In August, investment raised through the Residence Permit for Investment Activity (ARI) program, also known as the golden visa, totalled more than 32.8 million euros, which represents a drop of 12.5% compared to the same month in 2022 (37.5 million euros).

Between January and August, investment raised through the golden visa program totalled more than 493 million euros, 24% more than that recorded in the same period last year.

In the “top 5” of nationalities for the golden visa, the list is led by citizens from the USA who obtained 12 golden visas, followed by China, with nine, and Brazil, with eight. Six golden visas were also granted to Russian citizens and another six to Turkey. During the period under analysis, 72 visas were granted to reunited family members.

Over the total course of the program – from October 2012 to August 2023 – 12,561 residence permits were granted, with China leading with 5,383, followed by Brazil (1,246), USA (741), Turkey (603) and South Africa (561). The total investment amounts to more than 7,247 million euros, of which 6,401 million was for the acquisition of real estate (11,284 ARI), and 653 million euros for urban rehabilitation (1,830 golden visas).

The transfer of capital totals 846 million euros, 1,255 visas were granted and the creation of jobs was responsible for the granting of 22 ARI. To date, visas have been granted to 20,241 reunited family members.

On July 6, the Government's proposal to end new residence permits for investment in housing was approved. The rule revoking golden visas was one of the proposals contained in the Mais Habitação program and, with the entry into force of the new law, no new requests for the granting golden visas will be accepted, which will not affect the possibility of renewing authorisations already granted.

Requests for the granting and renewal of residence permits for investment activities remain valid, including those that are “pending prior control procedures in the Municipal Chambers” on the date the law comes into force.

The granting or renewal of residence permits for family reunification is also excluded from the adopted limitation.