fbpx
Log in

Login to your account

Username *
Password *
Remember Me

Create an account

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Name *
Username *
Password *
Verify password *
Email *
Verify email *
Captcha *

Golden Visa backlog slashed by 80%

oportoPortugal’s Borders and Immigration Service (SEF) has reduced the Golden Visa application backlog from 6,000 at the end of last year, to an entirely acceptable 1,300 - an 80% improvement.

Additionally, waiting times for applicants to be interviewed by an SEF employee in Lisbon, have been slashed from three months or more, to one day.

A spokesperson for the SEF commented there had been “an extraordinary level of recovery” in the Golden Visa processing system and that waiting list had reduced and of the 1,300 that were still waiting, most of these were, “due to a lack of essential documents or the need to clarify or update them or to fail to collect biometric data.”

The Golden Visa programme has seen foreigners buying property to a total value of just under €4 billion since it started in 2012.

The SEF said last year that it was certain offices that were dragging the figures down, mainly because applications had to be processed locally to the property being purchased and most were in Lisbon and Porto, and a lack of staff.

This rule was changed and the results have been swift and impressive.

Applications and renewals now are, “generally processed and completed within the time limits provided for by law,” - 90 days for initial Golden Visa approvals and 60 days for renewals.

With a few sane and effective alterations to the bureaucracy, Portugal is now running a slick and appealing inward investment offer.

Pin It

Comments  

-1 #2 Peter Booker 2018-07-17 13:55
Allow in to Portugal thousands of rich Chinese and others, who spend their investment income in Lisbon and Porto, buying up buildings and housing which, by their standards, is dirt cheap.

And lo and behold! The residents of Lisbon and Porto, especially the old and those on fixed incomes, are being priced out of the market. This outcome is clearly predictable, and must be what the government desires.

Who would be in rented accommodation in Lisbon? You will be priced out, and your former home will lie unoccupied for months.
+1 #1 Charly 2018-07-16 19:59
By any chance did the applicants (or their lawyers) make an extra good deal with SEF ?

You must be a registered user to make comments.
Please register here to post your comments.