Residency by Investment
WHAT IS PERMANENT RESIDENCY?
Residency by investment is on the rise worldwide. Obtaining permanent residency through investment has become a very fast process which can be completed within 3-5 months.
WHAT IS
RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT?
Residency by investment programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many countries recognizing the benefits of attracting foreign investments to their economy. For investors, these investment programs can offer the opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit in a foreign country, as well as potential financial gains from their investment.
One of the primary benefits of residency by investment programs is the ability to live and work in a foreign country without the need for a work visa. This can provide greater freedom of movement and flexibility for investors and their families. In addition, many of these investment programs offer family-friendly options, allowing spouses and dependent children to obtain residency as well.
The minimum investment required to qualify for a residency by investment program can vary depending on the country and the specific investment program. For example, some countries require a significant capital investment in real estate, while others may require a financial contribution to a national development fund. It is important to carefully review the requirements and options for each investment program to determine the best fit for individual investment goals.
In addition to the potential financial benefits of residency by investment programs, investors should also consider the tax implications of their investment. Some countries may offer favorable tax rates for foreign investments, while others may require personal income tax payments on income earned within the country.
Overall, seeking residency though a residency by investment program can be a valuable option for individuals seeking to obtain permanent residence in a foreign country. These programs offer a range of investment options and benefits, and can provide a pathway to greater economic opportunity and freedom of movement.
Why Do People Choose Residency By Investment
Residency By Investment Programs
Residency by investment options abound worldwide, with countries across several continents offering this provision. For prospective applicants seeking a change of scenery, choices range from the stunning beaches of Australia, the picturesque beauty of New Zealand, and the cultural richness of Spain and Portugal, to the modern city life of Canada and France. Countries such as Thailand and Cyprus also offer these programs, extending an invitation to newcomers to become a part of their diverse local communities.
However, some of the most popular programs in the world are in Europe. Countries like Malta, Portugal, and Greece offer exceptional lifestyles and numerous benefits to investors.
Here are the residency by investment programs that we offer at Next Generation Equity:
Greece
The Greece Golden Visa is one of Europe’s most affordable residency by investment programs, with approvals typically in 2–4 months.
Investment options include:
Real Estate Acquisitions – from €250,000 (or €500,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini)
Greek Government Bonds or Shares – from €400,000
Venture Funds and Private Equity Investments – from €500,000
Malta
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants immediate permanent residency with Schengen travel rights. Processing takes around 6–8 months.
Investment options include:
Real Estate – purchase from €300,000–€350,000, or rent from €10,000–€12,000 annually (held for 5 years)
Government Contribution – €37,000
Administrative Fee – €60,000
Donation – €2,000 to a Maltese NGO
Portugal
Portugal’s Golden Visa offers residency with a path to EU citizenship after 5 years. Current processing averages 12–18 months.
Investment options include:
Cultural Donation – from €250,000
Qualifying Investment Fund – from €500,000
Scientific Research – from €500,000
Business & Job Creation – 10 jobs, or €500,000 plus 5 jobs
Eligibility Criteria For Residency By Investment Programs
The residency by investment programs are a quick route to obtaining a residence permit in many European Union countries. Different countries have varied requirements, but some common conditions include the absence of any legal problems, ensuring financial stability, maintaining a presence in the country, and securing a residential address.
Clean Legal Records
To become a resident via investment programs, a clear legal slate is crucial. Any criminal, ongoing, or past legal conflicts can hinder your chances of succeeding in these programs.
Financial Stability
In applying for residency by investment programs, financial solvency is a major factor. This indicates your capacity to live and support your family financially without relying on the state throughout your residence permit’s tenure. Evidence of steady income that meets or surpasses the specified minimum level from a legal source outside the residing country is typically obligatory. You may also be required to deposit savings in local banks in some cases.
Residence Requirements
While traditional routes to residency often mandate a minimum stay period in the country—around half of the year, for instance—residency by investment programs often provide more flexibility. There’s no minimum stay stipulation in Spain or Greece for investors. Meanwhile, Portugal demands only a week’s stay annually from investment-based residents.
Housing Specifications
Owning or renting a residential place in the country of interest is another essential requirement for these programs. The EU often imposes this requirement, setting a minimum price threshold for renting or purchasing properties by foreign nationals. This necessitates access to sufficient funds to meet these housing conditions in the inhabited country.
Residency by Investment Application Process
Here’s a breakdown of the main stages you’ll need to travel through the residency by investment application process:
Connect with a Licensed Immigration Agent
The first rung on the ladder to securing residency by investment is contacting a licensed agent specializing in immigration services like Next Generation Equity.
Be prepared for a preliminary due diligence process and be ready to sign your agreement for professional support during the application journey.
Fulfill the Investment Requirements
Once your initial agreement is signed and sealed, you’ll reach the investment process. Depending on the specific residency program you’re considering, this could involve;
- Property purchase,
- Investing in local businesses, or
- Investment in local securities.
Assemble & Submit Necessary Documentation
Following the investment stage, you’ll have to gather all the required documents, ensuring they’re complete and accurate. Once your paperwork is ready, you’ll submit it for regulatory compliance checks.
The Due Diligence Process
The next major step is a comprehensive eligibility check run by the relevant immigration authority. During this period, your submitted documents will be examined for any potential issues.
Receive Your Residency Permit Card
You can breathe a sigh of relief once you’ve cleared the due diligence checks and received your residential permit card. However, it’s not the end of the line just yet – these cards are renewable and not permanent.
Regular Card Renewal
Finally, note that you’ll be revisiting the renewal process regularly, depending on your specific program. This may range from an annual occurrence to a five-yearly renewal requirement. Understanding these regular renewals can help manage expectations and make the ongoing process as seamless as possible.
Investment Options for Residency By Investment
Residency by investment programs offers multiple avenues for investment. The choice of the investment pathway usually depends on the specific country’s guidelines and the individual’s personal preferences and financial standing.
Among the common investment choices are capital investments, the purchase of residential or commercial property, or a substantial contribution to the country’s economy.
In many cases, proof of financial stability and health insurance is also a prerequisite. Additional requirements may include a clean criminal record and proof of payment of visa fees.
Benefits Of Residency By Investment
The benefits of residency by investment include easier international travel, lifestyle improvements, and financial planning advantages. Here’s how you and your family can benefit:
1. Access to a New Country
Secure the right to reside in a new country and enjoy its lifestyle, culture, and environment.
Benefit from modern infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems.
Establish a safe base for family and business operations.
2. European and Schengen Travel
Residency in Malta, Portugal, or Greece provides visa-free travel across the 26 Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Simplify business and leisure travel across Europe without repeated visa applications.
Save time and costs on visas and border administration.
3. Tax Planning Opportunities
Some residency programs provide access to special tax regimes designed for internationally mobile individuals.
Examples include Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident regime (10% flat tax on foreign pensions, reduced tax on certain income), Greece’s €100k flat tax on global income for HNWIs, and Malta’s remittance-based system.
These options can support long-term wealth preservation and estate planning.
4. Investment Potential
Use residency programs that require real estate investment to build assets in attractive markets (e.g., Greece and Malta).
Diversify through alternative routes such as investment funds or cultural donations in Portugal.
Combine lifestyle benefits with long-term financial returns.
5. Educational and Family Opportunities
Access international schools, universities, and scholarship pathways available to residents.
Provide children with high-quality education and exposure to new cultures.
Extend residency benefits to spouses, children, and in some programs, parents or grandparents.
Residency By Investment Vs. Citizenship By Investment
While both Residency by Investment (RBI) and Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs are useful strategies utilized by individuals looking to move to a foreign country, there is a significant difference between the two. RBI programs offer investors the right to live, and sometimes work, in their chosen country. However, such programs may entail obligatory time periods for residence in said country to maintain these rights.
On the other hand, CBI programs offer investors a straight route to acquiring citizenship, often without a prior requirement of residency. This means citizens can possess a passport within a few months of their successful application. Adding family members to these applications also varies, with some CBI schemes allowing extended family members, while many RBI or Golden Visa options are more stringent.
It is essential to remember that RBI programs, often known as Golden Visa programs, offer permanent residence only, and citizenship is usually an option after a stipulated time of residency. In contrast, CBI programs offer immediate citizenship following a successful investment. The benefits attached to either option vary greatly depending on the specific country the investor wishes to reside or gain citizenship.
Residency By Investment FAQs
Which countries give permanent residency by buying property?
There are several countries that offer permanent residency in exchange for investment in property. Some of the popular options include Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Malta. Each country has its own set of requirements and investment thresholds that must be met in order to qualify for permanent residency.
What is the difference between citizenship by investment and residency by investment?
Citizenship by investment and residency by investment are two different ways to obtain legal status in a foreign country. Residency by investment programs allow individuals to obtain residency status in a foreign country in exchange for a specific investment, such as a real estate purchase, business investment, or government bond purchase. Citizenship by investment programs, on the other hand, offer a faster and more direct path to obtaining full citizenship in a foreign country in exchange for a larger investment. These programs typically require a higher investment threshold than residency by investment programs and may also require additional criteria such as language proficiency or physical residence in the country.
What is the easiest country to get a residence permit?
The answer depends on your goals and budget, but among European residency-by-investment options, Greece remains one of the most accessible with property investment starting from €250,000 (or €500,000 in prime locations). Portugal also offers straightforward routes, with options such as a €250,000 cultural donation or a €500,000 qualifying investment fund. Malta provides immediate permanent residency but with higher overall costs.
How much does residency by investment cost?
The cost varies by country and investment option:
Greece: from €250,000 in real estate (or €500,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini).
Malta: property purchase from €300,000–€350,000 or rental from €10,000–€12,000 annually, plus a €37,000 contribution, €60,000 administrative fee, and €2,000 donation.
Portugal: from €250,000 for a cultural donation or €500,000 in a qualifying fund, scientific research, or business investment.
Each program has additional government fees and due diligence costs, so the total outlay is typically higher than the minimum thresholds.
Who can obtain Permanent Residency along with the investor?
The family members eligible to obtain permanent residency status along with the investor differ per program. Generally, spouses and children up to the age of 18 years can be granted a residence visa. Depending on the circumstances, some programs also allow for children above 18 years old, as well as siblings and grandparents to be included.
Can investing in residency lead to citizenship?
Yes, citizenship through naturalization is often a possibility with most residency programs. Investors are typically required to reside in the country for a certain number of years, become proficient in the local language, and integrate within the community. For example, in Portugal, investors need to maintain residency for five years, during which they must spend a minimum of seven days in the country annually. Other countries might demand a residence period of 7 to 10 years, with the majority of the year spent living there.
What is the meaning of tax residency?
Tax residency refers to the status determined by each jurisdiction’s domestic tax laws, indicating where a person is considered a resident for tax purposes. There can be scenarios where an individual might qualify as a tax resident in more than one jurisdiction. Simply having the right to live in a jurisdiction or having citizenship does not instantly confer the status of a tax resident. It also does not mean that tax residency in previous jurisdictions is automatically terminated upon acquiring residency or citizenship in a new jurisdiction
WHY
NEXT GENERATION
EQUITY?
Next Generation Equity is a world-class provider of second citizenship and residency programmes tailored to the individual needs of discerning clients across the globe. We deliver proven bespoke investor solutions and services and practical support every step of the way.
We will help you create the opportunities you need to discover personal and professional freedom today, whilst securing your family’s future for tomorrow.
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