Citizenship - Portugal, Golden Visa, Real Estate - Portugal

Golden Visa : Buying Real Estate Off-plan or in Development

Portugal Golden Visa application states that you are able to apply for Residence Permit if you make an investment in Real Estate over 500.000 Euro. That investment can be for several properties or just one. All types of properties are able to be considered for the application, such as, lands, plots, residential properties, industrial properties or commercial properties, rural lands, parking lots or agriculture lands.

However and due to the fact that several investors in Portugal are looking at properties which are still in development, many query us if we are able to use a purchase of a property off plan or in development in order to apply for Golden Visa?

The answer for that question is a straight forward yes, however several conditions need to be considered before choosing this option. In order to be able to do this kind of procedure the investor needs to open an escrow account in the bank with the total value of the investment, exceeding the amount of 500.000 Euro and stating that money will be given to developer at the time of final deed. To set up this procedure is quite simple as long as you have an experienced immigration lawyer taking care of the procedure, but you still need to be aware that Visa application after being approved is issued for 1 year and after 1 year all the purchase needs to be complete.

What happens if my investment off-plan is not complete after 1 year?

You will not be able to use that investment to renew your visa and consequently you will not be able to count your 1st year as one of the 6 you need to be able to apply for citizenship.

Even though it is possible to apply for a Golden Visa using an escrow account and with a project off-plan / in development property, it is strongly advised to avoid this solution. You need to be fully confidence that you will be able to make the final deed before the end of your visa expiration date and most of the time this is not only dependent on conclusion of the development but also in the several authorizations the developer has to require in order to get the usage license. Sometimes this developments stay pending for the simple fact that outside developments are the responsibility of city hall which might time long time to finish everything.

 

Standard
Golden Visa, Real Estate - Portugal

Top 10 Reasons why to Invest in Real Estate in Portugal

There are plenty of Real Estate Reports which may give you a full picture of the macroeconomics data from Real Estate Industry but few will be able to give you inside information about the best reasons why you should invest now. I will try to put together my personal Top 10 Reasons and would be happy to discuss them in detail with you.

TOP 10 Reasons to Buy Now Real Estate in Portugal

1) Price is at Lowest Possible Level

During the last 5 years Portugal have seen the economy shrinking and loosing speed. Most of Banks are full of toxic assets and will only lend money for the acquisition of those properties. Real Estate Industry being one of the most important national industries, was seriously affected and since then very few developments have been continued. At the current stage, most of the high quality real estate available in the market was built 5 years ago. Current price level is under the construction price, there is no more room for decrease for new properties.

2) Demand exceeds Supply for New Developments

With new investors coming from abroad to invest in Portugal to get the Golden Visa Residence Permit in Shengen space, most of the developers are seeing a swift of the market usually from Europeans to other Continents Investors. The current number of investors looking to purchase new properties in Portugal exceeds in large scale the amount of new developments ready for transaction. Price is going to rise over 30% in the next 2 years.

3) No Crisis can take the Sun and Climate Out of Portugal

Even if Crisis gets worse which is far from happening, our Real Estate is still located in a place with fantastic weather:  great luminosity with clean blue sky and nice sunshine. Country is surrounded by sea and beaches all over and the weather temperature is pleasant most of the year, making it a special place for traveling for Central and Northern Europe Countries. This conditions are not subject to change.

4) No Xenophobe Behavior

Lots of people arrive in Lisbon and ask for China town, Muslim area or other types of ghetto. They get very surprised to understand that Portugal were world travelers since 1500s and never had any issues to mix with other races, civilizations or religions. If you go around Lisbon you will understand that everyone lives in community with same conditions, there is no discrimination or type of concentration. Portuguese love to be integrated and easily accept other cultures.

5) Education Level

With a big change after Revolution in April 25th 1975, country did a big effort in providing easy access to education. Most of younger generation have universities degree, speaks english and are able to perform the most sophisticated jobs.

6) Best Golf Courses in Europe

Algarve (South of Portugal Region) was voted the best Golf Destination for 2014 by IAGTO. Several golf courses in the area already won the best golf course award in Europe and lot more awards will come. With 200 kms of Beach, Algarve is a touristic region well known in most of Central and European Countries. Golf is also helping to extend the travel season by bringing customers during low season period.

7) Best City Break Cities in Europe

Lisbon was elected Best City Break Destination in 2013 by World Travel Awards. What would people prefer better than come on a flight for a few days into a city that never sleeps, is full of historical monuments to discover every corner, tiny roads reminding you about life in last century and pastries all over the streets. Lisbon is full of charm and  since is raining very few days per year, makes a great place for recharging energies with a stopover. People love the fact that besides all that is still a very easy affordable city.

8) Low Crime Rate

Most of Golden visa investors when arriving to Portugal query me why most of the premium areas are open to public and not in private condominiums. It is hard to explain that security in Portugal has very little value since crime rate is quite low. Nobody expects you to have any problem just because you have money. Freedom is a common right for everyone including famous and rich persons. Almost all of the developments are open to public and with easy access to everyone just because it is not expected that will happen any sort of crime. You feel the difference when coming to Portugal compared to most of European Countries. In Portugal you are free to walk on the street in the middle of night.

9) High Standard of Construction Materials and Engineering

Conditions to build in Portugal are quite restrictive and very demanding. Most of new developments by standard request need to use high quality materials. Since the regular price of construction increases and become more expensive than countries such as Spain or Greece, Portugal is usually having the highest standard quality.

10) Great Transport Network

If you check the distance between most of the developments and a Highway you will easily understand how easy is today to travel by car within all Portugal and Europe. With 6 international main airports is common to say that it will not take more than 2 hours to get anywhere in the country. Main airports to be Lisbon, Faro, Alentejo, Oporto, Madeira, Azores.

Looking forward to discuss with you my top 10 reasons.

Standard