Countries with Golden Visas

Today, many European nations offer Golden Visa schemes. European Golden Visa programs are particularly well-liked because they offer visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone, access to the EU market, and high-quality educational services.

 

Portugal

The 2012 debut of Portugal's Golden Visa program made it one of the continent's most well-liked residency by investment schemes. You can apply for the program through a qualifying investment in Portugal as long as you're not a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.

 

The Investments That Qualify for Portugal's Golden Visa

• Any sort of property, anywhere in Portugal, must have a minimum investment of €500,000 (or €400,000 if it's in a low-population area).
• A minimum of €350,000 (or €280,000 if the property is in a low-population area) must be invested in a property that will be renovated and is at least 30 years old.
• €1.5 million in capital transfer to Portugal
• creation of at least 10 full-time employees in a Portuguese company with legal status
• A minimum €500,000 investment in a recognized Portuguese venture capital fund
• A €500,000 investment in Portuguese technology or scientific research
• A minimum contribution of €250,000 to the nation's arts, culture, or history

A commercial property is your only choice if you want to invest in real estate in Lisbon, Porto, or along the coast. Investors cannot obtain a Golden Visa in these locations if they own residential properties.

 

Portugal Golden Visa Advantages

• You are granted the right to do both.
• In the Schengen Area, visas are not required for travel.
• You can simply become a citizen of the European Union if you meet the qualifications.
• Family reunification makes it possible for you to enroll your family members in the program.
• To maintain your Golden Visa, you can only spend seven days a year there.
• Portugal provides a cost-effective way of life.
• You have the chance to make investments in a very promising EU nation.

 

Spain

Spain's Golden Visa initiative began in 2013. Spain is a popular place to relocate because of its rich culture, delectable cuisine, beautiful beaches, and attractive lifestyle. The Spanish Golden Visa program allows non-citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland to apply through a qualifying investment.

 

The Spanish Qualifying Investments A Golden Visa

• a €500,000 minimum investment in Spanish real estate
• Transfer of €1 million in capital to Spain
• a minimum $1 million investment in a Spanish company
• Purchasing Spanish government bonds for €2 million.

 

Spanish Golden Visa Benefits

• The procedure is quick.
• In the Schengen Area, visas are not required for travel.
• In Spain, you can work, study, and live.
• Your family may be a part of this.
• You do not have to remain in Spain to maintain your Golden Visa.

The renewal of the residency permit is not subject to residence in Spain. The only entry requirement for citizens is that they do so at least once annually. However, obtaining Spanish citizenship requires a certain amount of residency.

 

Greece

The Greek Golden Permit scheme, which was introduced in July 2013, offers a five-year residency visa in exchange for financial investment. You may apply for the program if you are at least 18 years old, a non-citizen of the EU, and you don't have any criminal convictions.

 

The Greece Qualifying Investments A Golden Visa

• Investment in Greek real estate of €250.000.
• Investment of €400,000 may be made in Greek government bonds, Greek real estate investment company bonds or shares, Greek venture capital and private equity shares, or Greek-based venture capital and private equity shares.

 

Greek Golden Visa Benefits

• The procedure is quick and simple.
• You are granted the freedom to travel visa-free within the whole Schengen Area.
• You are entitled to reside in Greece.
• In Greece, you can utilize the public health system and the educational system.
• Compared to other programs, you are just required to invest a small amount of money.
• You can include your partner, kids, parents, and in-laws.
• Greece is not a requirement for you to maintain your Golden Visa.

As long as the property investment is maintained, a five-year residency visa is issued, which is then renewed every five years. Only after seven years of continuous residency in Greece is citizenship awarded. Approximately two to three months are needed to complete the Greece Golden Visa application process.

 

Cyprus

 Applicants must invest €2,15,000,000 in real estate in Cyprus in order to take advantage of the shortest and most certain route to European citizenship. Within six months of application, EU citizenship is offered under the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment program. Anyone with a passport from Cyprus is eligible to work, travel, enroll in school, and reside anywhere in the EU. The citizen can travel to nations like Germany, France, and the UK without a visa. Moreover, after three years in the Cyprus CIP, the investment amount might be lowered to €500,000.

Please be aware that the program for obtaining a Cyprus citizenship by investment expired at the end of 2020. It's uncertain whether it will ever be turned on again.

 

Malta 

The Citizenship by Investment Program in Malta caters mostly to wealthy people. The initiative, also known as the Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP), calls for a minimum donation to the government-established national development fund of €600,000. You must also make a $10,000 investment in financial instruments that have been authorized by the government and agree to buy or rent a home in Malta for five years. Real estate purchases must have a minimum property value of €700,000. You are eligible to apply for Maltese citizenship and get an EU passport after a year of residency. Anywhere in the EU is legal for a Maltese citizen to live, study, and work.

Additionally, Malta has a unique residency program. Although the investment is far more affordable, it is important to realize that it does not result in Maltese citizenship.

• Purchase of a Maltese investment property that must be kept for at least five years and be worth at least €700,000 qualifies as one of the qualifying investments for Malta citizenship.
• a signed home leasing contract for five years with a minimum yearly value of €16,000

 

A donation is necessary

• A contribution of €600,000 from the primary applicant and a residency requirement of 36 months.
• contribution of €10,000 to a group that has been authorized by the Community Malta Agency.
• Contribution of €750,000 from the primary applicant, with a 12-month residency requirement.
• contribution of €10,000 to a group that has been given the go-ahead from the Community Malta Agency.

 

St. Kitts and Nevis

 The first citizenship by investment program was the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, which was introduced in 1984. The plan welcomes gifts or investments in real estate. You must give the Sustainable Growth Fund a minimum donation of $150,000 in order to participate in the program (SGF). As an alternative, you may invest $400,000 in property in St. Kitts & Nevis. You can receive your passport in a maximum of six months after investing in the program.

 

Real estate

• Investment of $400,000 in a government-approved real estate development. A minimum of five years will need to pass after the property is acquired.
• Investment of $200,000 in a government-approved real estate development. A minimum of seven years will need to pass after the property is acquired.

 

Optional donation

• Make a contribution of $150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund for a single principal application (SGF).
• Donate $195,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund for a single principal applicant (SGF).

 

Antigua and Barbuda

 Investors can obtain an economic passport under Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program. You have a few options for how you want to use the application to your advantage. You might opt to give the Antigua National Development Fund $100,000. Another choice is to put $1.5 million toward starting a company. As an alternative, you can put down $400,000 (which can be cut to $200,000 for connected investors) in a real estate project that has received government approval. Visa-free entry is possible in more than 150 countries, including the Schengen region, with an Antigua and Barbuda passport. Additionally, the nation just requires five days of residence annually. A passport and citizenship from Antigua and Barbuda can be obtained in around six months.

Real estate is one of the acceptable investments for citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda.

• Investment of $400,000 in a government-approved real estate development. A minimum of five years will need to pass after the property is acquired.

 

Donation Option

• Give $100,000 to the National Development Fund as a donation (NDF).

 

Turkey

Investors can choose from a number of options to become a citizen of the Republic of Turkey. Real estate is a good place to put down a minimum investment of $400,000. Additionally, a business with a minimum capital of $500,000 is open to investment. Last but not least, you may deposit $500,000 in Turkish state-run banks or investment vehicles as long as you keep the investment for three years. Another possibility for obtaining Turkish citizenship by investment is to create jobs for at least 50 individuals.

Obtaining Turkish citizenship by investment typically takes three to six months.

 

The Turkey Qualifying Investments Investment-Based Citizenship

• purchase of a property with a three-year ownership period and a minimum value of $400,000
• purchasing and holding for a minimum of three years of government bonds worth at least $500,000.
• creation of a company that provides at least 50 people with jobs
• A minimum capital investment of $500,000.
• A $500,000 deposit must be retained in Turkish banks for at least three years.
• Investment of $500,000 for at least three years in a real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund.

 

The United States

Investors can obtain the EB-5 visa by making investments in government-approved enterprises all around the United States of America. With this visa, you can live permanently in the US. You also have the freedom to pursue an education, live, work, study, and retire in the United States because of this. When the project is finished, you can also get your initial investment returned. You must spend at least half of each year living in the United States, according to US law.

You should anticipate receiving your residency in 20 to 26 months due to the program's lengthy processing time.

 

The United States Immigrant Investor Program's Qualifying Investments

• $1.05 million invested in an investment that qualifies
• Investment of $800,000 in a TEA with the goal of producing at least 10 full-time jobs for US citizens within two years.