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Residency and citizenship by investment programmes that are currently open, with the qualifying routes for each country.
Head-to-head Comparison
Italy vs UAE Golden Visa
Italy vs UAE Golden Visa: compare cost, processing time, passport strength and family rules side by side, with a quick verdict.
Quick verdict
Italy has the lower minimum investment (€250,000 against AED 2,000,000 for UAE). UAE is usually quicker to process, 7–10 working days (Dubai) against 2–3 months. Visa-free reach differs by passport, and both include a spouse and dependent children.
Italy
Min. Investment
€250,000
Processing
2–3 months
Visa-Free
0 countries
Family
Included
UAE
Min. Investment
AED 2,000,000
Processing
7–10 working days (Dubai)
Visa-Free
180 countries
Family
Included
| Dimension | Italy | UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Min. investment | €250,000 | AED 2,000,000 |
| Processing time | 2–3 months | 7–10 working days (Dubai) |
| Visa-free countries | 0 | 180 |
| Family included | Yes | Yes |
| Tax benefit | No | Yes |
| Citizenship pathway | After residency | After residency |
Citizen Sure verdict
Italy offers a golden visa (residence permit) from €250,000; UAE offers a golden visa (residence permit) from AED 2,000,000. Processing is listed at 2–3 months for Italy and 7–10 working days (Dubai) for UAE. Figures are the published minimums as of October 2026; check them with the relevant authority and speak to an advisor about your case.
Pick Italy when…
- Lower published minimum (€250,000)
- No minimum stay requirement
Pick UAE when…
- Shorter listed processing time (7–10 working days (Dubai))
- Stronger tax position listed for UAE
- No minimum stay requirement
Trade-offs to know
- Minimum stay: Italy none; UAE none.
- Italy is a golden visa (residence permit) and UAE is a golden visa (residence permit), so the end result differs as well as the price.
- Published minimums exclude government and due diligence fees; see each programme page for the official costs.
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Plain guides to each programme: requirements, documents, due diligence and the steps from application to approval.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Italy or UAE?
It depends on what matters most to you. Italy has the lower minimum investment (€250,000 against AED 2,000,000 for UAE). UAE is usually quicker to process, 7–10 working days (Dubai) against 2–3 months. Visa-free reach differs by passport, and both include a spouse and dependent children. Italy offers a golden visa (residence permit) from €250,000; UAE offers a golden visa (residence permit) from AED 2,000,000. Processing is listed at 2–3 months for Italy and 7–10 working days (Dubai) for UAE. Figures are the published minimums as of October 2026; check them with the relevant authority and speak to an advisor about your case.
Italy vs UAE: what is the cost difference?
Italy starts at €250,000; UAE starts at AED 2,000,000. The cheaper headline doesn't always reflect total cost, recoverable investments (Turkey, some real-estate routes) net out differently from non-recoverable donations.
Italy vs UAE: which has the shorter processing time?
Italy processes in 2–3 months; UAE processes in 7–10 working days (Dubai). Verify current timing with a senior advisor, published windows assume clean diligence files.
Can family members be included?
Italy includes spouse and dependent children. UAE includes spouse and dependent children. Inclusion of parents and siblings varies, see each programme's detail page.
{{a}} vs {{b}} passport strength: which has more visa-free access?
Italy grants visa-free access to 0 countries; UAE grants visa-free access to 180. Reach is a moving target, check current bilateral status before relying on it for travel planning.
Do these programmes lead to citizenship?
Golden Visa is residency, the citizenship pathway depends on naturalisation rules. Golden Visa is residency, the citizenship pathway depends on naturalisation rules.
Can I compare other programmes as well?
Yes. Open the compare tool to add up to five programmes side by side, or browse the other pair pages linked below.
Are the figures on this page up to date?
Each row is drawn from our programme records, which are reviewed when governments publish changes. Check the programme page and the changes log for the latest updates before you decide.
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