NATIONAL NEWS - With the pending tax changes in South Africa, due to be enforced from 1 March 2020, the EU second passport scheme is an attractive and enticing option for South Africans.
The turbulent future of South Africa is driving record numbers of South Africans to apply for second EU passports.
The enticement of a second European passport through Investment has seen Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Portugal experiencing an increase of applicants from South Africa.
Since 2018, there has been an increase of 364% in interest from South Africans in a second passport. What many South Africans call “Plan B” continues to gain popularity.
With a European passport, the prospect of living in any country forming part of the European Union is highly attractive.
South Africans are looking to their future and that of their children. The idea of having the opportunity to study and work in any country across the EU remains appetising.
Ease of travel is also a key reason, with the South African passport allowing access to 102 countries, however, excluding the world biggest economies such as the US, UK, Europe, the Schengen area and Canada.
A Cyprus passport allows visa-free travel to 169 countries, Greece 183 countries, Malta 182 countries and Portugal, 184 countries.
Thus, travel, education, employment, business opportunities and safeguarding a better future for their family are key reasons for record numbers of South Africans in the past 12 months applying for second EU passports.
A South African does not have to permanently live in the country to attain the EU passport.
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