The Portuguese capital’s sunny climate and low cost of living have led to an influx of residents who are now able to log into work from anywhere.
Lisbon offers the advantages of city living and the benefits of being in the European Union.
A avaliação concluiu que Lisboa é uma “cidade sofisticada”, que se destaca pela qualidade das suas universidades, infraestruturas e segurança, pelo acesso ao capital privado, por ter um governo / administração local estável e por ser uma cidade sustentável.
Poderá não ser considerada uma novidade, pois já sabíamos desde o passado dia 22 de Dezembro de 2020, das possíveis alterações à actual legislação que regula a emissão de Golden Visa em Portugal.
Conforme referimos nas nossas Newsletters de 22 de Fevereiro de 2020 e de 18 de Janeiro de 2021, foi publicado, no passado dia 12 de Fevereiro, o Decreto-Lei nº 14/2021 que altera o regime jurídico da atribuição dos Golden Visa em Portugal.
A alteração mais significativa e que poderá ter maior influência na forma de obter esta autorização de residência (Golden Visa) e posteriormente a nacionalidade portuguesa, apenas vai permitir o investimento imobiliário nas zonas do interior (chamadas “Zonas NUT III”) e nas Ilhas. Ficando excluídas as zonas urbanas (Lisboa e Porto) e litoral, mais atrativas em termos imobiliários.
Esta alteração irá ter grandes consequências no programa do Golden Visa Português, pois 95% deste investimento foi em imobiliário nestas mesmas zonas.
Encontram-se previstas mais alterações referentes a outras áreas, nomeadamente, nas transferências de capitais, nos investimentos em investigação cientifica, na aquisição de capitais em fundos de investimento e na constituição de empresas em território nacional, que não são significativas, pois representam cerca de 5% do investimento global neste programa, nos últimos nove anos.
Estas alterações, entram em vigor no dia 1 de Janeiro de 2022, o que significa que quem quiser fazer este investimento imobiliário nas zonas mais atrativas, no âmbito da Lei actualmente em vigor, terá de o fazer durante este ano.
É de realçar, que esta janela de tempo coincide, devido às condições do actual estado de pandemia, com uma significativa baixa dos preços do imobiliário, em Lisboa, Porto e litoral.
A Getin tem aconselhado os seus clientes, que estão a ponderar usufruir do programa português dos Golden Visa, que tomem as suas decisões de forma a poderem efectuar os investimentos antes do fim do corrente ano 2021.
Para mais informações, contactar:
Duarte Jardine
duartejardine@getin.pt
No passado dia 22 de Dezembro de 2020, o Conselho de Ministros apresentou no seu Comunicado Oficial a aprovação de um Decreto-Lei que altera o regime jurídico das autorizações de residência para investimento (ARI-Golden Visa).
O texto apresentado no seu ponto 11 refere que esta alteração tem “por objetivo favorecer a promoção do investimento estrangeiro nas regiões de baixa densidade, nomeadamente na requalificação urbana, no património cultural, nas atividades de alto valor ambiental ou social, no investimento produtivo e na criação de emprego.”
Ultimamente, tem sido discutido na imprensa, por parte de alguns intervenientes neste tipo de operações, como as sociedades imobiliárias, promotores, sociedades de advogados, entre outros, referindo o momento inoportuno para esta medida do governo ser implementada.
Na realidade, já o ano passado foram previstas alterações muito semelhantes às agora indicadas, para terem início em Janeiro 2021, no entanto, apesar do Governo ter aprovado alterações à Lei, não as regulamentou e como consequência mantém-se em vigor a Lei de 2012, conforme referido na nossa Newsletter de 20 de Fevereiro de 2020.
A intenção de restringir a atribuição de Vistos Gold, através de investimento imobiliário, no valor de 500.000 euros, nas zonas de Lisboa, Porto e algumas no litoral, sobretudo Algarve, será feita de forma progressiva com início a 1 de Julho de 2021 e até ao fim de 2022. Sendo este período transitório, os interessados nestas zonas, podem assim continuar a beneficiar desta opção do Golden Visa.
Neste período transitório, os valores de investimento imobiliário exigido para acesso aos Vistos Gold, provavelmente irão aumentar progressivamente.
No caso de os investidores estrangeiros que pretendam investir nas zonas mais apelativas como Lisboa, Porto ou zonas costeiras como o Algarve, terão de vir a fazer investimentos superiores aos previstos actualmente. Mas deverá ser sempre competitivo no “Mercado dos Golden Visa Europeus”.
Na nossa opinião, o Estado Português e a sua economia não vão conseguir prescindir do investimento conseguido nos últimos 8 anos, no montante de cerca de 5.000 milhões de euros em imobiliário provenientes dos Golden Visa.
Conforme já referido, as alterações previstas no ano passado acabaram por não ser regulamentadas, e este ano, dado o estado de pandemia em que vivemos, o mais provável é que aconteça o mesmo.
Embora seja esta a nossa opinião, o Departamento Legal da GETiN considera que só poderemos ter certezas quando e se for publicada toda a regulamentação deste Decreto Lei.
. Para os investidores quais os principais motivos para se querer um Golden Visa Português?
Além de Portugal continuar a ser o terceiro país mais seguro do mundo, além da possibilidade de circular livremente no espaço Schengen, bem como da possibilidade de obter a nacionalidade para o próprio e seus familiares em primeiro grau, o objectivo é ter um plano B, atendendo à incerteza do futuro, quer por razões económicas quer por razões políticas e, agora também por razões de saúde devido à pandemia.
Em resumo, Portugal, devido à sua pequena dimensão, á qualidade das suas infraestruturas e ao preço do imobiliário nos arredores dos grandes centros, continua a oferecer uma qualidade de vida ímpar para quem procura um Golden Visa Europeu.
Se quiser saber mais, não hesite em contactar:
Duarte Jardine
Nota-As alterações mencionadas só terão efeito após a publicação da lei e a sua regulamentação no Jornal oficial, Diário da República, quando acontecer faremos uma análise actualizada.
“Initiative offers landlords the option of renting their properties to the city for a minimum of five years”
Living, Working and Retirement Overseas Post COVID-19
“Move on…†as the Portuguese say: “Seguir em Frente…â€. It must be our Mindset during these times, the world as we know it is stopped, most of us are grounded at home in the last month and a half and probably will continue to be for a while longer.
We compare countries, government policies, and their consequences. We are overwhelmed with a variety of pandemic experts’ opinions (even football news anchors now consider themselves an amateur Epidemiologist).
As in any war, what our “generals†(a.k.a. politicians) are transmitting to us is that the number of people infected with the virus, the total of deaths, the economic recession, and the remaining “Seven Biblical Plagues†will be much less serious thanks to the all of their good decisions.
This is how in this time of global pseudoscience, fake news, and the massive manipulation of public opinion by some media. The Fear Pandemic was installed, the biggest Pandemic in memory.
Portugal appears in this scenario as an Oasis, this is the image that some international press (Reuters, CNN, Independent, or the Italian Internazionale) have transmitted.
Although we all pray that it will be so, let us remember that also that the “generals†do not comment on the fact that fewer tests are being carried out. The numbers of this public health crisis will be confirmed later, proving that the country managed to “flatted the curve†with the National Health System having an effort rate of 50%, far from being saturated.
Eventually, COVID 19 will be contained and global markets and economies will recover. But the experience of having lived through this challenging period will leave us with an enhanced and perhaps reinvented understanding of what matters most in life.
Now we have a moment while taking this collective break, to rethink how we would like our lives to be, to connect the dots between our ideal lifestyle and the best options of where and how to spend our time and money.
Analyzing from a post-crisis perspective, which city or country will be the best option to reposition ourselves in the world? Diversifying our lifestyle and investment portfolio to take advantage of the many opportunities that our world continues to offer is today a more important agenda than ever. Thus, it will be a way to ensure that we are prepared for what the future will offer us. To decide where we will go, and not being at the mercy of a single government, economy, market, or currency.
Imagine living in a country that offers you the best conditions to organize your life and be able to face any “storm†comfortably and safely.
Although at this moment it is not possible to travel to personally explore these possible destinations, given the current circumstances of the pandemic, this lockout is temporary, and when it is lifted, where should you go?
Kathleen Peddicord is an analyst specializing in investments and residents abroad with over 30 years of experience in this matter. Peddicord stated in an article featured in Forbes Magazine’s April issue, that the best place in the world where one can settle in the following: Portugal.
The reasons mentioned are essentially logical, but also rational and emotional, and now that Europe and part of the world are beginning to come out of confinement, we must make decisions that count.
Why Portugal? According to Peddicord, this country wins the competition as a destination for the following reasons:
Safety
Portugal ranks as the third safest country in the world. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is limited to pickpocketing during the busy tourist season. This country has managed to keep itself separate from the immigration crisis that is playing out in other parts of Europe.
Good Infrastructure
Portugal has had major investments in infrastructure in recent years, specifically to do with the country’s highway network and airports. As a result, it is an excellent base for exploring all of Europe and North Africa.
International Standard Health Care
Health care in Portugal is of high quality, both in the public and in the private sector, and has a National Public Health Service that tends to be free for residents.
Affordable Cost of Living
The cost of living in Portugal is among the lowest in Western Europe (on average 30% lower). As an example, a couple can live in Portugal reasonably with a budget of only 1,300 euros per month. If they have a budget of 2,000 euros per month or more, they can enjoy a quality lifestyle in the heart of the Old World
Affordable Real Estate
In 2019 Lisbon reached the 1st place with regard to the destination of the real estate market in Europe, having sales values ​​well below those of other European cities. Real opportunities can be found in the surroundings and in smaller towns.
Healthy Living
The Portuguese are the biggest fish eaters per capita in Europe, and fresh fish of great variety is available in the ever-present daily markets. The year-round sunshine and fertile earth in this part of the world mean an abundance of fresh produce, too, also available in the local markets. Meantime, pollution rates are low, and streets, towns, and beaches are clean and litter-free.
The Language
English is widely spoken, so any foreigner can live in Portugal without needing to learn the language.
Year-round Sunshine
Portugal has one of the most stable climates in the world with around 3,300 hours of sunshine per year, which means more days of sunshine than in any other country in Europe. The South does not have months of bad weather.
Great Beaches
In the 800 km of beaches that the country has, the European Blue Flag Association has granted 378 beaches along the coast Blue Flag status, recognizing the excellent water quality and environmental standards.
Golf
Portugal has about 90 golf courses (in a country with 15,000 golfers) most in the south where you can play practically all year-round.
Retiree Retiree Residency Retiree Residency
Portugal offers the most user-friendly residency option in the Euro-zone. You can qualify to live in the country full time simply by showing a reliable income of at least 1,200 euros per month.
For these and other reasons, expatriates living in Portugal, despite expressing concern for their families and friends in their countries of origin, say that they feel safer overseas, citing quick government’s responses to the crisis, community-oriented cultures, and a subsidized or free health system.
 If you wish for more information, please contact us.
Lisbon, 5th May 2020
Copyright © 2020 GETiNPORTUGAL®, All rights reserved.
This Newsletter concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and
 electronic communications) according with DIRECTIVE 2002/58/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 July 2002
Contacts :
GETiN- Relocation Services, Av. Sidónio Pais, 26-R/C Esq. 1050-215 Lisboa Portugal
“We have a moment now, while we sit on collective pause, to regroup what we’d like our lives to look like and to connect the dots between our ideal lifestyle and the top choices for the best places to think about spending time and money overseas.”
Changes to Portugal’s Golden Visa program to take effect next year, 2021
Lisbon, 20th February 2020
On the 7th of February, the Portuguese Government approved the State Budget for 2020, which contains some changes regarding the necessary conditions for the attribution of Golden Visa (GV), as well as the tax benefits for Non-Habitual Residents (NHR).
The international press, namely the Financial Times on the 28th of January, stressed that these measures contained in the State Budget would hinder access to the Golden Visa (GV) programs, and to obtain tax benefits for Non-Habitual Residents (NHR), foreigners who live or intend to live in Portugal under these laws.
The Assistant Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, recently declared in an interview, that these changes, despite being presented in this year’s budget, should only come into force in early 2021, so as not to affect any process that has already started.
Regarding these changes, the major differences expected(1)Â for 2021 are: the issuance of Golden Visas based on real estate investment can no longer be carried out in Lisbon and Porto.
It is true that the vast majority of the 8000 GV’s issued since 2012, about 95% of these, were for real estate investment and the majority being in these cities (one of the reasons for the renovation of many buildings), which implied a substantial increase in the values ​​of the real estate.
On the other hand in relation to (NHR), due to pressure from several European countries, namely Finland and Sweden, the current total tax exemption for 10 years will be changed to an annual IRS rate of 10%. Apesar de ser uma situação menos interessante, continua a ser uma vantagem bastante compensadora tendo em conta os 40 % ou mais que se paga nos paÃses de origem.
Given this scenario, many investors, real estate companies, law firms and other stakeholders in these processes have already publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with that legislation.
These issues have already been discussed since November and these changes are only valid for the future, not applying to foreigners who already benefit from the GV and RNH concessions, as the law does not allow these changes to have retroactive effects.
In the case of our customers, as of last December, we were informed of this possibility of changing the law, so the contracts for the purchase and sale of the intended properties were immediately executed, the bank deposits defined by law were made and all the necessary documentation with the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).
Whoever does not do this in this period, and who has already defined that claim, is because he was misinformed or advised.
And now?
Will these changes to the law be a problem for anyone wishing to buy an apartment in Lisbon or Porto and still enjoy Golden Visa status? Yes.
Apart from some specific situations, we have to see each case in the proper perspective, that is, changes in the new State Budget imply that in 2021, the purchase of real estate in the two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto, more specifically in its Metropolitan Areas (see Map I below), that is, within a radius of about 50 km from these cities, in the amount of 500 thousand euros, it no longer qualifies the non-European buyer to have a Golden Visa. But access to this Program is still possible, now with investment in other areas of the country.
Map I – Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas
Objectively, what are the main reasons for wanting a Portuguese Golden Visa: besides being the third safest country in the world, from possibility to move freely in the Schengen space, as well as the possibility of obtaining nationality for yourself and family members in the first degree, the objective is to have a plan B, taking into account the uncertainty of the future, both for economic and political reasons.
We know from clients coming from New York or São Paulo, that when we offer them houses in the cities they answer that they are fed up with metropolises and want peace and quiet, preferably with sun and beach.
We even see advantages in this claim of some customers for two reasons: first, due to the excellent network of motorways, they are still 30 minutes from the beach and an international airport, and on the other hand, the real estate aspect, while in the cities of Lisbon and Porto for half a million euros (capital required for GV), currently a T1 is purchased, in the vicinity of these areas for the same price you can get a villa with a pool and also 30 minutes from the sea.
In summary, Portugal, due to its small size, the quality of its infrastructures and the price of real estate on the outskirts of large centers, continues to offer a quality of life for those looking for a European Golden Visa.
 If you wish for more information, please contact us.
Duarte Jardine
 (1)– changes mentioned above will only take effect after the publication of the budget law in the official Journal, Diário da República, which should take place from 24 February.
Copyright © 2019 GETiNPORTUGAL®, All rights reserved.
This Newsletter concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and
 electronic communications) according with DIRECTIVE 2002/58/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 July 2002
Contacts :
GETiN- Relocation Services, Av. Sidónio Pais, 26-R/C Esq. 1050-215 Lisboa Portugal
What is the future for European Golden Visas?
Lisbon, 14th April 2019
Since the start of 2020, there have been discussions in European circles on changes to the golden visa legislation. This European Commission Press Release and this article in the The Guardian were both published on the 23rd of January of this year.
There are two schools of thought, on opposing sides of the political spectrum:
On the one hand, you have groups that argue that these schemes can pose a threat to EU security and make it easier for money laundering and tax evasion schemes, they cite cases of Russian oligarchs and their families acquiring residence in the EU. This kind of criticism of the golden visa programmes is popular in the liberal press.
On the other hand, commentary from parties further to the right of the political spectrum, primarily defend economic values and hold up the numbers as evidence of the positive impact golden visas are having on the national economies of countries which have adhered to the scheme. The investment achieved through these golden visa programmes is not negligible. For those countries, which have adopted these programmes, the investments, both direct and marginal, have become an important source of revenue.
Since 1994, nine European Union countries have adopted legislation for golden visa programmes.
The question on everyone’s minds is: Is Lisbon’s real estate market in a bubble?
Despite the indisputable prestige of PwC, looking through the 92 pages of this report will not give you an answer to this question. Let’s not forget that the 800 professionals interviewed for this survey work in real estate, and real estate companies don’t usually talk about bubbles in the market, especially when they are talking about products they themselves are selling.
The reality is that the price per square foot has increased substantially in the last years, but Lisbon’s market is not really comparable with the other 9 cities in the top ten.
And let us not forget that Lisbon is a small city, central Lisbon is even smaller, so with less on offer prices will tend to go up and not down…something we have known since the 19th Century, thanks to David Ricardo’s Law of Rent.
The question shouldn’t be viewed from the price per square foot, but more from the value of the investment as a whole. A property selling for a higher cost per sq foot, can be seen as an excellent financial investment (location, quality construction, liquidity etc), and the exact opposite can be true too.
At the end of the day, the key, as in other markets, is being able to distinguish between opportunity and opportunists. How do you do that? It is always wise to get some impartial advice from local specialists, who above all look out for the client’s interests. They are impartial because they do not work for a real estate agency and their top priority is to leave their clients feeling that their advice was worth it.
And this is exactly what  GETiN Relocation Services has on offer for you: Professional Advice. We can help you with the important stuff like explaining to you all the different areas of the city, we can provide you with an impartial study on a property search, we can work with the best legal partners to ensure you get your Visa and Immigration papers in order, we can offer practical financial advice and finally, we can help you settle into your new home.
With a large network of experienced consultants in the Portuguese market, analysts and project managers, GETiNÂ can help business and private clients with their long-term and short-term relocation projects.
We pride ourselves in offering our clients a personalized service, with total integrity and transparency, to achieve reliable solutions.
Copyright © 2018 GETiNPORTUGAL®, All rights reserved.
This Newsletter concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and
 electronic communications) according with DIRECTIVE 2002/58/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 July 2002
Contacts :
GETiN- Relocation Services, Av. Sidónio Pais, 26-R/C Esq. 1050-215 Lisboa Portugal
A “atitude aberta em relação aos estrangeiros”, a “sociedade livre de divisões criadas pelo populismo” e o “esquema de residência que oferece isenções de impostos a profissionais qualificados” fazem de Portugal um paraíso para a emigração, afirmou o Financial Times num artigo de análise publicado no passado dia 8 de Agosto.
Segundo o jornal, a taxa de criminalidade portuguesa — a mais baixa entre os países da União Europeia — é um dos trunfos nacionais para convencer estrangeiros a mudarem-se para cá.É uma simbiose, sugere o Financial Times. Para os investidores, “numa era de políticas cada vez mais discordantes, a paz social percebida pelo país é vista como uma vantagem competitiva em comparação com o seu ambiente de negócios, força de trabalho qualificada e qualidade de vida atraente”.
Ou seja, mesmo tendo em conta a modesta posição portuguesa nos rankings económicos no Fórum Económico Mundial, os imigrantes escolhem Portugal pelo estilo de vida que se tem por cá. É que, de acordo com o Índice de Paz Global, o país subiu na tabela e é já o terceiro país mais pacífico do mundo, apenas ultrapassado pela Islândia e Nova Zelândia.
