Secure residency rights in the world's most desirable countries through strategic investment. Compare programs, explore benefits, and unlock international mobility for you and your family.
Understanding the fundamentals of residency by investment programs
A Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that grants foreign nationals the right to live, work, and often travel within a country (or region) in exchange for a qualifying investment. These programs have become the cornerstone of modern global mobility strategies.
Unlike traditional immigration routes that require employment sponsorship or family ties, Golden Visa programs offer a direct pathway to residency based on economic contribution. This makes them particularly attractive to entrepreneurs, investors, and families seeking geographic diversification.
Most Golden Visa programs accept one or more of the following investment types:
Purchase residential or commercial property meeting minimum thresholds
Invest in approved investment funds or government securities
Capital transfer for business creation or job creation
Maintain qualifying deposits in local financial institutions
Explore residency-by-investment opportunities across Europe and the Middle East
Fund-only strategy with EU mobility
€500,000 (Funds)
12-24 months
5 years residency
Tiered real estate investment with EU benefits
€250,000 - €800,000
4-8 months
7 years residency
Premium EU residency (MPRP) with English language
€300,000 - €350,000
4-6 months
Separate MEIN program (€600K+)
Investor visa for la dolce vita
€250,000 - €2M
3-6 months
10 years residency
Guest investor program for EU access
€250K (Fund) / €500K (Property)
3-4 months
8 years residency
Baltic gateway to the European Union
€250,000 (Property + 5% state fee)
3-5 months
10 years residency
Mediterranean EU residency with tax benefits
€300,000 (Property + VAT)
2-3 months
7 years residency
Tax-free residency in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
AED 2M (~$545K)
2-3 months
10 years renewable
Real estate investment with citizenship path
$400,000 (Property)
3-6 months
Direct citizenship option
Compare key features across all 9 Golden Visa programs
| Country | Min. Investment | Processing Time | Stay Requirement | Citizenship Path | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal 🇵🇹 | €500,000 | 12-24 months | 7 days/year | 5 years | View → |
| Greece 🇬🇷 | €250,000 - €800,000 | 4-8 months | None | 7 years | View → |
| Malta 🇲🇹 | €300,000 (MPRP) | 4-6 months | None | Separate MEIN (€600K+) | View → |
| Italy 🇮🇹 | €250,000 | 3-6 months | None initially | 10 years | View → |
| Hungary 🇭🇺 | €250K (Fund) / €500K (Property) | 3-4 months | Minimal | 8 years | View → |
| Latvia 🇱🇻 | €250,000 + 5% fee | 3-5 months | None | 10 years | View → |
| Cyprus 🇨🇾 | €300,000 + VAT | 2-3 months | None | 7 years | View → |
| UAE 🇦🇪 | AED 2M (~$545K) | 2-3 months | None | No pathway | View → |
| Turkey 🇹🇷 | $400,000 | 3-6 months | None | Direct option | View → |
Looking for more programs? Check our Complete Programs Directory or explore Citizenship by Investment options.
Your step-by-step journey to securing residency by investment
Work with our advisors to evaluate your goals, family situation, and investment preferences. We'll help you compare Golden Visa programs across tax efficiency, mobility benefits, processing times, and long-term citizenship potential to identify your optimal pathway.
Gather required documentation including proof of funds, clean criminal record, health insurance, and source of wealth verification. Our team ensures your application meets all compliance standards and regulatory requirements before submission. Review detailed program requirements.
Complete your qualifying investment—whether real estate purchase, fund investment, government bonds, or business capital transfer. We coordinate with vetted partners including attorneys, fund managers, and real estate agents to ensure secure, compliant transactions.
Submit your complete application to the relevant immigration authority. Processing times vary by country (3-12 months typically). We track your application status and liaise with government offices throughout the review period.
Upon approval, receive your residency permit and biometric card. We guide you through initial registration requirements, tax registration (if applicable), and help you understand your ongoing obligations including minimal stay requirements and renewal procedures.
Want a deeper understanding of program requirements? Read our comprehensive Investment Migration Guide.
Everything you need to know about Golden Visa programs
The most affordable Golden Visa programs start at approximately €250,000-€300,000. Greece, Hungary, Latvia, and Italy offer EU residency starting at €250,000. Outside Europe, Panama and Egypt offer programs starting at $300,000. However, "cheapest" doesn't always mean "best value"—consider processing times, mobility benefits, taxation, and citizenship pathways when evaluating programs.
Several EU Golden Visa programs offer pathways to citizenship: Portugal (5 years), Greece (7 years), Italy (10 years), Hungary (8 years), and Latvia (10 years). Malta offers a direct citizenship option through their premium program. Each country has specific language requirements, residency day counts, and integration criteria. Learn more in our Portugal citizenship update.
Yes, most Golden Visa programs allow you to include immediate family members: spouse/partner and dependent children (typically under 18-26 years old). Many programs also permit inclusion of dependent parents or in-laws. Family members receive the same residency rights as the main applicant. However, investment amounts may increase slightly for larger families, and each family member must pass due diligence checks. Review specific program requirements for family inclusion details.
A Golden Visa grants residency rights (permission to live and work in a country), while citizenship by investment (CBI) grants full citizenship and a passport immediately. Golden Visas typically require maintaining an investment and renewing permits, with an optional pathway to citizenship after several years of residency. CBI programs offer instant citizenship but usually require larger investments ($100,000-$200,000+). Caribbean nations like St. Kitts, Grenada, and Dominica offer CBI programs. Learn more about passport stacking strategies.
Tax obligations depend on tax residency, not immigration residency. Most Golden Visa programs have minimal or no physical presence requirements, allowing you to avoid becoming a tax resident. However, if you spend 183+ days per year in the country, you typically become a tax resident. Portugal offers NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime, UAE has 0% income tax, and Portugal's Golden Visa requires only 7 days/year presence. Consult with our advisors and tax professionals to structure your residency for optimal tax efficiency. Read our UAE vs Panama tax comparison.
Most programs require maintaining your investment for a minimum holding period (typically 5-7 years) to maintain residency validity and qualify for citizenship. Selling before the required period may result in residency permit cancellation. However, after fulfilling the minimum holding period and securing citizenship, you can typically liquidate your investment. Some programs like Greece allow rental income during the holding period. Fund investments typically have defined lock-up periods. Review our real estate vs funds analysis for detailed investment strategies.
Yes, Golden Visa programs can change or close with limited notice. Portugal ended real estate options in 2023, focusing only on fund investments. The UK and Ireland closed their programs entirely. EU-wide pressure exists to harmonize or restrict these programs due to concerns about money laundering, housing affordability, and security. However, many countries rely heavily on Golden Visa revenue and maintain strong programs. We constantly monitor regulatory changes—subscribe to our Intelligence Hub for updates. The golden rule: act on current opportunities rather than waiting for potential future programs.
Expert insights, market analysis, and comprehensive guides
In-depth analysis comparing Portugal, Greece, and Malta programs including investment structures, processing times, and citizenship pathways.
Read the full comparison →Complete breakdown of Portugal's €500K fund investment route following the closure of real estate options in 2023.
Explore Portugal funds →Which investment vehicle offers better returns, liquidity, and residency security? Data-driven comparison across EU programs.
Compare investment types →Comparative analysis of tax-optimized residency strategies in two leading jurisdictions for entrepreneurs and investors.
Read tax comparison →How to build a portfolio of residencies and citizenships for maximum global mobility, tax optimization, and risk mitigation.
Learn passport stacking →Comprehensive overview of the global residency and citizenship by investment landscape with program requirements.
Read full guide →Analysis of Mauritius's updated residency program including new investment thresholds and tax implications.
Explore Mauritius →Access our complete library of market intelligence, regulatory updates, and strategic analysis on global mobility.
Browse all intelligence →Interactive tool to explore and compare citizenship and residency options based on your specific goals and constraints.
Try the simulator →Our expert advisors will help you navigate the application process, select the optimal program for your goals, and execute your investment with confidence.