EU residency-by-investment: Best Golden Visas in 2025

In an increasingly uncertain world, true security comes from having options. Europe’s Golden Visa programmes are not just about residency; they are strategic tools for mobility, adaptability, and future planning. These pathways allow investors and their families to secure the right to live, work, and travel across the EU while keeping their existing commitments intact.

Whether it’s creating flexibility for business, ensuring family stability, or simply safeguarding against global shifts, EU Golden Visas provide a practical solution that integrates seamlessly into everyday life while preserving long-term freedom of choice.

Residency-by-investment programmes in Portugal, Greece and Malta provide access to the EU, visa-free Schengen travel and, in some cases, a path to citizenship. Residence can be secured and maintained with minimal or no annual stay requirements.

The Portugal Golden Visa, Greece Golden Visa and Malta Permanent Residence Programme are particularly attractive options.

Portugal Golden Visa

Introduced in 2012, the Portugal Golden Visa, designed for non-EU citizens, allows investors to secure temporary residency and has a low minimum stay requirement. After five years, holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship, which in turn means the ability to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. With Portugal’s new NHR 2.0 tax incentives, it remains a top choice for wealthy individuals and business owners who are planning a future relocation to the country.

• Investment options: Requires a minimum investment of €500,000 in a qualifying investment fund.
• Stay requirement: 35 days over a five-year residency period, averaging out to seven days per year.
• Citizenship eligibility: After five years, it’s the only EU residency-by-investment programme offering a path to citizenship and an EU passport without the need to live in-country.
• Popular with: American, Chinese, British, Brazilian, Indian, Turkish and South African nationals, all looking for future EU optionality, flexibility and freedom of movement.

Greece Golden Visa

Launched in 2013, the Greece Golden Visa is currently one of the most affordable residency-by-investment programmes in Europe. Investors can qualify with a real estate purchase starting at €250,000.

• Investment options: Real estate (minimum €250,000 in qualifying real estate projects).
• Stay requirement: None. Residency is granted without the need for physical presence.
• Schengen access: Visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area.
• Family benefits: Residency can be extended to spouses, children under 21 years old, and parents of the main applicant and spouse.
• Path to citizenship: Nationality is achievable for those looking to live full-time in country for a minimum of seven consecutive years.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme 

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is a long-standing, successful residency solution, offering qualifying individuals the opportunity to secure lifetime residency rights and long-term freedoms. First launched in 2015, the programme has been revised, refined and enhanced over the years with the latest changes announced in July 2025. Under the new regulations, the programme has instant investor appeal. Applicants can now secure residency and Schengen access in a matter of weeks. For those investing into Maltese property, immediate leasing rights ensure rental returns can be enjoyed from the offset.

It’s easy to spend time in this charming, English-speaking, island paradise, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, but with no requirement to live in Malta, residency flexibility is guaranteed.

This programme does not automatically lead to Maltese citizenship, but Permanent Residency can often offer you everything you need.

• Physical address requirement: The investor must commit to a minimum property purchase of €375,000, or a minimum property lease of €14,000 per annum for a minimum of five years. With the flexibility to “switch” property categories, applicants can start the process with a property rental and change to a property investment once they find a property that fits their needs
• Government contribution:
• €97,000 once-off non-refundable government contribution: which covers the main applicant, spouse and minor children
• €7,500 is levied on each additional adult dependent
• Stay requirement: No ongoing annual requirement
• Schengen access: Visa-free travel for up to 90-days in a rolling 180-day period
• Net wealth requirement: Investors must be able to demonstrate a minimum net wealth of €500,000, of which €150,000 should be held in financial assets (or a net wealth of €650,000, of which €75,000 should be held in financial assets)

Our expert advisers will be in Johannesburg from 27 – 28 October and Durban from 29 – 30 October and would love to meet with you for an in-person consultation to give you valuable, complimentary advice on how to ensure a smooth transition when you leave the region.

To discuss your options, get in touch with Sarah Young our Investment Migration Manager at [email protected] or call her on +44 (0) 20 7759 7552 / +27 (0) 21 657 1584