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Programme Type

Golden Visa

A colloquial term for European Residency-by-Investment programmes — most notably Portugal, Greece, and Italy — granting residence in exchange for an approved investment.

Also known as:GVGolden Residence PermitInvestor Visa

Definition

A colloquial term for European Residency-by-Investment programmes — most notably Portugal, Greece, and Italy — granting residence in exchange for an approved investment.

Golden Visa is the informal market name for European Residency-by-Investment programmes that emerged in the 2010s. The original Portuguese Golden Residence Permit Programme (2012) gave the category its name; the term has since been applied across Spain (closed 2025), Greece, Italy, Hungary, and several others.

The defining features of a Golden Visa are: (a) a defined investment threshold, (b) a residency permit granted on investment, (c) very low minimum physical-presence requirements during the residency period (often 7–14 days per year), and (d) a path to citizenship after 5–10 years if statutory integration tests are met.

Since 2022, several Golden Visa schemes have been restructured under political and EU pressure — Portugal closed the real-estate route in 2023, Spain closed entirely in 2025, and Greece raised thresholds in popular districts.

Where Golden Visa comes up

  • Programme

    Portugal Golden Visa

    Portugal Golden Visa: residence rights for qualifying investors from €500,000, typical processing of 6–8 months, 7 days per year, and family inclusion.

  • Programme

    UAE Golden Visa

    UAE Golden Visa: residence rights for qualifying investors from AED 2,000,000, typical processing of 2–4 weeks, no minimum stay, and family inclusion.

  • Programme

    Greece Golden Visa

    Greece Golden Visa: residence rights for qualifying investors from €400,000+, typical processing of 3–6 months, no minimum stay, and family inclusion.

  • Answer

    Will the EU end golden visas entirely?

    There seems to be increasing political pressure from Brussels on golden visas. Are these programmes going to disappear in the next few years, or will some survive?

Latest insights and guides on Golden Visa

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Plan your next step

Compare live programmes on eligibility, timelines and family rules, check where you qualify, then read the country guides before you book a paid 60-minute consultation.

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    Residency and citizenship by investment programmes that are currently open, with the qualifying routes for each country.

  • Compare programmes

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  • Check your eligibility

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  • Read the country guides

    Plain guides to each programme: requirements, documents, due diligence and the steps from application to approval.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see this term in practice?

Follow the related programme and guide links on this page to see how the term applies to live programmes.

Who can explain how this applies to me?

An adviser can explain how the term affects your application. Book a consultation or send us a message.

What is investment migration?

Investment migration is the legal process of obtaining citizenship or residency in a foreign country through a qualifying financial contribution — such as a government fund donation, real estate purchase, or business investment. Programmes are offered by sovereign governments and are fully legal, internationally recognised, and increasingly common among UHNW and HNW individuals and families.

What is the difference between residency and citizenship by investment?

Residence by investment gives you the right to live in a country; citizenship by investment makes you a national with a passport and full civic rights.

Residence permits usually need renewing and may carry stay requirements, while citizenship is generally permanent. Many families combine the two to cover different needs.

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