Chinese investment in Portugal’s golden visas falls by 38%

Investment by Chinese nationals in Portugal’s golden visas fell by 38% between January and August, while that by US nationals more than doubled.

According to official data, US investment through golden visas totaled €73 million (US$71.6 million) this year, above the €65 million from China.

The Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) program, launched in October 2012, has almost always had China in first place in the list of nationalities that invest the most.

US investment more than doubled compared to the €25.1 million (47 gold visas) registered in the first eight months of 2021, and Chinese investment fell by 38% (€106.1 million and 208 permits).

China continues to lead, in the accumulated, in the list of investments by nationality. Since the ARI program was launched almost ten years ago, the amount invested by Chinese citizens has amounted to more than €2.9 billion, with a total of 5,168 golden visas awarded.

The United States, in turn, account for an accumulated investment of €268.2 million, with 466 golden visas granted.

Of the total ARI awarded, more than 250 were through the acquisition of real estate with a value equal to or greater than €500,000, and 97 for urban rehabilitation.

Most of the investment coming from China is in real estate.

In the first eight months of this year, 806 gold visas were issued.

Since the ARI grant program was launched in October 2012, €6.5 billion has been raised.

With information from CL Brief