How to Get a Golden Visa (Residency by Investment)
What a golden visa is in 2026, which European programs are still open, the investment you need, and why citizenship-for-sale schemes are disappearing.
A golden visa trades an investment for the right to live in a country. The landscape changed a lot recently, so what worked a few years ago may be closed today.
How it generally works
- 1
Pick a country and a route
Funds, business, donation, or property where still allowed. - 2
Show the funds are clean
Proof of source of funds is central to every program. - 3
Make the qualifying investment
Held for the required period. - 4
Apply for the residence permit
With your investment proof and supporting documents. - 5
Maintain and renew
Keep the investment and meet any stay requirements.
Where things stand in 2026
| Country | Status | Typical minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Open, reshaped | ~500,000 EUR via qualifying funds (no real estate) |
| Spain | Closed | Ended April 2025 |
| Greece | Open, tiered | ~250,000 to 800,000 EUR by area and property type |
| Cyprus | Open | ~300,000 EUR plus income requirement |
| Montenegro | Citizenship program closed | Residency routes only |
- Portugal
- Status
- Open, reshaped
- Typical minimum
- ~500,000 EUR via qualifying funds (no real estate)
- Spain
- Status
- Closed
- Typical minimum
- Ended April 2025
- Greece
- Status
- Open, tiered
- Typical minimum
- ~250,000 to 800,000 EUR by area and property type
- Cyprus
- Status
- Open
- Typical minimum
- ~300,000 EUR plus income requirement
- Montenegro
- Status
- Citizenship program closed
- Typical minimum
- Residency routes only
Keep in mind
- Residency is not citizenship. A golden visa lets you live somewhere. Becoming a citizen still takes years of residence.
- Rules move fast. Thresholds, eligible routes, and even whole programs change yearly. Confirm before you commit.
- The EU is tightening. Citizenship-for-sale schemes have been ruled out, and residency programs face ongoing scrutiny.
Frequently asked questions
What is a golden visa?
It is a residence permit granted in return for a qualifying investment, such as a fund subscription, a business stake, or a donation. It gives you the right to live in the country. It is different from citizenship by investment, which sells a passport outright and is now largely being shut down in Europe.
Is Portugal's golden visa still available?
Yes, but reshaped. The real estate route was removed in October 2023. The current options center on qualifying investment funds, with a minimum of around 500,000 euros, plus research, cultural, and business-capitalization routes. Note that Portugal lengthened its citizenship timeline in May 2026, so the fast path to a passport is no longer the draw it once was.
Did Spain end its golden visa?
Yes. Spain stopped accepting new golden visa applications in April 2025, citing housing affordability. Permits issued before then remain valid and renewable under the old rules, but the program is closed to new applicants.
Which European golden visas are still open in 2026?
Greece runs a tiered real estate program, with thresholds of roughly 250,000, 400,000, or 800,000 euros depending on the location and property type. Cyprus offers permanent residency from around 300,000 euros invested in property, company shares, or funds, alongside an annual income requirement. Always confirm current rules, as they change often.
Can I still buy EU citizenship?
Effectively no. In April 2025 the EU's top court ruled Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme unlawful, ending the last such program in the bloc. Residency-by-investment golden visas remain legal in several EU countries, but selling citizenship is no longer permitted.
Browse by destination
Where to get a Investment Visa
Montenegro
Why entrepreneurs and remote workers eye Montenegro — easy company-based residency, the euro, low costs, and a stunning Adriatic coast inside an EU candidate country.
Cyprus
Why remote workers, retirees and investors choose Cyprus — a sunny EU island with a digital nomad visa, low taxes, and a clear residency path.
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