“Malta, Portugal and Austria Run World’s Best Investment Migration Programs”

While some citizens spend time in front of visa consulates and other offices that offer such services to obtain a visa to move to another country, others who have higher monthly income can gain the right to reside or even citizenship in some of the most famous world countries by investing a considerable amount of money in specific programs, such as the Golden Visa schemes.

In Europe, Golden Visa Programs, known as Citizenship-by-Investment programs, which permit internationals to gain citizenship, is run by some of the most popular countries in Europe, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.

Besides, by gaining citizenship in one of Europe’s Schengen Zone countries, the beneficiaries are able to travel to all 26 Schengen area countries without being obliged to obtain a visa.

Based on a recent report published by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm based in London, Malta, Austria, Portugal is World’s Best Investment migration program.

The sixth edition of the firm’s annual publication analyzes the world’s most notable investment migration programs.

A panel of experts has evaluated the 12 citizenship-by-investment programs and 24 residences-by investment programs, taking into account many factors.

“Investment Migration Programs 2021 is an invaluable tool for international investors and entrepreneurs looking to hedge volatility and create short-term value as well as long-term yield through enhanced global mobility. It is also highly relevant to policymakers and governments wishing to manage these programs to achieve greater fiscal autonomy and economic growth,” the international immigration and citizenship law expert and Chairman of Henley & Partners, Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, pointed out.

Regarding the issue, the CEO of Henley & Partners, Dr. Juerg Steffen, has stressed that “demand for RCBI programs is at an all-time high because of the undeniable advantages they provide, including giving families alternative relocation options in a time of crisis or global volatility.”

The Global Citizenship Programs Index (GCPI) has ranked Malta on top of the list, followed by Austria Private Residence Program and the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program that share the top spot in the Global Residence Programs Index (GRPI). Such a conclusion has been based on Investment Migration Programs 2021, conducted by Henley & Partners.

Malta ranks as the world’s top country for offering citizenship and residence in exchange for investment. Austria’s Private Residence Program and Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program have scored 75 out of 100 as top Residence-by-Investment Programs.

Italy’s RBI program and Swiss Residence Program have been ranked in second place, followed by Greece, which has been listed in the third place for its Golden Visa Program, with a score of 72 out of 100.

Malta

This is the sixth consecutive year that Malta ranks as the world’s top country for offering citizenship and residence in exchange for investment, with its Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process recording 80 out of 100.

All interested persons in gaining a Golden Visa must invest €738,000 (or €888,000 by exception) based on the residence status length (36 or 12 months, respectively).

Persons must obtain Maltese residence status for 36 months (or 12 months by exception) before filing an application for citizenship.

Even though it brings many financial benefits to the country, Malta’s Golden Visa Program and other countries’ similar schemes often are criticized for the way they work.

In a report published in 2018,  the German non-governmental organization by Transparency International and Global Witness on its report named “European Getaway – Inside the Murky World of Golden Visas” addressed Malta’s government’s accusations for several irregularities detected during the granting of Citizenships for internationals.

However, Malta authorities claimed that the report had elements “which do not seem to be accurate or adequately researched.”

Portugal

Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program has scored 75 out of 100 as top Residence-by-Investment Programs.

According to Portugal’s Golden Visa statistics, SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) authorized 100 residence permits in February this year. While 89 authorized golden visas were granted for the real estate investment, 11 permits were issued for the capital transfer investment option.

Based on the same source, in February there have been granted 2021,46 permits to nationals of  China.

Under the current Portugal’s Golden Visa Program, investors must follow the below-mentioned investment requirements to obtain Portugal’s Golden Visa.

• At least € 250,000 investment in national arts, heritage, and culture
• At least € 280,000 investment for properties over 30 years old, planned for rehabilitation or in low-density zones
• At least €350,000 investment required in investment funds, research, existing businesses, or real estate
• At least € 400,000 investment in real estate in low-density zones
• At least €500,000 investment in new properties in urban zones
• € 1,000,000 capital transfer to Portugal in order to qualify for the Golden Visa program

In January this month, authorities in Portugal previously announced that they updated their residency-by-investment program to attract more international investors towards other residency areas.

In addition, Portugal’s authorities decided to prolong the deadline to exclude investments in Lisbon and Porto from the country’s Golden Visa Scheme until January 2022.

Austria

Austria has been considered among the most favorite countries in Europe for its Residence by Investment program, offering many possibilities to all persons who want to obtain a visa by making an investment in the country.

All persons who wish to invest in Austria’s Residence by Investment Program will be required to invest an amount of €40,000 and wait for one to three months to submit the application to approval.

The Golden visa program permits wealthy internationals to grant residency in some countries that run this scheme by investing a respective amount of money.

However, the program has been criticized many times by the European Union Commission and other organizations as, according to them, it is related to some criminal activities such as money laundering and other illegal activities.