Golden Visa countries offer residency in exchange for a qualifying investment. However, the best Golden Visa program for you and your family does not depend solely on finding the cheapest option for your budget. In 2026, this investment decision is taken via a combination of several factors, including legal stability, realistic processing, family benefits, exit flexibility, and a long-term citizenship potential.
Accordingly, each country with a Golden Visa program has its own advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult to choose among them. There is no “one size fits all” solution. It ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Now, let’s dive deeper into what a Golden Visa is and the top 20 countries offering this scheme.
What is a Golden Visa?
A Golden Visa is a permit that allows individuals and their dependent family members to get residency in a country. Today, many European countries offer Golden Visa programs to individuals seeking residency and, eventually, even citizenship.
- Although the required investment amounts vary, Golden Visa schemes are typically based on real estate acquisition, investment fund subscription, capital transfer, or donation.
- Most Golden Visa programs allow family inclusion, which means that you’re able to include your immediate family members. Some countries also allow the inclusion of grandparents and parents-in-law.
- Mostly, Golden Passport countries do not require you to live or move there; they only apply minimum physical residency requirements. This helps many keep the Golden Visa as a plan B, keeping options open, rather than moving directly to the host country.
- Golden Visa schemes might lead to citizenship depending on the country’s residency requirements. In some countries, it only requires 7 days per year, such as Portugal. In other countries, you might be eligible only after several years of full-time residency.
Benefits of Golden Visas in 2026
Golden Residency is preferable for several reasons. It used to be global mobility first, but over time, at Get Golden Visa, we have seen differences in investor priorities. Now, investors do not just focus on affordability or global mobility. They have different priorities, including education planning, tax efficiency, creating an investment portfolio, and lifestyle purposes.
- It grants its holders and eligible family members the opportunity to travel visa-free across various countries. In this context, most European Golden Visa programs are preferred for their Schengen Access.
- Once you have your Golden Visa, you and your family members can live, work, and study in the host country, and access its healthcare and social services.
- There are various investment options available that can help with capital appreciation and protection.
- In most cases, holding a Golden Passport will not make you a tax resident. In order to be a tax resident, you must reside in the host country for at least 183 days. However, it is always advised to check it with your tax advisor.
- There is a trend among investors toward a portfolio of options, in which they build multi-layered structures that combine residency and citizenship by investment programs as a tool for tax predictability, asset protection, global mobility, and future planning.
How Many Countries Offer Golden Visas?
There are 11 Golden Visas in Europe, and 19 in other regions, totaling 30. Below, you will find the shortlist of Golden Visa countries and their minimum investment thresholds, based on their regions.
| Country / Program | Minimum Investment | Primary Type |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | €200,000 - €500,000 | Cultural Donation / Investment Funds |
| Greece | €250,000 - €800,000 | Real Estate (Tiered by Location) |
| Italy | €250,000 - €2,000,000 | Startup / Company / Govt Bonds |
| Latvia | €50,000 (+€10,000 fee) | Business Equity / Real Estate (€250k) |
| Cyprus | €300,000 | Real Estate / Company Shares |
| Hungary | €250,000 | Real Estate Investment Funds |
| Malta | €169,000 - €474,000+ | Property Lease or Purchase |
| Luxembourg | €500,000 - €20,000,000 | Business Investment / Bank Deposit |
| Serbia | No official minimum (~€50,000) | Real Estate Purchase |
| Bulgaria | €512,000 | Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) |
| Switzerland | CHF 250,000 - 600,000+ | Annual Lump-Sum Tax |
| Country / Program | Minimum Investment | Primary Type |
|---|---|---|
| US EB-5 | $800,000 - $1,050,000 | Targeted Employment Area (TEA) / Non-TEA |
| Canada | $75,000+ | Startup visa |
| Paraguay | $150,000 | Tourism Projects |
| Cayman Islands | $2,400,000 | Developed Real Estate |
| Costa Rica | $150,000 | Real Estate, Business, Securities |
| Panama | $300,000 | Real Estate |
| The Bahamas | $1,000,000 | Approved Real Estate |
| Uruguay | $510,000 | Real Estate (for Tax Residency) |
| Country / Program | Minimum Investment | Primary Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong (CIES) | HK$30,000,000 (~$3.85M) | Permissible Financial Assets |
| Singapore (GIP) | S$10,000,000 | New/Existing Business or GIP Fund |
| Malaysia (MM2H) | $150,000 (Silver Tier) | Fixed Deposit + Property Purchase |
| Thailand | THB 900,000 (~$25,000) | Membership Fee (Privilege Card) |
| New Zealand | NZ$15,000,000 | Active Investor Plus (Weighted Assets) |
| Country / Program | Minimum Investment | Primary Type |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Golden Visa | AED 2,000,000 (~US$545,000) | Real Estate Investment |
| Mauritius | US$375,000 | Real Estate (IRS/RES/PDS Schemes) |
| Namibia | US$316,000 - US$365,000 | Real Estate (President's Links Estate) |
| Country / Program | Minimum Investment | Primary Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey | £250,000 | Minimum Annual Tax Contribution |
| Monaco | €500,000 - €1,000,000 | Bank Deposit (Self-Sufficiency) |
| UK | No set minimum | Innovator Founder (Endorsement Required) |
Which Golden Visa Fits You The Best?
At Get Golden Visa, we know that each investor has a different goal that shapes their investment migration decisions. So, there are various programs around the world structured for different reasons.
1. Real Estate Investors
If you are a traditional investor and looking for a Golden Visa through real estate investment, you can opt for Greece, Malta, Latvia, Cyprus, Panama, and the UAE. The most preferred programs are Greece’s, Latvia’s, and Panama’s.
Greece is perfect if you want flexibility for you and your family. The minimum investment amounts are €250K for conversion projects, regardless of location; €400K for less-dense regions; and €800K for higher-density regions. If you just want to keep the property and rent it out long-term, it is possible, and you do not have to comply with any minimum residency requirements. The rental yield potential is around 4.5%-6%, providing you with a stable passive income.
Malta offers both rental options (around €169K) and purchase options (around €474K), giving a lifestyle investment opportunity. Latvia, on the other hand, enters the stage as a strong emerging competitor to Greece. In Greece, you can buy a property with a minimum investment of €250K, regardless of location, and rental yields can reach up to 7%. The only drawback is that you must visit Latvia to renew your residency card once a year.
Panama and the UAE, on the other hand, combine real estate with tax efficiency. In the UAE, you do not have to pay any income tax, while in Panama, you are exempt from foreign income tax.
2. Lifestyle Investors
A lifestyle investor is a person who wants a second residency option that can become the life they want to live. In this regard, we see that Italy has become the first go-to Golden Visa program for them. They do not just want a Golden Visa program that provides them with capital appreciation or protection; they also structure their investment around a lifestyle they cannot afford in their home country.
Accordingly, the Italian Golden Visa has become the ideal choice as it promises a “La Dolce Vita” lifestyle for someone who wants to relocate in the long run. Historically, the Spanish Golden Visa was preferred for the same reason. However, with the removal of real estate investment in Spain’s Golden Visa and the proposal for 100% real estate tax on non-EU property buyers, that place has been taken by Italy.
3. Those Looking for Tax-Efficiency
When considering a Golden Visa program as part of tax planning, Panama, the UAE, and the Cayman Islands stand out. Panama has a territorial tax system, meaning that you do not have to pay taxes on foreign-sourced income. The UAE, on the other hand, has no income tax, which makes it appealing for many entrepreneurs, expats, and digital nomads.
The Cayman Islands, as a compelling alternative, has no income, corporate, capital gains, property, inheritance, or withholding taxes.
However, this does not mean that you are exempt from paying taxes in your home country. So, it is always best practice to consult a tax advisor.
4. For Future Family Planning
Many investors who prioritize their families’ future look for family flexibility in a program and the future opportunities that the country can offer. In this perspective, at Get Golden Visa, we see that many tend to direct their attention to EU Residency by Investment programs. The winners among them are Greece and Portugal.
Recently, Greece has stood out for single-child families thanks to the program’s flexibility for future education planning. 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%. The reason is that it is becoming a hub for international schools, with upcoming international universities such as the Sorbonne and the University of Essex.
Portugal, on the other hand, still offers a long-term citizenship path to EU citizenship and EU residency rights.
5. Citizenship Investors
Historically, citizenship seekers seeking European citizenship preferred Portugal and Malta. Malta removed its citizenship-by-investment program but still offers the Malta Citizenship by Merit path. The program requires exceptional contributions to Malta and commitment.
Portugal still offers a path to citizenship as long as you qualify for the citizenship requirements. Previously, the law allowed applicants to apply for citizenship after five years, starting from the issuance of the initial application, with a minimum of 7 days’ stay per year. As of the new Portugal Citizenship Law, it requires ten years, starting from the issuance of the first residency card. However, the details of this naturalization requirement may change based on the latest information from official government sources.
Consequently, if you want to access direct citizenship as quickly as possible, then Golden Visa programs may not be ideal for you. You can consider Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs.
How Much is a Golden Visa in 2026?
The cost of a Golden Visa program changes depending on the chosen investment route, added family members, translation or legalization of required documents, government fees, advisory fees, and application fees. Therefore, it is not right to say a specific amount for golden immigration. It is determined by the path you choose, which is again not only a cost-driven decision, but a strategic choice that fits your needs.
Investment amounts for a Golden Visa in Europe ranges from €50,000 to €2 million. If you wish to pick the cheapest and the most affordable Golden Visa, Latvia stands out with €50,000 business investment. Plus, it will require you to pay a government fee of €10,000, totaling to €60,000. However, this is just an investment cost, there will be additional fees as we stated above.
Golden Visa Program Requirements
Countries with a Golden Visa scheme have their own set of requirements. However, there are some basic requirements such as:
- Having a clean criminal record
- Proving that you’ll use your own funds to make the investment
- Keeping the investment for a certain period of time (time may vary depending on the country)
- Demonstrating that you’ve acquired your funds legally
Some countries might require you to show that you have a certain amount of net worth, separate from the amount you’re going to invest.
How to Get a Golden Visa
The first step in the Golden Visa application is to decide on your investment criteria. While real estate acquisition is the most popular route, the capital transfer is getting a lot of attention, too. Some Golden Visa schemes also include options such as fund investment, job creation, and donation.
Once you decide on your investment criteria, you can start your application. The processing time for a Golden Visa is two to nine months.
If you’re planning to make a Golden Visa application, it’s wise to speak to professionals before you commit any funds or make an investment.
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Golden Visa Application Process
The application process for each Golden Visa program differs. However, there are some steps that each program requires. We’ve prepared the below table to give you an understanding of the application process.
You speak to Golden Visa experts and lawyers to have a better understanding of the process.
Depending on your needs and criteria, you choose your investment type.
You prepare all the documents and submit them to your lawyer.
The authorities check your eligibility for the program.
After providing biometrics, you receive your first residence card.
Depending on the program, you apply for renewal after one to five years.
If your chosen program is a residency by investment scheme, you can be eligible for citizenship after a certain period of time.
Top 10 EU Golden Visa Programs
1. Portugal Golden Visa: For EU Citizenship
- Minimum investment: €200,000 (cultural donation in low-density areas)
- Residency: 5 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 10 years
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 12-18 Months
Portugal Golden Visa program, also known as Portugal Residency by Investment program, launched in 2012, is one of the most popular residency by investment programs in Europe. Provided that you’re not a European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland citizen, you can apply for the program through a qualifying investment in Portugal.
The qualifying investments for the Portugal Golden Visa:
- Portugal Golden Visa Fund option with a minimum fund investment of €500,000
- Creation of a minimum of 10 full-time jobs in a registered Portuguese company, €500,000
- An investment of €500,000 to R&D within Portugal
- A minimum donation of €250,000 to national heritage, arts, or culture
Benefits of Portugal Golden Visa
- You get the right to live and work in Portugal
- You can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area
- If you meet the requirements, you can be eligible to apply for European citizenship in 10 years*
- You can add your family members to the program, thanks to family reunification
- You’re only required to stay in Portugal only seven days per year to keep your Golden Visa
- Portugal offers an affordable lifestyle compared to many European countries and the USList Item
- You get the opportunity to invest in an EU country with high potential
*Portuguese citizenship eligibility, timelines, and naturalization requirements are governed by nationality law and related legal interpretation, which are separate from the Golden Visa residency framework. This content is provided for informational purposes only and reflects the information available at the time of publication. It should not be construed as legal advice or as a guarantee of eligibility, approval, processing timeline, or future citizenship outcome. Laws, regulations, administrative practices and legal interpretations may evolve over time, and applicants should consult a qualified legal advisor to understand the implications of any current or potential regulatory changes before making decisions.
2. Greece Golden Visa: For Real Estate Investors
- Minimum investment: €250,000 (property investment)
- Residency: 5 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 7 years (requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 6-9 Months
Launched in July 2013, the Greek Golden Visa program grants a five-year residency visa through an investment in the country. If you’re above the age of 18, a non-EU citizen, and have a clean criminal record, you can apply for the program.
The qualifying investments for the Greek Golden Visa
- €250,000 investment in Greek real estate, as long as you convert commercial properties into residential use or restore registered buildings, no matter the location or size
- A minimum €400,000 by purchasing a property in Greece in rural areas or in less densely populated cities and islands, in case your investment is in a single property of at least 120 m2
- A minimum €800,000, by purchasing property in Athens, Thessaloniki, and islands with more than 3,100 inhabitants
Benefits of Greece Golden Visa
- You get the right to visa-free travel within all Schengen Area countries
- You get the right to live in Greece
- You can access public health services and the education system in Greece
- You’re required to make a low investment compared to the other golden visa programs in Europe
- You can add your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law
- You’re not required to stay in Greece to keep the Golden Visa
A five-year residency visa is granted, and it’s renewed every five years, as long as the property investment is sustained. Greek citizenship can only be granted after seven years of residency in the country. The application process for the Greece Golden Visa takes some time, and it depends on many reasons.
3. Italy Golden Visa: For Lifestyle Investors
- Minimum investment: €250,000 (Start-Up investment)
- Residency: 2 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 10 years (requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3-4 Months
The Italy Investor Visa is also known as the “Investor Visa for Italy.” The Italian government first introduced its residency program in 2017 for the promotion of foreign direct investment. Non-EU nationals can apply for the Italy Golden Visa offers to obtain a residence visa through the required investment in Italy. The residence permit is granted for two years, and after renewal, the validity is three years.
The qualifying investments for Italy Golden Visa:
- Italian government bonds: €2 million investment
- Italian limited company: €500,000 investment
- Italian innovative startup: €250,000 investment
- Philanthropic initiative in Italy: €1 million donations
Benefits of Italy Golden Visa
- Eligibility of Italian citizenship after 10 years of residency
- Chance to benefit from a special tax regime
- Access to free travel within the Schengen Zone
- Opportunity to include your family in your application
- Right to work for you and your family in Italy
- The advantage of the Italian National public healthcare
4. Hungary Golden Visa: 10 Years
- Minimum investment: €250,000 (Fund investment)
- Residency: 10 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 8 years (requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 Months
You can apply for Hungary Golden Visa to get a long-term residency permit with a 10-year validity. Also called a Guest Investor Residence Permit, this program lets you upgrade your residency permit to permanent residency if you live in Hungary full-time for five years. Plus, you can also be eligible for citizenship after 8 years of legal residence.
The qualifying investments for the Hungarian Golden Visa
- Real Estate Investment Fund of €250,000
- Non-refundable Public Trust Donation of €1 million
Benefits of Hungary Golden Visa
- European residency is a fast option among other European residency programs.
- The life-long residency that you only need to renew every ten years.
- Travel freedom with visa-free access to the countries in the EU Schengen zone.
- The flexibility of having no residency requirement.
- Tax advantage with no tax obligation if you are not a resident.
5. Cyprus Golden Visa Program: For Real Estate Investors
- Minimum investment: €300,000 (Real estate investment)
- Residency: Permanent Residence
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 8 years (requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 Months
To benefit from the quickest and most assured path to European residency through Cyprus Golden Visa, applicants need to invest €300,000 in real estate along with proof of a source income of at least €50,000. Then, they can get their permanent residence within a few months. However, you can only include your application for your spouse and children. So, it does not permit you to include your grandparents, unlike other programs.
Once achieved, a passport from Cyprus allows its holder to work, travel, study, and live anywhere in the EU. The citizen can have visa-free access to countries like Germany, France, and the UK.
The available investment options are:
- €300,000 in a commercial or residential property
- €300,000 to the capital share of the Cypriot company
- €300,000 to the Cyprus Collective Investment Organization.
Benefits of Cyprus Golden Visa
- It gives permanent residency rights, rather than temporary residence.
- You can travel freely across the Schengen Area as a Cyprus Golden Visa holder.
- Cyprus does not impose heavy taxes on investors, making it one of the most tax-friendly countries in Europe.
6. Latvia Golden Visa: For Real Estate Investors
- Minimum investment: €50,000 (Business investment)
- Residency: 10 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 10 years (requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 1-3 Months
Compared to other Golden Visa programs in Europe, Latvia offers the cheapest minimum investment amount for residency. Although it is a residency-by-investment program, applicants can apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residence in Latvia. At this point, it is important to note that to hold your Latvia Golden Visa, there are no minimum stay requirements. However, if your aim is to get citizenship, you must legally reside in Latvia for 10 years.
Accordingly, the program also offers the following investment routes for investors:
- Minimum €250,000 for a real estate purchase
- Minimum €50,000 investment in a Latvian company with fewer than 50 employees and an annual income of €10,000
- Minimum €100,000 for a Latvian company with more than 50 employees and an annual income of over €10,000
- €280,000 in a Latvian bank for a fixed term of five years
- €250,000 worth of Latvian government bonds
Benefits of Latvia Golden Visa
- It is the most affordable Golden Visa program in Europe.
- You can freely travel in the Schengen Area via the Latvia Golden Visa and can stay up to 90 days in 180 days.
7. Bulgaria Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €512,000 (Fund Investment)
- Residency: Permanent residence
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 5 years (but requires revoking your other citizenship)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 8-9 months
Launched in 2023, Bulgarian Golden Visa offers permanent residency by investment in exchange for a €512,000 fund investment. The rules are simple: Invest one of the AIF or EFT funds, keep it for 5 years to keep your permanent residency status. Thus, you can visit the Schengen Area without any visa requirements. Plus, you can also get citizenship after 5 years, but you must be ready to revoke your citizenship.
8. Swiss Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: CHF 200,000 (lump sum tax)
- Residency: 1 year
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Available after 10-12 years (requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: up to 5 months
The Swiss Golden Visa was introduced in 2008 as a residency-by-investment program. Accordingly, you can apply through two options: Swiss residency by lump sum tax and the entrepreneurial investor scheme.
The Swiss tax arrangement requires individuals to pay an annual flat tax of CHF 200,000 to CHF 600,000. On the other hand, the Swiss Entrepreneurial Investor Scheme allows individuals to gain residency by starting a business or investing at least CHF 1 million in Switzerland, promoting job creation.
9. Luxembourg Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: €500,000 (business investment)
- Residency: 3 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Yes, after 5 years(requiring full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3-6 Months
Among the EU Golden Visa programs, Luxembourg stands out with its variety of investment options. The minimum investment amount starts from €500,000 for a business with a registered Luxembourg office. Additionally, you can also invest the same amount in an upcoming business, too, by creating 5-full full-time jobs.
On the other hand, you can also contribute €3 million to a management or investment structure. Similarly, you can prefer to make a €20 million deposit into a Luxembourg financial institution under the Luxembourg Golden Visa framework.
11. Malta Residency by Investment Program
- Minimum investment: €169,000
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 12 to 18 months
Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) allows non-EU nationals to obtain permanent residency through a combination of property investment and government contributions. Applicants must show:
- A sufficient wealth (generally €500,000 in total assets, including a minimum portion as financial assets)
- Commit to maintaining qualifying investments for at least five years.
Malta Residency by Investment program grants the right to live in Malta indefinitely and a travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for short stays.
Main investment options:
- Property purchase: Buy real estate worth at least €375,000
- Property rental: Rent a property for at least €14,000 per year (5-year minimum, totaling €70,000 for 5 years)
- Government contribution: €37,000
- Administrative fee: €60,000 (€15,000 made in the submission of the application, €45,000 made later when making the investment)
- Charitable donation: €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO
- Dependent fees: €7,500 per application
Other Golden Visas Around the World
11. UAE Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: AED 2,000,000 (real estate investment)
- Residency: 5-10 years
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Only through exceptional merit
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 1 to 3 months
Compared to Golden Visa programs in the EU, the UAE Golden Visa aims to give residency rights to special talents for 5 to 10 years. This residency visa mostly focuses on attracting special talents, along with investors who bring capital to the UAE economy.
The process starts by getting an entry visa. Then you need to make a minimum AED 2 million real estate investment, along with submitting your application documents. The process generally takes around 3 months. After that, you can benefit from your long-term residency status for around 5-10 years.
12. United States Investor Visa
- Minimum investment: $800,000 (business investment)
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: No
- Processing time: 20-26 months
Through investment in government-approved projects across the United States of America, investors can get the EB-5 visa. This visa gives permanent US residency. It also provides you with the right to access education, live, work, study, and retire in the USA. You can also get your initial investment back upon the completion of the project. The US government requires you to reside in the USA for at least half of each year.
As a program with a rather long processing period, you can expect to get your residency in 20-26 months.
The Qualifying Investments for the United States Immigrant Investor Program
- $1.05 million investment in a qualifying commercial enterprise
- $800,000 investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) with the promise of creating at least 10 full-time jobs for US citizens within 2 years
As a result of all the benefits and investment options, Golden Visa, residency by investment programs, offer many alternative ways of opportunities. Be it having access to free travel within European countries or the route to European citizenship, as long as the investor meets the requirements, there are promising advantages.
13. Paraguay Golden Visa: Best for Affordable Tax Optimization
- Minimum investment: $150,000 (tourism project)
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 3 years (Requires full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
As a newly launched program in 2026, the Paraguay Golden Visa is the best fit for those seeking affordability and tax optimization. The uniqueness of this program is its direct access to permanent residency.
By making an investment of at least $150,000 in a tourism project, the Investor Pass Visa, you can be eligible for this route and benefit from access to visa free access to Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, along with its favorable territorial tax system.
14. The Cayman Islands Residency by Investment: Best for Taxation Planning
- Minimum investment: $2.4 (real estate)
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years (Requires full-time residency)
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
Another permanent residency-by-investment program is offered by the Cayman Islands. By making a $2.4 million real estate investment, you can qualify for the program. It is primarily preferred by high-net-worth individuals for tax planning. The country does have no income, corporate, capital gains, gift, inheritance, or sales taxes.
15. Panama Golden Visa: Permanent Residency & Tax Optimization
- Minimum investment: $300,000 (real estate)
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
The Panama Golden Visa program is a great opportunity for those looking for direct permanent residency opportunities. Additionally, it still offers real estate investment starting from $300,000, along with its territorial tax system. So, if you are looking for a tangible asset with long-term stability and taxation benefits, it might be perfect for you.
16. The Bahamas Residency by Investment: For Tax Efficiency
- Minimum investment: $1 million (Approved Bahamian real estate or Central Bank Zero-Coupon Bonds)
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
The Bahamas positions itself as a tax-friendly country, maintaining a tax-neutral regime with no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. Its residency by investment program requires you to invest at least $1 million in an approved Bahamian real estate investment or Central Bank Zero-Coupon Bonds. In exchange for this, it offers Economic Permanent Residence (EPR).
However, the investment must be maintained for at least 10 years. Additionally, although it provides tax benefits, it does not grant you the right to work in the Bahamas under this program.
17. Uruguay Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: Minimum income of $1,500
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
You can obtain residency in Uruguay by purchasing a property and meeting the country’s financial requirements. Applicants must show a monthly income of at least $1,500 and spend a minimum of 60 days per year in Uruguay. Applications can take up to 18 months to process, and citizenship may be available after three to five years of residency.
18. New Zealand Golden Visa
- Minimum investment: NZD 5-10 million (transfer funds)
- Residency: Permanent Residency
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
New Zealand’s program requires an investment of NZD 5-10 million. It grants residence with a pathway to permanent residency after 3-5 years, depending on the investment type you choose. Currently, New Zealand Golden Visa program is popular for its political stability, high quality of life, and investor-friendly residency requirements.
19. Mauritius Golden Visa
Soon to be launched in 2026, the Mauritius Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of US$1 million. Although the details are pending publication, it promises a focus on high-growth sectors, capital preservation, tax efficiency, and rapid processing in as little as five working days.
20. Namibia Residency by Investment
- Minimum investment:$365,000
- Residency: 2-year multiple-entry residence permit
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: After 5 years
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
Located in Southern Africa, Namibia’s Golden Visa offers a residency-by-investment program starting at NAD 3,950,000, approximately $365,000. It provides a renewable 5-year residence permit with a pathway to permanent residence. Additionally, it attracts investors seeking tax advantages, political stability, and access to Southern African markets.
Citizenship by Investment Programs: For Direct Citizenship Investors
1. St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program
- Minimum investment: €250,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 4-6 months
St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, launched in 1984, is the first citizenship by investment program. The scheme accepts investments for real estate or donations. To benefit from the program, you’ll be required to make a minimum donation of $250,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). Alternatively, you can make an investment of $400,000 in real estate in St Kitts and Nevis for citizenship. Once you invest in the program, you can get your passport in a maximum of six months.
2. Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
- Minimum investment: €230,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 6-9 months
The citizenship by investment program of Antigua and Barbuda provides an economic passport to investors. There are a few options you can choose to benefit from the program. You can choose to contribute $230,000 to the National Development Fund.
Another option is investing $1.5 million in establishing a business. Alternatively, you can invest $400,000 in a government-approved real estate project (which can be reduced to $200,000 for connected investors). Antigua and Barbuda citizenship grants visa-free travel to over 153 countries, including the Schengen area. Moreover, the country requires only five days of residence per year. You can get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship and a passport in around six months.
3. Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program
- Minimum investment: $200,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: Yes
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 6-9 months
Dominica citizenship is available through two options. The first is by making an economic contribution (donation) to the country under the government investor visa program. The second option, available since January 2015, is through real estate investment. With a minimum investment threshold of $200,000, the Dominican passport is among the cheapest. Once you make your application, you can expect to get your passport in three months.
4. Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Program
- Minimum investment: €400,000 (real estate)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3-9 months
To become a citizen of the Republic of Türkiye, there are several options investors might benefit from. You can make an investment of at least $400,000 in real estate. You can also invest in a company with a minimum capital of $500,000. Finally, you can deposit $500,000 in State investment instruments or state banks operating in Türkiye, provided that you keep the investment for three years. Creating jobs for at least 50 people is another option you can prefer to get Turkish citizenship by investment.
The process of Turkish citizenship by investment usually takes around three to six months.
The Qualifying Investments for Türkiye Citizenship by Investment
- Acquisition of a property with a minimum value of $400,000 and a three-year holding period
- Purchase of government bonds worth at least $500,000 and held for at least three years
- Establishment of a business that generates employment for at least 50 people
- A minimum $500,000 capital investment
- $500,000 deposit in banks operating in Turkey to be kept for a minimum of three years
- $500,000 investment in a real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund to be kept for a minimum of three years
5. Grenada Citizenship by Investment
- Minimum investment: $235,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 9–12 months
As one of the E-2 Visa countries, Grenada offers a citizenship by investment program with a minimum contribution of $235,000. You can also make a real estate investment by investing at least $270,000. Additionally, the Grenada citizenship program requires a comprehensive due diligence process; therefore, expect that the processing times can last around 9-12 months.
Once you get your citizenship, you can travel freely in the Schengen Region, offering you flexibility. Also, you can be eligible to apply for America’s E-2 Visa and get yourself a USA residency by complying with the legal requirements.
6. St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
- Minimum investment: $240,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 12–15 months
Among the Caribbean Islands, St Lucia welcomes investors with its tax-friendly environment. The minimum investment requirement starts from $240,000 for the National Economic Fund Donation. You can also prefer to make a donation to the National Action Government Bonds of around $300,000. On the other hand, real estate investment is also available at $300,000.
Benefits of the St Lucia citizenship program include global mobility, low cost of living, and paying no income tax. The processing time for the program is around 12-15 months.
7. Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- Minimum investment: $130,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 20-26 months
Located in Oceania, Vanuatu’s citizenship program offers a second passport with fast processing, along with the cheapest donation amount ($130,000). However, lately, the program has lost its appeal due to accepting Russian applicants. Therefore, the EU has revoked Vanuatu from the visa-free Schengen countries list.
8. Nauru Citizenship by Investment
- Minimum investment: $105,000 (donation)
- Residency: Full-time
- Visa Free Travel to the Schengen Area: No
- Path to citizenship: Direct
- Family Inclusion: Yes
- Processing time: 3-4 months
Also known as The Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, Nauru’s citizenship program offers the lowest donation amount in Oceania, with a minimum contribution of $105,000. The program was launched in 2024, making it one of the newest programs in the CBI scheme. The estimated timeline for the program is around 3-4 months.
However, the Nauru passport does not have any visa-free access to the Schengen Area. You can only benefit from visa-free travel to Hong Kong (SAR China), Singapore, the UAE, and the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions on Golden Visa Countries
Which country gives the fastest citizenship?
If you’re going to apply for citizenship by investment, Turkey can be a good option. The country usually grants citizenship in three to four months. Malta citizenship is also attainable in one year if you’re ready to make the qualifying investment.
Which country gives free citizenship?
Free citizenship is only possible through certain circumstances, such as by birth, ancestry, long-term residency or asylum seeking. For example, a US passport is given to children who are born within the country’s borders, even if the parents are non-US. Most countries also grant citizenship if you choose to live there for a minimum of five years.
In which country can I buy a house and get citizenship?
Golden Visa programs only offer residency by investment, not citizenship. On the other hand, you can buy a house and get citizenship through CBI programs. The most common countries include: Malta, Turkey, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.
What is the cheapest passport to buy?
When we look at our list, we can say it is Nauru’s passport. However, it does not grant you visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
Can a golden visa lead to citizenship?
In some cases, your Golden Visa can lead to citizenship. One of the most comfortable ways to do this is to get your citizenship via the Portuguese Golden Visa, by staying only 7 days per year. On the other hand, countries like Italy, Greece, and Latvia require you to fully reside there.
