Ireland and Portugal end visas for wealthy investors.
Golden visas issued to wealthy citizens in exchange for handsome sums invested in the country are less and less popular in Europe. These residence permits granted to an elite have been in the crosshairs of the European Commission and the Parliament of Strasbourg for several years. They are suspected of giving wealthy Russians the chance to settle in the European Union since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
This week, Ireland and Portugal announced in quick succession their intention to end their elite immigration programs of this type. In Spain, a left-wing party, Mas Pais, has tabled a bill to do the same.
In Portugal, Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced Thursday the abandonment of a device granting a five-year residence permit to any foreigner who acquires real estate of at least 500,000 euros. The government thus hopes to fight against real estate speculation which weighs on households…