Understand the true cost of Golden Visa programs including investment amounts, government fees, hidden expenses, and total budget requirements.
Golden Visa costs range from €250,000 to €800,000+ for the minimum investment, but the total cost is significantly higher when including all fees. A complete Golden Visa application typically costs €280,000 to €850,000+ total for a family, including:
Investment: €250K-€800K (refundable after holding period) • Government fees: €5K-€15K • Due diligence: €5K-€15K • Legal/advisory: €5K-€20K • Translation/apostille: €1K-€3K • Health insurance: €1K-€3K/year • Travel & misc: €2K-€5K
The cheapest programs start at €250,000 (Hungary, Latvia, Italy, and Greece for qualifying property conversions only) while popular programs like Greece standard real estate require €400K-€800K and Portugal requires €500,000 in funds. Budget an additional 10-15% above the minimum investment for total costs.
Every Golden Visa application involves these core expense categories
The minimum capital investment required by the program. This is typically refundable after the holding period (5-7 years). Can be in real estate, investment funds, government bonds, or business capital.
Official processing fees paid to immigration authorities. Covers application processing, residency permit issuance, and biometric card production. Non-refundable even if rejected.
Background checks, criminal record verification, sanctions screening, and source of wealth investigation. Required for all family members. Increases for complex cases or PEPs.
Immigration attorney fees, advisory services, document preparation, application submission, and government liaison. Essential for navigating complex processes and avoiding rejections.
Certified translations, apostille services, notarization, document authentication, and courier costs. Every document in foreign language must be professionally translated.
Mandatory health insurance for all family members, medical examinations, health certificates, and vaccinations. Annual recurring cost throughout residency period.
Complete cost breakdown for popular programs including all fees
| Country | Min. Investment | Gov. Fees | Due Diligence | Legal/Advisory | Total Est. Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🇬🇷 Greece (Tier 2)
|
€400,000 | €2,000 | €5,000 | €8,000 | €415,000 | View → |
|
🇬🇷 Greece (Tier 1)
|
€800,000 | €2,000 | €5,000 | €8,000 | €815,000 | View → |
|
🇭🇺 Hungary
|
€250,000 | €3,000 | €6,000 | €10,000 | €269,000 | View → |
|
🇱🇻 Latvia
|
€250,000 | €4,500 | €6,000 | €8,000 | €268,500 | View → |
|
🇮🇹 Italy
|
€250,000 | €5,000 | €7,000 | €12,000 | €274,000 | View → |
|
🇲🇹 Malta (MPRP Residency)
|
€300,000 | €10,000 | €8,000 | €15,000 | €333,000 | View → |
|
🇵🇹 Portugal
|
€500,000 | €5,500 | €10,000 | €15,000 | €530,500 | View → |
|
🇦🇪 UAE
|
AED 2,000,000 | AED 11,000 | AED 29,000 | AED 44,000 | AED 2,084,000 | View → |
|
🇵🇦 Panama
|
$300,000 | $2,500 | $6,000 | $10,000 | $318,500 | View → |
|
🇹🇷 Turkey
|
$400,000 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $10,000 | $422,000 | View → |
|
🇲🇺 Mauritius
|
$375,000 | $3,500 | $6,500 | $8,000 | $393,000 | View → |
Cost estimates include main applicant only. Add €5K-€10K per additional family member. Explore detailed program comparisons.
Calculate your total investment based on country, family size, and investment type
Often-overlooked costs that can add €10,000-€30,000 to your budget
When purchasing real estate, you'll pay transfer taxes, notary fees, registration fees, and legal conveyancing costs. In Greece, the property transfer tax (FMA) is 3.09%, and total closing costs including notary and legal fees are typically 5-7% of purchase price.
Ongoing property taxes, community fees, utilities (if vacant), insurance, and maintenance costs. For a €400K property in Greece, expect €3,000-€5,000/year in holding costs.
Investment funds charge annual management fees (typically 0.5-2% of invested capital). For Portugal's €500K fund requirement, that's €2,500-€10,000 per year over 5 years.
Residency permits must be renewed every 1-5 years (varies by country). Each renewal incurs government fees (€500-€2,000 per person) plus legal assistance if needed.
Annual tax filing in both home country and host country, tax residency planning, and cross-border tax advice. Essential to avoid double taxation and optimize your structure.
Multiple trips required for property viewing, document signing, biometric appointments, and permit collection. Include flights, hotels, and meals for entire family.
Converting large sums from your currency to EUR/USD incurs exchange rate spreads (0.5-2%). On a €500K investment, poor timing or high-fee services can cost €2,500-€10,000.
If your application is rejected, you lose all non-refundable fees: government processing, due diligence, legal, and translation costs. This can total €15,000-€35,000 with no residency to show for it.
Read our analysis of real estate vs funds to understand total cost implications.
Choose a program that matches your investment capacity
Total cost including all fees
Total cost including all fees
Total cost including all fees
Not sure which tier fits your goals? Use our Sovereign Simulator or read our EU comparison guide.
Understanding the financial value beyond just residency rights
If you choose the real estate route (available in Greece, Hungary, UAE, Turkey, and others), your investment can generate returns through appreciation and rental income:
Important: You must maintain the investment for 5-7 years (varies by country) to preserve residency status. After the holding period and obtaining citizenship, you can sell without affecting your status.
Portugal's Golden Visa now requires €500K in qualifying investment funds (real estate route closed in October 2023). Fund investments may generate returns but typically lower than market indices due to restrictions:
The true ROI includes non-financial benefits, though it's important to understand what you get immediately versus over time:
For high-net-worth individuals, these intangible benefits often far exceed the investment cost. The question isn't "Can I afford it?" but "Can I afford NOT to have it?"
Our advisors can help you budget accurately, select the most cost-effective program for your goals, and avoid hidden fees that catch most applicants by surprise.