The amount invested by foreign citizens in Portugal under its so-called Golden Visa scheme more than doubled year-on-year in the first six months of 2016, to 509 million euros (US$563 million), Portuguese news agency Lusa reported on Thursday.

The media outlet quoted information released by the Portuguese Confederation of Construction and Real Estate (CPCI).

Official figures from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service – quoted in the news report – showed Portugal granted more than 800 residency permits under the scheme in the first semester of 2016.

The amount invested by foreign citizens in Portugal under the scheme since the programme was launched in October 2012, has totalled 2.2 billion euros, the report said.

Since the scheme was launched, Portuguese authorities have granted 3,609 residency permits under the programme. Chinese nationals accounted for the majority of those permits (2,743); followed by nationals of Brazil (180); and Russia (120), the news agency added.

The scheme enables non-European Union passport holders that are willing to spend a minimum of 500,000 euros on real estate in Portugal to be granted a Golden Visa and thereafter apply for permanent residency. Other types of investment that give access to a Golden Visa include a capital transfer to Portugal of at least 1 million euros or the creation of 10 jobs in the country.