18 de nov. de 20204 min para ler

Why Portugal is the best European residency and citizenship option???

A welcoming, safe, English-speaking and tax-friendly environment works to our advantage...

It is one of the oldest countries in Europe, with a capital that is four centuries older than Rome. Its language, heavily influenced by Arabic, is spoken by more than 236 million people in nine countries. This is Portugal, a beautiful land steeped in culture, where you will find the latest in technology seamlessly coexist with the oldest in history; where almost every Portuguese person speaks fluent English. Add to that, it is the third-safest country in the world, according to the 2020 Global Peace Index.

Predictably, Portugal has flourished not only as a tourist destination but also as a country worth investing in or even relocating to. Investing in a European country may sound odd in the time of the pandemic, especially given that Europe is one of the most affected regions. However, it remains a powerhouse of global trade, finance, tourism and culture. Moreover, Portugal has fared much better on the Covid front — as of November 17th, the country had reported 230,000 Covid cases, with 3,500 deaths. Compare that to neighbouring Spain’s almost one million cases and more than 42,000 deaths.

Besides, there is general consensus that Portugal will bounce out of the Covid crisis faster and stronger than many other advanced economies. One of the reasons for this optimism is that Portugal has nurtured the twin engines that make it an enticing investment migration hotspot — the Golden Visa (GV) and the Non-Habitual Residence (NHR) programs. GV is targeted at non-EU residents and citizens, while NHR has been designed for those earning retirement or passive incomes.

“The Golden Visa program provides the simplest and most economical route to citizenship in the European Union (EU)!!!”

Unlike other European Union citizenship options — for example, Malta or now closed Cyprus, which necessitates an expenditure of €1 million-2.5 million — Portugal’s GV programme can be accessed by investing €500,000 in its mature real estate market, or €350,000 if the property is over 30 years old and renovated. Additionally, a 20 per cent reduction is granted if the property is in low-density areas, bringing the cost down to just €280,000.

Moreover, the Portugal government recently allowed birthright citizenship to children born to parents who have held the Golden Visa for at least a year, increasing its appeal to people looking for second citizenship. Similarly, NHR is designed to attract high-net-worth individuals who are seeking a safe, tax-friendly country to relocate to in Europe, and Portugal offers just that. When such individuals arrive in a country, they inevitably lift property prices and stimulate the economy, as they come with capital and expertise in tow. “I have seen first-hand the growth trajectory and all my clients are falling in love with the country!!!”.

Window of opportunity...

However, potential investors may have a limited window of opportunity and need to act fast. In general, citizenship by investment (CBI) and residency by investment (RBI) programs regularly evolve and regulations, economic needs, public sentiments all influence the availability of such programs. I have been proactively encouraging investors to submit their applications soon to avail of the best opportunities, with vaccine optimism kickstarting pent-up demand for Golden Visa properties again.

In residential real estate, currently there exists great opportunities due to distressed sales and the inherent growth of the rental market. It is also expected that the European Union funds received by Portugal will, in part, be channelled towards improving the infrastructure and public transport networks. “The latter will accelerate the residential market in some areas close to major cities, in particular Lisbon,” noting that yields in Portugal, especially in Lisbon, are above other European capitals.

“The lower tickets of €280,000 can also offer interesting returns to investors in areas with tourist potential,”... As the US dollar weakens, it would be a prudent step to diversify into one of the other main currencies, like the euro. Even more so if your core business currency is pegged to the US dollar.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having a plan B country as a second residency or citizenship by investment. And Portugal, especially Lisbon, is likely to be on top of the list of those options. Recent analysis identifies Lisbon as one of the only four major prime residential markets expected to see growth in 2020. Forbes too recently listed Portugal as one of the top three countries to live in after the pandemic. The magazine noted that with a stable political and social environment, a secure society, a highly skilled and English-fluent labour force and an excellent quality of life, ‘Portugal is Europe’s best-kept secret’.

WHY PORTUGAL IS YOUR BEST BET FOR INVESTMENT MIGRATION???

- Third-safest country in the world according to 2020 Global Peace Index

- Ranked first among 64 countries in InterNation's Quality of Life Index

- 39th in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Ranking

- Lowest cost of living in Western Europe

- Good climate with moderate temperatures

- Low crime rate

- Free public healthcare

- English is widely spoken and mandatory from Grade 1

BENEFITS OF THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAM...

- Minimal residency requirements

- Strong returns on real estate investment