As political and social unrest creates anxiety about the future, investors considering a Golden Visa are making decisions for their families as a backup plan: a path to take if things change. The numbers show this. A Harris Poll survey of more than 2,100 US adults found that among those considering a move abroad:
- 52% said raising or starting a family was an important factor
- 49% were looking for a lower cost of living
- 43% wanted a higher quality of life
- 38% were seeking better or more affordable healthcare
- 35% cited concerns about safety and security
- 20% wanted better or more affordable education
We see the same shift in our own investor queries. At Get Golden Visa, inquiries about family concerns rose 41% in 2026, as more investors start planning a second residency not to move immediately, but to keep the door open if they need it.
In this guide, we compare the best Golden Visa countries for families based on what parents tell us matters most: family inclusion, education, healthcare, safety, cost of living, and a long-term path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Best Golden Visa Countries for Families at a Glance
Country
Minimum Investment
Family Members Included
Best For
Portugal
€500,000 (investment fund)
Spouse, children (under 26 if studying), parents over 65
A path to EU citizenship for the whole family
Greece
€250,000 (selected real estate)
Spouse, children under 21, parents of both spouses (no age limit)
Single-child families and three-generation households
Malta
€375,000 property purchase or €14,000 annual rent
Spouse, dependent children up to 28, parents and grandparents
Permanent residency from day one in an English-speaking country
Italy
€250,000 (innovative startup)
Spouse, children up to 18 years old, dependent parents
Families planning to relocate and work in Italy
Panama
$300,000 (new real estate)
Spouse, children under 18 or under 25 if studying, dependent parents
Permanent residency close to North America
UAE
AED 2 million (real estate)
Spouse, children, dependent parents
Tax-free living and international schooling
1. Portugal: The Best Golden Visa for Families Seeking EU Citizenship
The Portugal Golden Visa remains the strongest choice for families whose long-term goal is EU citizenship. It combines one of the lowest stay requirements in Europe with a clear legal pathway to a European passport for every family member.
Why Families Choose Portugal
For parents, EU citizenship is about more than travel. A Portuguese passport gives your children the right to live, study, and work in all 27 EU member states, often with access to local tuition fees at European universities. It is a benefit that continues long after the investment period ends and can be passed on to future generations.
Portugal also answers many of the reasons families give for moving abroad. It consistently ranks among Europe’s safest countries and has a well-developed public and private healthcare system. It also offers a wide choice of British, American, and IB schools in Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, and the Algarve.
Family Members You Can Include
- Your spouse or legal partner
- Children under 18
- Dependent children under 26, provided they are unmarried full-time students
- Parents of the main applicant or spouse aged over 65
All family members apply together with the main applicant and receive the same residence rights.
Investment Options and Citizenship Timeline
The Portugal Golden Visa no longer accepts real estate. The most preferred route is a €500,000 subscription to a qualifying investment fund, while cultural donations start from €250,000, or €200,000 in low-density areas.
You only need to spend an average of 7 days a year in Portugal. Following the 2026 changes to Portugal’s nationality law, families can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 10 years, counted from the issuance of the residence permit.
For families planning for their children’s future, Portugal’s appeal lies in this long-term outcome rather than speed.
2. Greece: The Best Golden Visa for Single-Child Families
The Greece Golden Visa has become one of the most flexible programs for families. It has recently stood out for one group in particular: single-child families planning around their child’s education and future.
Why Families Choose Greece
The Greek Golden Visa lets parents include the main applicant without an age limit or financial dependency requirement. This creates a rare planning option that few other programs offer.
Instead of applying as the main applicant themselves, parents can make their adult child the main applicant and be included under the child’s application. This protects the child’s residency status beyond dependency age, when they would otherwise no longer qualify as a family member under a parent’s permit.
According to Get Golden Visa’s internal data, applications from single-child families with the child as the main applicant have increased by 35-40%. For these families, the decision is less about the property itself and more about securing the child’s long-term future in Europe.
Family Members You Can Include
- Your spouse or registered partner
- Children under 21
- Parents of both the main applicant and the spouse, regardless of age
This means a single application can cover three generations of the same family.
Investment Options
The Greece Golden Visa grants a renewable five-year residence permit through real estate investment:
- €800,000 in high-demand areas such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos and Santorini
- €400,000 in low-density regions, for a single property of at least 120 m²
- €250,000 for commercial-to-residential conversions or the restoration of listed buildings, regardless of location
The full amount must be invested in a single property, and qualifying properties cannot be used for short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Since Law 5275/2026, the five-year permit period is counted from the date the residence card is issued. There is no minimum stay requirement, so your family can keep the permit active while living elsewhere.
Investors should also note Greece’s announced plans for a 15% property transfer tax for non-EU buyers from 2027, which makes timing an important part of the decision.
3. Malta: The Best Option for Permanent Residency in an English-Speaking Country
Malta suits families who want security from the very beginning. Rather than a temporary Golden Visa, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants permanent residency upon approval, with no renewals for the family to manage.
Why Families Choose Malta
English is one of Malta’s official languages, which makes the transition much easier for children joining a new school. As one of the Golden Visa countries with the best education system, Malta follows the British model and offers both free state schools and a choice of British and IB international schools.
Malta is also an EU and Schengen member, so your family can travel freely across the Schengen Area. For parents who list safety and quality of life as main reasons for moving, its small size, Mediterranean climate, and close-knit communities are strong attractions.
Family Members You Can Include
- Your spouse
- Minor children under 18 years old
- Adult children aged 18-28
- Dependent parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse
Your spouse and children under 18 are included without a separate dependent fee. A €7,500 fee applies to each other dependent.
Investment Requirements
- Purchase a property worth at least €375,000, or rent one for at least €14,000 per year, for five years
- Pay a €60,000 administration fee and a €37,000 government contribution
- Donate €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO
- Show €500,000 in capital, including at least €150,000 in financial assets
Through the rental option, the minimum total cost starts at around €169,000, before professional fees.
4. Italy: The Best Choice for Families Planning to Relocate and Work
Italy is a strong fit for families who plan to actually move, rather than keep residency as a backup option. The Italy Investor Visa gives you and your family the right to live and work in Italy, and to enroll your children in Italian schools and universities.
Why Families Choose Italy
For parents focused on education, Italy offers some of Europe’s most recognized universities, including the University of Bologna, Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome, and Bocconi University. Many now offer full degree programs in English, and public university fees are typically far lower than in the UK or the US.
As a Golden Visa country with one of the best healthcare systems, Italy also offers public healthcare for residents and a family-centered lifestyle that many parents say is part of the appeal.
Family Members You Can Include
Through family reunification, you can include your spouse, minor children up to 18, and dependent parents.
Investment Options
- €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup
- €500,000 in an Italian limited company
- €1 million philanthropic donation
- €2 million in Italian government bonds
For high-net-worth families relocating to Italy, the flat-tax regime may also apply. New residents can pay a fixed €300,000 per year on foreign income, plus €50,000 for each additional family member.
5. Panama: The Best Option for Families Close to North America
Panama is a practical choice for families, especially from the US and Canada, who want permanent residency without relocating far from home. Through the Qualified Investor Visa, often called the Panama Golden Visa, your family receives permanent residency rather than a temporary permit.
Why Families Choose Panama
Panama answers several of the most common reasons families give for moving abroad. It uses the US dollar. It has a lower cost of living than the US, and Panama City offers modern private healthcare and a range of bilingual and international schools.
Last but not least, flights from Miami take around 3 hours.
To maintain permanent residency, you only need to enter Panama at least once every two years. After holding your residency and investment for 5 years, you may become eligible to apply for Panamanian citizenship.
Family Members You Can Include
- Your spouse
- Children under 18, or under 25 if they are students
- Financially dependent parents of the main applicant, regardless of age
- Dependent relatives with disabilities
Investment Options
- $300,000 in a new real estate property
- $500,000 in a resale property, under Executive Decree No. 17, in force since September 16, 2026
- $500,000 in Panamanian listed securities
- $750,000 fixed-term deposit at a licensed private bank, or $500,000 at Banco Nacional de Panamá or Caja de Ahorros
You must hold the investment for at least five years. Spouses can also co-own a qualifying $300,000 property, with each contributing $150,000.
6. UAE: The Best Option for Tax-Free Family Living and International Schooling
The UAE Golden Visa suits families who want a long-term base with no personal income tax and a wide choice of international schools. Through real estate investment, investors receive a 10-year renewable residence permit that can be extended to the whole family.
Why Families Choose the UAE
For parents who prioritize safety, quality of life, and education when moving, Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a strong combination. Dubai, in particular, has one of the world’s largest international school markets, with British, American, IB, Indian, and other curricula, making it easier for children to continue in a familiar system.
Golden Visa holders are not subject to personal income tax in the UAE, and the UAE has double taxation agreements with many countries.
Unlike standard UAE residence visas, the Golden Visa remains valid even if you stay outside the country for more than six months, which gives families flexibility.
Family Members You Can Include
- Your spouse
- Minor children and unmarried children over 18 eligible to be included
- Parents, with a certified dependency certificate
Investment Requirements
- Purchase one or more properties in your name worth at least AED 2 million (around $545,000)
- Mortgaged properties may qualify with a no-objection letter from the bank
- Government fees of around AED 9,900 for the main applicant and around AED 5,800 per family or parents’ permit, according to the Dubai Land Department
It is worth noting that the UAE Golden Visa is a residence permit and does not offer a standard pathway to citizenship. For families whose long-term goal is a second passport, a European program such as Portugal may be the better fit.
How to Choose the Best Golden Visa for Your Family
The best Golden Visa country for your family depends less on the lowest investment amount and more on your long-term plans. These questions can help narrow the choice:
- Is EU citizenship the end goal? Portugal offers one of the clearest paths to a European passport with minimal time spent in the country.
- Do you have one child and want to secure their future in Europe? Greece allows the child to be the main applicant, with parents included regardless of age.
- Do you want permanent residency immediately? Malta and Panama both grant permanent residency from the outset.
- Are you planning to relocate and work? Italy gives the whole family the right to live and work in the country.
- Is English-language schooling a priority? Malta’s British-style system makes it the smoothest transition for English-speaking children.
- Is a tax-free base with international schools the priority? The UAE offers no personal income tax and one of the largest international school markets in the world.
Get Golden Visa: Who We Are and How We Can Help You
Get Golden Visa is a bespoke global mobility advisory firm helping investors and families explore residency and citizenship options around the world since 2014.
If you are planning your family’s next move, contact our team to discuss your priorities and explore the options that may be suitable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions on Golden Visas for Families
Which Golden Visa is best for families?
It depends on your goals. Portugal is best for families seeking EU citizenship, Greece offers the most flexibility for single-child and three-generation families, and Malta and Panama grant permanent residency from day one.
Can I include my parents in my Golden Visa application?
Greece includes the parents of both spouses regardless of age, Malta includes dependent parents and grandparents, Portugal includes parents over 65, Panama includes financially dependent parents, and the UAE allows parents to be sponsored with a dependency certificate.
Can my child be the main applicant for a Golden Visa?
In Greece, families can make their adult child the main applicant and include the parents under the child’s application. This helps protect the child’s residency status after they pass dependency age.
Do my children need to live in the country to keep their residency?
Not necessarily. Greece has no minimum stay requirement, Portugal requires an average of 7 days a year, and Panama requires one visit every two years.
Can my children study in the country with a Golden Visa?
Golden Visa holders and their family members can generally live and study in the host country, including enrolling in local public or private schools and universities.
Disclaimer: Get Golden Visa is an independent residency and citizenship advisory firm. We do not provide investment, financial, legal or tax advice. Information in this article is for informational purposes only.
