Golden Visa Explained: Dubai vs Portugal & Spain | A Dubai Real Estate Podcast

Is Dubai’s Golden Visa the Best Residency Route for Real Estate Investors?

With Portugal tightening its rules and Spain phasing out its Golden Visa, more investors are asking: is Dubai now the top choice for second residency through real estate?

In this episode of The Dubai Connect™ Podcast, I speak with Charlie Maggi, founder of The Open World – Residencies and Citizenships, about how Dubai’s Golden Visa compares to investor residency programs in Europe. If you're exploring second residency through real estate, this is the side-by-side comparison you need.

We break down:

• How to qualify for Dubai’s Golden Visa through a property investment of AED 2 million or more

• What documentation is needed, and what timeline to expect

• How Dubai allows 100% foreign ownership in designated freehold zones

• The differences between Dubai, Spain, and Portugal when it comes to flexibility, taxes, and property market strength

• Common misconceptions about Dubai’s legal system and investor protections

• How to use Power of Attorney to purchase remotely

• The long-term benefits of investing in a tax-free city with high rental yields and capital appreciation

You’ll also hear why so many U.S. and Canadian investors are shifting away from Europe and choosing Dubai—not just for lifestyle, but for long-term financial strategy.

If you’ve been considering:

• Investing in Dubai real estate but unsure where to start

• Securing second residency or a Plan B

• Building an international property portfolio

• Understanding how Dubai compares to legacy programs in Europe

—this episode offers clear, credible guidance from two professionals with deep experience in the space.

As a first-generation Arab-American, Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS®), and Licensed Realtor® with offices in Dubai, California, and Spain, I specialize in guiding global investors—especially from the U.S. and Canada—into tax-friendly real estate markets with strategic support at every step.

Whether you're buying for Golden Visa purposes, rental income, or long-term capital growth, my role is to simplify the process and help you select the right project, work with trusted developers, and set up for resale or rental success.

This episode will give you the clarity you need to make a smart, legally sound decision for your second residency.

Prefer video? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WZeZNaRg1to?si=3noWzh_NTeqt3bPv

Contact Ghada "GG" Benitez:
WhatsApp: https://wa.link/ejrhq8
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.GGBenitezInternational.com
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Instagram: @GGBenitezInternational
LinkedIn: Ghada “GG” Benitez
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Newsletter: www.GGBenitezInternational.com

Hosted by:
Ghada “GG” Benitez
Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS®)
Licensed Realtor®
CEO, GG Benitez International
Offices in Dubai | Spain | California
Brokerages: Prime Capital Realty (Dubai) & Realty Executives Dillon (DRE# 01487964)

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