According to comprehensive news from WorldWay, the recently "eye-catching" Portugal real estate immigration project has once again created a hot topic in the industry. In the first half of 2014, the number of golden visas issued has reached 670, with 168 visas issued in June alone, making it the fastest-growing program in the investment immigration sector. Based on the current application enthusiasm, the robust Portugal immigration is expected to see a considerable annual application volume, continuing to lead the European immigration trend.
It is reported that in 2012, Portugal issued 2 golden visas, and in 2013, 494 were issued. As of June 30, 2014, a total of 1,166 investors worldwide successfully obtained Portugal's golden residence visa, raising over 723 million euros in investment funds. Among the 1,166 investors who successfully obtained the golden residence visa, 952 are from China, accounting for 81% of the total.
What has sparked global, especially Chinese, enthusiasm for immigration to Portugal, dubbed the "new star"?
The China-Europe Dream Unfolds a "European Fever"
China-Europe relations have never been closer. For the first time, President Xi Jinping visited the Netherlands, the headquarters of UNESCO, and the headquarters of the European Union... In late March this year, with a high-profile, comprehensive, and multi-faceted approach, President Xi opened a new chapter in political mutual trust, business exchanges, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions between China and Europe. In June, Premier Li Keqiang deepened cooperation with Europe through visits to the UK and Greece, radiating to the global economy...
Europe is no longer distant. Studying, investing, and settling in Europe have become trends. The Schengen "green card" is increasingly coveted by many Chinese. Obtaining a visa from a Schengen country allows free passage to 26 Schengen countries, regarded as a passport to enter Europe. Investment immigration and real estate immigration provide Chinese individuals with opportunities to obtain a "Schengen visa." Portugal is one of the Schengen countries, and after obtaining a residence visa through real estate immigration, holders can enjoy convenient travel.
The Economic Recovery in Europe Brings Investment Opportunities
As the Eurozone gradually emerges from recession, more and more investors are turning their attention to the recovering Europe. After years of deleveraging following the financial crisis, asset prices in many European countries have dropped to very attractive levels. A stable political environment, a sound legal system, and reasonable asset prices after deleveraging have made Europe a focal point for investors recently.
Li Ka-shing has divested a large number of Asian assets and shifted his focus to Europe, driving the investment boom in Europe. Earlier this year, China's largest private enterprise group, Fosun International, acquired a controlling stake in Portugal's largest insurance group, Caixa Seguros, for $1 billion, marking one of the largest acquisitions by a Chinese company in Europe. On June 5, Spain's International Bank announced that China's richest man, Wang Jianlin, chairman of Wanda Group, had purchased the landmark building, Edificio España, in downtown Madrid for 265 million euros.
Real estate and tourism are currently the two rapidly growing industries in Europe, and they are also the preferred investment sectors. Portugal stands out in both real estate and tourism, with developed real estate markets in Lisbon, Cascais, the Silver Coast, and the Algarve region, offering diverse property types, stable rental yields, and a pleasant living environment, attracting investors from around the world.
Immigrating to Portugal as a Stepping Stone to Europe
Portugal warmly welcomes foreign investors and can relatively quickly complete the approval process. For example, Fosun's investment in Caixa took only two months to obtain all necessary approvals. Since Portugal is part of the Eurozone, entering the Portuguese market makes it much easier to reinvest or enter other European markets.
Moreover, studying in Portugal to connect with European and American education has also become a shortcut to entering prestigious schools in Europe and America. By immigrating to Portugal through real estate, children can better enjoy Portugal's highly cost-effective educational resources, including 12 years of free education. As citizens of an EU member state, they can more easily access higher education systems in the UK, France, Germany, and other EU countries, enjoying certain tuition discounts. If they excel academically, gaining admission to Oxford or prestigious North American schools becomes easier, allowing them to integrate into Western lifestyles.
Edited by WorldWay
