European residence permit programs: proven methods to obtain

Investments. Several countries allow one to get an EU residence permit in exchange for support of the country’s economy. Investment programs have different options, but generally, the main difference is the amount of investments and terms.

Terms of getting an EU residence permit by investment

When we say “different investment options”, we mean that there are some options for investing. In general, countries give the opportunity to choose between purchasing or renting commercial or real estate, purchasing investment fund units, bank deposits and so on.

Traditionally, the most popular option is real estate purchasing because of its profitability and returnability. Real estate in popular tourist countries allows one to earn income by renting it out.

For example, Malta has two options: permanent residence and a residence permit. For permanent residence, you need to invest €150,000+ and wait 4–6 months, while for a residence permit, you need to invest €30,000+ and wait 3–4 months.

Marriage with an EU citizen. There are a lot of fake marriages, so EU countries closely check such cases. So, there are a lot of verification steps. For example, you need to prove that you lead a joint life and live together; you know the habits and biography of your spouse.

Reunion of the family. You can get a residence permit in the EU if your mother or father already has it. But here you need to prove that you have a financial dependence on them or, in some cases, that you have a sufficient income. Cases of adoption are also in this category.

Employment contract. You can get a Blue Card if you are a unique specialist lacking in the country. For example, this is suitable for scientists. For this, you need to find a company which will be very interested in your CV.

Education. You can get an RP for a year and then prolong it yearly while studying. After graduation, you have several months for a job search. The exact time depends on the country. If you find a job, you apply for a residence permit based on an employment contract. But you’ll need to leave the country if you don’t find it.

Treatment. You can apply for a residence permit if you need long-term treatment, for 1—2 years, in a European hospital. Here you need a contract with a medical institution. May it never be needed.

Malta: purchasing real estate for €220,000+ for a residence permit or €300,000+ for permanent residency.

Participation in both programs is available through renting and purchasing real estate. Both give an opportunity to include in the application members of your family: a spouse, children, parents, and grandparents. The Permanent Residence Program allows for siblings.

Under both residency programs, there are additional transactional costs.

The obtaining period for the Global Residence Program is 3—4 months, and for the Permanent Residence Program is 4—6 months.

The main difference is that in the case of permanent residence, you have the right to spend time in Malta, while in the case of a residence permit, you commit to living for at least 183 days in Malta. So the Global Residence Program fits more if you want to move to Malta.

For more information: Malta Global Residence Program, Malta Permanent Residence Program.

Greece: purchasing real estate for €250,000+ for a residence permit. Under the Greece Golden Visa Program, you can get a residence permit, permanent residence in 5 years, and citizenship after 2 more years.

The minimum investment amount for participation in this program is €250,000+. The “plus” stands for additional transactional costs, for example, fees, taxes, translation of the documents, etc. The detailed information is on the program page — Greece Golden Visa Program.

Examples of properties in Greece

Greece, Athens

€376,000 — €447,000

Hotel apartments in the historical center of Athens

47 m² — 97 m²

1

1

Greece, Athens

€741,000 — €1,423,000

Apartments in a closed residential complex near the sea, Alimos, Athens

86 m² — 153 m²

1—3

2—3

Greece, Chania

€290,000 — €380,000

Apartments and villas in a quiet area by the sea in Crete

64 m² — 112 m²

2—3

2

Portugal: purchasing real estate for €280,000+ for a residence permit. For participation in the Portugal Golden Visa program, you need to wait about 8—10 months.

There are different cost options for participation in the program through purchasing real estate: the cheapest way is to choose a property built more than 30 years ago in a sparsely populated area — the price may start from €280,000.

If you buy property in a designated restoration area or built more than 30 years ago in any other region, you can apply for a program if the property price starts from €350,000.

The price threshold for a property built less than 30 years ago in a sparsely populated area is €400,000. And the most pricey way is to buy a new residential or commercial estate, for getting a residence permit, you need to buy a property for €500,000+.

With this program, you get the ability to travel in the Schengen Area without a visa, optimise your taxes and apply for citizenship in 5 years.

You can include your family members in the residency-by-investment application: spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Learn more — Portugal Golden Visa.

Individual cost calculation for residence by investment in Portugal

Get the cost calculation

Cyprus: purchasing real estate for €300,000+ for permanent residence. Five years after obtaining the PR, you can apply for citizenship. Another benefit is that you can participate in this program with family members: a spouse or a partner, children of any age and parents.

The amount of investments increases because there are extra costs, and the amount is also dependent on the number of applicants.

For participation, you need a confirmation of income of €50,000+ yearly. Here is more information about the program — Cyprus permanent residence by investment.

Spain: purchasing real estate for €500,000+ for a residence permit. This program allows the inclusion of family members: a spouse, children and parents. Full costs are dependent on the number of applicants.

This program lets applicants get a work permit. Like other EU residence permit programs, it allows using the EU healthcare and education system.

In 5 years after obtaining a residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency and citizenship after 5 more years. Find out more information here — Spain Golden Visa.

Practical Guide

Practical Guide

Ultimate comparison of Golden Visa programs

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Austria: expenses for relocation and life are €100,000+. This path doesn’t give a right to work in the country.

The obtaining period of a residence permit is 3+ months. You can include only a spouse and children under 18 in the application and commit to spending at least 183 days in Austria.

To participate, you need to buy or rent a house; its cost is not set, but the expenses are around €100,000+ for the rent option.

In five years of living in Austria, you can apply for permanent residence; in 6—10 years, you can apply for citizenship.

As with the other EU residence permits, this one gives you the opportunity to travel across the EU visa-free. But in this case, you are able to use the Austrian healthcare and educational system.

Portugal: stable foreign income from €760 per month. The Passive Income Visa, or D7, is one of the cheapest ways to live legally in Portugal. As a resident, you will be able to travel across the Schengen Area visa-free, get some tax breaks and apply for citizenship in 5 years.

The main difference from the Golden Visa is that with the D7 one, you must spend at least 183 days in Portugal, and the upper threshold for including children is lower.

Under the D7 Visa conditions, you need to purchase or rent real estate, but you have no limits on its cost. However, you need to prove that you have a stable annual income outside the country; the amount of this income depends on the number of applicants.

Individual cost calculation for the Portugal Passive Income D7 Visa

Get the cost calculation

There are some specific cases, such as medical treatment, education or employment contracts. In these cases, the main document for a residence permit is a contract with an institution or organisation.

It would help if you also had a reference from the bank that you have enough money to live in the country, or your job offer should have a sufficient salary level. Moreover, in most cases, you need to buy medical insurance. The amount of costs varies by program and country.

If you apply for the investment program or residence permits for financially independent people, the first step of your application process is preliminary Due Diligence at Immigrant Invest. At this stage, you need only a passport.

After the first check, you get a complete list of documents you need for the application process. The list can vary due to the program and your unique situation. But as a rule, you’ll have to confirm the income and give a certificate of absence of criminal records and diseases such as HIV. You also need to buy medical insurance for every applicant.

Obtaining a residence permit in the EU can provide numerous advantages, including the ability to live and work freely in the country where the permit is issued. It may also provide access to free healthcare and education in that country.

To sum up, the EU residence permit gives you the following:

• Travelling across Europe visa-free. A residence permit allows you not only to live in the country but to travel across 27 states of the Schengen Area without visas.

• Tax optimisation. The amount of taxes varies from country to country, but most have no taxes for foreign capital and some reductions for newcomers.

• High level of life, medicine and education. European countries are recognised leaders in these fields.

• Beautiful nature. Europe is relatively small, and the transport system is sound so you can enjoy all European nature places of interest.

• Many historical monuments and architecture are situated in Europe so you can see the treasures of culture with your own eyes.

• Possibility to create their own “safe haven” in the climate-comfortable country. Life in Europe is stable and predictable.

1. Five EU countries allow you to get a residence permit or permanent residence by investment. Two EU states, Austria and Switzerland, grant residence permits to financially independent persons. Portugal offers a D7 visa for those with a monthly income of at least €750.

2. Programs differ not only by the status they give but by the minimum amount of investments and the obtaining period.

3. Every country has different options for participation in residence permits or permanent residence options. One of the most popular options is purchasing real estate.

4. If you need help choosing the appropriate program, we will gladly help you.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean.

Practical Guide

Practical Guide

Looking to obtain a residence permit in Europe?

• Master the residency process
• Get expert tips and documents
• Estimate costs accurately

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