Once again European passports lead the table in powerful passport rankings published by Henley passport index 2018. While German passport is ranked first, the passports of Spain and Portugal take 4th and 5th places in powerful passport rankings, according to the Henley visa restrictions index..
- As of 1 January 2018, Spanish citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 174 countries and territories, ranking the ordinary Spanish passport 4th in terms of travel freedom
- As of 1 January 2018, Portuguese citizens have visa free or visa on arrival access to 173 countries, ranking the ordinary Portuguese passport 5th in terms of travel freedom
Portugal and Spain both countries have ‘golden visa’ schemes running, Portugal requiring EUR 350,000 and Spain requiring EUR 500,000 as property investment to get a residence permit.
Portugal gives foreigners citizenship bit faster than Spain. Spain requires 10 years of living in the countries (even less for those who come from spanish speaking countries) while Portugal requires only 6 years for citizenship. Golden visa holders given a path to citizenship according to the law.
The real estate market in Spain and Portugal have expanded in recent years, thanks to soaring golden visa investments in the industry especially from the chinese.
Spain has received over 2 billion euros , while Portugal has received over 3 billion euros Golden visa investments.
