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Golden Visa 2019 Year in Review: Record Investment Continues
Portugal's Golden Visa program saw another strong year in 2019, with real estate investment dominating as the program approaches its eighth anniversary.
The Portuguese Golden Visa program continued its impressive performance in 2019, attracting significant investment and new residents.
2019 Program Statistics
Investment Totals
- Total investment: Over €700 million in 2019
- Real estate: Approximately 95% of all investments
- Capital transfer: Growing but still minority route
Applicant Nationalities
Top nationalities for 2019 approvals:
- China - Continuing as largest source country
- Brazil - Strong growth in applications
- South Africa - Significant interest continues
- Turkey - Growing presence
- United States - Steady applications
Processing Metrics
- Average approval time: 4-6 months
- High approval rate for complete applications
- Renewals processed efficiently
Real Estate Focus
The €500,000 property investment route remains dominant:
Location Preferences
- Lisbon metropolitan area most popular
- Porto seeing increased interest
- Algarve maintaining appeal for tourism properties
Property Types
- Residential apartments most common
- Commercial properties for higher-budget investors
- Renovation projects in designated areas
Looking Ahead to 2020
Expected developments:
- Continued strong demand anticipated
- Potential geographic restrictions under discussion
- Processing improvements planned
- Growing interest in fund investment route
The program’s success in attracting investment and residents has made it a model for residence-by-investment programs globally.