Global Citizenship

For interior architect Bachir Nader a long-held idea of acquiring a second nationality became a reality when he turned to FFA Real Estate. Investing in Christophe Harbour, an approved project under the real estate option of the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, made Bachir eligible to apply for citizenship. It was a process entirely handled by FFA Real Estate and which soon gave Bachir a new nationality and brand new passport in hand. We asked Bachir to answer a few questions on his experience.

What inspired you to pursue St Kitts and Nevis nationality?

My work gave me international exposure which required me to travel very often. Having the St Kitts passport saved me the time and long frustrating procedures of applying for a visa every time I need to travel.

What made you choose FFA Real Estate?

Looking at different opportunities worldwide, I found FFA’s product the most competitive with regard to the benefits and incentives.

What was your experience of the process like?

The process was very easy and simple and took place without the need to appoint a personal lawyer. I submitted all the required documents within 72 hours and the procedure ended in a record time. I couldn’t believe I had the passport in such a short period.

And how did it feel to finally visit St Kitts and Nevis?

I needed to get to know the country and seek out the roots of my passport. Thanks to the management of Christophe Harbour, my trip felt somewhat regal with the extra care they gave me. I rented a car and cruised around these two beautiful Caribbean islands and got to know the historical and important sites of both islands and made some connections with the locals... I even ended up acquiring the local driving license.

From the lows of a debt crisis that cast gloom over the years 2011 to 2014, Portugal is returning to the spotlight but now for all the right reasons. A rafter of fresh statistics for 2017 point to the country riding a wave of renewed market confidence. Prime among the data is that the economy grew 2.7 percent last year, the fastest rate it has recorded in the past 17 years. Overall foreign direct investment was also on the up, totalling 6.164 billion euros in 2017, an increase of 459 million euros on the year before.

Tourism is one sector targeted by the government as having the potential to boost Portugal’s revenues further. As such the government launched Estratégia Turismo 2027, which maps out its goal to increase tourism revenues to 26 billion euros by the year 2027. Technology is another key sector, evidenced in the government’s announcement that it plans to establish “free zones” in which drones and self-driving vehicles could be tested. Lisbon, in particular, is gaining increasing notice on the world stage for its reputation as a hub for creative and tech start-up industries. Portugal’s strong investment performance in tourism and tech has also helped in job creation, with a knock-on effect of lowering unemployment at one of the fastest rates witnessed in Europe to fall below the government’s own estimate of 8.6 percent for 2018. Last year unemployment stood at 8.9 percent, compared to a high of 17 percent during the crisis year of 2013.

In recent years private equity investments in Portugal have also been on the rise, tripling to 7 billion euros over the past three years. In the latter part of 2017, Portugal’s credit rating was upgraded to investment grade by leading credit rating agencies, a move which is helping to improve funding conditions and reduce credit costs.

Amid this positive mood, the real estate market in Portugal is tipped for growth, particularly among foreign investors. And despite this growing demand pushing down yields, one thing in Portugal’s favour is they still remain higher than most other European markets.

If you would like to inquire about FFA Real estate’s projects in Portugal, you can contact us on +961 1 960 777 or info@ffarealestate.com.

Although sun, sea and sand are traditionally high on the list of qualities that travelers seek when going abroad, in more recent years safety has undoubtedly become another top-of-mind factor. A number of indexes exist that rank countries around the world, helping travelers to be in the know as to where to go. These include The Global Peace Index, which in 2017 ranked Iceland once again in first place for most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008.

Following Iceland in second and third place respectively were New Zealand and Portugal. According to the Travel Risk Map for 2018, published by security specialists International SOS, together with Control Risks, Norway lies at the top of its rankings for safest country to visit, followed by Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland.

The Global Terrorism Index, meanwhile, considered to be the most comprehensive global dataset on terrorist activity, revealed that a handful of European countries had experienced zero terrorism in 2017, with Portugal and Slovenia among them.

With these two countries neighbouring others with a low risk of terrorism, they are considered relatively safe as travel options. Portugal’s rise in the ranks as peaceful destination has had plenty of positive impact on its tourism industry, which saw its confidence index rise in 2017 with industry players anticipating new tourism records to be set.

FFA Real Estate announced the launch of PRATEATO, the first of its kind development in the Marvila district of Lisbon, Portugal. PRATEATO builds on the success of FFA Real Estate’s entry into the Portuguese real estate market.

If you would like to inquire about PRATEATO or any of FFA Real estate’s project in the region or abroad, you can contact us on +961 1 960 777 or info@ffarealestate.com.

A beautiful coastline, gorgeous weather and Europe’s trendiest capital city continue to make Portugal a favored destination – and its popularity is on the rise with every passing year. The capital Lisbon in particular is enjoying a modern-day renaissance as it becomes increasingly populated by hip restaurants, cafes and bars. Add to this the city’s traditional period architecture and Atlantic Ocean views and it makes for an irresistible combination. Even better still, Portugal is one of Europe’s more affordable destinations, offering excellent value for money. Beyond the capital, the wealth of beach resorts, surfing possibilities, golf courses and stunning green scenery ensures that Portugal will continue to lure visitors for a long time to come.

Indeed, tourism is booming with statistics showing that in 2017 more than 12.7 million foreigners visited – a 12 percent year-on-year increase and the first time that this total has passed the 12 million mark. One of the many positives that makes Portugal an attractive destination is its calm and peaceful allure, proven by its ranking at number four as among the safest countries in the world. The ranking, by the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index, is in comparison to 163 countries across the world, taking into account a diverse number of social, political and economic factors. In 2018, Portugal also won the title of the World’s Leading Destination 2018 at the World Travel Awards, an annual awards event that is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Portugal won the award for the second year running, beating competition from 16 other countries that included India, New Zealand, and the United States. In addition, the country won awards for the World’s Leading Tourist Board and Tourism Authority Website (visitportugal.com), as well as Europe’s Leading Destination and Tourist Board.

FFA Real Estate’s PRATEATO development offers an unprecedented opportunity to benefit from all that Portugal has to offer, from the up-and-coming district of Marvila in the country’s capital Lisbon. Incorporating a forward-thinking ethos into its design, PRATEATO consists of 49 residential loft spaces from 50 to 100 square meters featuring double-height ceilings and naturally lit interiors, as well as private gardens and communal spaces for relaxation, eating, working and fitness. At only 10 minutes from the city center and airport, PRATEATO is conveniently situated while placing you in the capital’s hottest emerging area surrounded by art nouveau period architecture, art galleries, trendy cafes, vintage stores and more.

How many countries can your passport take you to without a visa? When you are Lebanese or Syrian, the answer is not many at all (16 if you’re Lebanese and 9 if you’re Syrian). Whether you travel for business or education or wish you could jet off on a family holiday to the destination of your dreams, the passport you hold in your hand can sadly hold you back. But freedom is within your reach, thanks to citizenship by investment programs, which offer citizenship of a country in return for investment. Think this sounds too good to be true? Think again, as these schemes are government-backed, giving you a reassurance that your investment is in safe hands.

Stunning scenery and a beautiful climate… what are you waiting for?!

One of the most popular citizenship by investment schemes, and also one of the longest running since 1985, is offered by St. Kitts and Nevis, a two-island nation in the Caribbean which is part of the British Commonwealth. With a St. Kitts & Nevis passport in hand, you can travel visa-free to more than 135 countries around the world, including EU member states, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. This beautiful country has a warm, tropical climate, stunning white sandy beaches and lush nature, plus it is home to only 45,000 people. There are plenty of other benefits to being a citizen of St. Kitts & Nevis too. These include:

•   Dual nationality allowed
•   Fast processing time of several months
•   No need to visit the country before, during or after application
•   Can include dependent children under 30 and dependent parents and grandparents over 55
•   Lifetime citizenship passed down to later generations
•   No tax charged on your worldwide income
•   Well connected by direct flights from Europe
•   Of course, there is also the benefit of having personal freedom to travel the globe, which can bring advantages for business and security for your family.

Investment as low as USD 200,000

To obtain citizenship, you have two options: donate to the government or invest in real estate. Zenith Nevis is one real estate project, which is on the list of government approved investments. An investment participation of USD 200,000 will give you fractional ownership of one of seven luxurious beachfront villas featuring advanced technology and high-end finishing, as well as your citizenship of St. Kitts & Nevis. Your fractional ownership gives you the right to use the villa four weeks per year or to benefit from rental income (all of which is handled by Zenith Nevis). After seven years you also have the right to sell your participation.

Making it easy for you

FFA Real Estate has seven years of experience in citizenship by investment programs and helping people just like you become citizens of the world. We will work on your behalf to make the application process as simple as possible. So, why not give us a call today and get started on your journey to having the world at your fingertips.

Click here to learn more about St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship or call  +961 1 960 777