For about 15 years, the company has focused primarily on Florida (USA) and the Caribbean (Bahamas and Antigua), but last year accepted the challenge of some customers to look at Europe.

Portugal, says this specialist, stands out due to the improvement of economic prospects, has lower urban density than Spain and for being a safe country, he exemplified.

"It's all a matter of 'due diligence', researching and understanding the project, not being carried away by the heart," he said, noting that clients are more interested in financial income than in the use of the property in Portugal by them selves.

As for the impact of 'Brexit' (leaving the UK from the EU), Ashley Foakes minimizes. 

"We hope that the long relationship with Portugal will prevail and have no impact on the future," he said.

The 13th conference "Portuguese Chamber's 2017 Property", organized by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom, took place this year under the theme "How can Portugal reach the Three Main Profiles of British Buyers?".

Since 2004, this event of exchanging experiences and contacts for real estate professionals working in the residential tourism sector in Portugal and the UK attracts dozens of real estate developers, financial institutions and investors.

This year the three panels of experts were chosen to thoroughly analyze three very distinct types of UK real estate investors in Portugal, the result of an accelerated demographic profile.

One of the buyer groups is "lifestyle workers and lifestyles," that is, a segment that has emerged recently, consisting of British entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs over 40, who are considering moving their residence and / or business to Portugal, to take advantage of the advantageous tax benefits available.

Another category is made up of elderly "independent or in need of assistance", a product of the "peak demographic" that is rapidly approaching the UK and which may affect the typical buyer profile of Portugal in the coming years.

According to statistics gathered by the organization, in 2017 there will be five million adults in the United Kingdom with more than 75 years, in 2027 there will be seven million, many of whom may evaluate change of country to enjoy old age.

Finally, buyers with a "relaxed lifestyle" are the more traditional segment, looking for an active lifestyle based on the well-being, lived between the UK and Portugal.

These usually seek a second residence in Portugal, attracted by sports such as golf, the sun, easy access, better quality of life and family time and, in some cases, for possible investment.

It is estimated that around 40,000 Britons live in Portugal.

For the first time ever this year, the Chamber of Commerce also runs a series of open seminars open to the public for potential interested parties the day after the conference on Wednesday at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

Source: Noticias ao minuto (tradução Vernon)