Portugal’s Hospitality Sector: Where Global Capital Meets Residency

Portugal’s immigration authorities report over €7 billion in investment since the program’s launch in 2012, while the Bank of Portugal and the Portuguese National Tourism Board recorded a historic €25 billion in tourism revenues in 2023.

Mercan Properties contributes to this transformation by developing large-scale hospitality projects in partnership with world-leading hotel brands, such as Hilton, Marriott, and IHG, and offering compliant residency-by-investment opportunities.

A Decade of Development in Portugal

This year, Mercan Group celebrates 36 years in global operations, while its Portuguese arm, Mercan Properties, marks a decade of activity in Portugal. Over this period, through the Golden Visa Program, Mercan Properties has received more than €1.2 billion in investment for hospitality projects across the country. These projects include 31 hotels, 14 already operational, with all expected to open by 2030. This exceptional pipeline positions Mercan as the third-largest hotel developer in Portugal and the only one operating with multiple international brands. These projects have created, and will continue to create, thousands of jobs and generate significant economic value. According to an EY report commissioned by Mercan in 2023, titled Impact Assessment Study on Employment from Mercan’s Investment Projects in Portugal, the group’s hospitality developments are expected to generate nearly 10,000 job-years during the development phase and close to 2,500 jobs once operational, contributing close to €5 billion in long-term revenue and over €750 million in tax and social contributions over the next 40 years.

Some of Mercan’s projects combine the rehabilitation of historic buildings with the development of new hospitality assets, bringing economic growth, employment, and renewed vitality to their locations. A prime example is the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, the first hotel in Portugal to be awarded the Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Since opening in 2023, its rapid success has driven an expansion now underway, which will bring to life the future Lapa II Hotel, further strengthening the regeneration of Porto’s historic Lapa district.

Mercan Private Equity Fund I: Portugal’s Largest Closed-End Golden Visa Hospitality Fund

Mercan Private Equity Fund I, with a €140 million fund size, is the largest closed-end private equity fund targeting Golden Visa investors in Portugal. Its investment strategy is focused on hospitality companies: two in the Algarve, developed in partnership with Hilton and Hard Rock (including the first 5-star Hard Rock hotel in the country), and one in Porto, in collaboration with Accor. Designed for investors seeking EU residency, the fund is CMVM-compliant and structured to meet Golden Visa requirements.

A Strategic Platform for Residency by Investment in Europe

Mercan Properties has built a strong track record in investment migration through hospitality, combining a proven development portfolio with long-standing partnerships with global hotel brands. With the largest Golden Visa hospitality fund by assets under management, the company offers investors a secure and compliant path to Portuguese residency, delivering high-quality opportunities in one of Europe’s most desirable destinations.

Building on this foundation, Mercan has recently expanded into Greece with the Keranis Residences, the country’s largest mixed-use development under the Greek Golden Visa program. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, the project is tailored to international investors seeking long-term value and residency opportunities within the European Union.

Whether for you or your clients, Mercan offers the experience, scale, and regulatory clarity to support a secure path to European residency through investment.

As part of Mercan Group of Companies, Mercan Properties plays a leading role in shaping Portugal’s hospitality investment landscape. Learn more about how Mercan Group connects global capital with residency opportunities in Europe through high-impact hotel development.