One of the most popular business investment programs in Europe, the Portugal Golden Visa started 2021 with full steam ahead despite the pandemic. The trend for the first quarter of this year shows that real estate is the favourite path for obtaining residence permits by investment (ARI) in Portugal.
In total, 228 residence permits (ARI) were granted from January to March 2021. Out of those, 205 were in real estate property purchasing and only 28 in capital transfer. That is not surprising for people who follow this market, especially in the light of the new decree-law announced by the Portuguese Government this February.
Do you want to know more about the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
Changes coming to Portugal Golden Visa Program in 2022
As of January 2022, the new decree-law will affect most Portugal Golden Visa Program pathways, with one clear exception being the real estate rehabilitation category. Major urban areas like Porto and Lisbon will still qualify for the rehabilitation path at the same amount of the past years: €350K for metropolitan regions and €280K for nonurban areas.
However, real estate intended for housing will no longer be available in major urban areas like Porto and Lisbon. In addition, capital transfer and investment fund options, in general, will become more expensive. Therefore, real estate rehabilitation will continue to be the most secure path to obtain European passports through the Portugal Golden Visa Program.
Read more: Looking for European Citizenship by Investment? Portugal is your best bet!
Read more: Lisbon and Porto among the Best Cities in the World to Visit in 2020
Who is taking advantage of the Portugal Golden Visa Program right now?
Besides the preference for real estate investment, the investors being granted their Golden Visas in 2021 also seems to be coming from the same countries as before. Particularly, Chinese, Brazilians and Americans stay among the biggest investors of the Portugal Golden Visa Program as it has been in the two previous years.
The Portugal Golden Visa Program is one of the best choices for foreign investors or third-country nationals to be granted a residence permit, through investment activities conducted within Portugal territory. And, from January to March 2021, 100 Chinese, 18 Brazilians, 13 Americans, 7 Russians and 5 Turkish investors, among many other nationalities, got their residence permits with the Portugal Golden Visa Program.
In 2019, 1245 residence permits (ARI) were granted. Out of those, 394 investors came from China, 210 from Brazil, 85 from Turkey, 65 from the USA and 53 from Russia. In 2020 the numbers were similar and, in total, 1182 ARI were granted. China (296), Brazil (126), USA (75), South Africa (74) and Turkey (72) were among the biggest investors of last year.
Ready to invest in real estate rehabilitation investment and obtain your Portugal Golden Visa?
If you are interested in real estate rehabilitation projects to invest in, Mercan Group is one of the biggest developers in this market. They currently have three excellent projects available: Holiday Inn Express Porto hotel, Holiday Inn Express Évora hotel and Porto Art’s Suites. You can check more information on their €350k and €280k projects here or contact them to receive all details by email.
All Mercan Group projects qualify for the Portugal Golden Visa Program. Residence permit holders already have the right to reside, do business, work and study in Portugal. Besides, the investor and their family can enjoy the benefits of living in the European Union and travelling visa-free in the Schengen zone. The various choices of investments, fast processing, and a minimal requirement for residency make Portugal Golden Visa the fastest-growing investment immigration program in Europe.
Do you want to know more about the Portugal Golden Visa Program?
