The long-anticipated changes to Portugal\u2019s Golden Visa programme have been signed into law, and from 2022, foreign property investments will be channelled towards inland and island areas, says Andrew Rissik, director at Sable International.<\/p>\n
South Africans looking to take up the Golden Visa opportunity as a property investment with a view to residency, should note that from next year, the greater Lisbon, Porto and most coastal areas will no longer be available for investment under Portugal\u2019s revised Golden Visa scheme.<\/p>\n
Instead, residential property investment will be directed to less-densely populated interior regions, the Azores and Madeira.<\/p>\n
“The changes are scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2022. After the deadline, the amendment will affect both the \u20ac350,000 (R6.2 million) and \u20ac500,000 (R8.9 million) property investment routes within these areas,” said Rissik.<\/p>\n
“Notably, the \u20ac350,000 Private Equity Fund investment threshold will be raised to \u20ac500,000.”<\/p>\n
The new rules will help Portugal address two issues: the redistribution of investment received and the development of the property market in sparsely populated regions of the country.<\/p>\n
Rissik said that the council\u2019s move is being seen as a positive one for the future of the Golden Visa programme.<\/p>\n
With the new rules being put in place, an attempt is being made to encourage investment outside of current hotspots, like Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve region, and the Silver Coast.<\/p>\n
“Investor capital will instead be directed towards Portugal\u2019s less-densely populated interior and the island municipalities of Azores and Madeira.<\/p>\n
“This will help the country gain a more balanced environmental and social dynamic. Investors will still have the opportunity to enjoy the Golden Visa\u2019s long-term benefits, while experiencing Portugal\u2019s glorious Mediterranean lifestyle in one of the safest places in all of Europe.”<\/p>\n
Rissik said that the Portuguese Government is also planning to provide cash incentives to companies and individuals who relocate to the interior of Portugal, in an effort to counter depopulation of interior areas of the country.<\/p>\n
How the transitional period will affect investment<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Due to the pandemic and the importance that Golden Visas have had for real estate, the government opted to create a transitional period for the sector to try to adapt, instead of implementing the change at the beginning of 2021,<\/p>\n As such, all applications up to 31 December 2021 will still be accepted, and the changes will not affect residents who renew their residence permit cards or join family members in the programme, Rissik said.<\/p>\n “Although the deadline is looming, there is a small window of opportunity for those who still want to secure property investment in the most sought-after areas such as Lisbon and Porto.<\/p>\n “Those considering applying for the visa could also invest in a fund such as the \u20ac350,000 Rebello Private Equity Fund and gain better exposure to the Porto real estate market.<\/p>\n “The fund provides full Golden Visa eligibility for all dependant family members and is an attractive hands-off investment option, with benefits that include preferred returns of 3% per annum, and no tax deductions or other retentions.”<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Why is the Golden Visa so popular?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Portuguese Golden Visa programme is a residency-by-investment scheme designed to encourage investment into the country from non-EU citizens.<\/p>\n Traditionally, the programme\u2019s real estate option is a popular way to get residency in Portugal. This is because the country is regarded as a prime destination among property investors, with a flourishing real estate market and high rental yields.<\/p>\n The route also allows investors to sell a property after a period of time and recover their investment.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Among the programme\u2019s investment options, the purchase of a Private Equity Fund share at \u20ac350,000 has also become an increasingly popular option over the last two years. Sable International said it has already assisted more than 30 families in this regard.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Since launching in 2012, Portugal\u2019s Golden Visa programme has been one of the world\u2019s most successful residency-by-investment initiatives, largely due to the minimal residence requirements and flexible path to citizenship. The main benefits of the Golden Visa programme include:<\/p>\n As of November 2020, 8,782 Golden Visas had been approved through the property route. However, the majority of these were for the urban and coastal areas. Only 761 were in \u201curban regeneration\u201d classified areas.<\/p>\n\n
\n