While the European Commission keeps pressuring its Member States to tighten up and eventually end the Golden Visa Programmes, the Portuguese Parliament voted, in 2022, in favour of the programme, putting an end to the rumour that the Golden Visa Portugal was suspended. The Portuguese Parliament turned down the proposition to extinguish the Golden Visa Programme and voted in favour of keeping the programme alive instead.
The Portuguese Parliament’s decision reinforces Portugal as one of the Best Countries to Invest In in 2022, especially for the purpose of obtaining a Golden Visa. With the decision, the Portuguese government also widened the Portuguese Golden Visa Programme, by adding a new category called “Green Visas”, and making a review of other categories.
In 2022 the Portuguese government changed the Golden Visa Programme slightly so that it would encourage people to invest in other areas of its territory. For that reason, from January 2022, investments in residential properties in the main cities of Portugal do not qualify for the Golden Visa anymore. Instead, those investments in a residential property keep qualifying for the Golden Visa if they are made in the “Interior Regions’’ of Portugal.
The Golden Visa Programme has already raised a total of 6.46 billion euros for Portugal since the law took effect on October 8th, 2012, according to official numbers. Just in the first seven months of 2022, the SEF (Portuguese Border Control Service) has approved 729 main applications, a number that can indicate a higher volume for 2022, that will surely exceed last year’s total of 865 applications.
While Portugal reinforces the efficiency of its Golden Visa Programme, other European countries such as Cyprus, Bulgaria, Malta and Latvia have struggled with the pressure from the European institutions, such as the European Commission and European Parliament.
Recently, with the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Bulgaria has announced its intention to regulate and eventually end its Golden Visa Programme. In the same line, authorities in Latvia have announced that their Golden Visa Programme, much criticised by the EU institutions, would be put to an end.
All third-country citizens who conduct an investment activity, as an individual business person or through a company set up in Portugal or in another EU Member State and who, in addition, are stably settled in Portugal, provided these citizens fulfil the quantitative requirements and the time requirements set out by the relevant legislation, may apply for a Residence Permit for Investment.
The Portuguese Golden Visa Programme 2022 works for the holders as a temporary residence permit to live in Portugal for two years, which is renewable for another two years. By the end of year 5, holders of the golden visa can apply for a permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship, if all other legal requirements are met.
About Portugal Homes
Portugal Homes specialised in selling Homes and Investment Properties advice. We help buyers find the right property overseas whether it be for Golden Visa, NHR, Investment, or simply find a place in the sun. All our properties are highly selected to give our clients the best opportunities.
Along our services, we offer complete assistance from Introducing them to Legal Representatives, Currency Exchange, Mortgage Advisors, Property Management, Rental and Furniture Packages along with making sure all our staff is trained to fully understand the buying process and taxes for every scenario, we provide the complete service to anyone looking to buy a new or resale property overseas for holiday use or as a short or long-term investment.
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Portugal Homes has very experienced and knowledgeable professionals working with some of the most established and reputable developers Portugal has to offer. Our vast experience allows us to guide you through the best investment choices.
Whether you want a holiday home or an investment property, we select the best units for your profile and take care of all the process from start to finish. Even after the sale! Our After Sales services assume the responsibility of furnishing your property at your taste, taking care of the property in your absence, managing the rentals if you wish to rent your property when you’re not in Portugal and so much more!
To learn more about the Portuguese Non-Habitual Resident Program and our After Sales services, please fill the form below.
