SEF has published first quarter results for 2019, with real estate investment in Portugal reaching €4 billion euros, pumped by golden visa scheme operating from 2012.
ARI/ Golden visa Investments from Americans, Brazilians and Vietnamese increased in Portugal during the Q1 2019. These Golden Visas issued to Americans along with the Vietnamese, have overtaken the Russians and South Africans in terms of applications for the quarter.
In the first quarter of 2019, a total 14 ARI golden visas were awarded to US citizens, with a total investment of 9,4m euros, and Vietnam was granted 12 ARI, in the amount of 4.8m euros.
According to recent figures reported by Observador, compared to previous quarter of year
- Chinese investment decline by 41%
- Turkish investment declined by 58%
- Brazilians investment increased by 6%
As of March 2019, only 107 Chinese “golden” visas have been allocated, compared with 183 golden visas in the same period of the previous year. For Turkish nationals only 36 golden visas issued in Q1 2019, compared to 81 visas granted last year
A total of 286 golden visas issued for South Africans and 254 visas for Russians since the start of the scheme.
Portugal recently ranked as the best retirement country in Europe and golden visa scheme also attracts number of retirees buying home.
The evaluation report of golden visa scheme is expected to be published by the end of 2019.