for the time being, while tourism is still up, the hold on madeira will continue. but when the economy tanks, as it inevitably will next year, the local opinion will shift away from obedience to the distant lords of the socialist empire and towards the local man on the ground.
i'm here on the ground and i hear things that are whispered around everywhere and a lot of people have moved h ere because of anticipating war and repression on the continent, so much so that the local real estate market is tight as a drum.
for now, EU's grip is holding, but once the euro starts to fail the logic of the alternative is ready and waiting.
also, regarding the golden visa problem, you want to live here, get full residence. it is easy for EU citizens compared to americans and brits.
things are going to change rapidly over the next few years here, that's why i'm glad to be here and anchored to the ground already before the masses realise what they are gonna miss out on.