How to get an EU passport for UK citizens after Brexit

With Brexit now in full effect, UK citizens no longer have access to European rights, which means reduced mobility and constrained economic freedom. If you are looking to regain your rights, there is a solution: you can get an EU passport after Brexit. Thanks to European citizenship by investment and residency by investment programs, getting EU citizenship after Brexit is possible. We tell you all there is to know about it in this guide.

Benefits of EU passport after Brexit 

Getting an EU passport for UK citizens

Since 1 January 2021, UK citizens no longer have access to European rights, which makes them eligible to apply for EU residency and citizenship by investment programs. 

Designed to boost economic development, the residency and citizenship by investment programs are economic schemes designed to help non-EU investors and their families acquire EU citizenship in exchange for an economic investment. Countries offering some of the most attractive EU immigration schemes are Malta, Spain and Portugal.

Requirements to get an EU passport for UK citizens

Citizenship by investment programs

Malta

Famous for its beauty and excellent healthcare, Mediterannean island-nation Malta has launched a new Citizenship by Investment Program, now called Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (MEIN). It is one of the fastest ways to acquire European citizenship, as you can get a Malta passport in just a year. 

Acquiring Maltese citizenship holds multiple benefits such as the ability to travel visa-free to 183 countries worldwide, acquire recognized dual citizenship, and tap into tax efficiency opportunities based upon residency.

MEIN investment requirements:

• Make a minimum contribution of €600,000 to the national development fund and prove 36 months of residency, or make a contribution of €750,000 and show evidence of 12 months residency.
• In addition to the contribution, invest €700,000 into residential real estate, or enter into a rental agreement at a minimum value of €16,000 per annum which must be maintained for five years. 
• Donate €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental approved organization or society.

Golden Visa programs

Spain

With an excellent quality of life and a fantastic cuisine, Spain has been for many years one of Europe’s best countries to live in. Thanks to its Spain Golden Visa, UK citizens and their families can become Spanish residents and benefit from EU rights in exchange for a qualifying investment. 

The Spain Golden Visa allows you to travel without restriction in the EU, live, work and study in Spain and the best part is: once you’ve been a Spanish resident for 10 years, you can apply for a Spanish passport which will grant you unlimited access to the EU.

Spain Golden Visa investment requirements:

Spain Golden Visa investment options are multiple and applicants get to choose which one suits their needs best:

• Purchase real estate with a minimum value of €500,000.
• Issue a bank deposit of at least €1,000,000.
• Invest €1,000,000 in shares of Spanish businesses.
• Contribute €2,000,000 in government bonds.
• Start a business in Spain that generates employment, contributes to technological and/or scientific innovation, or has a strong socio-economic impact.

Portugal

Considered the best Golden Visa program in Europe due to its fantastic investment opportunities and excellent profile, the Portugal Golden Visa program gives investors Portuguese residency in a few months which can eventually lead to a Portuguese passport in 5 years’ time.

The Portugal Golden Visa program not only allows you to be a resident of the best European country for expats — famous for its sunny weather and great quality of life —  but it also gives you total freedom of movement in the EU, program eligibility that extends to  the entire family and a very favorable tax system.

Portugal Golden Visa investment requirements:

There are many investment options to choose from when applying for the Portugal Golden Visa. Whatever your needs are, you’ll find accommodating options and below are some of the most sought after:

• Real estate investment of at least €500,000 of any type of real estate and anywhere in Portugal. Reduced to €400,000 if it’s located in a low-density area. (Be aware that this investment route won’t be available anymore from July 2021, for more information have a look at our Portugal Golden Visa changes article).
• Investment in properties that are over 30 years old or are located in designated areas of urban rehabilitation, with a property purchase price of at least €350,000. Reduced to €280,000 if located in a low-density area.
• €350,000 minimum investment in a private equity fund.

Frequently asked questions about how to get an EU passport for UK citizens after Brexit