Scientific Research Golden Visa

Investment Threshold:

• Standard: Minimum €500,000 transfer to research activities
• Low-density regions: Reduced to €400,000 (20% reduction)

Qualifying Institutions:

• Public scientific research institutions
• Private scientific research institutions
• Must be integrated into the national scientific and technological system
• Accredited by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)

Purpose of Funds:

• Support research activities conducted by qualifying institutions
• Can include equipment, personnel, facilities, or program funding
• Must advance scientific or technological research objectives

Documentation:

• Agreement with research institution
• Proof of capital transfer
• Institution's accreditation documentation
• Research project description (if directed to specific project)

Public Research Institutions:

• Portuguese universities with research departments
• National laboratories (LNEC, LNEG, INESC, etc.)
• Public research centers
• State-funded research programs

Private Research Institutions:

• Certified private research centers
• Technology transfer offices
• Industry-academic partnerships
• Non-profit research foundations

Notable Portuguese Research Centers:

• Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM) — Biomedical research
• INESC TEC — Engineering and systems
• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)
• Champalimaud Foundation — Neuroscience and cancer
• Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência — Life sciences

Accreditation Verification:
All institutions must be registered with the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Verify accreditation at www.fct.pt before committing funds.

Nature of the Investment:

• This is typically a donation or grant, not an equity investment
• Capital is generally non-refundable
• No financial returns expected
• No ownership stake in research outcomes (unless separately negotiated)

Common Structures:

1. Unrestricted Donation

   • General support to institution's research mission
   • Institution allocates funds as needed
   • Simplest administratively

2. Directed Research Grant

   • Funding for specific research project or program
   • May include naming opportunities
   • Progress reports typically provided

3. Endowed Position or Fellowship

   • Funding for researcher positions
   • May be named after donor
   • Often multi-year commitment

4. Equipment or Facility Funding

   • Capital for specific equipment purchases
   • Laboratory construction or renovation
   • Clear deliverables and timeline

Intellectual Property Considerations:
Unless separately negotiated, you typically do not receive IP rights from funded research. If IP ownership is important, negotiate licensing or co-ownership arrangements upfront.

€400,000 Threshold Regions:
Research institutions in low-density areas qualify for the reduced €400,000 threshold, saving €100,000 compared to standard regions.

Universities in Low-Density Areas:

• Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) — Vila Real
• Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI) — Covilhã
• Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
• Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
• Universidade de Évora (portions)

Regional Research Focus Areas:

• Trás-os-Montes: Agriculture, viticulture, forestry
• Beira Interior: Textiles, materials science
• Alentejo: Renewable energy, agriculture, archaeology
• Algarve Interior: Marine biology, environmental science

Benefits of Regional Contribution:

• €100,000 savings on threshold
• Potentially higher impact per euro (less funding competition)
• Stronger relationship with research team
• Regional development contribution

Portugal has particular strength and strategic focus in several research domains:

Biomedical & Life Sciences

• Cancer research (Champalimaud Foundation)
• Neuroscience and aging
• Infectious disease (relevant post-pandemic)
• Precision medicine and genomics

Renewable Energy & Sustainability

• Solar and wind technology
• Green hydrogen
• Ocean energy
• Carbon capture

Information Technology

• Artificial intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Quantum computing
• Data science

Ocean & Marine Sciences

• Blue economy research
• Sustainable fisheries
• Marine biodiversity
• Ocean monitoring systems

Nanotechnology

• International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga
• Materials science
• Semiconductor research

Agriculture & Food

• Precision agriculture
• Sustainable viticulture
• Food security
• Climate adaptation

For the Contribution:

• Donations to qualifying research institutions may be tax-deductible
• Portuguese tax deduction up to 130-140% of donation value for certain R&D contributions
• Consult Portuguese tax advisor for specific deduction eligibility

For Residence Status:

• Golden Visa holders are not automatically Portuguese tax residents
• Tax residency requires 183+ days in Portugal or habitual residence
• If non-resident, Portuguese-source income only is taxed

Cross-Border Considerations:

• US citizens: May not receive US tax deduction for Portuguese contributions
• UK citizens: Similar limitations on foreign charitable deductions
• EU citizens: Potential for cross-border charitable deduction under certain conditions

Estate Planning:

• Contributions reduce estate for inheritance purposes
• No assets to transfer to heirs (unlike fund investments)
• Consider family wealth planning implications

Phase 1: Research & Selection (1-3 months)

1. Identify research areas of interest
2. Research qualifying institutions
3. Contact institutions to discuss contribution opportunities
4. Review institution's accreditation status
5. Negotiate contribution agreement terms

Phase 2: Contribution Execution (1-2 months)

1. Finalize legal agreement with institution
2. Transfer €500,000 (or €400,000 in low-density)
3. Obtain receipt and confirmation documentation
4. Receive institution's official acknowledgment letter

Phase 3: Golden Visa Application (12-20 months)

1. Gather personal documentation (criminal records, etc.)
2. Prepare proof of contribution
3. Submit application to AIMA
4. Attend biometric appointment in Portugal
5. Receive initial 2-year residence permit

Phase 4: Maintenance & Renewal

• No ongoing contribution required (one-time payment)
• Meet minimum stay requirements (7 days/year average)
• Renew permit at year 2 and year 4
• Apply for citizenship at year 5+

Estimated Timeline: 15-20 months from contribution to residence card (longer than fund route due to institution coordination).

This Route is Best For:

1. Philanthropic Investors

   • Those who view residency cost as donation rather than investment
   • Interest in supporting scientific advancement
   • No expectation of financial return

2. Tech/Biotech Professionals

   • Researchers or executives in relevant fields
   • Interest in maintaining connections to research community
   • Potential for collaboration or advisory roles

3. University Alumni

   • Graduates of Portuguese universities
   • Those with existing institutional relationships
   • Interest in "giving back"

4. Impact-Focused Investors

   • ESG-oriented high-net-worth individuals
   • Those measuring success by impact, not returns
   • Family foundations seeking international programs

5. Budget-Conscious (Low-Density)

   • €400,000 threshold is lower than €500,000 fund minimum
   • Investors prioritizing lowest possible capital outlay
   • Those willing to accept non-refundable nature

Not Ideal For:

• Investors seeking capital preservation or returns
• Those who need asset liquidity
• Investors without philanthropic motivation
• Those unfamiliar with research/academic world

Key Decision Points:

• If returns matter: Choose Investment Funds
• If lowest cost matters: Choose Cultural Heritage (€200-250K)
• If science/research matters: Choose Scientific Research
• If balance of cost and return: Choose Funds

Before committing funds, verify:

Institution Verification:

• FCT accreditation current and valid
• Institution has accepted similar contributions before
• Clear legal structure for receiving foreign donations
• Financial audits available and satisfactory

Contribution Agreement:

• Clear statement of contribution purpose
• Timeline for fund deployment
• Reporting commitments (progress updates)
• Recognition/naming rights (if desired)
• Confirmation letter format for AIMA

Golden Visa Documentation:

• Institution will provide AIMA-compliant documentation
• Receipt format meets legal requirements
• Timeline aligns with your application schedule
• Institution familiar with Golden Visa process

Tax & Legal:

• Portuguese tax advisor consulted
• Home country tax implications understood
• Legal agreement reviewed by Portuguese lawyer
• Estate planning implications considered