Statistics on the residence permit program in Portugal are published by the country's Migration Service, or SEF. The SEF reports show:
- how many people have become residents in Portugal;
- Which countries received the most residence permits;
- What participants in the program have invested in.
How many residence permits by investment Portugal issued in the third quarter of 2021
378 foreigners were granted a golden visa for Portugal between July and September 2021. Of these, 166 were investors. A total of 10,000 investors and 16,910 family members have received a residence permit since the program started.
Source: SEF Portugal
Source: SEF Portugal
Investors from China received the most golden visas in the third quarter of 2021 with 43 residence cards. Russians ranked third in the number of main applicants, with 18 investors granted resident status in Portugal.
Top 5 countries whose investors have obtained residence permits in Portugal
| Nationality of the applicant | Number of residence permit cards issued |
|---|---|
 China | 43 |
 UAE | 22 |
 Russia | 18 |
 South Africa | 8 |
 Brasil | 7 |
What programme participants have invested in
145 investors bought real estate in order to obtain a residence permit in Portugal between July and September 2021. The second most popular option was an investment in funds: 15 investors chose to buy units.
Another 5 program participants invested in businesses and created five jobs each in the country, while one investor transferred his capital worth € 1,250,200 to Portugal.
The Portuguese government also offers investors:
- to sponsor scientific research;
- contribute to cultural projects;
- сreate 10 jobs in the country.
The residence permit program in Portugal has been running since 2012. Investors most often chose to buy real estate, but demand for alternative options began to increase in 2020.
Expert analysts of Immigrant Invest's investment programs believe that demand has increased for two reasons:
- the costs for some options are lower than for the purchase of real estate;
- the conditions of the program will change from 1 January 2022 ― the minimum investment amount will increase for the four options.
Why investors are more likely to choose real estate
Buying a property for €500,000 is the most popular option under the program. It was chosen by 97 out of 166 investors. Another 48 investors bought properties over 30 years old under renovation. The total amount of real estate purchases is about 77.6 million euros.
145 investors
have bought property under a residence permit programme in Portugal from July to September 2021
Purchase prices for Portuguese property are increasing by an average of 7% per year. In 2021, for example, property values have risen by 17.4% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2020.
The investor owns the property for five years under the terms of the program. During this time, he or she can rent out the property and earn additional income, which in high season brings up to 10% per annum. After five years, the investor has the right to sell the property and recover the money invested.
The terms of the program will change from 2022, investors will only be able to buy housing in the interior regions of the country, Madeira and the Azores. In major cities and resorts, it will be possible to buy refurbished or commercial properties.
Examples of investment property in Portugal
Apartments in a five-star hotel in a resort in Cascais.
The price starts from €600,000. Rental income of 3-5% per annum
Apartments in a residential complex near the sea in Sagres.
Price from €280,000. Rental income of 3% per annum
Apartment in a residential complex near the beach in Funchal.
Price from €398,000. Rental income of 4-5% per annum
What investors with a residence permit in Portugal get
European residence status for the whole family. Family members: the spouse, children up to the age of 26, and parents over the age of 65 can be granted a residence permit in Portugal together with the investor. Residents are entitled to come to Portugal at any time and to remain in the country without any time limit.
Portugal is a strong economy with a high standard of living. An investor and his family can live, work and study in the country permanently. Portugal is also one of the safest places in the world: it was ranked fourth in the Global Peace Index in 2021.
Schengen visa-free travel. Portuguese residence permit cards replace Schengen visas: the investor and his family members can travel freely within the region and stay in any Schengen state for up to 90 days per half-year.
Spouses Ayzere and Amir from Nur-Sultan wanted to move to a developed EU country, travel to Schengen and give their children a European education. Aizere also planned to open a psychological center in her new place of residence.
Immigrant Invest lawyers informed the couple about the EU investment programs and helped them to choose the best option for them. Aizere and Amir chose the Portuguese program. Six months later, the whole family received their residence permits.
Customer names and photos have been changed
The prospect of citizenship in an EU country. After 5 years, the investor and his family are entitled to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The country's passport will give even more opportunities to travel: Portuguese people visit 187 countries without visas, including the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia.
The ability to conduct business in a European country, to earn income from rental property, to keep capital in European banks.
Optimization of taxation. A new resident of Portugal may receive tax holidays for 10 years and a special tax status of Non-habitual resident.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for the Portugal residence permit program. If you want to move to Portugal or travel to Schengen countries without visas, seek advice from our investment program experts.
