How many Portugal Golden Visas have been issued since the beginning of 2022?

American investors received the most golden visas: Portugal issued 124 residence permit cards to them from January to June 2022. This is a new record for participants from the USA. For comparison, for the whole of 2021, Americans received only 99 residence permit cards.

Chinese investors are in second place in terms of the number of participants: 105 people applied for and received a Portuguese residence permit in the first six months of 2022.

The top 5 countries whose citizens received a residence permit in Portugal also included:

• Brazil — 45 investors;

• India — 44 investors;

• Turkey — 27 investors.

About 316.2 million euros was the income from the residence permit program in Portugal for the first half of 2022. This is about 25% more than the income for the same period last year.

506 out of 649 investors bought property to qualify for the Portuguese Golden Visa. Moreover, the option with the purchase of objects for restoration was more popular.

The residence permit program in Portugal offers two options with the opportunity to invest in real estate:

1. From €500,000 to objects of the primary or secondary real estate market, under 30 years old and not requiring restoration. This option was chosen by 234 investors.

2. From €350,000 for objects over 30 years old for restoration. Such real estate was bought by 272 investors.

You can invest 20% less if you buy an object in a region with a low population density. In this case, objects for restoration should cost from €280,000, the rest — from €400,000.

Return on investment is the main advantage of options with the purchase of real estate. The investor is allowed to sell the objects after five years of ownership. So he will be able to return the invested money and earn on the difference in cost.

Examples of properties in Portugal

Portugal, Albufeira

€1,400,000 — €4,500,000

Apartments and villas in a luxury resort managed by Marriott International

194 m² — 386 m²

3

3

Portugal, Lisbon

€860,000 — €2,500,000

Apartments in a hotel managed by Hyatt

88 m² — 251 m²

3

3

Portugal, Lisbon

€1,900,000 — €3,400,000

Apartments in a luxury residential complex

137 m² — 245 m²

3—4

3—4

124 investors bought shares in investment funds in Portugal. This is a financial company that collects investors' money and invests it in selected assets: residential or commercial real estate, Portuguese companies, industrial facilities or the European stock market.

The minimum investment amount for the option is €500,000. You need to invest for at least 5 years, but more often the money is returned after 6‑10 years.

16 investors transferred from 1.5 million euros to local banks to obtain a residence permit in Portugal. Two applicants chose the option to support Portuguese culture and arts, and another one created 10 jobs.

Residence permit in Portugal for the whole family. Together with the investor, members of his family can participate in the residence permit program:

• husband or wife;

• children under 26;

• parents over 65.

Portugal is a European country with a developed economy and a high standard of living. Residents have the right to come to Portugal at any time, as well as to live, work and study in the country permanently.

Pros and cons of living in Portugal

Visa-free travel to Schengen countries. Portugal is a member of the European Union, so its residents travel freely in the Schengen Area and can stay in any country in the region for up to 90 days in half a year.

Opportunity to do business in a European country, to receive income from the rental of real estate, to keep capital in European banks.

Tax optimization. A new resident of Portugal can receive a tax holiday for 10 years and a special tax status Non-habitual resident.

Opportunity to obtain Portuguese citizenship. After five years of holding a residence permit card, the investor and his family will be able to apply for Portuguese citizenship. The passport gives even more opportunities for travel — the Portuguese visit 187 countries without visas, including the USA, Great Britain and Australia.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the EU and the Caribbean. If you want to get a residence permit in Portugal for investment and travel around the Schengen countries without visas, please contact investment program experts for advice.