Investment

THE END OF THE PORTUGUESE GOLDEN VISA? At the 2023 Web Summit, Portugal’s Prime Minister threw the cat among the pigeons stating that it was time to re-evaluate the Golden Visa program, and that it probably did not justify retaining the program. Real estate agencies and associations were up in arms, arguing that the program had not played a role in distorting the market and that it would cut off an...

DÉJÀ VU… THE END OF THE PORTUGUESE GOLDEN VISA…again? It feels like ground hog day (or week) writing this… In September of 2022, I penned a 3-part article that can be found here: The changing portuguese real estate market ( Part 3 ) - ALL ABOUT RETIREMENT OVERSEAS, analysing the factors that had contributed to the change in the real estate landscape. I also pointed out the need for structural...

Emerging sources of clients, supply versus demand imbalances and much more. The chasm between cost and access to accommodation by local people, and the cost of delivering new inventory In a report by CIA Landlord Insurance in the UK, published in March 2022, Lisbon is ranked as the third least viable city in the world in which to live, if you are renting. This is due to the discrepancy between...

  Emerging sources of clients, supply versus demand imbalances and much more.   The increase in the presence and importance of the North American market The Portuguese borders agency, SEF, has reported a large growth in US citizens choosing Portugal as their residence. While admittedly from a tiny base, the growth of this market underscores the increase in relative wealth of the average...

EMERGING SOURCES OF CLIENTS, SUPPLY VERSUS DEMAND IMBALANCES AND MUCH MORE   The growing popularity of Portugal     Some would say that it is ironic that the international market and investment has done what Portugal and the Portuguese could not find the courage to do themselves, namely value their patrimony fairly. With decades of cheap real estate culminating in the financial crash...

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that accessing real estate deals, and doing in-situ due diligence on opportunities, is no longer as easy as hopping on a plane to check them out. The importance of having a reliable local partner, agent or friend is now key to reducing risk based on incomplete information, or taking the wrong decision. As not everyone has a friend in their preferred retirement or investment...

THE SUCCESS OF THE GOLDEN VISA PROGRAMME Golden Visa investments represent more than €4 billion into the Portuguese economy. This influx of capital has a direct correlation to the massive inflation in house prices in areas such as Lisbon and Porto, where the majority of the GV investment is concentrated. The Golden Visa program in Portugal has been a success when measured by total investment,...

Planning for the Golden Years: the modern-day “Gold” rush in the California of Europe   Anyone who is nearing or at retirement age wants to protect his or her hard-earned pension. Many want to do this in a safe country with a warm climate, friendly people and a great lifestyle. Equally, many people from outside Europe aspire to have free access to, or live on, the “Old Continent”. As do...

IS YOUR ANNUITY FAILING YOU? CONSIDER INVESTING IN FIXED-INCOME CARE SUITES   It was the day after the referendum of June 23rd 2016 that I realised that my British Pounds would not buy me as much as the day before. In fact, about 20% less, although that has now “recovered” to 15%! Suddenly, travelling to Europe, living my retirement in Europe and even making my hard-earned British pension...

PORTUGAL: TAX HEAVEN TO TAX HELL? What a difference a week makes! A month, well that is life-changing. Three months, an eternity for tax. As recently as six months ago, it was unquestionable that Portugal was among Europe’s best investment destinations. For seniors or retirees, it was the uncontested number 1: a growing economy; falling unemployment; a rapidly recovering real estate market; a real...