What are European Golden Visa Programs?
The so-called “Golden Visa” programs have grown in popularity in recent years. Right, so tell me about a golden visa. A temporary residency permit known as a “golden visa” is obtained in the host country by meeting specific investment requirements. You are allowed to live and work in the country as well as travel to various other countries without a visa under the terms of the permit. Portugal, Spain, and Greece provide the most popular European Golden Visa schemes.
Golden Visas are designed to draw in more foreign capital and strengthen the host nation’s economy. These programs usually offer a number of benefits to investors, such as free travel within the Schengen Area, access to the healthcare and educational systems, and favorable tax treatment. Additionally, they allow investors to diversify their financial interests by obtaining a second citizenship or place of residence.
Which Countries Offer Golden Visa Programs?
In this section, we’ve compiled a list of countries with Golden Visa programs and provided specific details about each one for you. Come and take a closer look at Europe’s Popular Golden Visa Programs!
1. Greece
Greece’s Golden Visa is one of the best residency by investment programs because of its low investment requirement compared to other countries. Golden Visa holders can also leave Greece at any moment, which makes it an excellent choice if you’re not ready to settle down permanently.
2. Ireland
Known by its official name, the Ireland Immigrant Investor Program, this Golden Visa is perfect for individuals who wish to invest in a European Union nation that speaks English.
3. Italy
The Golden Visa program is appropriate for individuals who intend to invest in the Italian economy. The investment is usually made in an Italian limited company. You can become an Italian citizen after ten years of residence in the country.
4. Malta
For Malta’s residency program, you can apply either through a real estate purchase or leasing. Additionally, you need to make a donation to designated institutions. A significant advantage of this program is that you don’t have to live in Malta to maintain your residency status, offering flexibility for those not ready to commit to full-time residency.
5. Portugal
Portugal offers one of the greatest residence by investment programs, the Golden Visa, which grants citizenship after five years. Capital transfers, real estate, and finances connected to real estate are no longer eligible application categories for the program. To be eligible for a Golden Visa, you can still participate in Portuguese private equity and venture capital funds. The average annual stay required is just seven days.
6. Spain
Spain offers a Golden Visa scheme that is available through real estate purchase, capital transfer, or business set up in the country. The minimum stay requirement is only for one day in a year.
Benefits: What Good Is a Golden Visa
In general, all Golden Visa schemes offer similar rights and advantages, providing important advantages to applicants.
One of the primary rights is the freedom to reside in the chosen country, allowing you to enjoy the local lifestyle, culture, and amenities.
Additionally, Golden Visa holders have the right to enter and exit Schengen countries without needing a separate visa, enjoying seamless travel across Europe for business, leisure, or personal reasons.
Another major advantage is the ability to include dependent family members within the application, ensuring that your spouse and children can also enjoy the benefits of residency.
These programs often grant access to high-quality healthcare, education, and social security systems, further enhancing your and your family’s overall quality of life.
Final Thoughts on Golden Visa Programs
This article provides a general overview of the European Countries’ residence by investment schemes and the Golden Visa Europe concept. These programs boost the economies of the host nations and allow non-EU nationals to live there, creating more opportunities.
Countries are updating their requirements more regularly as these programs become more popular. Changes to program requirements, investment options, and investment amounts may be included in these updates. Given this dynamic environment, it is crucial for potential applicants to conduct thorough research before applying to any Golden Visa program.
