European residency by investment (RBI) programs offer non-European Union nationals and their families the opportunity to obtain temporary or permanent residency in Europe through financial investment into the country offering said program.
Holding residency in a European Union (EU) member country is the ultimate backup option and affords peace of mind in a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable and prone to instability. Not to mention that the EU residency card grants its holder the freedom to live, work and study in the country of residency as well as the freedom to travel freely without restrictions throughout the Schengen Area. Add this to the fact that the EU RBI programs tend to be more affordable than European citizenship by investment programs, and it becomes clear why so many foreign investors prefer this route.
We take a look at which EU countries offer a residency by investment program:
What is a Residency by Investment Program?
Residency by investment programs are government-authorised processes whereby foreign nationals can obtain temporary or permanent residence status in a country through financial investment into the nation.
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Each RBI program will have different requirements and qualifying investments to be considered an eligible candidate. Once investors obtain residency, they then have the right to live, work, study and travel throughout the country where they hold a residency permit.
Benefits of EU Residency:
Each EU residency by investment program will differ from the next. As such, they will have varying benefits and advantages associated with their EU residency permits. But there a few pros that are universal:
- Most EU residency programs allow you to extend your residency and its benefits to dependent family members.
- Visa-free travel across the EU and its 26-member states.
- Access to lucrative business and investment opportunities in your host country.
- Access to high-quality education and world-class healthcare in your host country.
- Most EU residency programs have minimal or no physical residency requirements.
- Benefit from your host country’s personal and corporate tax rates.
- Plan B to put your mind at ease in times of economic or political instability in your home country.
- Enhanced lifestyle with access to attractive environments, modern comforts and first-world conveniences.
Countries Offering EU Residency by Investment:
Cyprus | from €300,000
As of 2016, the Cypriot government allows foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in the country through the Cyprus Residency by Investment Program. In exchange for a residency permit, applicants are required to purchase real estate and provide proof of a secure annual income for themselves and their dependents.
If requirements are met, this residency program can lead to Cypriot citizenship.
Portugal | from €280,000
Launched in October 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa Program is one of the more popular European RBI programs. Individuals have several investment options, including real estate, capital transfers and generating jobs. Once obtaining residency, individuals must visit Portugal for 7 days per year for 5 years to fulfil the residency requirement. After 5 years of holding residency and maintaining the program requirements along with learning Portuguese up to a basic level, individuals will be eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
You are required to visit Portugal for only 7 days per year.
Spain | from €500,000
Spain’s Golden Visa Program requires applicants to make a real estate purchase, invest in shares, or launch a business project in the country. There is no residency requirement for this program. Individuals are only required to visit Spain once in the first year to provide biometric data and then once each time the permit is renewed. A residence permit for 1 year is issued and can be renewed (for a 2-year period each time), provided that the real estate property is still owned by the applicant.
Spain has a strong economic infrastructure, benefiting its residents with a high standard lifestyle.
Greece | from €250,000
The Greece Residency by Investment program grants applicants a 5-year residency which can be renewed every 5 years. All that is required is that applicants meet the minimum criteria and make a purchase, lease or timeshare investment in real estate. The program offers a straightforward residency route with no stay requirement.
Greece offers residents and visitors mild and temperate weather conditions all year-round.
Malta | from €100,000
In addition to Malta’s million-euro economic Citizenship by Investment program, the country also has a residency by investment program that began accepting applications in 2016. Besides meeting the minimum requirements, applicants must contribute to the economic development of Malta, own or rent property in the country and invest in government stocks or bonds.
Malta has one of the lowest taxation rates in Europe.
Book A Free Consultation
When applying to any Citizenship or Residency by Investment program, please be sure to render the services of a government authorized agent and advisor like Savory & Partners. The internet is rife with fraudulent companies offering scams that promise citizenship or residency within an implausible timeframe and at an impossibly low price. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
Savory & Partners is a government-approved agency that specializes in high-net-worth individuals applying to any Citizenship or Residency by Investment program. We are a British Authorised Agent with decades of experience who has helped over 1,200 families obtain second citizenship and have a 100% success rate in the industry.
If you would like to apply to one of the Residency by Investment programs mentioned in this article or want to learn more, get in contact with us today for a free online consultation and one of our agents will happily aid you in your enquiry. All of our team members have at least 5 years’ experience in Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programs.
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