Golden Visa 30k

[Agata Schweiss]

Butgolden visas are now gradually being phased out across Europe. Portugal amended its scheme in October, removing real estate investment as a basis for golden visa applications in the hope of reducing property speculation.

Earlier this year, Spain also said it would abolish golden visas for those who invest in real estate - but the promise is yet to materialise. Progress was hinted at this week, when the government announced it plans to get rid of the visa for all types of investment.

Though this is different to golden visas, which offer permanent residency rather than citizenship, the call came as part of a move to crack down on this combined multi-billion euro industry. In the wake of the Ukraine war, there were concerns that these schemes could be a security risk.

In October 2022, the European Commission urged Albania to "refrain from developing an investors' citizenship scheme (golden passports)". Such a scheme would "pose risks as regards security, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing, corruption and infiltration by organised crime, and would be incompatible with EU norms," it warned in a report. The country has since suspended its plans to introduce a golden visa.

Threats also come from outside the bloc. Also in October 2022, the European Commission proposed a suspension of Vanuatu's visa waiver agreement due to golden passport risks. This is because the scheme enables nationals of third countries to gain Vanuatu citizenship, which then earns them visa-free access to Schengen zone countries.

In February 2022, the UK government scrapped its golden visa scheme that allowed wealthy foreign nationals to settle in the country in exchange for bringing part of their wealth with them. The decision to end the scheme came as part of a move to clamp down on dirty money from Russia.

Ireland had already suspended the scheme for Russian citizens in March 2022 as part of sanctions imposed on the country for the invasion of Ukraine. The following month, the European Parliament warned that the programme was vulnerable to tax abuse. The final decision to end the scheme was the outcome of various international reports and internal reviews.

"Countries such as Portugal, Ireland and Greece have taken measures to end this practice that increases the violation of the right to housing," MP Alberto Ibez said, urging the government to quickly repeal the visa, Europa Press reported.

The government says over 15,000 such visas have been issued since the measure was brought into law in 2013 by a previous right-wing Popular Party government as a means to attract foreign investors.

Italy is another popular destination for those looking to get residence by investment. Introduced in 2017, its golden visa grants non-EU nationals a residence permit for two years in exchange for an investment in Italy.

Lukas and the whole team quickly established trust. There was always good communication and our expectations were always well managed. Every email with a dumb question was answered promptly.

Generally, the La Vida team who handled the process (for me and my family) were very responsive and professional. My sincere thanks and gratitude go to Daniel Twomey and Chelita Virdee. Daniel Twomey was my first contact at La Vida in late 2018 and he continued to maintain contact from the time I first indicated interest until I was finally ready in 2022. I applaud his knowledge of the process and his warm guidance, prior to handing me over to the team. He was warm and friendly and very easy to talk to. Then of course, Chelita Virdee. She basically hand- held me through the process. I found her to be very knowledgeable about the process and she was always armed with answers to my questions. And when she did not readily have an answer, I could always count on her to find out and revert to me with one. I felt very comfortable with her and could reach out to her at anytime of the day( I think I overdid it sometimes). Thank you Daniel. Thank you Chelita. Thank you La Vida team

La Vida has the best of the best to ensure the process is smoothly handled - impeccable service!! Jessica was outstanding she never gave up, she followed religiously and I was taken up with her focus/persistence. The team in St Kitts & Nevis were an absolute pleasure to deal with. very professional in their approach to make this work & be successful. What a marvellous group. They are simply the BEST!

Daniel was extremely professional, thorough, and patient, going above and beyond to answer all of my initial questions. Chelita was also very helpful during the application and document gathering process.

My experience with the consultants especially Chelita was so impressive and awesome. Always very responsive and ready to assist whenever she was called upon. Her guidance, swift assistance and responses made the whole experience very seamless. The experience, though cumbersome was awesome. I truly appreciate her.

Chelita and Daniel kept me informed throughout the entire process. they were also very proactive in their approach. so someone with a busy lifestyle can be assured. They weren't pushy, the sales agent was calm.

You have been nothing but the most important people I had to meet and deal with for the last 30 years. I understand it is a business, but the amount of time everyone here has put, and all the dedication is beyond imagination. You all have given me the ability to acquire the most expensive thing earth had to offer: Freedom. Freedom has no price, and coming from a country where you need a visa to go almost everywhere is not easy. I just want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart for everything!

Paul Mandrinos was instrumental in helping my clients decide what was the best citizenship by donation scheme that would have quickly expedited their application. The legal team in St. Kitt's were also quite patient and helpful with the challenges of getting documentation out from government agencies in the Philippines that were literally closed for half a year due to the pandemic. But after 1 year we managed to finally get our clients application approved. Thank you! We shall definitely use La Vida's services and expertise again for any future clients of wishing to attain a 2nd citizenship.

This was a much better experience than I had expected. Keith and Mtonya were my main points of contact during the process. We were able to have video calls with constant contact during the process. the communication was fantastic, and the expectations that were set was exactly what happened. It is refreshing to work with a group that does what they say they will do. I am very pleased and would recommend La Vida to anyone that is looking

Credit to Luke, who supported me really well. Luke was very responsive to all my questions at the beginning. He gained my trust in engaging further with La Vida. I also love La Vida's website which is very comprehensive.

We made calls to several companies and after talking to Charlie Filleul, we choose La Vida based on that conversation. Charlie listened to what we were interested in and presented several options and answered all of our questions. When we made our choice she quickly moved the process forward. We found Charlie and La Vida to be knowledgeable, responsive, and helpful. The process moved smoothly, everyone was competent and easy to work with.

I have had a very good experience till now with La Vida. Charlie Filleul was fantastic in her support. He professionalism coupled with excellent communication skills stood out! The responses were timely too. Overall, a very trust worthy experience!

We got the best services with La Vida's company, Jude was so helpful and answers all questions on time. Jessica from the beginning answered our questions well and clear every area we need clarifications on. Everything was perfect for us.

Service was excellent from start to finish. Jude and Chelita were exceptional, extremely helpful and knowledgeable! Paul was also great in providing me with the initial information on the different options and choices available which helped me in making my decision. I will highly recommend La Vida to anyone looking to embark on the Investor Visa Programme.

The service provided was impeccable. The 2 people I dealt with are Ms. Jude Clemoes (that frankly was exceptional) and Daniel Twomey. I really enjoyed working with La Vida and would recommend it to others.

Excellent service. Jude was absolutely fantastic while handling our issues and documentation, especially when it came to managing expectations when the application has a few delays. There fact that we were also able to communicate with the local agent in Grenada at later stages also gave us quite a lot of comfort. La Vida is truly 5 star

The service was professional, efficient and feedback was always very quick. Even though our application was delayed due to the pandemic, we received several assurances which was very helpful. I have recommended your firm to two of my very close friends and their applications are already underway

Daniel was so patient with all my voluminous emails / questions without any complaint when we started this journey. His professionalism, openness and willingness to help actually encouraged me to sign up with La Vida. Fabulous and ever ready Jude, who despite her busy schedule, took me by hand through all the processes and documents with smiles all through until the submission of the applications and finally delivery of the PASSPORTS ! For sure, I will recommend LA VIDA to anyone anytime who is interested in obtaining a second citizenship - Your Integrity and Professionalism is EXCELLENT. Please keep it up!!

I would like to thank Jude and her team for their help. I had contacted another agency previously and was not satisfied with their lack of answers and guidance, vague timelines and payment information. La Vida had everything down to a science. Although I live on another continent, I always got an answer within 24 hours. They told me in the beginning that my project would take approximately 45 days and it was finished well before that timeline. No matter how many questions I had, the team was always courteous and attentive.

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