Golden Visa / Caribbean Citizenship

Investor Visas in Europe (Part of the best Golden Visa programs in Europe)

Golden visa programs from different EU countries grant immediate residency visa or even citizenship directly to foreign investors against a lump sum investment, no less than €250,000 in real estate, or in business & commerce. There is no requirement to live in the country after making the investment.

Golden Visa – Portugal

The Portuguese Golden Visa program has proven to be the most popular program in Europe, with its flexibility and benefits attracting investors. Launched in 2012, the Investor Visa program has been actively promoted internationally by the Portuguese government. Investments of 500,000 euros in public or private scientific research institutions, investment funds and private equity of 500,000 euros, or donations of 250,000 euros to Portuguese cultural heritage will receive a residence permit for a family including dependent children. The Golden Visa can be renewed every two years, provided the applicant spends 7 days a year in the country.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship:

One of the most attractive options is to apply for permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 6 years, without the applicant having to reside in Portugal. In fact, the applicant and his family only need to visit for 7 days a year to renew the Portuguese Golden Visa. Portuguese citizenship and a second passport confer the right to live, work and study anywhere in the European Union.

Investments in the Portuguese real estate market have been suspended since October 2023.

Benefits:

• Live, study and travel in Europe.
• Very minimal residency requirements.
• Naturalization for citizenship after 6 years.
• No taxes unless you live 183 days in Portugal
• Immigrate to Europe with family and children.
• Travel freely in Schengen including Switzerland, Germany etc.
• Qualify for Portugese PR after 5 years of living

Golden Visa – Spain

Golden Visa Spain with €500,000 investment. Spain launched its golden visa program in 2013. Family residence is encouraged with an investment of €500,000 in real estate. The Spanish investor visa can be renewed every two years. After five years it is possible to obtain permanent residence and after ten years citizenship. It is not necessary to live in Spain to keep and renew the residence permit for the visa.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship:

It is possible to apply for permanent residency in Spain after living in the country for five years. Citizenship can be applied for after living in the country for ten years. Although the temporary residency permit (the golden visa) can easily be renewed without living in the country, the path to permanent residency and citizenship requires the investor and his family to reside in Spain.

Benefits:

• Travel freely in Schengen
• Living, studying and travelling in Europe
• High demand profitable real estate investment
• Family and children included in one application
• No minimum stay requirements
• Profitable real estate investments
• No interviews, no language tests

Compare Golden Visa Programmes:

Spain is not the only country in Europe that offers a Golden Visa program and residency through property investment. Visit our pages on Greece to compare the investment requirements and benefits of their Golden Visa residency programs and also citizenship through investment programs in Cyprus and Malta.

Golden Visa – Greece

Launched in July 2013 the Greek golden visa programme grants a five year residency visa in return for an investment in real estate. There is no minimum stay requirement and children up to the age of 21 are included in the family application. The visa is granted for five years and renewed every five years if the property investment is retained. It is not necessary to live in the country in order to retain and renew the investor visa. However citizenship can only be granted after seven years of residency.

Note that the investment amounts will change under the Golden Visa 2024 program. The minimum investment in real estate in Greece will increase to 400,000.00 euros, 500,000.00 euros or 800,000.00 euros. The prices depend on the location of the property.

Benefits:

• The residency right is permanent, renewed every 5 years. After 7 years of residency will lead to citizenship possibility.
• The investor may offer residency right to his parent’s, spouse, spouse’s parents and children under 21.
• The investor will be able to sell his/her property before the expiration of 5 years to another foreign citizen, and transfer the residency permit together with the property.
• There is no need to stay in Greece to maintain the residency right.
• The investor may establish his own business in Greece.
• The residency permit holder can travel freely to all Schengen countries. He can also travel directly from his country without the need to come to Greece first.

Golden Visa – Cyprus

Permanent residency through real estate investment worth at least €300,000 and acquisition of Cyprus citizenship through investment of €2.0 million.

Cyprus offers two golden visa programs through real estate investment. One for permanent residency and one for citizenship. The two Cypriot immigration investment schemes are fast and efficient at granting a residency permit and second passport. Cyprus is a full member of the European Union and English is widely spoken on the island.

Permanent Residency in Cyprus

Applicants can secure permanent residency in Cyprus through investment in real estate. The programme is one of the fastest and simplest investor visa programmes in Europe. It requires investment of just €300,000 into property to gain the Cyprus residency permit.

The residence visa is issued within two months and is valid for the whole family. It includes the parents of both the main applicant and the spouse, as well as dependent children up to the age of 25. It is valid for life and can be passed on to dependents and spouses.

The permanent residence programme offers travel convenience throughout the European Union and only requires all family members to visit Cyprus every two years.

The investment may be made by a company for which the main applicant and spouse are beneficial owners. The investment can be in to a maximum of two properties provided they reach the €300,000 permanent residency limit. The properties purchased must be brand new.

Citizenship by Investment Cyprus:

Cyprus offers the quickest, most assured route to European citizenship and a second passport through the Cypriot citizenship by investment programme. An investment of €2.0 million in real estate is required. Cyprus is unique in its offering of citizenship within just 2-3 months of such an investment. This grants a Cypriot passport and EU citizenship, allowing the freedom to work, travel, study and live anywhere within the EU including countries such as Germany, France and the UK. The investment can be reduced down after 3 years to just €500,000.

Golden Visa – Malta

Launched in August 2015, the Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP) is a fast and efficient way for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a valid European residence permit legally. Under the Malta golden visa program, non-EU citizens can acquire a Malta residence permit promptly allowing the investor and their family to enter and/or live in Malta, as well as to travel freely to all EU Schengen Area countries including Switzerland. Once in possession of a Maltese residence permit, there is no need to apply for a Schengen Visa in order to visit EU countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, or Greece.

Qualifying Investments for the Malta Golden Visa

Apart from satisfying the above eligibility requirements, the applicant must also invest in Malta by satisfying these 3 requirements:

• Contribution: Once an applicant is approved for the Malta Golden Visa, he/she must pay €30,000 to the Government of Malta (less the non-refundable fee of €5,500 payable upon submission of the application).
• Property: An applicant must also buy or rent a property in Malta or in Gozo/South Malta. In terms of the Malta Golden Visa regulations, a qualifying property is an immovable property which is purchased for a minimum value of €350,000 if situated in Malta or €300,000 if situated in Gozo/South Malta. Alternatively an applicant may also rent a property for a minimum value of €12,000 if situated in Malta or €10,000 if situated in Gozo/South Malta.
• Investment: An applicant must also make a qualifying investment in the form determined by Identity Malta holding a minimum value of €250,000.

Benefits:

• Free travel in Schengen
• Living, studying and travelling in Europe
• Family and children included in one application
• Profitable real estate investments
• No interviews, no language tests
• Possibility of tax advantages