Portugal Scraps Golden Visa Program

Portugal is a country known for its warm weather, delicious cuisine, and beautiful coastline. However, in recent years, Portugal has also become a popular destination for wealthy individuals looking to obtain a “golden visa”.

A golden visa is a type of residency permit that is granted to foreign investors who invest a certain amount of money in a country.

Portugal's golden visa program, known as the Permit for Investment Activity (ARI), has been in place since 2012 but it is set to come to an end.

Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa announced in a press conference on 16 February that his government would stop issuing new golden visas in order to “fight against price speculation in real estate”.

The decision to end the scheme was driven by angst over a surge in house prices that has left many local residents struggling to find adequate accommodation, particularly in Lisbon and Porto.

The top countries of origin for Golden Visa beneficiaries are China, Brazil, Turkey, the United States, and South Africa.

What Will Happen To Existing Golden Visa

Portugal is not cancelling existing golden visas, but Mr. Costa said they could only be renewed if the property they were linked to was the permanent residence of the holder or a family member or if it was put on the rental market for a long time.

Government officials acknowledged that the visa programme was not the principal factor behind rising housing costs however it believes that ending the program is the right move in order to combat real estate speculation.

The end of the golden visa program in Portugal raises questions about the future of foreign investment in the country. Some experts believe that the end of the program will not have a significant impact on the Portuguese economy, as other countries, such as Spain and Greece, also offer golden visa programs. Others, however, worry that the end of the program will lead to a decline in foreign investment, particularly in the real estate sector.

Despite its issues, it is clear that the golden visa program has played a significant role in shaping Portugal's economy and property market over the past decade.

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