News

Golden visas: Portugal accelerates processes after long delays

Portugal is accelerating the processing times for applications to the Golden Visa programme – also known as the "visto gold" – following long delays in the processes, which have tarnished the programme's image. The programme offers foreign investors, in certain circumstances, the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Portugal through investments in specific areas, such as job creation, or capital transfers.

Porto named as the best European city for attracting investment

Porto has once again been distinguished by the Financial Times as the best European city of the future in terms of strategy for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), in the category of FDI Strategy – Large Cities.

23 apartments in Porto for the price of one in Tel Aviv

The numbers are amazing. Take for example buying an apartment "on paper" for a million shekels (approx. USD 272,000), getting up to 75% mortgage at an interest rate of less than 4%, start repaying the loan only when the apartment is handed over, and then rent it out at a 10% yield, or more.

Portuguese housing market ends 2024 strong, with optimism for 2025

The Portuguese housing market has shown remarkable resilience, ending 2024 on a high note with strong expectations for 2025, according to the latest December 2024 Portuguese Housing Market Survey from RICS and Confidencial Imobiliário. The report highlights an 11% increase in property prices year-on-year and a 27% surge in sales volumes, underscoring the market’s robust performance.

Where have house prices in Portugal risen most?

House prices in Portugal rose 4.3% in January compared to the same month in 2024. Housing also became more expensive in the last year in Santarém (15.4%), Setúbal (14.5%), Leiria (12.3%), Ponta Delgada (10.6%), Bragança (10.2%), Viseu (8.6%), Funchal (8.6%), Coimbra (8%), Guarda (7.6%), Braga (7%), Faro (4.7%), Porto (3.2 %), Castelo Branco (3.1%), Portalegre (3.1%) and Viana do Castelo (1.5%).

Construction and renovations in Portugal rise 6.1%

Licenses issued for new construction and renovation of residential buildings grew 6.1% until November 2024, in annual terms, while homes in licensed new constructions increased 3.4% and cement consumption rose 2.8%, according to the AICCOPN.