AIMI started to be applied in 2017 to replace Stamp Duty and taxes, to individuals and companies, with real estate above one million euros. Now, according to a report by ECO, the PS party wants to extend the application of this tax to owners with vacant properties, regardless of the value of the property.

This is one of the amendments presented by the largest parliamentary group to the Mais Habitação package proposed by the Government, with the socialists also submitting several changes to the measures initially envisaged for coercive leasing.

After the controversy generated by the coercive lease – with the President of the Republic doubting the constitutionality of the measure – the PS parliamentary group now says that, despite maintaining the “availability to continue discussing” the subject, the Government’s proposal will be changed for this “tool” to be used on an “exceptional and supplementary basis”.

In addition, municipalities that decide not to resort to coercive leasing will be able to “continue to trigger increased IMI rates for vacant buildings”. This change goes against the intention of the Prime Minister.

Russians and Belarusians excluded from golden visas

Another of the proposals submitted by PS deputies concerns an amendment to golden visas. Despite putting an end to this regime through real estate investment, the possibility of granting this visa remains “for the purposes of business investment with the creation of jobs or investment in culture and scientific research”.

However, the socialists aim to introduce a rule to completely exclude people from third countries that are subject to sanctions from the European Union from gold visas, that is, immediately, Russians and Belarusians.

To date, the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) has not yet received any order or regulation from the Government to legally support the suspension of golden visas for citizens from Russia and Belarus.