Worldway Lisbon News: According to the Portuguese newspaper "Publico", in 2014, China's investment in Portugal accounted for 1.06% of Portugal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). During the same period, China's investments in the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands accounted for 0.19%, 0.2%, and 0.32% of their respective GDPs. China's investment in Portugal represents the highest proportion of GDP in all of Europe.
Corporate Share Acquisitions "Are Unstoppable"
To attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth, the Portuguese government began selling shares of several large state-owned enterprises, including electricity companies, grid companies, and airlines, starting in 2011. Companies such as State Grid Corporation of China and China Three Gorges Corporation have invested in Portugal and achieved remarkable results. The most notable transaction was in 2012 when China Three Gorges Corporation acquired 21.4% of the shares of EDP - Energias de Portugal for 2.7 billion euros.
In 2014, China continued its "big investment" in Portugal. In September, Fosun Group acquired Fidelidade Insurance for 1.7 billion euros; in October, Fosun Group again acquired Espírito Santo Health Group through Fidelidade Insurance for 460 million euros; in December, China Haitong Securities fully acquired Espírito Santo Investment Bank for 380 million euros.
In mid-April of this year, Wanda Group announced plans to invest 1 billion euros in the Portuguese Naval Football Club, engaging in real estate projects such as hotels and residential properties.
Individual Property Investment Immigration "Buy, Buy, Buy"
In addition to the "battle" for corporate acquisitions, Chinese investors have also "divided" the Portuguese real estate market through the "Golden Residence" investment immigration policy.
As of the end of March 2015, according to the latest data from the immigration bureau, among nearly 2,300 applicants, 80% were investors from China, and this proportion has remained stable since May 2014.
At a recent celebration for the launch of the Chinese version of the "Portugal Economic Exploration Network", several executives from Portuguese companies and government officials engaged in lively discussions regarding Chinese investment in the Portuguese economy. Participants unanimously agreed that "China is rising as a stabilizing force, and Portugal cannot miss the train of global investment from China."
With Portugal's accession to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, cooperation between China and Portugal in various fields will become more extensive and frequent, leading to more investments from China into Portugal, further stimulating its economic recovery process.
Therefore, for investors considering immigration to Portugal, now is the best time to capitalize on the economic recovery and before the complete rebound of property prices. Major companies are actively acquiring shares in Portuguese enterprises, indicating confidence in the future economic prospects.
Here, Worldway's European property immigration experts urge all investors to seize the opportunity. With favorable conditions in terms of exchange rates, economy, and property prices, it is believed that the Portuguese Golden Residence program will usher in another peak.
In addition, Portugal has unique attractions for immigrants in terms of safety, geographical advantages, climate conditions, infrastructure, cuisine, and cultural integration. In global rankings of national security, Portugal ranks highly; its geographical location is advantageous, serving as a gateway to the world, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa; Portugal is also one of the European countries with the most sunny days; its infrastructure is modern, with good road conditions and urban facilities, and Portugal boasts a multicultural inclusiveness, along with a rich variety of food and wine.
Worldway's European property immigration experts state that as more global capital views Portuguese real estate favorably, the trend of property appreciation in Portugal is evident. In 2014, property prices in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, increased by an average of 20% compared to 2013. Additionally, the demand for property purchases by investors has become more diversified, shifting from primarily purchasing apartments and villas to a diversified investment portfolio including apartments, villas, commercial properties, and land.
