A number of companies from European countries such as Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece and Cyprus will be at the upcoming International Property Show (IPS) in Dubai, UAE, to woo regional investors with Golden Visa programmes.

A show focused on B2B and B2C meetings with an international reach that explores new real estate destinations with investment opportunities, IPS will be held from April 2 to 4 this year at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Under the Golden Visa programme, individuals and their families get a second citizenship and passport after making an investment in the country's real estate sector.

The investment options include real estate purchases, cash deposit to a government development fund or investment in one of the country’s main industries.

This year's edition will see companies offering investors flexible investment programmes with clear legal requirements for easy access to European countries, in addition to the best in real estate and properties from across the world.

Many countries are now opening their doors to residency and citizenship by investment, said industry experts.

Europe, with its vast and improving economy, is a promising part of the world where opportunities to obtain a second passport are booming, they stated.

In an endeavour to provide realty buyers personal and professional freedom, the 13th edition of IPS will focus on investor programmes for global residence and citizenship.

According to experts, the Golden Visa programme for Spain, Portugal, Malta, Greece and Cyprus are the most prominent.

Golden Visa programmes from different European countries grant immediate residency visa or even citizenship directly to foreign investors against a lump sum investment in real estate, or in business and commerce.

There is no requirement to live in a country after making the investment. As such, there is a great demand for the European Golden Visa programmes from investors coming from Middle East, Asia and Africa, they stated.

The growth and proliferation of investor visa programmes in recent years has encouraged several investors to consider for residency and citizenship in Europe and beyond.

As per official data, Portugal has granted 4,202 Golden Visas since the creation of the residence permit system for Investment Activity (ARI).

“Demand for property in the European countries is high and the Golden Visas is an added advantage. As such, it was important that the IPS facilitates a platform which connects the investors to these countries for quick and easy access to a second passport,” remarked Dawood Al Shezawi, the CEO of Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, the event organisers.

“Housing is an economic asset, an investment and a market commodity. Many European countries offer residency by investment options to individuals who wish to purchase real estate or perform a strategic investment in the economy,” he added.

According to New World Wealth, a market research firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the number of investors with sufficient means at their disposal and the ability to pass the strict due diligence rules jumped 28 per cent in 2016 from the previous year, reaching the highest level the firm has found in its four years of measuring.

Obtaining a dual citizenship by investment is a life-changing event giving realty buyers personal and professional freedom. These include advantages such as visa-free travel to number of countries, financial security and increased freedom to invest and create partnerships.-TradeArabia News Service