Bulgarian Investment Immigration Program VS Portugal Residence Permit for Investment

Bulgarian Investment Immigration Program VS Portugal Residence Permit for Investment

Amidst the residence and citizenship programs by investments in the European union Portugal’s Residence Permit for Investment (ARI / Golden Visa) is one of the most popular programs among the investors.

Unlike the classic citizenship-by-investment programs of Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta which offer direct citizenship, countries like Portugal, Greece, Spain offer only golden visa options which provide only residence status to the participating investors.

 Both established or revised in their current form in 2012-2013 Portugal and Bulgaria offer investors attractive investment migration options. While Portugal on one side provides classic golden visa RBI option, it allows indirect path to citizenship. On the other hand, Bulgaria’s Investment Immigration program (BIIP) is one of the few countries with hybrid-like RBI/CBI scheme where investment for residency enables to apply for an investment-based citizenship. The most important features both programs are as follows:

 

·    The BIIP provides direct permanent residency status;

·    Portugal’s Golden visa provides a special type of renewable residence permit. After 5 years the holder is allowed to receive permanent residency;

 

·    BIIP’s permanent residence permit is not subject to renewing; permanent residency card is renewed upon passport expiry. 

·    Golden visa residency card must be renewed 3 times in a 5-year period.

 

·    BIIP offer standard and fast-track citizenship options. In the first case permanent residency investment qualifies the invest and family members to apply for citizenship after 5 years. In the case of the fast track option – doubling of the investment allows the investor to apply for citizenship 1 year after receiving residence status.

·    The Golden visa program enables its participants to apply only under the general naturalization scheme. The latter requires holding of permanent residence permit (obtained after 5 years of residency, incl. in regard to investments) and 5 years of residing in Portugal. Applying for citizenship is possible on the 6^th year (1 year after obtaining permanent residency).

 

·    BIIP participants are free of any requirement for physical residency on the country.

·    Portugal’s Golden visa participants are required to stay in the state for 7 days in the first year and for 14 days in the next 4 years.

 

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The BIIP features advantages which no other program in EU cumulatively has, such as:

-      Direct permanent residency status /PRP/ (time-unlimited permit granted - no residence visas, no renewable permit^[iv]);

-      No donations required;

-      Lowest state fees and taxes in the EU;

-      Real investment exit strategy (profitable liquidation);

-      Liquid investments and business projects allowed;

-      Standard and fast-track citizenship (in 18 months) options available;

-      Lowest minimum investments required - € 512 000 for PRP, € 1 024 000 for fast-track citizenship;

-      Remote investment establishment;

-      The Bulgarian passport power rank - being the 18th most powerful one in the world, 

-      The Bulgarian citizenship QNI index - 23rd, outrunning the USA, Japan, Canada, Singapore, etc.,

Taking into consideration the above benefits a reasoned conclusion can be made that the BIIP is one of the most advantageous of all investment programs providing easy access to one of the majorly beneficial citizenships in the world.