CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT BLOG

Portugal Golden Visa residency applications facing severe delays!

News coming out of Portugal renders a blow to many applicants who filed for the Portuguese Golden Visa permanent residency program. According to an article quoting CNN Portugal, the COVID pandemic caused a severe backlog in application processing, whereby some applicants have not been able to fulfill even the first of several stages.

Two years since starting the Golden Visa process these applicants still have not received an approval, let alone a travel visa to come to the country, even after having invested thousands of Euros into Portugal property, CNN reports.

Golden Visa investors purchase property in Portugal, but then some applications get stuck - causing applicants to go to court.

Over 60 lawsuits against the government of Portugal have been submitted already, with the vast majority still unresolved. We expect many more complaints to be filed, which will cause even longer delays.

What options remain for those who want residency in the EU now?

If you are seeking permanent residency in the EU then we recommend you consider Malta. We have many clients who have received their residency within the normal time-frame due to the Maltese government expeditiously processing new applications. Potential applicants should review these two options:

(1) The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers qualified applicants permanent residency status within about 3 to 6 months of filing an application.

(2) For applicants who want residency even faster, the Malta citizenship by investment program, officially known as the "Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations", offers residency for qualified applicants as quickly as about two weeks.

Last, but not least, if you are interested in buying real estate in Malta, to be used with or without an application for residency, you now can browse available listings with pictures and prices on our website, or send us your requirements.

As always; we're available 24/7 if you have any questions and look forward to hearing from you.


Because the Malta immigration by investment program details can change over time please contact us about the current rules and regulations.

Click here for the Malta citizenship by investment program. Click here for the Malta residency programs.

To start the application process online please register here.

For a detailed cost estimate or to schedule a confidential consultation please use our contact form.