What are the low-density areas and the 280k investment option?
The Residence Permit Programme for investment in Portugal – also known as the Golden Visa Portugal scheme – is one of the most sought after in the world and its 280k option is one of the most affordable in Europe.
Created with the goal to increase the population density and to recover the urban heritage in the areas of the country most in need, the program is an excellent opportunity for those who want to emigrate, retire, or invest in the country and obtain Portuguese citizenship.
Table of contents
- What is the 280k investment program?
- What are low-density areas?
- What are the advantages of the Golden Visa 280k option?
- Is Setubal a low-density area?
- Is Coimbra a low-density area?
- What are the best low-density areas in Portugal?
- Invest in property in Portugal with GuestReady
What is the 280k investment program?
The Portugal Golden Visa program offers several investment routes to obtaining Portuguese citizenship, and the 280k program, in particular, offers a 20% discount on property investment in low-density areas.
The Portuguese government has created a property investment classification system for Portuguese residency for areas of Portugal eligible for property investment. These areas are designated as “interior” and “low-density”.
This means that in these areas you can make any investment (commercial or residential) benefiting from a 20% discount.
- 400.000 euros (500.000 euros / 20%) – properties already renovated
- 280.000 euros (350.000 euros / 20%) – properties to rehabilitate
With this program, the Portuguese government aims to increase urban qualification, prevent the degradation of cultural heritage, and increase services in these areas of low population density.
Each of the areas is, every six months, subject to review based on population density, meaning that these areas can be changed during your investment process and it is convenient that you approach the local SEF, council and parish council before proceeding with the investment.
What are low-density areas?
Low-density areas are defined as territorial units (NUTS III) and have fewer than 100 inhabitants per km2 or a GDP per capita of less than 75% of the national average.
What are the advantages of the Golden Visa 280k option?
- Affordable price with building work included
- Smaller investment with greater return
- Rich and growing tourism market
Lower capital required for investment in these areas gives more freedom of investment to interested parties. People who choose Portugal as their residence may like these places more due to their calm and tranquillity and more affordable cost of living.
If your objective is a significant long-term investment, be it residential or commercial, the programme is highly beneficial as you will find properties with good areas at low cost and the motorway network is extremely good.
Although most of the low-density areas are concentrated in the Portuguese countryside, there are some low-density areas closer to the coast and larger metropolitan areas.
Are there low-density areas in the Algarve?
Yes. There are areas in the Algarve with low population density and, for this reason, are within the Portugal Golden Visa program.
These localities are:
- Alcoutim
- Aljezur
- Castro Marim
- Monchique
- Vila do Bispo
Loulé, parishes of:
- Alte
- Ameixial
- Salir
- Parish of Querença, Tôr and Benafim
Silves, parishes of:
- São Marcos da Serra
Tavira, parishes of:
- Cachopo
- Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo
Is Setubal a low-density area?
The city itself is not considered a low-density area but some areas in Setubal’s district are considered low-density and not very far from some of the best beaches in the country such as Portinho da Arrábida, Praia da Comporta, and Tróia.
In these areas, you can buy a residential property or invest in a residential rehabilitation project while benefiting from a 20% discount on your investment. Consider these areas if you’re planning to invest in coastal areas.
- Álcacer do Sal
- Grândola
- Odemira
- Santiago do Cacém
Is Coimbra a low-density area?
Coimbra is very sought after because of its low price per square meter. The city of Coimbra itself is not low-density, but in the district of Coimbra you will find these low-density locations:
- Arganil
- Góis
- Lousã
- Miranda do Corvo
- Mortágua
- Oliveira do Hospital
- Pampilhosa da Serra
- Penacova Penela
- Soure
- Tábua
- Vila Nova de Poiares
What are the best low-density areas in Portugal?
The best areas for 280k Golden Visa investment in Portugal will depend on various factors – whether you are thinking of selling, living, or monetising.
The areas that currently present the greatest investment flexibility, meaning where you can easily live, retire or have your property listed on a short-term rental website, are:
- Minho
- Douro
- Coimbra
- Setúbal
- Algarve
Each of these regions offers amazing renovated and spacious properties with a private swimming pool, garden, garage and large areas of land for €400K.
Check the full list of Portugal Golden Visa low-density municipalities and parishes here.
| City/ Municipality | Parishes | |
|---|---|---|
| Águeda | União das freguesias de Belazaima do Chão, Castanheira do Vouga e Agadão | União das freguesias do Préstimo e Macieira de Alcoba |
| Amarante | Ansiães | Candemil |
| Gouveia (São Simão) | Jazente | |
| Rebordelo | Salvador do Monte | |
| União das freguesias de Aboadela, Sanche e Várzea | União das freguesias de Olo e Canadelo | |
| União das freguesias de Bustelo, Carneiro e Carvalho de Rei | Vila Chã do Marão | |
| Amares | Bouro (Santa Marta) | Goães |
| União das freguesias de Caldelas, Sequeiros e Paranhos | União das freguesias de Vilela, Seramil e Paredes Secas | |
| Caminha | Dem | União das freguesias de Arga (Baixo, Cima e São João) |
| Castelo de Paiva | União das freguesias de Gondar e Orbacém | Real |
| União das Freguesias da Raiva, Pedorido e Paraíso | – | |
| Condeixa-a-Nova | Furadouro | – |
| Guimarães | União das freguesias de Arosa e Castelões | – |
| Loulé | Alte | Ameixial |
| Salir | União de freguesias de Querença, Tôr e Benafim | |
| Marco de Canaveses | Várzea, Aliviada e Folhada | – |
| Ourém | Espite | União das freguesias de Matas e Cercal |
| União das freguesias de Freixianda, Ribeira do Fárrio e Formigais | União das freguesias de Rio de Couros e Casal dos Bernardos | |
| Pombal | Abiul | Anais |
| Ponte de Lima | Ardegão, Freixo e Mato | Associação de freguesias do Vale do Neiva |
| Bárrio e Cepões | Beiral do Lima | |
| Boalhosa | Cabaços e Fojo Lobal | |
| Cabração e Moreira do Lima | Calheiros | |
| Estorãos | Friastelas | |
| Gemieira | Gondufe | |
| Labruja | Labrujó, Rendufe e Vilar do Monte | |
| Navió e Vitorino dos Piães | Poiares | |
| Serdedelo | – | |
| Porto de Mós | São Bento | – |
| Santarém | União das freguesias de Casével e Vaqueiros | – |
| Silves | São Marcos da Serra | – |
| Tavira | Cachopo | Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo |
| Tomar | Olalhas | Sabacheira |
| União das freguesias de Além da Ribeira e Pedreira | União das freguesias de Casais e Alviobeira | |
| União das freguesias de Serra e Junceira | – | |
| Vale de Cambra | Arões | Junqueira |
| Valença | Boivão | Fontoura |
| União das freguesias de Gondomil e Safins | União das freguesias de São Julião e Silva | |
GuestReady helps property investors find the best returns and the best rental management plans for their hassle-free business.
We, with the assistance of our partners, have helped dozens of Golden Visa investors with their property investments.
