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INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES
Experienced Counsel
Visa Centric specializes in investment programmes in Europe that grant residency, often through real estate investment but without the requirement to reside. These programmes are especially popular with investors not wishing to emigrate and move their family but require flexibility should the need ever reside. They often come with accompanying travel freedom across the EU Schengen zone. Eventually if permanent residency is undertaken by the investor and their family then citizenship of the country can usually be applied for.
COUNTRIES WE DEAL IN
UNITED KINGDOM
TIER 1 UK INVESTOR VISA
Investors seeking a residency visa for the UK can consider the Tier 1 investment visa. This requires an investment of £2 million and allows temporary residency in the UK for the investor and their immediate family. This residency lasts for 3 years and 4 months and applicants can apply to extend this residency a further 2 years. Investors can then apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years and British citizenship after 6 years. There is no direct UK citizenship by investment programme.
PORTUGAL
GOLDEN VISA PORTUGAL THROUGH PROPERTY INVESTMENT
The Portugal Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular scheme in Europe with investors attracted to its flexibility and benefits. Launched in 2012 the investor visa program has been actively promoted internationally by the Portuguese government. An investment of €500,000 (or €350,000 reduced option) in real estate in Portugal will gain a residency permit for a family including dependent children. The golden visa can be renewed every two years providing the applicant spends two weeks in the country every two years.
One of the most attractive options is the ability to apply for permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 6 years without the need to reside in Portugal. In fact, the applicant and their family need only visit for two weeks every two years in order to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa. In Portugal citizenship can be granted without the applicant having resided in the country. However the investor having acquired residency through the golden visa programme will need to demonstrate ties to the country and pass a basic language test. Citizenship of Portugal and a second passport conveys the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union. The Portuguese residency card granted through the golden visa programme allows the holder to travel throughout the EU Schengen zone.
GREECE
GOLDEN VISA GREECE OFFERING RESIDENCY WITHOUT CITIZENSHIP
Launched in July 2013 the Greek golden visa programme grants a five year residency visa in return for an investment in real estate. There is no minimum stay requirement and children up to the age of 21 are included in the family application. The visa is granted for five years and renewed every five years if the property investment is retained. It is not necessary to live in the country in order to retain and renew the investor visa. However citizenship can only be granted after seven years of residency.
Investors in real estate in Greece must also budget for the additional taxes on real estate at 24%. However at €250,000 + taxes and fees (just over €300,000 in total) this programme offers the lowest cost residency in Europe. The Greek residency programme is relatively fast, taking around 40 days until a residency card is issued. There are also favourable family rules for dependents.