passive Bitcoin holdings and also invests in BlackRock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for added security.
Residency Benefits: The Golden Visa grants residency in Portugal, allowing holders to live, work, and study in the country. Additionally, it provides visa-free access to Schengen Area countries.
Application Process:
Path to Citizenship: After five years of maintaining the investment and residency, individuals can apply for permanent residency or citizenship, provided they meet all requirements.
Portugal has a favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies, with no VAT on crypto transactions and no capital gains tax on individual gains from cryptocurrency sales. This makes it an attractive destination for crypto investors seeking residency and potential tax benefits.
In summary, the Portugal Golden Visa program now offers a unique opportunity for Bitcoin investors to gain residency and citizenship through a structured investment in cryptocurrency, leveraging the country's progressive stance on digital assets.