Increase in interest by 25% with strong significance being attributed to the resort qualifying for a lower threshold Golden Visa due to being located inland ..
Editorial Team | 12th February, 2021
Portugal is fast becoming the first port of call for many property investors as well as private individuals following the UK’s departure from Europe earlier this year. For those looking to continue having the right to travel freely through the Schengen area and enjoy the rights of a European Union national, Portugal offers a Golden Visa programme, a residency-by-investment scheme for non-EU nationals. Since its launch in 2012, the Portuguese Golden Visa programme has been a true success with almost 10,000 investors benefiting from it. The scheme allows investors and their families to obtain residency permits in exchange for a qualifying investment such as the acquisition of a property with a value over €500,000, or €400,000 if the property is located in a low population density area.
In December 2020, the Portuguese government announced that new rules for the Golden Visa programme are scheduled to be implemented as of 1st July 2021, although it hasn’t been announced yet how and in which conditions the changes will be made. The changes consist in limiting the obtainment of Golden Visa via the acquisition of property (real estate investment) situated in high population density areas such as Lisbon, Porto and coastal areas. The objective is to encourage real estate investment Portugal’s low population density areas.
The newest sustainable luxury development, Ombria Resort, located 20kms inland from the coast in a beautiful unspoilt low population density area of the Algarve surrounded by nature, has reported its largest surge in interest with property enquiries increasing by 25% since December 2020.
“At Ombria, purchasers can currently benefit from its qualification to the Golden Visa scheme for €400,000, however this threshold may well increase on 1st July 2021, which is largely the reason for the recent increase in enquiries” reports Julio Delgado, Ombria Resort’s CEO. The resort is due to open in Q2 2022.
As one of Europe’s most safe and low-density destinations, the Algarve is a region providing a healthy environment, greater well-being, space, security and various options for world class education. Safety and easy access to green spaces has never been more so on the list of priorities than right now and UK buyers are discovering that they can more easily find these benefits and advantages in the Algarve’s inland areas.
Purchasing a property at Ombria Resort to obtain a Portuguese Golden Visa gives the opportunities and flexibility that Brexit has limited. The main benefits of a having a Golden Visa include:
Possibility of entering Portuguese territory without a visa;
Moving freely within the Schengen area, made up of 26 European countries, also without a visa;
Living and working in Portugal
Benefit from family reunification, including spouse, minor children, adult unmarried children who are dependent and are studying in Portugal or anywhere in the world, first degree ascendants of the applicant or the spouse who is dependent, and minor siblings who are under the resident's guardianship
Become eligible for permanent residence after five years of temporary residence, provided that they comply with the legal requirements in force;
Become eligible for Portuguese nationality after five years of residence, provided that they comply with the legal requirements in force. Since Portugal allows dual citizenship, a British national can retain its British passport while becoming an EU citizen as well.
Therefore, Ombria Resort offers UK citizens a compelling reason to buy property after Brexit. A popular choice is through their Viceroy Residences, with almost 30% sold or reserved (starting from €400,000 plus furniture packages), and stunning Alcedo Villas (starting from €2,550,000) with multiple bedrooms and your own garden pavilion office option.
