Immigration & Citizenship

Investment Options

Qualifying investments include EUR 500,000 in eligible real estate in interior regions, EUR 250,000 in cultural heritage activities, EUR 500,000 in qualifying investment funds, or EUR 500,000 in research and development activities. The investment must be maintained for the duration of the residency permit.

Physical Presence Requirements

Holders must spend a minimum of 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each subsequent 2 year renewal period, making Portugal one of the most flexible residency by investment programs in Europe in terms of physical presence obligations.

Path to Citizenship

After 5 years of legal residence, applicants may apply for Portuguese citizenship, obtaining a full EU passport with the right to live and work in all 27 EU member states and to travel to over 185 countries and territories without a visa or on arrival.

Schengen Access

A Portuguese residence permit grants free movement across all 26 Schengen Area member states, providing extensive travel freedom and the ability to reside temporarily in any Schengen country without additional visa requirements.

Investment Threshold

Minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in most regions of Greece, rising to EUR 500,000 in Athens (Attica), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini following recent regulatory changes. The investment must be in a single property and held throughout the permit period.

No Physical Presence Requirement

Unlike many competing programs, the Greece Golden Visa imposes no minimum stay requirement on the investor or their family members, making it well suited to globally mobile individuals who do not wish to relocate to Greece.

Citizenship Pathway

Golden Visa holders who establish genuine 7 year continuous legal residence in Greece may apply for Greek citizenship, gaining full EU citizenship with the right to live and work across all 27 EU member states and to hold a highly regarded EU passport.

EU Access

As a Schengen Area member, a Greek residence permit allows the holder to travel to all 26 Schengen states, providing broad freedom of movement across continental Europe throughout the validity of the permit.

Investment Requirements

The MPRP requires a qualifying government contribution of EUR 28,000 to EUR 58,000 plus property and donation commitments. The CES citizenship route requires a contribution of EUR 600,000 (36 month residence) or EUR 750,000 (12 month residence) plus qualifying property and an NGO donation of EUR 10,000.

Residence Period

The CES citizenship route requires a minimum of 12 months (fast track at EUR 750,000) or 36 months (standard at EUR 600,000) of genuine legal residence in Malta before the citizenship naturalisation application can be submitted to the Maltese authorities.

EU Citizenship Benefits

Maltese citizens enjoy full rights as EU citizens including the right to live, work, and study in all 27 EU member states, to hold an EU passport with extensive global mobility, and to access EU consular protection outside the EU.

Due Diligence Process

Malta applies a rigorous multi-tier due diligence process involving checks by the Maltese regulatory agency and independent third party firms on all applicants and their immediate family members, ensuring the program maintains its international credibility and reputation.

Investment Types

Qualifying investments include EUR 1 million enterprise investment in an Irish business, EUR 1 million endowment to a qualifying Irish philanthropic project, or EUR 2 million into an approved Irish investment fund, with each route subject to specific approval requirements from the Department of Justice.

No Minimum Stay

The IIP imposes no minimum physical presence requirement, allowing investors to maintain their primary residence outside Ireland while holding Irish immigration permission, making it one of the most flexible EU-linked residency programs for mobile investors.

UK CTA Access

Ireland is a member of the Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom, allowing Irish resident permit holders to travel freely to and from the United Kingdom without requiring a separate UK visa, providing dual access to both Ireland and the UK.

Business Flexibility

The enterprise investment option allows investors to actively participate in the management and direction of the Irish business in which they have invested, supporting genuine economic contribution to Ireland and potentially generating a commercial return alongside the residency benefit.

Investment Options

Three qualifying routes: EUR 250,000 in a regulated real estate investment fund, EUR 500,000 in residential property in Hungary, or EUR 1 million philanthropic donation to a designated Hungarian higher education institution approved by the government.

10 Year Permit

The Guest Investor Visa is granted for an initial 10 year period, renewable for a further 10 years, providing one of the longest duration residency by investment permits currently available in Europe with significant long term stability.

Family Inclusion

The investor's spouse, dependent children under 18, and other qualifying family members may be included in the same application, with the entire immediate family receiving Hungarian residence permits under the single investment qualification.

Schengen Access

Hungary is a Schengen Area member, and the Guest Investor Visa grants the right to travel freely across all 26 Schengen member states without additional visas, providing broad freedom of movement across Europe throughout the validity of the 10 year permit.

Investment Options

Applicants may qualify through a USD 250,000 SGF contribution, a USD 400,000 real estate investment with a 7 year hold, or USD 200,000 in alternative real estate with a 5 year hold. Family members can be added to the application at modest additional cost per dependant.

Processing Time

Standard processing takes approximately 45 to 60 days for the due diligence review and approval. An accelerated processing option is available for an additional fee for applicants who require a faster decision on their citizenship application.

Visa Free Travel

A St Kitts and Nevis passport provides access to over 157 countries and territories without requiring a prior visa or on a visa on arrival basis, including the United Kingdom, all Schengen Area states, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

No Residency Requirement

There is no requirement for the investor or family members to reside in, visit, or establish any physical connection with St Kitts and Nevis before, during, or after the citizenship application process, making it a fully remote application program.

Low Investment Threshold

A single applicant government contribution of USD 100,000 makes Dominica one of the most cost effective citizenship by investment programs globally, particularly attractive for single professionals and young families seeking a second passport at a competitive price point.

Affordable Family Program

A family of four can obtain Dominica citizenship for a USD 175,000 government contribution, with children under 28 and parents over 55 eligible for inclusion at modest additional per person fees, making Dominica one of the most family-friendly programs by cost.

Global Mobility

Dominica passport holders enjoy access to over 143 countries and territories without requiring a prior visa or on arrival, including the United Kingdom and all Schengen Area member states, providing strong global mobility for business and personal travel.

Fast Processing

Standard processing time is approximately 2 to 3 months from submission of a complete and properly documented application, making Dominica one of the faster Caribbean citizenship by investment programs in terms of government review and approval timelines.

E-2 USA Treaty Advantage

Grenada is the only Caribbean citizenship by investment program nation with a bilateral E-2 treaty with the United States, enabling Grenadian citizens to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa and potentially establish long term residency in the USA through a qualifying business investment.

Competitive Investment Threshold

Single applicant NTF contribution of USD 150,000, or USD 220,000 in approved real estate, with the real estate option potentially providing both citizenship and a property asset that can generate rental income during the 5 year holding period.

CARICOM Benefits

As a CARICOM member state, Grenada grants citizenship holders freedom of movement, the right to work, and the right to reside across the Caribbean Community member states, providing significant regional mobility throughout the Caribbean.

Global Mobility

A Grenada passport provides access to over 144 countries and territories without requiring a prior visa or on arrival, including the United Kingdom, Schengen Area states, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, making Grenada one of the stronger travel access passports in the Caribbean CBI space.

Family Friendly Program

The NDF route at USD 130,000 covers a family of up to four persons, with additional dependants including children under 26 and grandparents over 58 includable at a flat fee of USD 10,000 per additional dependant beyond the core family of four.

Low Annual Stay Requirement

Citizens must spend a minimum of only 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda in any 5 year period to maintain citizenship, one of the lowest residency maintenance requirements of any citizenship by investment program currently available globally.

Dependants Inclusion

Children in full time education up to the age of 26 and financially dependent parents and grandparents aged 58 and above can be included in the family application at a fee of USD 10,000 per additional dependant, making the program highly competitive for large family applications.

Visa Free Access

Antigua and Barbuda passport holders have access to over 151 countries and territories without requiring a prior visa or on arrival, including all Schengen Area states, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Multiple Investment Options

Four qualifying routes include a USD 100,000 NEF contribution (single applicant), USD 300,000 real estate investment, USD 300,000 government bond purchase, or USD 3.5 million enterprise investment, providing flexibility to suit different investor profiles and financial objectives.

Bond Route Available

The USD 300,000 government bond route offers investors a government backed investment held for 5 years at zero interest, functioning effectively as an interest free government loan that qualifies the investor for St Lucia citizenship without a permanent capital outlay.

Processing Speed

Standard processing takes approximately 3 to 4 months with recent program reforms improving administrative efficiency and reducing review timelines compared to the earlier years of the program, making St Lucia one of the faster processing Caribbean programs.

Global Mobility

A St Lucia passport provides access to approximately 147 countries and territories without a prior visa or on arrival, including all Schengen states, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore, providing strong global mobility for business and personal travel.

Fastest Processing Globally

The Vanuatu DSP offers the fastest citizenship by investment processing time of any program globally, with passport delivery typically achieved within 30 to 60 days of a complete application being submitted, making it the preferred choice for applicants requiring urgent processing.

No Physical Presence

There is no requirement to visit or reside in Vanuatu at any stage of the application process, and citizenship holders are not required to maintain any physical presence in Vanuatu after receiving their passport, making this a fully remote program.

Simple Documentation

The application documentation requirements for the Vanuatu DSP are among the most straightforward of any citizenship by investment program globally, with a streamlined due diligence and approval process that minimises the documentation burden on applicants.

Tax Free Country

Vanuatu levies no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no estate duty, and no inheritance tax, making Vanuatu citizenship highly attractive for high net worth individuals seeking a tax neutral second citizenship with minimal ongoing tax obligations.

10 Year Renewable Visa

The UAE Golden Visa is issued for a 10 year period and is renewable, providing long term certainty of residency status without the uncertainty and administrative burden associated with the shorter term permits that previously required frequent renewal.

No Sponsor Required

Golden Visa holders can enter and exit the UAE and manage their personal and business affairs freely without requiring a UAE national sponsor or service agent, removing a significant administrative requirement that previously applied to all long term foreign residents.

Business Ownership Rights

Golden Visa holders can establish and own a company in the UAE mainland or a free zone with 100% foreign ownership, taking full advantage of the UAE's position as a major global business hub and its zero tax environment for most commercial activities.

Family Sponsorship

The UAE Golden Visa includes the right to sponsor the visa holder's spouse, children of all ages, and a domestic worker under the same 10 year residency permit, allowing the entire immediate family to reside in the UAE on the strength of a single Golden Visa.

Qualified Nations List

Citizens of approximately 50 countries designated as having friendly or professional relations with Panama qualify for the Friendly Nations Visa, including all EU member states, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, among others.

Territorial Tax System

Panama applies a strictly territorial tax system under which all foreign source income is entirely exempt from Panamanian income tax, making Panama highly attractive for individuals with international income streams, investment portfolios, and business interests outside Panama.

Path to Citizenship

After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Panama, Friendly Nations Visa holders may apply for Panamanian citizenship, receiving a passport with access to approximately 140 countries and territories on a visa free or visa on arrival basis.

Ease of Application

The Friendly Nations Visa application process is straightforward relative to many other residency by investment programs, with a streamlined process and the ability to obtain temporary residency relatively quickly with the assistance of a Panamanian licensed immigration attorney.

Competitive Investment Threshold

Qualifying real estate investment of USD 300,000 or equivalent, with a streamlined application process and relatively fast processing compared to most EU residency by investment programs, making Georgia highly accessible for investors across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Tax Advantages

Georgia offers a flat 20% personal income tax rate, a 0% corporate tax on retained earnings for qualifying companies, no capital gains tax on property held over 2 years, and a 5% dividend withholding tax, making it one of the most tax competitive residency options in the Eurasian region.

EU Visa Free Travel

Under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, Georgian citizens benefit from short stay access to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without a prior visa, providing significant European travel freedom for Georgian passport holders and long term residents.

Business Friendly Environment

Georgia consistently ranks highly in global ease of doing business indices, with a low regulatory burden, a simple and competitive tax system, a free trade agreement with the EU, and 100% foreign ownership permitted across most industries and commercial activities.

EU Candidate Country Status

Montenegro is an official EU accession candidate country and has been conducting EU accession negotiations for a number of years. Upon accession, existing Montenegrin citizenship is expected to convert to full EU citizenship, potentially within the next several years.

Low Tax Environment

Montenegro offers one of Europe's lowest corporate income tax rates at 9%, a flat personal income tax of 9% to 15%, no inheritance tax in the direct family line, and no capital gains tax on the sale of a primary residence, creating a highly competitive tax environment for investors and residents.

Real Estate Investment

Foreign investors can obtain temporary Montenegrin residence through qualifying real estate investment of a minimum EUR 250,000, providing a path to permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence and ultimately to citizenship through the standard naturalisation process.

Strategic Location

Montenegro's Adriatic coastline, mountain resort properties, and proximity to major European cities make it an attractive lifestyle and investment destination, with a growing tourism and hospitality sector that supports strong real estate demand in key resort and coastal areas.