UGLOBAL . COM 7
“ Around 40 % of all applications for [ Portugal ' s ] residency permits for investment activity processed by our law firm were made through investing in funds .
”
It ’ s a matter of debate if , given the current housing crisis that the country is facing , such an extreme decision to eliminate the real estate investment options is beneficial for the country .
However , that would take to another path that is not the subject or purpose of this article .
The purpose here is to evaluate if the Portuguese Residence Permit for Entrepreneur Immigrants program continues to be a valuable option for those seeking a residency permit in Portugal , as a European Union country , and , eventually , to have a path to Portuguese citizenship .
The short answer is : Yes , it is !
INVESTMENT FUNDS AS A PORTUGUESE RBI ROUTE TO CONTINUE THRIVING
“ Real estate investment options are dead . Long live corporate investment funds !”
Since the end of 2021 , motivated by the implementation of limits to the real estate investment for housing in the country ' s interior regions and islands , the investment fund route gained huge popularity . Proof of that is from a total “ universe ” of 183 residency permits approved during September 2023 ; 50 were approved through investment in funds , and 99 of those permits were through investment in real estate , according to official data from the SEF ( Immigration Borders Service ). Also , it allows for reducing risk by diversifying the investment and the control done by the Portuguese security exchange commission .
Nonetheless , this trend had a particular increase during 2023 ; around 40 % of all applications for residency permits for investment activity processed by our law firm were made through investing in funds .
In addition , such fund investments were very popular for investors mainly from the United States ( U . S .) United Kingdom ( UK ), Turkey , South Africa , Vietnam , and the Middle East .
Therefore , it ’ s possible to conclude that the “ market ” and investors were already anticipating changes in the Portuguese law regarding the golden visa program . They chose to start conducting their investments through funds instead of real estate .
Thus , it ’ s possible to affirm that the Residence Permit for Entrepreneur Immigrants program will thrive through the investment in funds .
Furthermore , with the real estate investment options “ out of the picture ” and , due to the increase of the minimum investment amounts in specific citizenship by investment ( CBI ) programs , such as St . Kitts and Nevis , many other programs in the Caribbean region could follow , so we firmly believe investors will also start considering the cultural investment route in Portugal as a viable option .
CULTURAL INVESTMENT OPTION GAINS TRACTION AS PORTUGUESE REAL ESTATE GOLDEN VISA ENDS
Although it may be mainly seen as a donation to a public entity to conduct investment in the artistic production , recovery , or maintenance of the national cultural patrimony , since it has a minimum investment amount of € 200,000,00 , it is globally one of the most competitive and budget-friendly solutions for an investor who seeks to obtain a residency permit in Portugal , which is a European Union country and , eventually , to have a path to Portuguese citizenship .
Even if the possibility of obtaining a return on the investment under the cultural investment route is very challenging ,