Investment via ‘golden visa’ programme down 17 percent

Investment into Portugal under the country’s ‘golden visa’ programme of fast-track residence permits in August was down 17 percent on the month, at €50.8 million, according to the latest figures from the SEF Immigration Office,

In August 80 permits were issued, of which 76 were for property purchases and four for capital transfers.
A year after the introduction of new rules aimed at encouraging urban rehabilitation – with a lower threshold than the €500,000 minimum for regular property purchases – just one residence permit was issued under this provision, in July.
Since the programme was introduced in October 2012, it has brought in more than €2.3 billion in investments. A total of 3,795 residence permits have been issued, 1,007 of which in the first eight months of this year.
China is the country with the most citizens with ARI permits, at 2,835 to end-August, followed by Brazil with 197, Russia with 133, South Africa with 124, and Lebanon with 60.
In addition 1,584 residence permits have been issued to family members of golden visa permit holders.