Investment in golden visas totalled €52.3M in Feb

Investment captured through golden residence visas for foreigners rose 13% in February, compared to the same month in 2020, to 52.3 million euros, according to accounts made by Lusa based on SEF statistics.

In February, investment resulting from the Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) programme totalled 52,318,353 euros, 13% more than a year earlier (46.2 million euros) and a 58% rise compared to January (33 million euros).

According to the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), 100 golden visas were granted last month, of which 89 through the purchase of real estate (24 for urban rehabilitation) and 11 through capital transfers.

The purchase of real estate totalled an investment of 47.5 million euros, of which 8.6 million euros in acquisition for urban rehabilitation, while capital transfer was responsible for 4.7 million euros.

By countries, 46 golden visas were granted to China, seven to Brazil, five to the United States, four to Pakistan and three to Russia.

The ARI programme, launched in October 2012, has up to February this year – in cumulative terms – recorded an investment of more than €5.7 billion. Of this amount, most corresponds to the purchase of real estate, which after eight years of the programme amounts to €5.1 billion, with the purchase for urban rehabilitation totalling €288 million.

The investment raised through the capital transfer criterion amounts to €546 million.

Since the creation of this instrument, which aims to attract foreign investment, 9,544 ARI have been assigned: two in 2012, 494 in 2013, 1,526 in 2014, 766 in 2015, 1,414 in 2016, 1,351 in 2017, 1,409 in 2018, 1,245 in 2019, 1,182 in 2020 and 155 in 2021.

Until February, 8,970 visas were granted by way of purchase of real estate, of which 801 with a view to urban rehabilitation.

For capital transfer, the visas granted total 557 and 17 remain for job creation.

By nationalities, China leads the allocation of visas (4,837), followed by Brazil (1,001), Turkey (456), South Africa (397) and Russia (366).

Since the beginning of the programme 16,265 residence permits have been granted to regrouped family members, of which 215 this year.