Golden Visa Statistics

The Portuguese Immigration Services (SEF) have released the latest statistics of the Golden Visa programme.  These latest numbers show that  the total investment  brought in to the country by foreign investors until the end of the May 2022 was over 6.3 billion Euro.

These latest statistics reveal that a total of 10,748 residency permits have been granted so far to investors under the Golden Visa programme.  In addition, a total of 17,752 residency permits were granted to family members of the investors

From these statistics it is possible to see that 9,965 investors selected one of the property categories, 763 investors followed the capital route and 20 followed the job creation route.  In any case, it is relevant to point out that these statistics only refer to applications that have already been approved and do not reflect investments for applications that are still pending. 

Please feel free to contact us if you require further information on the Golden Visa or if you need any assistance with your initial application or renewal.

Golden Visa Portugal - Changes for 2022

The changes to the Golden Visa programme that had been announced by the Portuguese authorities have become effective on 1st January 2022.

Ana Rita Reis, partner of EDGE International Lawyers, explains the main changes that were implemented. 

 

This presentation can also be seen on Linkedin

Golden Visa - Changes Announced

 The Portuguese government has just announced that changes to the Golden Visa programme have been approved.  Such changes were passed on 22nd December at the Government meeting.

According to the statement from the Government, the changes are aimed at creating incentives for investment in low density areas, namely in urban renewal, cultural heritage, in activities of high social or environmental value, in the productive investment and job creation.

On the property investment category, the preferred route by the majority of investors so far, the Government has said that the limitations to investing in the areas of Lisbon and Porto will only start on July 1st 2021 and will be subject to a long period of transition that will spread even during the year of 2022.

According to the statement of the Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva, "there will be a transitional regime during the year of 2021 and the year of 2022 in which the value of the investments will be successively increased and reducing the possibility of application to the urban metropolitan areas, which will come into force on 1st July 2021"

The specific details on  the changes that were just announced will only be known once the decree law is published in the official gazette.  In any case, it is very clear now that the eventual changes will only come into effect in July 2021 and that the limitations on property investments in Lisbon and Porto will be subject to a transitional period after that.

In addition, it is also very important to note that the Portuguese government clearly takes into consideration the importance of foreign investors and sees the Golden Visa as a very important mechanism for capturing foreign investment.

Golden Visa - New Renewal Periods

In accordance with the changes to the Immigration Law approved within the State Budget for 2020, the validity of the initial residency permits has now changed from 1 to 2 years.  As such, the residency permits that have been issued since 1st April 2020 already have this initial validity period of 2 years.

The changes that have been approved apply for all types of residency, including the Golden Visa programme.  Up to now, all residency permits were initially valid for an initial period of 1 year and were then renewed for periods of 2.  With this change, the duration of the initial residency permits is now 2 years consecutive.

It should be noted that the changes to the duration of the validity of the temporary residency permits does not affect the possibility of applying for permanent residency or citizenship.  In these cases, the minimum time required to apply remains 5 years.

Golden Visa Portugal - Statistics

The Portuguese Immigration Services (SEF) have released the latest statistics of the Golden Visa programme.  These latest numbers show that  the total investment  brought in to the country by foreign investors until the end of the January 2020 was over 5 billion Euro.

These latest statistics reveal that a total of 8,288 residency permits have been granted so far to investors under the Golden Visa programme.  In addition, a total of 14,154 residency permits were granted to family members of the investors

It is important to note that SEF has also changed the way the statistics are released in order to make the information provided clearer and more detailed.  It is now possible not only to see the total investment since the launch of the programme in October 2012, but it is also possible to see the information per year and also per month.

In addition, it is now also possible to see the exact numbers on each category of qualifying investments.  As an example, we note that since the beginning of the programme and up to the end of January 2020, the distribution of the investment was as follows:

Property:
General category - 500k: 7,322
Urban Renovation - 350k: 478

Capital:
Transfer of 1 M€: 453
Funds - 350k: 7
Company+Employment: 1

Job creation: 17

Please feel free to contact us if you require further information on the Golden Visa or if you need any assistance with your initial application or renewal.

GOLDEN VISA INVESTOR REACHES PORTUGUESE CITIZENSHIP

We are happy to report that one of our first clients that invested in Portugal and was granted residency through the Golden Visa programme has now obtained his
Portuguese citizenship. 

The citizenship application was submitted in October 2018, subsequently to the reduction of the minimum residency time to apply for nationality from 6 to 5 years, and has finally been approved by the Civil Registrar.

Our now fellow citizen complied with the minimum stay requirements associated with the Golden Visa programme, including the minimum stay requirement of 7 and 14 days and at the end of the 5 years, after obtaining his A2 certificate in Portuguese language,requested and received his permanent resident status. Subsequently, once all the necessary documents were obtained, we submitted his citizenship application, which has now been approved.

The approval is simply a confirmation of EDGE’s position since the beginning of the programme, which has always been that all residents are entitled to apply for and obtain Portuguese citizenship after 5 years, whether such residency is obtained through the Golden Visa programme or through other categories.

EDGE has been involved with the Golden Visa programme since the beginning and has now assisted over 2,500 investors and their families of more than 30 different nationalities. Our vast experience has allowed us to provide full and dedicated support to our clients, from the initial investment all the way to citizenship.

The above article is part our our December newsletter, which can be read here: http://www.edge-il.com/newsletter/edge_news_dez19.html 

Golden Visa Portugal - Statistics June 2019

The Portuguese Immigration Services (SEF) have released the latest statistics of the Golden Visa programme.  These latest numbers show that  the total investment  brought in to the country by foreign investors until the end of the first semester of 2019 was over 4.6 billion Euro.

These latest statistics reveal that a total of 7,583 residency permits have been granted so far to investors under the Golden Visa programme.  In addition, a total of 12,874 residency permits were granted to family members of the investors

In terms of types of investments, although property still tops the preferences of the investors, it is possible to see an increase in the capital investment and job creation categories..

Please feel free to contact us if you require further information on the Golden Visa or if you need any assistance with your initial application or renewal.