South Africans are the fourth most popular country for Portugal's Golden Visa. "Since the programme opened in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa (GVP) has been a popular choice for South Africans seeking offshore investment and European residency - with over 416 Golden Visas issued to South African investors to date (excluding joining family), advises Andrew Rissik, International Director & Managing Director Sable FX and Sable Investment Migration, Sable International.
Rural and urban regeneration projects in Portugal have proven particularly popular of late, as they require a lower entry level investment of €280 000 (rural) and €350 000 (urban) with a defined exit strategy offering comfort for investors.
This is according to Dr Andrew Golding, Chief Executive of the Pam Golding Property group, who says the group achieved a significant milestone this year with its first clients successfully completed their journey through Portugal’s Golden Visa Programme and in the process, received Citizenship in Portugal and consequently the EU.
Golding says the main motivation being "the ability to enable opportunities for their children to study, live and work internationally".
Caribbean
Nadia Read Thaele, Founder and CEO of LIO Global, a leading specialist firm in second residency and citizenship by investment, says the Commonwealth of Dominica (Dominica) in the Caribbean has become a popular option for South Africans, as "the program is very clear cut, and there are attractive real estate options to choose from."
To qualify for citizenship under the current regulations, applicants can invest in an approved real estate development with a minimum value of USD 200,000 (about R3.1 million ar R15.53/$).
Mauritius
Mauritius continues to draw South Africans looking to secure permanent residency for their families and/or to retire permanently, as well as diversify their portfolios offshore, adds Golding.
Most South Africans relocating families to Mauritius, do so through property investment and the Property Development Scheme (PDS) which allows for the development a of residential resorts and estates designed to facilitate non-citizens in acquiring both residential property and residency in Mauritius.
For a minimum investment of US$375 000, investors obtain permanent residency for themselves, their spouses, children of all ages as well as their parents with the procedure being relatively simple and easy.
"There is good demand for larger estates such as Mont Choisy Golf & Beach Estate in the north, renewed interest in the south west of the island in the Bel Ombre area for those looking for a luxury outdoor lifestyle, at Heritage Villas Valriche as an example, situated just outside the area of Le Morne. We also continue to see high interest in the areas of Grand Baie and Tamarin."
Click here to browse property for sale in Mauritius.
Seychelles
Eden Islands in Seychelles has enjoyed consistent sales through Covid, according to Golding.
"With a population of approximately 96 000, Seychelles is one of the first countries in the world to be virtually fully vaccinated, which has assisted sales momentum, and we are in 2021 to date about 30% up on sales compared to 2020.
"We anticipate ongoing interest from a lifestyle, dollar based investment and offshore property purchase point of view, with more and more people able to work remotely allowing them the opportunity to live an island lifestyle for part of the year."
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