According to the January report of the Emigrant Diaspora Investor Statute (EID) issued, a measure contemplated in the National Programme for the Support of Investors in the Diaspora (PNAID) which, among other purposes, aims to support the investment of the Diaspora in Portugal, 128 statutes were issued by the end of last month.

The document prepared by the office of the Secretary of State of the Portuguese Communities, to which the Lusa agency had access, states that "Portugal is the place where there are the highest number of requests for the issue" of the declaration of the Investor Statute of the Diaspora: 23.

These 23 emigrants have been living in Portugal for less than two years and have been emigrating for at least over a year.

Between 28 August 2020 and 31 January this year Diaspora Investor Statutes were generated for citizens in 26 countries, most of them in Europe (62 percent), followed by Africa (16 percent), North America (11 percent), South America (9 percent), Asia (1 percent) and the Middle East (1 percent).

The document indicates that 97 percent of EID requests are from Portuguese citizens: 77 percent requested by Portuguese citizens born in Portugal and who are or have been recently emigrated and 20 percent by Portuguese citizens who were born abroad. Three percent of the applications belong to individuals who, under nationality law, may apply for Portuguese nationality or are in the process of obtaining it.

The vast majority (92 percent) of applicants for this EID intend to return and invest in Portugal.