Natalie The best countries for Golden visas will depend on how much you want to spend, and ultimately, what you want to do with your time in that country. Golden Visas are residency or citizenship programs for non-citizens who invest in a country through property, business, or government bond investments.
They offer visa-free travel (especially in the Schengen Zone), healthcare and education, family inclusion, and the potential for full citizenship. If you are an investor seeking the best citizenship-by-investment fund programs, you have a healthy choice. An investor purchases property in return for the same living rights as a country’s citizen. The citizenship benefits include a second passport, visa-free travel, and personal freedom to work and reside.
These projects attract foreign talent, offering affluent individuals new pathways to mobility and settlement. They grant rights to non-citizens who invest a specific amount in the host country. These investment thresholds vary but involve one of the following:
- Purchasing residential or commercial property
- Buying government bonds
- Investing in company shares or local businesses
- Donating to a public-interest fund
- Allocating funds to approved investment vehicles
Best Countries for Golden Visas
1: Greece Golden Visa Program
Greece, situated along the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, excels in tourism, shipping, agriculture, and hospitality. The historical richness, amazing places like Thessaloniki, island beauty, affordable living costs, and a welcoming climate appeal to international visitors and retirees alike.
The Greek Visa still permits foreign investors to secure residence via housing purchases (as low as €250,000 in niche restoration projects, up to €800,000 in hotspot areas like Athens, Santorini, Mykonos).
Alternatives include bank deposits, bonds, or investments in the tourism sector. Residency is renewable indefinitely, covering the investor’s spouse, children, and parents. Optional naturalisation requires seven years of residence, as well as passing language and cultural tests.
2: UAE Residence by Investment
The UAE economy, led by Dubai and Abu Dhabi, excels in finance, tourism, coordination, and technology. The government continues to diversify away from oil dependence, fostering innovation, international trade, and attracting global talent.
The UAE Visa offers 5- or 10-year renewable residency in exchange for property purchases from 1 million to 2 million AED. Recent rules now permit the purchase of off-plan or mortgaged properties under specific conditions. Holders can live, work, and sponsor their families, and domestic staff. Residency is decoupled from employment, although citizenship remains rare and exceptionally granted under evolving policy frameworks.
3: Turkey Citizenship by Investment
Before 2018, Turkey offered an expensive citizenship investment scheme. The entry-level was a staggering 1 million USD. So naturally, there were only a few applicants. Then the government dropped the entry-level, and investors flooded in. They have recently raised the price again, but at $400,000, it remains a relatively affordable option. Many buy in Istanbul, the hub of the housing market. The only condition is that the applicant keeps the property for three years. The Ankara Agreement previously provided Turkish nationals with access to the UK market, but Brexit and subsequent regulatory changes altered these routes.
4: Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Malta, a small Mediterranean island between Europe and North Africa, boasts a diversified economy, of financial services, tourism, information technology, and maritime industries. The Maltese version offers non-EU investors long-term residence status. Applicants can combine property investment, government contributions, and charitable donations. This residence allows visa-free travel and serves as a stepping stone toward eventual citizenship under Malta’s naturalisation policies. Holders of the permit receive visa-free access to the Schengen zone, the European Union, UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Before applying, one requirement is 36 months of residency; therefore, you will need to spend a minimum of 36 months in the area.
5: Cyprus Residency Program
This small island is attracting considerable attention lately, thanks to its substantial tax advantages. With €300,000 and no inheritance tax, the allure for non-European citizens is easy to see. Called the Permanent Residence Permit (PRP), and revised several times, the platform attracts worldwide investors, particularly from Russia, China, and Southeast Asia. Unlike citizenship-by-investment programs that grant immediate citizenship, this scheme provides residency; therefore, understand the difference, as each offers distinct privileges. However, this visa helps investors establish a presence and, by extension, gain certain EU advantages.
6: Portugal Golden Visa
Unfortunately, like other EU member states, Portugal discontinued property options. However, the Portuguese golden residence permit program does have a scheme for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors with a proven track record of passive income. Additionally, they hold the Portuguese Permit, which allows non-European nationals to reside in Portugal for five years. After these five years, they can apply for European citizenship. Since the property option was discontinued, other choices are capital transfers or business.
7: The Italian Residence Program
The Italian Golden Visa, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, is a residency-by-investment scheme designed to attract foreign capital. It grants a two-year permit (renewable for up to three additional years) to non-EU citizens who invest in government bonds, shares in Italian companies, innovative startups, or make philanthropic donations. Notably, the venture does not include property as an eligible pathway.
8: Spanish Golden Visa Cancellation
On April 3, 2025, Spain ended their version, effectively changing how the country handles foreign investment-based residency. The scheme enabled non-European citizens to get Spanish residency by investing €500,000 in real estate. However, the Spanish government abolished this measure due to concerns over housing affordability and its impact on local property markets in major cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and coastal areas. The government also removed the options, of Spanish companies or government bonds. But applications submitted before the April 3 deadline remain valid. They will be processed under original rules, and current holders will be allowed to maintain and renew their residency status.
9: St Kitts and Nevis Caribbean Countries
St Kitts and Nevis offers two routes for investors. The first step is to allocate $150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund. The second is to purchase a house worth $200,000 and hold it for seven years. Alternatively, you could buy a home worth $400,000 and keep it for five years. Taking an average of three to six months to complete, applicants can live outside the country and get visa-free travel to 157 destinations.
10: St Lucia
Outside of EU countries, and taking six months to approve, St Lucia offers numerous choices. Purchase a property worth $ 300,000 in an approved development for five years. Dual citizenship is permitted, and holders enjoy visa-free travel to 146 destinations. People can also include a spouse, children under 31 and parents over 56.
11: Second Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda
There are multiple straightforward ways to invest in Antigua. For real estate, the entry-level price is $ 400,000 in a government-approved housing development. The processing time is speedy, averaging just four months. However, Antigua differs because it allows free movement to Hong Kong, Russia, the UK and the Schengen area. For the first five years, you must reside there for a minimum of 35 days.
12: Consider Dominica for Real Estate Projects
Known for hot springs and tropical rainforests, Alternative Dominica makes it even easier to enjoy by requiring only 200,000 Euros to be invested in a home or a government fund. The second citizenship extends to family members and is approved approximately six months. The government first opened the good citizenship program in 1983, and since then, it has changed the rules numerous times. Nationalities like Russians, Pakistanis, and North Koreans will face additional checks beyond the standard application process.
13: Hungary for Golden Passports
Hungary re-entered the European landscape with the launch of its Guest Investor Program (GIP) on July 1, 2024. This new residency-by-investment initiative offers non-EU citizens 10-year renewable permits. Investors commit €250,000 into real estate funds registered with the Hungarian National Bank, donate €1 million to Hungarian higher education institutions, or (pending full implementation) purchase Hungarian residential property worth €500,000.
14: Ireland Update
Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in 2012 to attract non-EU/EEA citizens. In exchange, successful applicants receive a residency permit for themselves and their families, with additional pathways to long-term residency or citizenship. The venture was suspended in February 2023 for new applicants amid political debate and concerns about oversight. Previously approved applications are still being processed, and there has been ongoing discussion about potential reinstatement or reform.
15: Luxembourg for Business Investments
Luxembourg, renowned for its financial stability and high living standards offers a residency-by-investment program for non-EU nationals to get legal residence. Launched in 2017, Luxembourg has easily attracted investors to the country’s economic development. Successful applicants are granted a renewable permit for three years, which eventually leads to permanent status or naturalisation, subject to certain conditions.
To qualify, investors must choose one of several approved routes. These options include investing €500,000 in an existing Luxembourg-based business that creates five jobs within three years, starting a new company with the exact job creation requirement, investing €3 million in a management structure based in Luxembourg, or depositing €20 million in a Luxembourg-based financial institution for a period of five years.
16: United States
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa is a U.S. green card for the American economy. To qualify, applicants invest $800,000 in a targeted employment area (TEA) — typically a rural or high-unemployment area — or $1,050,000 in a non-TEA project, and create or preserve 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. In return, the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible to receive U.S. green cards. It’s a direct path to permanent living, but it takes several years, depending on your country of origin and processing times.
In contrast, the E-2 Treaty non-immigrant visa allows citizens of certain treaty countries to live and work in the U.S. by investing in a U.S.-based business. There is no fixed amount, but the range typically falls between $100,000 and $200,000, dependent on the nature of the company.
17: Germany for Residency Visas
While Germany doesn’t offer a traditional “Golden Visa” like those in Portugal or Greece, it does provide a viable path to residency for foreign investors under Section 21 of the German Residence Act. Authorities expect a commitment of €250,000 to €360,000, along with the creation of several full-time jobs for local workers, usually five or more.
If approved, investors receive a three-year permit, which can be extended as long as the company remains active and successful. After this period, investors may become eligible for permanent residency, while their family members apply after five years of residence. This route also leads to German citizenship, often within five to eight years, depending on the language proficiency and length of stay.
18: Singapore Global Investor Program
The Singapore Program (GIP) is a prestigious residency-by-investment venture for experienced entrepreneurs to establish a permanent base in Singapore. Administered by Contact Singapore, a division of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), this is a direct route to Permanent Resident (PR) status for eligible applicants who invest in Singapore’s economy. Applicants choose from investing SGD 10 million in a new or existing business, committing SGD 25 million to GIP-approved funds that invest in Singapore-based companies, or establishing a Singapore-based single-family office with assets under management of SGD 200 million or more. The GIP is not only about capital, but also requires a business or entrepreneurship background, as well as a clear plan to contribute to Singapore’s growth.
19: Canada Start-up Visa Program
The Canadian federal immigration pathway offers permanent residency to foreign entrepreneurs to build innovative businesses. One unique feature is the option for permanent residence from the outset, rather than temporary. Five co-founders can apply with the same business proposal, and their families can join them as permanent residents. While the company itself doesn’t have to succeed for the applicants to maintain their status, the government expects genuine efforts to be made toward launching and growing the venture. This is part of Canada’s broader strategy to position itself as a global hub for tech and innovation, attracting talent from around the world. It’s appealing for early-stage entrepreneurs seeking stable environments in North American markets, as well as government-backed immigration services that facilitate long-term integration.
EU Golden Visa Programs Versus the Rest of the World
Many programmes are found in European countries (the United Kingdom is no longer part of it), with country offerings tailored to different investor profiles and regional strategies, often influenced by debates in the European Parliament around migration, Schengen countries, transparency, tax benefits, and ethics.
Among the notable European programs is the Italian Residence by Investment Program, which enables investors to obtain residency through capital investments in government bonds, startups, or units of investment funds.
The Austria Private Residence Program, although not a direct investment visa, offers a limited number of high-net-worth individuals the opportunity to live in Austria based on their wealth and self-sufficiency.
The Netherlands provides a route focused on innovation, allowing investors to support Dutch startups through carefully regulated funds. Belgium also stands out, with pathways that may involve setting up a Belgian holding company, offering flexibility and tax optimisation opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Outside of Europe, the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor program remains most recognised, requiring USD 800,000 in qualifying projects that create American jobs. Similarly, the Vietnam Investor project attracts regional investors, especially those at the DT1 to DT4 levels, which range from VND 100 billion to lower-tiered routes, offering varying residency privileges based on the size of the investment.
In the Middle East, Türkiye has positioned itself with an accessible property route. As geopolitical unrest, authoritarian rule, and rising concerns about civil liberties increase in some regions, many from Latin America and conflict-affected nations are exploring European and North American options for safety, mobility, and better futures.
While traditional Golden Visas remain attractive, alternative routes, like digital nomad visas, have emerged in response to the growing trend of remote work. Whether seeking security, business access, or lifestyle upgrades, investors today have more EU and international offerings to consider, each shaped by local laws, global politics, and evolving definitions of mobility.
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