6 Best Europe Residency by Investment Programs: Costs, Visa Types & Benefits Explained
If you want residency in Europe without relying on job sponsorship or long immigration queues, residency by investment offers a fast and reliable option for you if you have enough investment that you can invest in any of these countries that we will discuss below, with an investment amount and other related things.
The main reason behind this visa program is that you invest in a country’s economy and receive legal residency in return, which is, of course, temporary, but later you would be able to apply for permanent residency if you meet certain requirements. The good thing with European residency by investment is that you can bring your family to Europe easily and travel in all Schengen countries.
So in this blog post, we will come up with at least six strongest European residency programs that you can consider to move to Europe with your family easily. We will explain almost everything, e.g., minimum investment amounts, visa types, application costs, benefits, etc., so you can easily make a decision to move to Europe with your family. Let’s start simply without taking up much time.
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Portugal Golden Visa (Investment Residency)
Portugal is on top of our list for the European residency by investment country list as it not just offer temporary residency to you but also allows you to apply for pr and citizenship in the future easily.
Visa Type
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI – Residence Permit for Investment Activity)
Minimum Investment Options
- €500,000 in regulated investment or venture capital funds
- €250,000 donation toward cultural or heritage projects
- Business investment with job creation
Author note for you
In early 2025, Portugal issue you an investment visa if you invest in real estate, which can be buying a property, etc. However, in late 2025 the close this visa option, so you cannot just get a Portugal investment visa just to invest in real estate.
Right now, you need to make an investment that creates jobs for the people living there, or any other form of investment that we discussed above. So the point here is for you to understand that you cannot simply have this visa by investing in real estate, as many foreigners have done in the past.
Author note regarding investment
If you invest in a venture capital fund, then you have to understand that this is a kind of private equity fund that is somehow recoverable in 5 years. So this is kind of an investment that you make in portages venture capital compared to a donation toward a cultural or heritage project.
If you are a finance person, then you must know about private equity fund which are not always risk-free, but we can say that Portuguese private equity fund is supervised by CMVM and also comply with EU rules, e.g., AIFMD. So if you are a kind of investor who is seeking long-term European stability with minimal stay obligations, then Portugal is the best option for you to consider moving with your family.
Application Fee and other Cost
- Main applicant: €6,000–€7,000
- Each dependent: €3,000–€4,000
Author note about the application fee
The process fee is around 605 euro but the insurance that you must have with you is around 6045 Euros so that’s why we give you a rough sum between 6 and 7 thousand euros. However, if you apply through lawyers, then the processing fees vary by provider, of course. We just give you general info or basic costs that you can consider before starting the application process.
Author note about Choosing Portugal
No doubt Portugal offers you one of the most flexible residency models in Europe, and the most important thing is that your Physical presence requirements in Portugal are minimal, so if you are an investor and want to start this process but don’t want to move immediately, then Portugal is the best choice for you.
While talking about pr and citizenship, I can say this confidently, Portugal is one of country in Europe that offer simple and easy pr and citizenship to foreigners.
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Greece Golden Visa (Property & Investment Residency)
Greece is another EU and Schengen country that offer your Europe residency by investment. It is an option for you and your family for a long-term settlement in the future.
Visa Type
Their visa name is the Greece Golden Visa Residence Permit
Minimum Investment Options
- When it’s about investment, then they have the option to invest in real estate as compared to Portugal, and it should be around €250,000–€800,000 in qualifying real estate, but it varies by region, of course.
- Business or startup investments in approved sectors
Author note regarding investment
When I talk about real estate investment, which starts from 250,000, then there can be many ways, e.g., you can convert a commercial property to a living or residential one by making this investment.
Second option for you to purchase a property in a side area or a less populated area where you have your own property, which is somewhat more costly.
The third option is buy in high demanding area, which can be very costly. So the point here is for you to understand that you can use any of these options to invest if you want to get an investment visa in Europe.
However, you can also make your investment in a mutual fund, e.g. bond, etc. This is another best option for you if you already have experience with mutual fund investment in your country.
Application fee for Greece Golden Visa
- Government fees: €2,000–€2,500
- Residence card issuance: €1,000 per person
Author note regarding application fee
When I talk about the application fee, the above fee is a rough sum because it changes from time to time, so it’s better to give you a rough sum. If I make it simple for you, then it’s exactly around 2166 euro which includes the card issuance fee plus the biometric that you give to immigration or the embassy. This is not the end, here you have to pay other legal fee e.g., legal fee, property transfer, and insurance that you need to buy. If I give you a rough sum, then it’s between 2 and 6 thousand, approx. The legal assistance fee is higher, while others are not that high. I mean, they are almost fixed fees that you pay to the government or buy insurance.
Why did you choose Greece?
Apart from protugal Greece gives you one of the lowest entry points into Europe for property investors, as Portugal doesn’t have a property investment visa, so you can consider Greece if you only want to invest in real estate. There is no minimum stay requirement for you in Greece, plus the residency permit is renewable as long as you maintain your investment in Greece. So if you are looking for affordable property ownership in Schengen or Europe, then consider Greece.
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Guest Investor Residence Permit for Hungry
Hungary is another European country that offers you an investment visa in Europe on the basis of the investment that you make in Hungary as a foreigner.
Visa Type
Their visa name, as we already mentioned in the title, is the Guest Investor Residence Permit.
Minimum Investment Options
Just like Portugal and Greece hungry also hungry, have around a rough sum of investment that you need to invest there, e.g.
- €250,000 plus in approved real estate investment funds
- Long-term capital commitment options are available there.
- You can make a public trust donation, which is around 1, 00,000 euro.
Author note about investment
When it’s about investment, then you have to keep in mind that your fund must be registered in national bank of hungry which is their national bank, just like we all have a national bank for our country. If you donate money, then the trust should also be approved from Hungarian government. However, the first option is good, that you invest in real estate instead of donating money.
Application Related Cost
Government fees: €1,000–€2,000
Author note about the application and the fee
This is standard fee that you have to pay for yourself and we always give you rough sum but if you bring your whole family e.g. if you are family of four then it will be more cost for sure a high amount that you have to pay to government in form of visa application fee etc. if we count generally then it maybe 35 to 50 thousand that include your legal fee and other related fee depend on your application.
While talking about fund management fee then, you have to keep in mind that it would be around 4 percent, but it can be less, but not less than 2.5 percent.
Author note about the guest investment visa
As you see, the name is Guest investment visa, then its mean you will be applying for a D visa, which will probably be for 3 months around and during these months, you have to make such an investment that we already mentioned above for you, and then they will issue you a residence permit, which will probably be for 10 years. Remember this is a kind of temporary residence, but you can apply for pr and citizenship later on, after 8 years of continuous stay in hungry but for pr you don’t need to wait for 8 year it would probably be after three years of stay. Just like other for this visa, your physical presence is not compulsory.
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Investor Visa for Italy
Italy also offers you residency in Europe based on various investment options that we will mention below for you.
Visa Type
Italy Investor Visa
Minimum Investment Options
- €250,000 in innovative startups
- €500,000 in Italian companies
- €2,000,000 in government bonds
Author note about investment
The first option is the best and least investment option that you can consider, but only invest in register innovative startup in Italy that is recognized and registered. While 500,000 is like an equity investment in an Italian limited company. You can also donate money, but this amount is quite high, so better to go for the first option.
Application & Other Visa Cost
- Visa processing fees: €250–€500
- Residence permit issuance: €200–€300
Author note about application and cost
Although the visa processing cost is not as high as compared to the other three countries that we discussed before, the case processing fee is still high, around 15 to 30 thousand, depending on the service you take for your legal matter that you have to pay, plus your annual personal income, which is around 8 thousand.
Why did you choose Italy?
Italy attracts entrepreneurs and investors interested in business expansion, innovation, and access to European markets, so if you have a limited budget but an innovative mind, then Italy is the best choice over other countries in this list. It also offers tax incentive regimes to you mean you have to pay a flat tax of around 100,000 Euros.
Author note about the visa process
While talking about a visa, you will apply for a D Visa after getting clearance documents, and the embassy will issue you a D visa in 28 days or less. This would be a standard 3-month visa, and you have to do your investment activity within these 3 months, but remember that in Italy, the system is a little different. When you reach Italy, you have to apply for a residence permit as an investor at a local police station within 8 days.
Author note about visa option PR & Citizenship
While talking about a visa, you will get a visa for 2 years if you get acceptable which is extendable for the next 3 years, and when you complete your 3 years, you will have five years of stay and of course be eligible for permanent residency in Italy. However, when it’s about a passport, then it will take around 10 years to be eligible for citizenship, and the same applies to your family and dependents that you brought to Italy, but when you apply for citizenship, you need to fulfill basic requirements, e.g., integration and language at least B1, just like other applicants.
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Permanent Residency in Cyprus by Investment
Although Cyprus is not included in shcengen zone but still a part of Europe union, which offers you not just a temporary residency but a permanent residency in Cyprus based on investment.
Visa Type
Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit (Category 6.2)
Minimum Investment Options
€300,000 in new residential or commercial property
Author note about investment
When investing in real estate, it can be residential or commercial. If you buy residential, then it should be new, but not for resale in the near future. You can directly buy from the developer. If it is a commercial, e.g., shop, etc., then you must have another place for living.
However, apart from that, you can invest in the company located in Cyprus, plus investment in a Cyprus investment fund is also an option for you. So basically, you have four different options based on your knowledge, but the investment amount will be the same.
However, you must provide proof of stable income for the year from abroad, which is around 50 thousand euros. Remember that this is only for you; if you have a spouse, you have to add around 15 thousand, and if you have a kid, then add around 10 thousand for each.
Remember that for every investment you must add VAT, which is around 19 percent, but the office gives you some benefit as an investor, which is around 5 percent less.
Application & Cost for this Visa
Government fees: €500–€1,000
Author note regarding the fee
Above is the rough sum, but generally the basic fee is around 500 plus card issue fee, less than 100 euros should be considered. Apart from that Property transfer and registration taxes are an extra amount that you have to keep in your mind as well.
Author note about visa
You have to submit your documents to their immigration office through your lawyer, of course, and they will issue the visa in 6 months or more, but less than a year, which is, of course, a permit but not a citizenship. For this, you have to wait around 8 years to apply for citizenship in Coypus.
Why did you choose Cyprus?
The fact is, Cyprus is the only country in Europe that offers you permanent residency from the start with minimal renewal obligations, while other countries only offer temporary residency. Another thing is you just have to be physical there at least one time in two years, which is not that common in other countries. So if you have this investment and have a family and want to move to Europe permanently, in the very beginning, Cyprus is no doubt the best option for you.
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Bulgaria Investor Residency Program
The last country in our list is Bulgaria, as it is another eu European country that allows you to move to Europe with an investment visa and settle there in the future too.
Visa Type
Bulgaria Investor Residence Permit
Minimum Investment Options
€512,000+ in approved investment funds or government-linked projects
Author note about investment
You have two options for investment, either it should be an alternative investment fund or exchange traded fund, e.g. stock exchange, etc. however the only thing that you have to keep in mind is that this investment must be kept there for five years in any of the two options that I mentioned above for you. The amount for investment will be the same for both.
Application & other Costs
- Government fees are between €1,500–€3,000 but not more than that.
- Legal fee will be extra, which is, of course, very.
Author note for you regarding the fee
Although the fee is not more than 3 thousand euro but, when it’s about legal fees for your documents and other charges for application, etc., you have to make a 15 to 30 thousand euro budget in your mind for this, plus an additional amount for fund management in Bulgaria, of course.
Author note about visa options
For Bulgaria, the visa process is different but not hard, which means you have to apply for pre-approval, where you submit all documents to the investment agency. Once it’s approved, you have to invest in your home country remotely. Once you complete this, you will apply for a visa just like other countries through your country’s embassy. You will get in probably in 3 weeks, then when you arrive, you will give a fingerprint, and they will issue you permanent residency.
Why did you choose Bulgaria?
Bulgaria offers you a lower income tax, which is around 10 percent, which you can say is flat. Plus, recently from 2026 the euro became their official currency and last year they join schengen zone, so you have a lot of options and opportunities there. You can also apply for citizenship after five years of stay there. For this, you need to go through the process like others, e.g., basic AI Language. However, you have to keep this thing in your mind that you must keep this investment for this period before you apply for citizenship. Schengen access advantages, along with low corporate and personal tax rates.
Overall view for your convenience
Country Minimum Investment Visa Type Application Fees
Portugal €250k–€500k Golden Visa €6k+
Greece €250k–€800k Golden Visa €2k–€3k
Hungary €250k+ Guest Investor Permit €1k–€2k
Italy €250k–€2M Investor Visa €300–€800
Cyprus €300k Permanent Residence €500–€1k
Bulgaria €512k+ Investor Residence €1.5k–€3k
Note: This chart is only for you to undersatnd not an offical numbers.
Author’s final note regarding selections
- No doubt all the countries offer you the opportunity to settle in Europe, but if you still want to choose the option, then you should keep these key points in your mind that I set for you
- If you are looking for early settlement like pr from the start, then Bulgaria and Cyprus are the best options for you to consider, although Cyprus is not in schengen zone, but sooner or later it will be a part of schengen zone just like Bulgaria.
- If you are budget conscious, I mean your budget is limit then go for Italy.
- If you want easy pr and citizenship, then go for Portugal, as Portugal is the only country, in my understanding, that offers easy citizenship to foreigners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest European residency by investment?
Italy, Greece, and Hungary typically offer the lowest entry thresholds starting around €250,000.
Can residency lead to citizenship?
Yes. Most programs allow citizenship after several years of legal residency and integration.
Do I need to live there full-time?
No, you don’t need to live their full time some country even offer you to visit at least once every two years, e.g., Cyprus, but generally almost every country in our list allows you to stay there longer.
Can I include my family?
Yes, you can include your family as almost every program allows spouse and children, but of course, you have to have more budget, as with family, the cost will be higher than normal.
Is my investment refundable?
Yes, after the required holding period, e.g., five years, probably, but of course, subject to market conditions. However, if the investment is in real estate, then it is different, but if it is an investment in either equity or the stock exchange, then, of course, market condition is considered.
Can I get an EU passport by investing in real estate?
Not directly. No EU country grants you a passport immediately upon investment. You get a residency permit, which can lead to citizenship after several years if you meet strict conditions like physical stay, language tests, and background checks, etc.
What is the difference between a Golden Visa and permanent residency?
Golden Visa: This is a common term for a temporary residence permit obtained through investment. It must be renewed every 1-5 years (e.g., Portugal, Greece) as long as you maintain the investment.
Permanent Residency (PR): This is a long-term, stable status that is often indefinite or very long-term (e.g., 10 years in Hungary, life-long in Cyprus). You typically apply for PR after holding a temporary permit for several years.
Which country offers permanent residency based on investment in Europe?
Two European countries offer you direct permanent residency when you apply for the visa for the first time, e.g., Cyprus and Bulgaria are tow county in our list that offer you direct pr and you don’t need to apply for temporary residency.
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Disclaimer: This blog is purely for educational purposes. The information we share here is based on our research and knowledge, which might not be error-free. For exact and up-to-date information, visit the official source.
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