Investment in Portugal’s Golden Visa has crossed the $3 billion threshold, according to the European country’s immigration department.
Figures show $2.7 billion out of the total was invested in property, with the remainder flowing in through the capital transfer stream of the popular investment immigration program.
The total number of visas issued reached 4,881 in March 2017, since the program was launched on October 8, 2012. That includes 679 visa awarded so far this year.
Portugal’s program is well-established and features access to the whole of the EU, a key benefit for mainly-Chinese investors looking for a better future for their offspring.
This includes attending European universities for a fraction of the tuition fees paid by overseas students.
The program has been lucrative for the Portuguese economy, particularly the real estate market, which has recovered from the dark days of the global financial crisis thanks in part to the investment attracted.
Investment Requirements: Portugal Golden Residence Investor Program
Capital Investment
Transfer of capital of minimum value of €1 million into Portugal including through purchase of shares in companies
Jobs
Creation of at least 10 new positions in Portugal
Real Estate
Purchase of unencumbered real estate in Portugal of a minimum value of €350,000. Co-ownership or purchase of property through finance is permissible provided each individual makes a mandatory minimum investment of €350,000.
Urban Rehabilitation
Investment of at least €350,000 in constructed 30 years ago or investment for rehabilitation of properties located in Urban Rehabilitation Areas
Scientific Research and Development
Investment of at least €350,000 in R&D activities of institutions that are part of the national technological system.
Promotion of Culture
Investment of at least €250,000 towards financing of bodies pursuing cultural or artistic activities or towards renovation or maintenance of cultural heritage.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Finance
Investment of at least €500,000 towards purchase of units of small-cap or mid-cap venture capital funds.
Investment in Low Population Areas
20 per cent reduction in minimum investments in the above-mentioned categories when investment is made in a low population-density area.
Although property investment is not the only investment stream, it is by far the most popular, as investors look to use Portuguese residency as an access window to the European Union. The program is overwhelmingly dominated by Chinese investors, although Russians and Brazilians are also key candidates.
Changes implemented in September 2015 rejuvenated the program.
They included new investment options for buying older property, or buying a building in a designated regeneration area. Aa scientific research investment option was also introduced.
Existing investment classes include general real estate, capital transfer and job creation.
There were fears candidates for investment immigration programs could start turning their attention away from European countries like Portugal and towards the Caribbean, because of the UK’s impending exit from the European Union.
‘Brexit’ could mean the investment immigration programs run by the likes of Cyprus, Malta and Portugal may no longer be able to offer visa-free travel to the UK, one of their key benefits.
But the continued success of the Portugal program appears to suggest there has been little impact so far.
Portugal’s golden visa has been highlighted as one of the chief drivers behind Lisbon’s emergence from economic difficulties.
Global real estate agency Savills says the property market in the capital is thriving thanks to the success of the investor program.
The Savills report uses data up until 2015, pointing out that €1.56 billion of investment could be traced back to the 2,697 golden visas awarded under the program. Chinese investors account for 83 per cent of real estate acquisitions.
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