US investors were relatively late to the game, for Portugal. Early demand for the country’s highly attractive Golden Visa programme was driven primarily from Asia, especially Greater China. However, various US domestic “push” factors and a growing realisation of the exceptional lifestyle offering of Portugal, have given rise to a dramatic increase in US citizens choosing Portugal as their first-choice European move. Residency by Investment options have become more restricted in Portugal but despite mounting political pressure, the Golden Visa programme is set to continue, albeit in more limited form, so the country will no doubt remain a popular option for US citizens.

The Country: Portugal has it all: cities with Old World charm, golden beaches, rolling hills, some of the best healthcare in the world, a low cost of living and high levels of safety. Plus, English is taught in schools starting at the sixth-grade level, so many people in Portugal speak English.

Portugal enjoys a mild climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year. It has diverse landscapes, including stunning coastlines, beautiful beaches, and picturesque countryside. The country consistently ranks highly in the Quality of Life Index with a relaxed lifestyle at an affordable cost of living compared to many other European countries.

Portugal is also considered one of the safest countries in Europe with a stable political system and low crime rates. Portugal has a good education system, including several reputable universities and international schools. The country also offers quality healthcare services, both public and private, with a high standard of medical care.

Where to move? Just an hour north of Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha is a mid-sized city with a cobbled downtown and a big expat population. Want something more rural? Check out the Alentejo region, which includes the cities of Beja and Évora. And Lisbon and Porto provide exceptional city living options.

The Visa: Portugal has proven to be one of the most popular of all Golden Visa programmes in recent years, and with good reason. Minimum investment size is relatively small (as low as EUR280k in some cases) and requirements for spending time in the country are negligible (on average, 1 week per year, for 5 years). Add to this, eligibility to apply for citizenship after 5 years, and its clear to see why this has been amongst the most attractive Golden Visa options, globally, in recent years.

That said, political pressure has been mounting with the government moving to restrict the range of investments eligible for qualification into the programme. This means the attractiveness of Portugal’s Golden Visa is likely to be significantly impacted going forward.

The Investment: There remains a slim window in which to make an attractive property investment for Golden Visa qualification, but time is rapidly running out, likely a matter of months. There does exist a limited supply of GV eligible properties still on offer, with certain property developers offering protection against acceleration of the programme changes by way of guarantees and cash rebates.

In conclusion, Portugal is likely to continue to be a very attractive option for US citizens looking for a move to Europe. A relatively short hop across the Atlantic for access to an extremely high quality and secure lifestyle. From a Golden Visa perspective, the investment options are becoming more constrained but the programme is likely to remain open for the foreseeable future, combining to form an appealing package.

Source: Property Smith