A Golden Visa is a program that grants residence in a country in exchange for a qualifying investment, such as real estate, business funding, or government contributions.
But Golden Visas are no longer just about relocating or increasing visa-free travel. According to the briefing “The Power of Global Wealth Mobility in an Unstable World”, developed by our Global Intelligence Unit (GIU), these programs are used as part of a broader wealth, tax, and geopolitical risk planning.
Demand is also shifting. The growing number of applicants from countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom reflects a move away from purely investment-driven migration toward motivations tied to “lifestyle, mobility, and long-term quality of life.”
In 2026, more than a dozen countries have Golden Visa programs. Minimum investments range from around €50,000 for the Latvia Golden Visa to over $10 million for the Singapore Global Investor Program (GIP).
This guide lists 21 Golden Visa countries available in 2026, including Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Malta. It highlights how each program works, so you can choose the one that best suits your international mobility and long-term contingency planning.
Golden Visa: Key Takeaways
What is a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa is a program that grants residence to foreigners who make a qualifying investment in a country’s economy. It was created to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth.
Investment types vary by program. Some of the most popular include real estate purchases, business or fund investments, government contributions, or job creation. Each option has its own minimum amount.
Most Golden Visas, such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Malta, allow family inclusion, meaning you can bring your spouse and children with you.
Once approved, applicants receive a residence permit that must be renewed in accordance with the program’s rules. In countries such as Portugal and Italy, this residence status can lead to permanent residency or citizenship after a defined period.
Most Golden Visa programs have low or no minimum stay requirements, allowing investors to keep living and working in their home country while maintaining residence status abroad.
Golden Visas are different from citizenship-by-investment programs, which grant full citizenship rights directly.
What are the benefits of Golden Visas?
01/ International residency
Holding a residence permit in a Golden Visa country gives you the legal right to live, work, and study there.
A Golden Visa can also expand your travel access. For example, with a European Golden Visa, you can enjoy travel across the entire Schengen Area without additional visas.
02/ Pathway to a second citizenship
Several Golden Visa programs, such as those in Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Portugal, and New Zealand, lead to citizenship after a set period. Citizenship provides a second passport, which can increase visa-free travel options and, in some cases, be passed on to future generations.
03/ Low or no minimum stay requirements
Programs such as Malta, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus have no stay requirements. This means you can maintain your residence permit without relocating full-time, allowing you to keep your current job, business, and tax residency while still having a second base abroad.
04/ Family inclusion
Golden Visa programs allow applicants to include close family members in the same application. This can cover spouses, dependent children, and, in some cases, parents. As a result, your family members receive the same residence rights as you, allowing them to live, work, and study in the host country.
05/ Access to stable countries
The GIU briefing “The Power of Global Wealth Mobility in an Unstable World” notes that geopolitical risks, sanctions, abrupt regulatory changes, and banking restrictions are influencing relocation decisions among globally mobile families and investors. As a result, residence rights in politically stable jurisdictions are viewed as a long-term security strategy rather than simply a lifestyle benefit.
Several Golden Visa countries, especially those in the European Union (EU), are consistently ranked among the world’s safest, performing strongly in indices such as the Global Peace Index. This means lower exposure to political or economic instability in times of uncertainty.
06/ Better healthcare and education
Residence abroad can provide access to better healthcare. Singapore and Switzerland, for instance, are renowned for having some of the world’s best healthcare systems, characterized by efficiency and high-quality care. Portugal has a universal healthcare system that offers mostly free coverage, supplemented by private insurance.
Many of these countries also excel in education, with prestigious schools and universities that rank highly in our 2025 Global Education Report.
07/ Plan B
A second residence permit is a contingency plan that gives you the right to relocate if your situation changes. For example, if conditions in your home country shift, you already have the ability to move abroad.
08/ Tax benefits
Switzerland, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, and other Golden Visa destinations offer tax advantages for new residents. These schemes can significantly reduce the tax burden and help investors maximize their income.
21 Countries With Golden Visa Programs in 2026
01/ Greece Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €250,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after five years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after seven years
Stay requirement: None
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Four months
The Greece Golden Visa is considered the best residency-by-investment program in our RCBI Report thanks to its easy procedure, high mobility, and the country’s excellent quality of life.
Greece’s Golden Visa minimum investment starts at €250,000 for commercial real estate or the restoration of a heritage building. Other options include €400,000 for residential property, €500,000 through investment or bank deposit, and €800,000 for property in Athens, Thessaloniki, and certain islands.
According to Adalberto Pucca, our Head of Global Mobility Solutions, “Greece remains one of the few jurisdictions where real estate investment is still a core pathway within the Golden Visa framework, making it particularly appealing for clients interested in this type of investment.“
The Greek Golden Visa program allows investors to include family members and has a processing time of around four months, making it one of the fastest European Golden Visas in 2026.
Other benefits of Greece’s Golden Visa include living in a country home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches while enjoying visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
Permanent residency can be obtained after five years, and Greek citizenship after seven, offering a clear path to long-term access to Europe.
For those seeking financial optimization, the country has the Greece Flat Tax Regime. Under the scheme, retirees who transfer their tax residence to Greece pay a flat 7 percent on foreign pension income. High-net-worth individuals can opt into a flat annual tax of €100,000 on foreign income, instead of progressive rates that can reach 45 percent.
02/ Portugal Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €250,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after five years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after 10 years (seven for EU and CPLP nationals)
Stay requirement: Seven days in the first year and then 14 days every two years
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: 18 to 24 months
The Portugal Golden Visa is one of Europe’s most popular residency-by-investment programs. Launched in 2012, it allows non-EU nationals to live in Portugal in exchange for a minimum investment. The options are:
- €250,000 donation to the arts or to the restoration of Portuguese cultural heritage
- €500,000 investment into approved funds
- €500,000 transfer to scientific research
- Company formation with five full-time jobs
- The creation of 10 full-time jobs
These figures are reduced by 20 percent when the investment is conducted in low-density areas.
The Portugal Golden Visa program also stands out for its low minimum stay requirement of just seven days per year, allowing you to maintain status without relocating full-time. Family members, including spouses and dependent children, can be included in the same application.
After five years, Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residency in Portugal. It’s still possible to acquire Portuguese citizenship, but as of May 2026, the timeline has increased to 10 years (seven for EU and CPLP nationals).
A Portuguese passport is still advantageous, as it gives you the right to live, work, and study in any EU country.
Portugal is also popular among foreign investors due to its high quality of life, ranking first in our 2025 Global Retirement Report as the world’s best place to retire. The country is also the seventh-safest in the world, according to the Global Peace Index, offers access to public healthcare, and graces residents with 300 sunny days a year.
03/ Malta Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €53,000 (rental route) or €414,000 (purchase route)
Permanent residency: Yes, immediately
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after 10 to 15 years
Stay requirement: None
Family inclusion: Yes, up to five generations
Processing time: Up to 12 months
The Malta Residency by Investment Program (MPRP) is one of the few Golden Visas that grant permanent residency from the start.
To apply for Malta’s Golden Visa, applicants must demonstrate assets of at least €500,000 (including €150,000 in financial assets) or €650,000 (including €75,000 in financial assets), invest in property through purchase (€375,000) or rent (€14,000 per year), and make a government contribution of €37,000 plus a €2,000 donation.
One of the main advantages of this EU Golden Visa is that it allows applicants to include up to five generations of their family under a single application.
The Malta Golden Visa also has no minimum stay requirement to maintain residency. This means investors can maintain permanent residence in Malta without relocating, while retaining full flexibility over where they live.
Malta’s high living standards are an additional highlight. This English-speaking EU country, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, is praised for its pleasant year-round weather and progressive environment, consistently ranking among the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world in the ILGA Rainbow Europe Index.
High-net-worth individuals will particularly enjoy Malta’s tax system. Non-domiciled residents are taxed only on income brought into Malta, which allows international income to remain outside the Maltese tax net if not remitted.
04/ Cyprus Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €300,000
Permanent residency: Yes, immediately
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after seven years
Stay requirement: Visit Cyprus at least once every two years
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Two to four months
The Cyprus Golden Visa has one of the shorter processing timelines among European Golden Visas, granting permanent residence in two to four months.
To qualify, applicants must invest at least €300,000 in approved assets, such as residential or commercial property or shares in a Cypriot company or investment organization, and demonstrate annual foreign income of at least €50,000.
Spouses and dependent children under 25 can be added to the Cyprus Golden Visa application, allowing families to obtain EU residency together.
The Cyprus Non-Dom Tax Residence is an additional benefit for investors. This regime exempts foreign residents from tax on worldwide dividends, interest, and most capital gains for up to 17 years. There is also no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, no gift tax, and the corporate tax rate sits at 15 percent.
After seven years of residency, applicants may apply for Cypriot citizenship. While Cyprus is not part of the Schengen Area, residency still provides a long-term base within the European Union.
05/ Italy Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €250,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after five years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after 10 years
Stay requirement: None
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Three to four months
The Italy Golden Visa stands out for its streamlined application process and shorter timelines. According to Pucca, Italy is gaining traction and being positioned as a more competitive option than in previous years.
Also known as the Investor Visa, the program is processed in around three to four months and does not require applicants to live in Italy full-time, making it ideal for those who want EU residency without the obligation to relocate.
The minimum investment for the Italian Golden Visa is €250,000 for the innovative startup project. Other options include €500,000 in Italian companies, €1,000,000 as a donation to a public project, or €2,000,000 in government bonds.
Italy’s Golden Visa grants a two-year renewable residence permit and allows applicants to include spouses, children, and dependent family members.
With residence in Italy, investors and their family members are granted visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, and permanent residency can be obtained after five years, with eligibility for Italian citizenship after 10 years.
An Italian passport ranks 23rd on our Global Passport Index, provides visa-free access to over 120 countries, and grants the right to live and work across the European Union.
Italy’s Flat Tax Regime for new residents, which allows eligible individuals to pay a fixed €300,000 per year on foreign-sourced income, adds to the country’s appeal for foreign investors.
06/ Latvia Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €50,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after five years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after five years
Stay requirement: None
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Two to three months
The Latvia Golden Visa is one of the most affordable Golden Visas in the world, with a starting investment of €50,000 in a local company with fewer than 50 employees.
Other investment routes include €100,000 for larger businesses, €250,000 in real estate or government bonds, and €280,000 as a bank deposit.
Latvia’s Golden Visa program is processed in around two to three months, making it one of the fastest residency-by-investment options in the EU.
Successful applicants and family members, such as spouses and dependent children, are granted residency with no requirement to live in Latvia full-time. They also gain visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.
Permanent residency in Latvia can be obtained after five years, with eligibility for citizenship after an additional five years.
Latvia’s Golden Visa is the ideal option for those seeking a lower-cost entry into the EU. The program not only has a lower minimum investment than other Golden Visas, but Latvia also offers a more affordable cost of living than several Western European countries.
07/ Hungary Golden Visa
Minimum investment: €250,000
Permanent residency: Yes
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after eight years
Stay requirement: None
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Three months
Launched in 2024, the Hungary Golden Visa grants a 10-year residence permit from the start. It’s renewable for another 10 years, and after eight years of residency, applicants are eligible for Hungarian citizenship.
Officially known as the Guest Investor Program (GIP), the program has two investment routes: a €250,000 investment in a real estate fund or a €1,000,000 donation to a public trust supporting higher education.
Applications are processed in around three months, and applicants receive pre-approval before completing the investment, reducing the risk of rejection.
Investors can include spouses, children, and dependents in their application, and the program has no minimum stay requirement. This means you can hold long-term residence in Hungary while having full flexibility over where you live. Hungary is also a Schengen member, which allows visa-free travel across European countries.
Hungary has a lower cost of living than many Western European countries, with living costs significantly lower than in the UK, and offers a flat personal income tax rate of 15 percent for tax residents, making it a cost-efficient option for investors.
08/ Serbia Residency by Investment
Minimum investment: None. Applicants only must purchase residential/commercial property anywhere in the country
Permanent residency: Yes, after three years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after six years
Stay requirement: At least 183 days per year
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: 30-60 days
The Serbian RBI program is appealing because it has no minimum investment requirement.
Applicants can purchase residential or commercial property anywhere in the country and obtain temporary residency within 30 to 60 days of the purchase. This makes it one of the more accessible entry points for investors seeking European residency.
The program includes spouses, dependent children, and parents aged 65 or older. Residency can lead to permanent residency after three years and citizenship after a further 3 years.
Another attractive advantage is that Serbia is a treaty country with the United States. This means that Serbian citizens are allowed to apply for the E-2 Visa, and acquire U.S. residency through investment.
Serbia has a lower cost of living, with everyday expenses significantly lower than in markets like the United States. Additionally, the tax system applies flat rates of 10 percent to 20 percent, depending on income type, and there is no inheritance or wealth tax.
And while not officially called a Golden Visa, the scheme still grants residence rights in exchange for buying property in the country.
09/ EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa – USA
Minimum investment: $800,000
Permanent residency: Yes, immediately
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after five years
Stay requirement: At least 183 days per year
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Three to five years
The EB-5 Visa grants investors and eligible family members a Green Card in the United States.
There are two qualifying investment options: $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area or $1,050,000 in other qualifying projects. All EB-5 investors must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers for a minimum of two years.
Applicants are expected to spend at least 183 days per year in the US until they meet the requirements for permanent residency.
After five years of permanent residence, investors can acquire U.S. citizenship and a passport.
With a U.S. passport, investors and their families can live, work, and study indefinitely in the United States, access one of the world’s largest economies, and travel visa-free to over 170 countries.
10/ E2 Visa – USA
Minimum investment: None
Permanent residency: No
Pathway to citizenship: No
Stay requirement: No minimum stay. Maximum stay of two years per entry
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Two weeks to six months
The E-2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the United States by investing in and operating a U.S. business.
There is no minimum investment required. However, applicants must commit a substantial amount of capital to a real, active enterprise. Investments usually start around $100,000, depending on the business and its total cost.
The E-2 Visa is granted for up to two years and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business remains active. Processing can take from two weeks to six months.
Similar to the EB-5 program, the E-2 Visa allows the main applicant to include their spouse and dependent children in the application. However, it does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
Applicants who want a Green Card must transition to another immigration route, such as the EB-5 Visa, which requires a higher investment and job creation.
11/ United Arab Emirates
Minimum investment: AED 500K
Permanent residency: No, only long-term, renewable residency
Pathway to citizenship: No
Stay requirement: No
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: One to eight weeks
The UAE Golden Visa opens the door to long-term residency in a global business hub with competitive tax benefits, without requiring a local sponsor.
Ranked as the seventh-best residency-by-investment program in the world in our Global RCBI Index 2025, the program grants five or 10-year residence permits with processing times of one to eight weeks.
The UAE Golden Visa is available to multiple profiles, including investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and content creators. Some routes, like the UAE Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs starting at AED 500K, while other pathways like the Outstanding Specialized Talent for Executive Director require a minimum salary of AED 50,000 a month.
UAE Golden Visa holders can sponsor spouses, children, parents, and domestic staff.
Not to mention the favorable tax environment with no personal income, capital gains, or inheritance tax, while VAT is set at 5 percent and corporate tax at 9 percent above AED 375,000.
According to Laura Madrid, Research Lead at Global Citizen Solutions’ Intelligence Unit, the UAE Golden Visa provides competitive advantages as the UAE “has established itself as a key destination for foreign direct investment in the MENA region, accounting for 31% of total regional FDI in 2023, amounting to $30.7 billion.“
12/ New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP)
Minimum investment: NZ$5 million
Permanent residency: Yes, after three years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after five years
Stay requirement: Yes, two to three months per year
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: 35 days
The New Zealand Golden Visa allows foreign investors to get residency in a country known for its stable environment and high quality of life.
Ranked 10th in the world’s best residency-by-investment program in our Global RCBI Report 2025, the New Zealand Golden Visa attracted NZ$3.9 billion (around $2.3 billion) in committed and planned investment during its first year.
It offers two main investment pathways. Applicants can either invest a minimum of NZ$5 million in the Growth category or NZ$10 million in the Balanced category.
As of June 2026, applicants in the Growth category can allocate up to 20 percent of their required NZ$5 million investment to eligible philanthropic donations.
Successful applicants gain long-term residency in New Zealand, with a pathway to permanent residency after three years, and eligibility for citizenship after five years. A New Zealand passport also provides the right to live and work in Australia.
Processing time is relatively quick, taking around 35 working days, and the program allows applicants to include a partner and dependent children up to age 24.
New Zealand’s tax system, with no inheritance, estate, or wealth taxes, adds to the program’s appeal.
13/ Costa Rica Active Investor Visa
Minimum investment: $150,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after three years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after seven years
Stay requirement: One visit per year
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Four to nine months
With a short-stay requirement of one day per year, Costa Rica’s Investor Visa is designed for those who want residency without relocating full-time.
Also known as the Costa Rica Golden Visa, the program requires a minimum investment of $150,000 in assets such as real estate, active businesses, or approved projects in sectors like tourism or forestry.
Successful applicants and family members, such as spouses and children, are granted a two-year temporary residence permit, renewable for another two years. It’s possible to acquire permanent residency after three years and citizenship after seven years of continuous legal residence.
Those who opt to relocate to Costa Rica will enjoy a country known for its unmatched natural beauty, affordable private healthcare, high safety levels, and overall quality of life.
Because Costa Rica taxes only locally sourced income, any foreign income remains outside the tax system, a significant advantage for investors earning income abroad.
14/ Luxembourg Residency by Investment
Minimum investment: €500,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after five years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after five years
Stay requirement: At least six months in the country
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Six months
One of the wealthiest countries in the world by GDP per capita, Luxembourg has a residence-by-investment program focused on business and capital deployment rather than real estate.
The Luxembourg Golden Visa was introduced in 2017 and requires a minimum investment of €500,000 into an existing Luxembourg company. Other qualifying investment options include:
- A minimum of €500,000 into a new Luxembourg company, with the creation of at least five jobs in the following three years
- A minimum of €3 million into an existing or new investment or management structure, with a registered office in Luxembourg
- A minimum of €20 million by deposit into a financial institution established in Luxembourg, which must be maintained for at least five years
The residence permit is granted for up to three years and can be renewed. Applicants can include spouses and dependent children under the same application. After five years of continuous residence, investors can apply for Luxembourgish citizenship.
Ranked fourth among the best residency-by-investment programs in our 2025 RCBI Index, Luxembourg’s Golden Visa is ideal for investors seeking access to a stable political and economic environment in the heart of Europe.
15/ Singapore Global Investor Program (GIP)
Minimum investment: S$10 million
Permanent residency: Yes, immediately
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, two years
Stay requirement: No
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Nine-12 months
Singapore’s Global Investor Program grants immediate permanent residency to high-net-worth individuals who invest significant capital in the country’s economy.
There are three qualifying investment routes for Singapore’s Golden Visa:
- S$10 million in a new or existing business
- S$25 million in a GIP-approved fund,
- Establish a single-family office with at least S$200 million in assets under management, with a portion deployed locally.
There’s no minimum stay requirement. After two years, foreigners can apply for citizenship and acquire the Singaporean passport, ranked as the ninth-strongest in the world in our 2025 Global Passport Index, and providing visa-free access to over 130 countries. However, Singapore requires applicants to renounce their previous citizenship upon naturalization.
In our Global Atlas of Risk and Readiness Report 2026, a comparative framework that assesses competitiveness and long-term resilience across national economies, Singapore stands out to investors for its economic stability, governance, and technological capabilities.
The country also has a territorial tax system, with personal income tax rates ranging from zero to 24 percent and no capital gains or inheritance tax.
16/ Panama Qualified Investor Visa (QIV)
Minimum investment: $300,000
Permanent residency: Yes, immediately
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after five years
Stay requirement: Once every two years
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: 30 to 90 days
If you want permanent residency in a Central American country, the Panama Qualified Investor Visa (QIV) has one of the fastest routes available.
The program grants permanent residency from the start, with processing in as little as 30 days. Applicants can qualify by investing $300,000 in real estate (increasing to $500,000 after 15 October 2026), $500,000 in Panamanian securities, or $750,000 through a fixed-term bank deposit.
The program includes spouses, children, and parents in the same application, and to maintain residency status, investors only need to visit Panama at least once every two years.
After five years of continuous residence, applicants can apply for Panamanian citizenship
Panama also has a territorial tax system, meaning only income earned within the country is taxed, while foreign income remains outside the tax base.
17/ Brazil Investment Visa (VIPER)
Minimum investment: R$150,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after four years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after four years
Stay requirement: 14 days in Brazil every two years
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Three to eight months
Brazil’s Investment Visa (VIPER) is one of the most affordable Golden Visas in 2026.
Applicants can qualify through two main routes: the real estate route and the business investment route. Real estate purchases start at R$1,000,000 in urban centers or R$700,000 in the North and Northeast. The business investment routes start at R$500,000, with a reduced threshold of R$150,000 for approved startups in technology, AI, and green energy.
The processing time is three to eight months, and through the Brazil Investment Visa program, applicants receive a 4-year temporary residence permit. They can apply for permanent residency after 4 years and for citizenship after an additional 4 years.
With a Brazilian passport, investors can access an entire continent through the Mercosur Residence Agreement. The block comprises nine countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Citizens of any participating country can obtain residency in all the others.
Investors can include spouses, partners, and dependent children in the Brazil Investor Visa application, and are required to spend at least 14 days in Brazil every two years to maintain residency.
18/ Mauritius Residence by Investment
Minimum investment: $375,000
Permanent residency: Yes, immediately
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, seven years
Stay requirement: No
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Two to four months
Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is an island country off the eastern coast of Africa. It’s an attractive place for investors, not only for its tropical climate and idyllic beaches, but also for its Golden Visa scheme.
In exchange for a minimum investment of $375,000 in government-approved developments, foreigners can obtain immediate permanent residency on the island. The permit is valid for up to 20 years and is renewable.
Applications are processed within two to four months and include spouse and dependent family members.
After seven years, applicants are eligible for citizenship. Mauritius also has the second-strongest African passport, according to our Global Passport Index 2025.
There’s another benefit for investors: Mauritius is a low-tax country designed to attract high-net-worth individuals. It has no capital gains tax, no withholding tax on dividends, and a flat 15 percent corporate and personal income tax rate.
19/ Monaco Residency by Investment
Minimum investment: €500,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after 10 years, alongside citizenship
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after 10 years (subject to the approval of Monaco’s Sovereign Prince)
Stay requirement: Six months per year
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Three months
Nestled on the French Riviera, Monaco is a haven for high-net-worth individuals. The country has its own Golden Visa scheme, which grants residency to foreign nationals who deposit at least €500,000 in a Monaco bank account.
The Monaco Golden Visa process takes around three months and allows the main applicant to include their spouse and financially dependent children.
Residents can travel freely across the Schengen Area and enjoy life in a Mediterranean country with one of the highest police-to-resident ratios in the world, which directly translates into very low crime levels.
After 10 years of continuous residence, investors can apply for citizenship, although Monaco requires renunciation of previous nationalities.
With a GDP of almost $9 billion, Monaco has one of the highest concentrations of wealth in the world. The country is a tax haven, with no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax.
20/ Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
Minimum investment: HKD 30 million
Permanent residency: Yes, after 10 years, alongside citizenship
Pathway to citizenship: No
Stay requirement: No
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: Six to nine months
A financial gateway to mainland China, Hong Kong launched, in 2024, a residency program through capital deployment. It requires a minimum investment of HKD 30 million in permissible assets, along with proof of net assets of HKD 10 million or more.
Officially named the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the program grants an initial 24-month stay, renewable if the applicant meets the requirements. While there is no minimum stay requirement to hold the visa, those seeking permanent residency must have seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong.
Investors can also include spouses and dependent family members under the same application.
Hong Kong is a major global financial center, offering direct access to the Chinese market, one of the world’s largest economies. It also has a low, territorial-based tax system with no capital gains tax or withholding tax on dividends.
21/ Montenegro Residency by Investment
Minimum investment: €150,000
Permanent residency: Yes, after five years
Pathway to citizenship: Yes, after 10 years
Stay requirement: No
Family inclusion: Yes
Processing time: One to three months
Positioned on the Adriatic coast, Montenegro rewards investors with a coastal lifestyle and one of the lowest tax rates in Europe.
Investors can move to Montenegro through its residency-by-investment program. There are two main pathways: through real estate acquisition starting at €150,000 or by establishing a local company.
The Montenegro residence permit is issued for one year and renewed annually. After five years of continuous residence, applicants can apply for permanent residency. Family reunification, including spouses, dependent family members, and same-sex partners, is also allowed.
Montenegro is a candidate for EU accession, with a target timeline toward the end of 2028.
Is a Golden Visa the same as Citizenship by Investment?
No, a Golden Visa is not the same thing as citizenship by investment (CBI). Golden Visa programs grant residency in a country in exchange for a qualifying investment. CBI programs, on the other hand, provide investors with immediate citizenship and a second passport in exchange for an investment.
What are the common Golden Visa investment options?
Golden Visa investment options differ from country to country. These are some of the most common investment pathways available.
01/ Real estate purchases
Buying property is one of the best-known Golden Visa investments. Investors can purchase residential property, commercial spaces, or approved development projects. In countries such as Greece, real estate remains central to the program, while Portugal removed this route from its Golden Visa in 2023.
For many investors, real estate serves two purposes at once: providing foreign residency while acquiring a physical asset abroad that can be used as a second home or rented out.
02/ Business investment
Some countries grant residency to applicants who invest in local companies, launch businesses, or create jobs. These programs are designed to attract foreign capital into the local economy.
This route is attractive to entrepreneurs and investors who want direct exposure to another market rather than purchasing property.
03/ Bank deposits
Certain Golden Visas allow applicants to qualify by depositing funds into a local bank. This route does not require managing property or operating a company, and the capital remains deposited with the financial institution until the holding period ends.
04/ Government bonds
This route requires investors to lend money to the state in exchange for fixed interest payments over time. Government bonds are ideal for those seeking state-backed investments rather than direct exposure to property or private companies.
05/ Arts and cultural contributions
Some countries offer residency to foreigners who invest in cultural, artistic, or heritage projects.
One of the most popular Golden Visas with that route is Portugal’s. Through the Portugal Cultural Golden Visa pathway, investors can contribute to initiatives such as museum programs, exhibitions, theatre productions, and even the restoration of historical landmarks. This route has generated more than €22 million in funding for cultural projects across Portugal.
One investor who chose this option was Gustavo Fonseca, a Colombian physician and researcher based in the United States. Assisted by Global Citizen Solutions, he made his contribution to Porto’s Serralves Foundation, supporting a project focused on bringing children into museums and cultural activities. “We wanted to invest in a project that brings children to the museum and its activities,” Fonseca explains. “The Serralves Foundation stood out as the best reflection of our values.”
What are the Golden Visa requirements?
Golden Visa requirements vary by country, so there is no single checklist that applies to every program. At Global Citizen Solutions, our consultants help investors understand each country’s requirements before starting the application process.
However, these are some of the most common Golden Visa requirements:
- Clean criminal record: Applicants are required to provide criminal record certificates from their country of residence to prove whether they pose a security, financial crime, or reputational risk to the country.
- Proof of the legal source of funds: Governments require evidence that the investment funds were obtained legally. This can include salary records, business income, and property sales.
- Health insurance: Many countries require private or public health insurance coverage for the duration of the residency permit.
- Due diligence checks: Governments conduct background checks before approving residency applications. These can include banking history and source-of-wealth verification.
- Minimum stay requirements: Some Golden Visa programs require applicants to spend a minimum number of days in the country to renew residency permits or qualify for permanent residency and citizenship.
How to apply for a Golden Visa?
Step 01/ Speak to advisors
Speaking to advisors helps you choose the Golden Visa program that best suits your goals and long-term plans.
At Global Citizen Solutions, our consultants help investors compare programs based on factors such as citizenship timelines, tax systems, processing times, family inclusion, and stay requirements. Professional guidance can also avoid delays caused by incomplete or incorrect documentation.
Step 02/ Select an investment route
Once you choose a country, select a qualifying investment pathway. This can include real estate acquisition, investment funds, company shares, government bonds, bank deposits, or cultural donations.
Step 03/ Prepare the documentation
Golden Visa applications require supporting documents such as passports, proof of address, criminal record certificates, health insurance, and evidence showing the legal source of investment funds. Depending on the country, documents may also need to be translated, apostilled, or legalized.
At Global Citizen Solutions, our team manages this process on your behalf.
Step 04/ Submit the application
Once the documentation and investment route are finalized, the application is submitted to the relevant immigration or government authority.
Step 05/ Receive the residence permit
Once the Golden Visa application process is finalized, applicants receive a residence permit. Depending on the country, the permit may be temporary or permanent from the start.
Step 06/ Renew residency status
Many Golden Visa programs require permit renewals every few years. Conditions can include maintaining the investment, meeting minimum stay requirements, and updating documentation.
Step 07/ Apply for permanent residency or citizenship
Some Golden Visa programs offer a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship after a defined period. Citizenship applications can include additional requirements such as language exams, physical residence periods, or integration tests.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
