The most profitable migration is to Portugal and Malta
Henley & Partners has ranked the countries that offer the best programs for relocation. According to the analysis, migration to European states remains one of the most profitable in terms of opportunities and diversity of mechanisms. Malta topped the rating due to the best conditions for obtaining citizenship in exchange for investment. Portugal was the leader.
The study involved economists, lawyers, and experts who deal with issues of citizenship and the well-being of residents in different countries. When compiling the rating, the following parameters were taken into account:
– the reputation of the state on the world stage;
– quality and standard of living;
– conditions of entry to the country, availability of visa-free stay;
– the period of application review for participation in investment programs;
– terms of investment;
– requirements for the period of stay in the country;
– transparency and quality of obtaining a residence permit;
– possibility of visiting other countries.
Experts give Malta first place in the ranking of investment citizenship. To be able to live in the country, the applicant must invest 738 thousand euros in the local economy. And it can be both real estate and other options. Austria takes the second position, where there are various mechanisms for obtaining citizenship, and the amount invested depends on the conditions of a particular program. Grenada takes third place with a minimum investment threshold of 150 thousand dollars.
The ranking of obtaining a residence permit in exchange for investment leads to Portugal. Following the terms of its “Golden Visa”, it is necessary to invest 200 thousand euros to live in the country. Austria takes the second position, and the third is Greece, where the minimum threshold of participation in the program is 250 thousand euros.
It should be noted that the “Golden Visa” in Portugal is attracting more and more emigrants. This investment program has favorable conditions for obtaining a residence permit, which are considered the best among the EU states. However, in early 2023, the Portuguese authorities announced the termination of the “Golden Visa”. This decision resulted from pressure from the European Parliament, which has advocated the closure of such mechanisms for obtaining EU citizenship for several years. European officials believe that investment programs promote corruption and contradict European values.
Portugal’s “Golden Visa” has been in place since 2012, and during this period, it has brought the country’s economy 6.8 billion euros, most of which came from the real estate market. Not surprisingly, many oppose the closure of the program. For example, the Association of Tourism and Resorts of Portugal calls on the local government to reconsider the decision to abolish the “Golden Visa”.