‘Gold’ residence visa scheme for foreigners raises €742M in 2019
During last year 1,245 'gold' visas were granted, of which 1,160 Residence Authorisations for Investment Activity (ARI) raising €660.7 million were granted.
The investment raised by the ‘gold’ residence visa scheme for foreigners fell by 11.4% in 2019, compared to the previous year, to €742 million, according to data from the Foreigners and Border Service (SEF).
During last year 1,245 ‘gold’ visas were granted, of which 1,160 Residence Authorisations for Investment Activity (ARI) raising €660.7 million were granted according to the property acquisition criteria.
With regard to the requirement to purchase of real estate worth €500,000 or more, in 2019 946 ‘gold’ visas were granted, corresponding to the receipt of €584.5 million.
For the purchase of real estate for urban rehabilitation, 214 ARI were allocated, corresponding to an amount of €76 million.
With regard to capital transfers, 81 ARI were granted in 2019 for a total amount of €81.7 million. 73 visas (€78 million) were granted through the transfer of capital of or exceeding €one million.
For the acquisition of €350,000 or more units in investment funds or venture capital funds dedicated to the capitalisation of companies, seven visas were issued, raising €3.1 million.
One visa was granted for the transfer of capital in the amount of €350,000 or more, with a view to the incorporation of a commercial company with head office in Portugal, combined with the creation of five jobs.
The investment raised in December amounted to €43.9 million, an increase of 18.6% compared to November (€37 million), but a fall of more than half (53.4%) compared to the same period in 2018.
In December, 82 ‘gold’ visas were granted, two of which were for capital transfers.
By nationalities, China leads the allocation of visas (4,467), followed by Brazil (863), Turkey (380), South Africa (320) and Russia (296).
