Rethinking the Golden Visa Program: Leveraging Foreign Investment to Address Portugal's Housing Crisis

Apr 23, 2023

by Admin

Portugal has been experiencing a housing crisis in recent years, and the government has been considering scrapping its golden visa program as a way to alleviate the situation. However, there is another solution that could be even more effective: using foreign investors to help solve the housing crisis.

The golden visa program was introduced in Portugal in 2012 as a way to attract foreign investment and boost the economy. Under the program, foreign investors can obtain residency in Portugal by investing a certain amount of money in the country, typically in real estate. While the program has been successful in attracting foreign investment, it has also been criticized for driving up real estate prices and exacerbating the housing crisis.

Rather than scrapping the program altogether, Portugal could use it to address the housing crisis by requiring foreign investors to invest in affordable housing projects. By doing so, the government could ensure that foreign investment is directed toward the areas where it is needed most, rather than simply driving up real estate prices in the most desirable neighborhoods.

In addition to investing in affordable housing, foreign investors could also be required to contribute to other social programs, such as education or healthcare. This would not only help address the housing crisis but also provide much-needed funding for other public services.

However, in order to successfully implement this strategy, the government would need to take steps to ensure that foreign investment is directed toward affordable housing projects. This could include setting aside a certain percentage of golden visa investments for affordable housing or establishing a separate investment program specifically for affordable housing.

Furthermore, the government would need to ensure that foreign investors are held accountable for their investments. This could include requiring regular reporting on the progress of affordable housing projects, as well as penalties for investors who fail to meet their investment commitments.

By using foreign investors to help address the housing crisis, Portugal could both attract much-needed investment and provide much-needed affordable housing. With the right policies and regulations in place, the golden visa program could be transformed from a source of controversy into a valuable tool for social and economic development.

About Smartindianinvestors.com

Smartindianinvestors.com has been created with the sole purpose of educating Indians that are interested in making international investments, making it the premier investment advice portal in India. We research the various international markets and keep our readers abreast of the ever-changing rules and regulations. With a focus on residency and citizenship programs, investment properties, and international education, we aim to provide unbiased and transparent information. For those that are interested in finding more and getting in touch with migration companies and international developers, we can assist in making the right introductions.

Above all, we do not charge commissions or brokerage fees hence ensuring our blogs and property and investment posts are unbiased. 

Subscribe to our portal for regular updates and if you have a specific query, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@smartindianinvestors.com