Portugal’s residency by investment program has been operating since 2012 and was created to attract foreign capital for the development of the country’s economy. For the entire time of the program, 9,834 residencies were issued, mostly to Chinese investors:
- 4,943 – Chinese investors 1
- ,024 – Brazilian
- 467 – Turkish
- 407 – South African
- 383 – Russians
Since 2012, the program has earned the Portuguese economy about EUR 5.9 billion, of which EUR 5.3 billion was received by buying local real estate
As for the previous year, it has rather good indicators. 1,182 golden visas were issued, of which:
- 296 Golden Visas received by Chinese Investors
- 126 Brazilian
- 75 Golden Visas received by US citizens
- 74 South African citizens
- 72 Turks
In total, for 2020, Portugal received EUR 646.7 million.
However, if you look at the results for 2021, they are not so high. For example, in June 2021, the country received only EUR 36.4 million, which is 60% less than in the same period in 2020.
In half of 2021, only 445 foreigners received golden visas (mainly during the periods when the country opened its borders).
According to the Portuguese Border Guard Service (SEF), 67 investors received residence permits in June. Of these, 60 – through the purchase of the real estate.
Foreigners can obtain a Golden Visa from EUR 350,000 in real estate or business.
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Portugal offers a number of advantages that attract foreign investors:
- Straightforward and flexible investment requirements
- Extremely low minimum stay requirements – 7 days first year and 14 days following periods of 2 years
- Possibility of Permanent Residency after 5 years and nationality after 6 years
- No limitations on ownership of the selected investment
- Residency applications quickly processed
- Fully extensible to family members (with no further investment requirements)
- Freedom to travel to all European countries members of the Schengen area
- No limitation on subsequent investments or employment opportunities
- Very limited number of documents required
- Access to all Portuguese Public Services, including health and education
Source: sef
