Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, released their Global Residence and Citizenship Programmes report in 2018, which ranks the world’s leading investment migration programmes based on a number of factors. Dr. Christian H. Kalin, Henley & Partners chairman, said that the publication is “an indispensable tool not only for all those interested in alternative residence or citizenship but also for professionals such as private client advisors, private bankers, and lawyers, as well as for governments operating investment migration programs”.
The report looked at two different types of migration schemes: citizenship by investment, in which someone can obtain a second passport in exchange for a minimum investment, and residence by investment, in which permanent residence can be obtained after investing in the host country.
Henley & Partners evaluated the different programmes using a panel of independent experts comprising economists, citizenship lawyers, academic researchers, and other specialists. These experts focused on a wide range of factors when determining which was the best. These factors included reputation, quality of life, visa-free access, compliance, financial requirements, residence requirements, transparency, and relocation flexibility.
Why you should buy Malta citizenship
For each category within the report, experts scored the migration and citizenship schemes out of ten. At the top of the leader board for the citizenship by investment category was Malta citizenship, with its Individual Investor Program (MIIP). The nation was also awarded a perfect score in the visa-free access category (it allows visa-free travel to over 160 countries, including America and Australia) and in the relocation flexibility category.
The MIIP, which was set up in 2014 by the Maltese government to encourage expats to share their expertise and business connections with the country (for any Brits hoping to buy Malta citizenship), scored an impressive 81 out of 100 and has come in top place in the report for the past three years. Its score put it far ahead of the countries in second place, Cyprus, which had a score of 72 and third place, Austria, with a score of 63.
By paying €650,000 to the National Development and Social Fund set up by the Government of Malta (which then finances various projects in the country, such as education, public health, and social improvement) and by passing a strict due diligence test, applicants will be granted Maltese citizenship and receive all the benefits of the MIIP.
The benefits of Portuguese citizenship
Meanwhile, applying for Portugal citizenship through the Golden Visa scheme was voted the best residence-by-Investment programme, which, like Malta, was the third year in a row to be honoured with the award. Many other countries have similar Golden Visa systems, including Spain and the UK, but Portuguese citizenship came out on top. The scheme gives foreign investors who spend €500,000 on property the right to live in Portugal (as well as their family members) and the ability to travel to all EU countries in the Schengen area. They initially receive a temporary residency permit that can be renewed, but after five years they can apply for permanent Portugal citizenship residency.
One particular category that Portugal’s scheme scored very highly on was in tax advantages, with a perfect ten out of ten. One of the tax advantages that comes with a Golden Visa is that citizens do not need to pay taxes on income generated outside of Portugal if they do not stay in Portugal for more than 183 consecutive days.
A financial adviser can help you discover what else you can do to help to reduce your tax liability, such as provide you with pension transfer advice when applying for Portuguese residency, so that you can do what’s best for your retirement savings.
Post-Brexit planning
At the moment, these schemes are there to help non-EU citizens. Of course, however, due to Brexit, Britons have lost their automatic right of admission, putting them in a similar position to Americans and Australians.
With this in mind, It’s encouraging to know, that there are good systems in place that will still provide certain expats the opportunity to obtain a fully valid residency permit should they wish obtain Portuguese or Maltese citizenship.
It’s true these systems are only suitable for those with sufficient assets, but those who can’t afford such schemes can still contact a Blacktower adviser to discuss other advantageous options open to them when applying to buy Malta citizenship or Portuguese citizenship. By providing our customers with expert pension transfer advice and experienced guidance on all aspects of their wealth management, our advisers are available help keep your financial health strong.
Disclaimer: The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice. You should seek advice from a professional regulated adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
Expat financial advice is a must for any British expat living in Portugal, Spain or Italy to ensure they meet their cross-border taxation obligations while also making the most of the financial growth and preservation opportunities available to them.