Residency by Investment

Residency by Investment Programs

It is optional to limit your life and business interests to one country. Or, you can broaden your sources and access and have the option to relocate through residence by investment programs. You can also have the right to live, work, study, and receive healthcare and education in your new country of residence.

It is of increasing importance to be able to change residence to a suitable country by making an investment in a plan B or having multiple residences. 

Investment programs grant European residency in Portugal, Greece, Spain, Malta, Italy, and other European countries. These programs are suitable for financially independent or digital nomads.

What are Leading Residence by Investment Programs?

Below, you can discover the popular investment programs.

Portugal Residency by Investment Program

Private equity or venture capital funds, cultural, artistic, or research and development contributions, and other alternatives, such as employment creation, national heritage preservation, and R&D activities, are examples of investment types. 

The country not only offers residency but also European citizenship within five years. Moreover, it is possible to get maintain their Portugal Golden Visa by spending only seven days in Portugal annually.

One of the benefits of the program is visa-free travel across EU Schengen countries. Plus, if you get citizenship as well, you can travel to 191 countries without an extra visa.

Greece Residency by Investment

Applicants of Greek Golden Visa are able to invest in real estate for a minimum stay of €250,000 and travel visa-free to EU Schengen countries. As of March 2024, the law regarding investment options has changed. See the latest updates on the Greece Golden Visa here.

So, the applicants can make profitable property investments in Europe, apply for a visa remotely with their family, and have the right to travel visa-free throughout EU Schengen countries. In addition, they can maintain residency without having to live in Greece and enjoy unlimited renewal rights.

Malta Residency by Investment

Maltese residence cards allow holders to visit EU Schengen countries with their residence cards, which can be taken through the Malta Golden Visa program. 

The minimum donation, which is one of the investment options to apply for a Malta Golden Visa, is €150,000, with no minimum stay requirement. The project allows families to apply simultaneously, allowing them to travel between Schengen countries using their Maltese resident card.

Citizens can maintain their residency even if they do not live in Malta. Property leases and acquisitions are two distinct sorts of investments. Lease agreements can be negotiated for residential homes costing €12,000 or €10,000 per year in Malta’s south or on Gozo. Purchase a home in the South of Malta or G for €350,000 or €300,000, pay an administrative fee, make a €28,000 government contribution, and donate €2,000 to a local charitable organization. Malta’s citizens also have visa-free entry into 186 countries.

Spain Residency by Investment

Spain has a Golden Visa program that permits applicants to invest in real estate properties around Spain with a minimum stay of €500,000. This program enables citizens to renew their residency in Spain with a single entry per period and travel visa-free throughout the EU Schengen countries.

The process includes selecting a property, going through the legal steps to acquire it, making an application, visiting Spain, receiving the Golden Visa, and renewing it. The system also allows Spanish citizens to travel to 190 countries with their Golden Visa. The procedure comprises selecting a property, completing the legal steps, and transferring reservation funds.

Italy Residency by Investment

Italy’s Residence by Investment Program is often known as the Italy Golden Visa. The program is meant for overseas investors who want to make a significant contribution to the country’s economy. This scheme grants them Italian residency and visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area. The minimum investment ranges from EUR 250,000 to EUR 2 million, and the processing time is three to four months.

The main advantage is the opportunity to live, work, and study in Italy. There are two main program options: the Investor Visa Program, which requires a minimum of EUR 2 million in Italian government bonds, 500,000 in Italian shares, or EUR 1 million in projects of public interest in Italy, and the Elective Residence Program, which is intended for individuals with a consistent annual income from abroad. The visa is valid for two years and renewable for another three years if the investment is maintained.

USA Residency by Investment

To obtain a Green Card through the US Immigrant Investor Program, a family member must invest a minimum of $800,000. Through this program, you can become a citizen of the United States after five years of lawful residency, receive permanent residency so you can live and work anywhere in the country, and travel to 187 countries visa-free.

With the aim of creating at least 10 full-time jobs for US citizens within two years, investment possibilities include a minimum investment of $1.05 million in a qualifying commercial firm or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area. Selecting an EB-5 project, obtaining conditional residency status, securing unconditional permanent residence, and obtaining US citizenship are the steps in the application procedure.

Advantages of Obtaining a Residence Permit in Europe

• With a resident permit, you can remain in a European nation for an extended period of time while still having unrestricted travel within Schengen nations.
• It offers opportunities for work, business, and education, as well as for children to attend European schools and receive healthcare.
• It also offers potential tax savings and the ability to take advantage of social rights.
• Moreover, there may be financial benefits and overall social advantages to residing in another state for tax purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 21 best residence programs worldwide?

Malta residence by investment, Australia residency by investment, Portugal residency by investment, Spain residency by investment, Greece residency by investment, permanent, European residency by investment, and residency by investment countries. Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Canada all offer residency by investment.

What are the differences between a residence permit and permanent residency?

A resident permit and permanent residency are two different legal statuses that you can get as a foreigner in a country. A resident permit affirms a foreigner’s right to dwell in the country and grants greater privileges than a visa. It includes the ability to acquire real estate, do business, study, use medical facilities, and travel without a visa to Schengen countries. Permanent residency permits for extended or unlimited stays. They offer greater stability and security but fewer rights than temporary residency.

Who can obtain a residence permit in Portugal by investing?

In Portugal, investors can receive a residency visa provided they meet certain criteria, such as the creation of 10 new jobs and the investment of 500 thousand euros in an eligible fund or through donation.

Who can obtain a residence permit in Malta with an investor?

Third-country nationals can get residency in Malta through investment, which includes renting a property for €10,000 or acquiring a property for €300,000 or €350,000. They might also make a government contribution of €28,000 or €58,000.

Why Get a Golden Visa residency permit?

A Golden Visa program aims to encourage applicants to contribute to a country’s economy in exchange for residency or citizenship by providing perks such as residency, education, healthcare, tax breaks, and investment incentives.

How should I choose a residence program?

To identify residency and investment programs, establish objectives, and prioritize aspects such as location, faculty expertise, and community context. Create a program list by collecting information from community physicians, alumni, and colleagues. Attending fairs, speaking with department chairs, and studying program websites all serve as research tools. Use residency search tools to keep track of your favorite programs and create a list of options.

Why do I need a golden visa or a residence in another country?

The reason to apply for a golden visa might be to make a business investment or obtain residency in another country.

The Golden Visa program is a popular residency by investment program that grants permanent residency to individuals who make significant business investments in the host country.

Obtaining residency in a foreign country often involves substantial capital investment, such as purchasing real estate or investing in local businesses.

Some countries offer a temporary residence permit to foreign investors who contribute to a venture capital fund or other investment funds.

Real estate investment is a common route for obtaining a Golden Visa, with investors purchasing property in the host country as a form of foreign direct investment.

In some residency by investment programs, the fund investment can be in the form of a donation to a government development fund or a non-refundable capital contribution.