As we opened our new Lisbon office with Her Excellency, Kirsty Hales, British Ambassador to Portugal, our London team were astounded by the beauty that Portugal presented to them.
Lisbon, a capital city founded on wooden beams under the sea after the earthquake of 1755. Few capital cities are situated idyllically by the sea with backstreets leading to authentic Fado restaurants; the city is filled with tradition and culture; from Ginja shots served in chocolate cups to nata pastry stalls situated on every corner. No wonder, the Portuguese Golden Visa Programmes is one of the most attractive immigration investment routes there is today among the global elite.
Since being introduced in 2012, the Portuguese Golden Visa investment route has aided the country in receiving around €3.4 billion worth of foreign investments. Near to 6,000 investors with approximately 10,000 family members have qualified for a fast-track permanent residence in the country.
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In November 2017, it was recorded that €54.6 million were invested into Portugal via the Golden Visa route, which is a 14.6% increase compared to €47.6 million in November 2016. Figures expected to rise even higher in the coming years.
Both Lisbon and the rest of Portugal offer a different architectural structure compared to most of Europe and the world. With different hues of marble-stained in-built exterior walls, Juliet balconies and vibrant building colours, the purchase of property has remained the preferred choice when choosing to invest in Portugal.
Property investments have soared, just alone in November 2017, totalling €52.4 million while equity investments accounted for the rest of the €2.2 million.
Portugal consistently introduces essential changes to the programme, not only to keep it fresh with content, but to also offer a variety of options for investors to retain their preferred status of residence including routes such as equity investments.