Golden Visa: Europe through the back door

Features discusses Portugal's Golden Residence Permit Programme for Investment Activity. Deutsche Welle suggests that wealthy foreigners are buying themselves a residence permit for Europe in Portugal. The opposition in Portugal warnedof shady deals and illegal earnings. Yet the government was still lowering the 'entrance fees'.

Portugal's Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas said: 'The golden visa has brought €1.27bn of investments to Portugal in two years. It would be idiotic if we closed shop and other countries earned this money'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The winners and losers of Portugal's golden visa scheme http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-winners-and-losers-of-portugals-golden-visa-scheme/

The Economist: Charlemagne, 17.11.14: Portugal's golden visas All that glitters http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2014/11/portugals-golden-visas

ESO: Background information: Portugal Interior Minister Macedo quits over corruption probe http://www.europeansources.info/record/portugal-interior-minister-macedo-quits-over-corruption-probe/

The Portugal News, 12.03.15: Chinese continue to lead Golden Visa scheme http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/chinese-continue-to-lead-golden-visa-scheme/34233

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