Golden Visas
From €50,000
Schengen Area
Visa Free Access
Processing Time
From 2 Months
What is a golden visa program?What is a Golden Visa?
Golden Visa programs are investor programs designed by governments to attract foreign nationals to invest in their country in exchange for residency. Investors then receive the right to visit, live, work, study and retire in the country.
In most cases there are minimal stay requirements for investors, meaning that these new residents can come and go as they please while enjoying the numerous benefits of being a resident in the country. This is particularly common in countries within the European Schengen Area. Investors who acquire residency in one country enjoy the benefit of being able to travel visa-free across all other countries within the Schengen Area.
The vast majority of other types of residency programs impose minimum stay requirements, which require residents to spend at least half their time in the country to maintain residency. Hence, the popularity of Golden Visa programs.
In most cases, golden visa investors must live in their new country of residency for several years to apply for citizenship. Whereas with Citizenship By Investment programs, investors can go through the naturalization process in a matter of months. One exception is Portugal’s Golden Visa program, which allows investors to apply for citizenship 5 years after their initial application date, so long as they visit the country for at least 7 days per year.
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Golden Visa Countries 2024 Which Countries Offer Golden Visa Programs?
The vast majority of countries in the world offer some sort of residency by investment program to attract high-net-worth individuals. However, if we are referring to classic ‘golden visa programs’ in which investors can make passive investments in the country in exchange for residency without the need to live in the country then these are mostly concentrated in Europe with some notable exceptions.
Traditional Golden Visa programs are running in the following countries:
- Portugal
- Greece
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Spain
- Italy
- Cyprus
- Brazil
- UAE
Additionally, investors can consider active residency programs in the form of Start-Up Visa programs in which investors can set up their own businesses or invest into existing local businesses in exchange for residency. You can check out our Start-Up Visas here.
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Lincoln Global Partners offers a total of 8 Golden Visa Programs in Europe with Portugal, Greece, and Latvia being the most popular.
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Benefits of European Golden Visa Programs
The Right to Live in Europe.The right to live, study, conduct business and in some cases work in the host country for the entire family.Minimal Stay RequirementsUnlike other types of residency programs, investors are not required to be physically present in the country for most of the year. This gives investors greater flexibility to come and go as they please while maintaining the programs benefits.Visa-Free Access to the Schengen AreaAs a resident of a Schengen country, investors can travel freely throughout the entire Schengen Area which is comprised of a total of 29 countries.Pathways to CitizenshipThose who physically reside in their host country will be able to apply for citizenship in the future. The minimum number of years varies between each country, usually between 5-10 years.Visa-free travel with an EU Golden Visa
One of the biggest draws of European Golden Visa program is the travel benefits. Investors who acquire residency in one Schengen country can move freely throughout the Schengen Area. The list of Schengen countries in Europe are as follows:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Global Mobility ExpertsGreece
Golden Visa
The Greece Golden Visa Program is the world's most popular Golden Visa program in terms of quantity. The program provides a fast and cost-effective pathway to residency in a Schengen country and the right to live in one of the world's most culturally and historically rich countries.Learn More
Real Estate InvestmentsFrom €250,000
Time DepositsFrom €500,000
Government BondsFrom €400,000
Mutual FundsFrom €350,000
The Greece Golden Visa Program is particularly attractive for real estate investors. The real estate market is booming and investors are spoilt for choice regarding beautiful holiday home destinations in both Mainland Greece and its islands.
Greece imposes no minimum stay requirements and investors and their families can live, study or conduct business freely throughout Greece.
Global Mobility ExpertsPortugal
Golden Visa
Portugal as an EU nation, offers the world's most valuable golden visa program, given it's flexible pathway to citizenship.Learn More
Private Equity and Venture Capital Investment FundsFrom €500,000
Investment Into Research ActivitiesFrom €500,000
Cultural & Arts InvestmentsFrom €250,000
Investment Into A Local CompanyFrom €500,000 plus the creation of 5 jobs, (or 10 jobs with a lesser investment).
In order to be an eligble investment for the Portugal Golden Visa, funds needs to be approved and regulated by CMVM. A minimum of 60% of the fund’s capital must be invested in Portuguese companies, while the investment must be at least €500,000.
The Portugal Golden Visa provides a flexible pathway to citizenship and a tier 1 European Union passport with visa-free travel to 191 jurisdictions worldwide.
Global Mobility ExpertsHungary
Golden Visa
The Hungary Golden Visa Program otherwise known as the Guest Investor Visa is the latest Golden Visa program on the market. The program is very competitive in terms of pricing and is a welcomed addition to the European Golden Visa scene.Learn More
Real Estate Investment FundsFrom €250,000
Real Estate InvestmentsFrom €500,000
Public Trust DonationFrom €1,000,000
What separates Hungary from other Golden Visa programs for European investors is the fact that investors can receive pre-approval before making their investment. Once approved, investors have 93 days from their entry date to fulfill the minimum investment requirements.
The Hungary Golden Visa permit is valid for 10 years and renewable for an additional 10 years thereafter.
The Hungary Golden Visa permit is valid for 10 years and renewable for an additional 10 years thereafter.
Global Mobility ExpertsLatvia
Golden Visa
Latvia offers Europe's most cost-effective Golden Visa Program with eligible investments starting at just €50,000.Learn More
Company Shareholder InvestmentsFrom €50,000
Real Estate InvestmentsFrom €250,000
Bank DepositsFrom €250,000
Government BondsFrom €250,000
Latvia is perhaps the most underrated Golden Visa program on the market. The country is a progressive European nation with relatively low taxes, an attractive real estate market, an abundance of business opportunities and offers high levels of safety and quality of life.
The Latvia Golden Visa Program is valid for 5 years and renewable indefinitely, under the same conditions that investors must maintain their investments to maintain residency.
Global Mobility ExpertsItaly Golden Visa
Italy's Golden Visa Program also known as 'La Dolce Visa' is an increasingly popular option for those seeking residence in Europe.Learn More
Investments into Italian limited companiesFrom €500,000
Investments into Italian Innovative startupsFrom €250,000
Italian Government BondsFrom €2 million
Donations to Philanthropic InitiativesFrom €1 million
Italy is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for both tourism and retirement and now, is growing in popularity also with digital nomads and online entrepreneurs.
Italy’s lump sum tax regime has allowed the country to establish itself as one of Europe’s preferred destinations for Ultra-High Net Worth individuals.
Global Mobility ExpertsCyprus Golden Visa
Cyprus as an EU nation offers the world's most valuable golden visa program given it's flexible pathway to citizenship.Learn More
Residential Real Estate InvestmentsFrom €300,000
Commercial Real Estate InvestmentsFrom €300,000
Investment into a Cypriot CompanyFrom €300,000
Cyprus Investment Funds Association’s Collective InvestmentsFrom €300,000
Permanent Residency in Cyprus can be achieved by investing into the booming Cypriot Real Estate Market.
The amendments to its Civil Registry Law in Cyprus means that as of 2024 residents of Cyprus can become naturalized citizens in just three years.
Global Mobility ExpertsMalta Permanent Residence Program
The Malta Golden Visa Program grants residency to non-EU nationals through investment options that benefit the Maltese economy.Learn More
Real EstateFrom €300,000
Government ContributionFrom €28,000
Charitable Donation€2,000
Your Trusted Consultants
As a trusted golden visa agent, our team is equipped to assess the ideal options for your unique situation, facilitate your application process and keep you in compliance every step of the way. Our personalised investment migration consulting is your one-stop shop for obtaining a second citizenship or new residency. Complete our contact form to get started with a complimentary consultation today.
Book A ConsultationPathways to European Citizenship
Golden Visas are residency by investment programs which allow foreign nationals to acquire long term residency by making an economic contribution to the host country in the form of an investment.
Not to be confused with Citizenship By Investment Programs, successful Golden Visa applicants acquire residency in the country and not citizenship directly. However, investors can acquire citizenship through naturalisation after a number years of living in the country.
Each country has different rules. However, in most cases residents are required to spend at least 6 months per year living in the country if they wish to be eligible to apply for citizenship. Portugal’s Golden Visa is a unique exception.
Portugal Golden Visa Investors who spend at least 7 days per year in the country, are eligible to apply for citizenship 5 years after the date of their initial residency application. (A2 Portuguese Proficiency Required)On top of this, investors are usually required to prove language proficiency and in many cases a cultural and historical understanding of the country they wish to apply for citizenship. The level of such requirements again varies from country to country.
Many countries also require evidence of strong ties to the country so keeping records and proof of this is essential for those who wish to acquire citizenship.
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Lincoln Global Partners is an expert immigration consultancy firm. Our team is here to support you in every step of the way from consultancy services and sourcing suitable investment opportunities to assisting with your application throughout the entire process. Book a consultation with us today to get started!
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