Leading property marketing consultancy on how it empowers Filipino families and investors in making their residency dreams a reality
As globalization makes borders more accessible, golden visas—residency-by-investment programs—are attracting both families seeking greater global mobility and savvy investors looking for appreciating assets and diversification opportunities. Golden Visa Centrale (GVC), a leading international property marketing consultancy specializing in residency-by-investment, identifies the Philippines as a key market for golden visas due to its growing economy and expanding middle class.
“When I began Golden Visa Centrale in 2019, golden visas weren’t familiar concepts for Filipinos. Back then, few understood the potential of residency-by-investment programs. However, as awareness has grown, so has the demand. Since 2019, we’ve seen at least a 30% growth year-on-year in Philippine applications, and we’ve successfully facilitated hundreds of these visas,” said Vicky Luis, President and Founder of GVC. “This surge is fueled by Filipinos seeking enhanced not only global mobility, but also access to world-class education, better career opportunities, improved healthcare, and the ability to secure visa benefits for their entire family.”
GVC has played a pivotal role in helping Filipino investors navigate the complexities of international residency. These programs offer a pathway to foreign residency or citizenship, providing benefits like unrestricted travel and potential tax advantages. Since its launch, it has successfully managed hundreds of applications in key markets such as the U.S., Portugal, Spain, and Greece.
Golden opportunities in Portugal and Greece
Golden visas are residency-by-investment programs that allow individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in a foreign country by making a significant financial investment. These programs typically require applicants to invest in real estate, government bonds, or a business within the host country. In return, the investor and their family members receive the right to live, work, and study in the country, often with the added benefit of visa-free travel to other nations.
Some of the most popular golden visa programs for Filipinos are the Portugal and Greece programs, which have attracted significant interest due to their relatively low investment thresholds, and the attractive return on investment.
“Greece, with its low investment requirement of €250,000 and its fast process, appeals to Filipinos for its relative affordability, cultural richness, and Schengen Area access. Likewise, Portugal’s Golden Visa program is popular for its favorable tax regime, offering significant tax breaks on foreign income for up to ten years, alongside strong real estate prospects and a high quality of life,” said Luis.
Since 2019, almost 300 Filipinos have been successfully onboarded by Golden Visa Centrale on the Greece and Portugal golden visa programs. One of which is businessman John Alonte, owner of activewear brand 2XU and property developer BREDCO and father of three, who applied for the Portugal Golden Visa program through GVC. He was attracted by the value of the investment and the work and study opportunities Europe can offer his family.
“With a single investment, we gain ease of travel, the option to live or retire in a better country, and an appreciating asset,” he said.
Likewise, Atty. Aldrich and Ava del Rosario applied for the same program for the opportunity to reside in Portugal alongside the flexibility to travel freely within the Schengen Area.
“Firstly, it provides us with the flexibility to travel freely within the Schengen Area, enhancing our ability to explore and experience diverse European cultures. Secondly, it allows us to access superior educational opportunities for our children, enriching their cultural and intellectual development. Additionally, the Golden Visa program offers a relatively straightforward path to residency without the need for immediate relocation, which is crucial for us as business owners in Manila. These benefits collectively ensure a better quality of life and expanded horizons for our family,” the couple said.
Evolving opportunities
However, it is important to note that golden visa programs are opportunities for investors that move quickly. Their primary purpose is to stimulate the economy of the host country by attracting foreign investment. Once the objective has been achieved, the host country will either pause the program, or indeed make the qualifying criteria harder to achieve. This means that early investors benefit, and will always be grandfathered even after programs change / pause.
Greece, earlier this year, announced that they will be increasing the investment thresholds from a minimum of €250,000 to €400,000 within the year. Similarly, Portugal announced in 2023 that they have ceased accepting real estate purchases as qualifying investment options.
For Portugal, GVC recently announced the opportunity to obtain a golden visa through a €500,000 investment into regulated opportunities. This investment not only qualifies for residency, but also offers the potential for significant returns.
“At Golden Visa Centrale, it is crucial that we stay informed of the changing requirements and ensure that we are always able to provide the most up-to-date information to our clients. This also means that we find them other opportunities that align with their evolving needs and goals, ensuring they make well-informed decisions about their investments and residency options,” Luis explained.
Learn more about how to get Portuguese Golden Visa through an equity fund investment by joining Golden Visa Centrale’s events on:
- September 10, 2024 – 5:30 p.m., Rizal Room, Manila House, Bonifacio Global City
- September 11, 2024 – 11:00 a.m., Mt. Fuji Room, Manila Polo Club, Makati City
- September 12, 2024 – 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Horizon Lounge, Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City
Register your attendance by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/TPCwgWcHLShwNEjD8
For more information on GVC’s other offerings, call Vicky Luis at +63 917 856 1237 or visit goldenvisacentral.com.
