A Golden Visa is a Residency by Investment (RBI) program that allows investors to acquire residence rights in a country. These rights are provided in exchange for financial contributions to the country such as purchasing real estate, investing in a business, or donating to the government.
Golden Visa programs have a range of attractive benefits. These include the opportunity to live and work in a foreign country, tax advantages, family inclusion, and a pathway to second citizenship.
Some of the most popular Golden Visas in are offered by European countries such as Portugal, Greece, Italy and Malta. Our article will explain what Golden Visas are, which countries offer them, how much they cost, and how they can benefit you.
Key Takeaways
What is a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa is an RBI program that enables individuals to make an investment in a country in exchange for the right of residence. These investments can be made in real estate, business, government, banks, and job-creating projects.
These visas allow investors to enjoy the benefits of residency in another nation, like the right to live, study, and, often, work. Additionally, Golden Visa holders can usually use the services of the new country like healthcare.
Golden Visas can lead to permanent residency and/or citizenship after several years of following the naturalization process of your chosen country.
Benefits of Golden Visas
- Pathway to Citizenship: Most Golden Visas and RBI programs provide a pathway to citizenship. For example, successful applicants can acquire Portuguese citizenship after five years.
- Residency: Securing a second residence allows for a great deal of international flexibility for both you, your family, and your assets.
- Stability and Security: Golden Visa countries, like those in the EU, have stable political and economic environments for investors. Additionally, these nations have advanced infrastructure, and low crime rates.
- Healthcare and Education: These priorities are satisfied through a Golden Visa as these nations tend to have some of the highest standards in the world.
- Flexibility and Diversification: Golden Visa programs offer options for investors. This can range from real estate to job creation, and it enables individuals to diversify their assets with international markets.
- Expanded Travel: Residency in an EU country like Greece, Portugal and Italy, for example, enables travel throughout the Schengen Area. This can greatly increase the global access that an investor, and their family, has.
- Family Inclusion: Programs allow dependents including your spouse, children, and sometimes parents, grandparents, and siblings. This enables you to enjoy the benefits of your residency with your family.
- Minimal Physical Requirements: Many Golden Visa programs do not require extensive stays in the nation to retain residence. Additionally, some programs have no stay requirements whatsoever.
- Plan B and Future Security: Acquiring another residency allows investors to feel secure that they have options should their home country become unstable. This can an as a plan B in times of turmoil and uncertainty.
- Favorable Tax Regimes: Countries that offer RBI also tend to have more favorable tax environments for investors with no or low-income tax, and the absence of some taxes like capital gains, wealth, and inheritance.
17 Best Countries Offering Golden Visa Programs in 2026
01/ Portugal
The Portugal Golden Visa starting cost is €200,000 and the program provides non-EU citizens with residency. Once the visa has been held for five years, the investor may apply for citizenship in Portugal. This benefit also applies to the family of the investor.
Investment Options:
- €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
- The creation of 10 full-time jobs
These figures are reduced by 20% when the investment is conducted in low-density areas. This is an area with fewer than 100 people per square kilometer or a GDP per capita of less than 75% of the national average.
Additional Benefits:
- Visa-free travel in the Schengen Area
- Includes your spouse, children, and dependents
- Only 7 days per year are required to spent in Portugal
- No language test
- Portugal ranks in the 12th position in the 2025 Quality of Life Index, by our Global Intelligence Unit (GIU)
02/ Greece
The Greece Golden Visa was considered the best Residency by Investment program in our RCBI Report thanks to its easy procedure, high mobility, and excellent quality of life.
Greece’s Golden Visa starting cost is €250,000 and it allows visa free travel throughout the Schengen Area. Permanent residency can be acquired after five years, and citizenship can be acquired after seven years.
Investment Options:
- €250,000 purchase in commercial real estate or restoration of a heritage building
- €400,000 property purchase in most of Greece with a minimum size of 120 m²
- €500,000 investment or bank deposit
- €800,000 property purchase in Athens, Thessaloniki and some islands
Additional Benefits:
- Your spouse, children, and dependents are included
- High standard of living
- No minimum stay requirement
- Quick processing time of around 4 months
03/ Malta
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is one of the most affordable RBI programs in the EU. Malta is an English-speaking nation, and the MPRP provides lifetime residence.
Investment Options:
- €500,000 demonstrated in total assets with €150,000 being financial or, a total of €650,000 with €75,000 being financial
- €375,000 real estate purchase or, €14,000 per year for rent
- €37,000 contribution to the government plus a €2,000 donation to an approved NGO will be required for any option
Additional Benefits:
- Visa free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days out of 180
- Spouse, children, parents, and grandparents can be included
- Excellent healthcare and education
- LGBTQIA+ friendly nation, considered one of the most progressive in the world
- No minimum stay requirement
04/ Cyprus
The Cyprus Golden Visa is a speedy route to residence in the EU. The program takes only a few months to complete, and immediate family members can be included. Cyprus imposes low taxes on both its residents and non-residents.
Investment Options:
- €300,000 purchase of residential or commercial property
- €300,000 investment in shares of a Cypriot company or a Collective Investment Organization
Additional Benefits:
- Travel visa-free within the Schengen Area
- High-quality healthcare and education
- Strong local economy
- Cyprus has no wealth tax, inheritance tax, or gift tax.
- Access to a seven-year path to citizenship
05/ Italy
The Italian Golden Visa is also known as the Investor Visa, and it has a minimum cost of €250,000. The visa is known for its rapid processing times of 3 to 4 months, as well as the lack of a minimum stay requirement.
Investment Options:
- €250,000 investment in an innovative startup
- €500,000 investment in shares or corporate bonds
- €1,000,000 donation to a charity
- €2,000,000 investment in government bonds
Additional Benefits:
- Travel visa free throughout the Schengen Area
- Inclusion of spouse, children, and dependents
- Italy ranks 7th in the 2025 Global Retirement Report by the GIU due to its premium education and healthcare
- 10-year path to citizenship
- Tax incentives for high-net worth foreign residents through the Italy Flat Tax regime
06/ Latvia
The Latvian Golden Visa is a more affordable option for investors with a starting cost of €50,000. The country is more affordable than many European countries with lower costs for healthcare and accommodation.
Investment Options:
- €50,000 investment in a company with less than 50 employees and/or less than €10 million turnover
- €100,000 investment in a company with more than 50 employees and/or more than €10 million turnover
- €250,000 purchase of real estate that cannot be agricultural or forest
- €250,000 investment in government bonds
- €280,000 deposit in a Latvian bank
Additional Benefits:
- Travel visa-free in the Schengen Area
- Includes children, spouse, and dependents
- Five-year pathway to citizenship
- Top-tier services and infrastructure
07/ Hungary
The Hungarian Golden Visa is a newer RBI program that grants Schengen Area access and the right to work. There is also no minimum stay requirement and the cost of living in Hungary is ~60% less than it is in the UK.
Investment Options:
- €250,000 investment in a real estate fund that is approved by the Hungarian National Bank
- €1,000,000 donation to a public trust foundation that supports higher education
Additional Benefits:
- Inclusion of spouse, children, and dependents
- A low-risk investment
- Eight-year pathway to citizenship
- Some of the lowest tax rates in the EU, with income tax at 15%
- Fast processing time of around 90 days
08/ Serbia
The Serbian RBI program is appealing because it has no minimum requirement on the investment. However, you must purchase property to qualify. Additionally, Serbian residents gain access to free healthcare.
Investment Options:
- Real estate purchase of an apartment, house, or commercial property
Additional Benefits:
- Citizenship pathway is only six to nine months
- Inclusion of spouse, children, and dependents
- No inheritance tax or wealth tax
- Gain access to the E2 Visa for the US
09/ United States
The nation has two RBI programs: the US E2 Visa and the US EB5 Visa. Both programs grant investors the ability to work, as well as the inclusion of their spouse and children who are under 21.
E2 Visa:
- There is no minimum investment for this program. However, experts recommend an investment of at least $100,000 to qualify.
- Qualification for the Visa is based on a proportionality test. The greater the portion of the business you invest in, the more likely you are to succeed in your application.
- For example, if you invest $100,000 you will need to own more of the business than if you invest $500,000.
EB5 Visa:
- $1,050,000 investment in areas with developed markets and infrastructure
- $800,000 investment in a Targeted Employment Area
- You must create 10 full-time jobs for US employees
- The program provides a Green Card to successful applicants
10/ United Arab Emirates
The UAE Golden Visa is one of the few available in the Middle East. It provides the ability to live, work, and study in the country. Additionally, there is no income tax in the UAE which makes it an appealing option for investors.
Investment Options:
- $545,000 investment into real estate in a designated zone, into an investment fund, or a bank deposit
- Found a startup in the UAE registered as an SME with an annual revenue of over $270,000
- Have sold an entrepreneurial project for over $1,900,000
Additional Benefits:
- Includes spouse and children
- UAE Golden Visa holders can sponsor as many domestic helpers as they need
- Extremely expat friendly
- High-quality healthcare
- Strong local economy
11/ Antigua and Barbuda
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program provides a passport that can travel to 164 visa-free. This includes the Schengen Area, the UK, and China. There is also no language or history test to qualify.
Investment Options
- $230,000 contribution to the National Development Fund
- $260,000 donation to the University of the West Indies Fund
- $300,000 investment in government-approved real estate
- $400,000 joint investment in an approved business worth at least $5 million
- $1,500,000 solo investment in a business
Additional Benefits
- The whole program is remote, with only a five-day residency requirement in the first five years
- Citizenship can be granted in as little as six months
- Allows dual citizenship
- Includes spouse, children, parents, and grandparents
12/ Dominica
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment program boasts fast processing times. Citizenship can be granted in as little as a few months. Dominica allows dual citizenship which enables enhanced global mobility for investors.
Investment Options:
- $200,000 contribution to the Dominica Economic Diversification Fund
- $200,000 investment in government-approved real estate projects
Additional Benefits:
- Visa-free travel to 160 countries including the Schengen Area, China, and Singapore
- Tax residents do not pay income, wealth, capital gains, or inheritance tax
- Includes spouse, children, parents, and grandparents
- The process takes between six and nine months
13/ St Kitts and Nevis
The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $250,000, and the passport enables visa-free travel to 167 countries. This includes the Schengen Area, the UK, and Singapore.
Investment Options:
- $250,000 contribution to the Sustainable Island State Contribution fund
- $250,000 donation to an approved public benefit project
- $325,000 purchase of shares in a government-approved real estate project
- $600,000 purchase of a single-family house
Additional Benefits:
- Citizenship can be processed in as little as four to six months
- The nation imposes no income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains tax
- Includes spouse, children, and parents
- There is no minimum residency requirement
14/ St Lucia
The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $240,000, and the passport enables visa-free access to 156 countries including some of the EU, and the UK. Families are included with spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings being eligible.
Investment Options:
- $240,000 contribution to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund
- $250,000 investment in a joint venture with a value of at least $6 million
- $300,000 purchase of approved real estate
- $300,000 purchase of National Action Government Bonds
- $3,500,000 investment as a solo investor
Additional Benefits:
- No worldwide income tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax
- No residency requirements
- The processing time for citizens can be as short as ten months
- Ability to work and study in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
15/ Grenada
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $235,000 and the passport enables visa free access to 140 countries including the Schengen Area, the UK, and China. The processing time can be as little as six months.
Investment Options:
- $235,000 donation to the National Transformation Fund
- $270,000 investment in shares of a government-approved real estate project
- $350,000 investment in a single unit of a government-approved real estate project
Additional Benefits:
- Inclusion of spouse, children, parents, dependent grandparents, and siblings
- No worldwide income, wealth, capital gains, or inheritance tax
- Grenada citizens are eligible for the US E2 Visa
- Citizenship can be passed down to future generations
16/ Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $130,000 and the passport enables visa-free access to 118 countries, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Investment Options:
- $130,000 contribution to the Vanuatu Development Support Program
- $165,000 donation to the Capital Investment Immigration Plan
- $200,000 purchase of government-approved real estate
Additional Benefits:
- There are no residency requirements to acquire or maintain the passport
- Inclusion of spouse, children, parents, and grandparents
- Speedy processing times of as littles as two months
- No income, inheritance, or capital gains tax
17/ New Zealand
The New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa has a starting cost of NZD $5 million (~$3 million). It enables high-net-worth individuals to live, work, and do business in the country. Citizenship is available after five years of meeting the requirements.
Investment Options:
- NZD $5 million (~$3 million) in the Growth category which must be maintained for three years
- NZD $10 million (~$6 million) in the Balanced category which must be maintained for five years
Additional Benefits:
- No inheritance, estate, or wealth taxes
- Minimal residency requirements of 21 days over three years for the Growth category
- Includes your partner or spouse, and your children under the age of 24
- Allows for permanent residency after three years with Growth, and five years with Balanced
Golden Visa vs Citizenship by Investment
A Golden Visa is not the same thing as citizenship by investment (CBI). Golden Visas or RBI programs provide the right to residency in a country, in exchange for a qualifying investment. While CBI programs provide investors with citizenship and a second passport in exchange for a qualifying investment.
Residency means that you have the right to live and potentially work in the country, while citizenship means that you are a citizen of that country and can gain additional benefits. These benefits include access to public healthcare and expanded visa-free travel.
RBI programs do tend to be more affordable than CBI programs and can provide investors with residency in a faster timeframe. Additionally, a Golden Visa will tend to have lower requirements than a CBI program.
Golden Visa Investment Options
Each Golden Visa program will vary in the specifics, and these are the usual options for investment:
- Real estate and real estate projects are common categories for investment. This allows individuals to acquire a second home overseas for the purposes of living or capital diversification.
- Investments in companies and shares are another route for RBI programs. Investing offshore can help to improve portfolio resilience for investors, and it can provide greater returns than a local investment.
- Making a bank deposit in the desired country can also be viable for investors. This option means that the capital will not have to be administered during the holding period.
- Government donation is another avenue, and this tends to be the least expensive option when pursuing a Golden Visa. Some countries have funds established for the benefit of the nation that investors can make deposits into.
- Contributing to arts and culture can also allow investors the right to residence in the right country. This enables individuals to contribute to artistic pursuits, usually also at a lower cost than other RBI options.
Golden Visa Requirements
Each Golden Visa program is different, but these requirements will likely apply:
- Clean Criminal Record: You will need to prove that you do not have a criminal record in your country of residence.
- Proof of Legal Funds: Proof will usually be required that the source of your funds is legal. This helps governments ensure that they are not being used for money laundering or other illegal activities.
- Approved Investment: You will need to make an investment, donation, or contribution under an approved avenue. We have laid out the options for each nation and have more detailed versions available.
- Health Insurance: Most countries require investors to have health insurance for the duration of their residency. This ensures that individuals are taken care of and that local health systems do not take strain.
- Pass Due Diligence: You will need to pass a due diligence check to prove that you are a fit and proper person. This is typically handled by the government to which you are applying.
- Minimum Stay: This requirement is more infrequent however, some nations will require a minimum stay for the maintenance of residency. This will likely be a short stay requirement every year.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique 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.
