Golden Visa Countries

What is a Golden Visa? Golden Visa is a residence permit allowing citizens outside of the European area to get residency. Basically, you invest in a Golden Visa country and get your residence permit with your family.

The Golden Visa countries are Greece, Portugal, and Spain. When you’re approved by one of them, you can get your EU residency.

There are also some countries that offer citizenship by investment programs. Unlike a Golden Visa program, they directly grant you citizenship in the related country. Such countries are Dominica, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Find the application process and benefits of the Golden Visa program below.

Golden Visa Program in Detail

You need to make an investment according to the related country’s requirements. Typically, Golden Visa countries require investments in real estate, fund subscription, donation, or capital transfer. The exact investment options differ according to the countries with Golden Visa.

Citizenship is another opportunity you can get once you’ve met the requirements. Usually, Golden Visa countries require you to stay in the country for a certain amount of time. This period ranges from five to 10 years of residency.

Golden Visa Requirements

Although requirements differ depending on the country, there are some requirements that apply to almost any country. These are:

 

• Holding a clean criminal record
• Proof that you obtained your funds in a legal way
• Proof that you will use your funds to invest in the related country
• Holding the investment for some time. Each country designates a different amount of period for this.

How To Benefit From a Golden Visa Program

A Golden Visa provides you with benefits that are more than holding a resident status. For example, it offers you the freedom to live wherever you want. So, you don’t need to stay in the Golden Visa countries to keep your residency permit. Usually, Golden Visa countries require a few days each year to maintain your rights.

Golden Visa Program grants your family members to get residency as well. You can add your spouse, children, parents, and even parents-in-law in certain cases.

In general, you can live, work, and study in countries with Golden Visa as well. Once you get your Golden Visa, you can visit Schengen countries without any visa requirement.

Which Countries Provide a Golden Visa Program

As noted above, many European countries offer Golden Visa for international applicants. All these countries provide a quality lifestyle as well as developed services in many areas.

Let’s review some of them.

Portugal Golden Visa

Since 2012, more than 10,000 applicants have obtained Portuguese residency by investing in the country. It’s one of the most popular Golden Visa programs in Europe. Portugal accepts citizens from outside of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.

It’s sufficient to stay in Portugal for around seven days each year to hold your residence permit. At the end of five years, you can apply for citizenship or permanent residency.

Qualifying investments for Portugal Golden Visa include real estate purchase, capital transfer, fund investment, and donation. The real estate investment option starts from €280,000. Fund investment starts from €500,000.

Spain Golden Visa

Spain has been offering Spanish residency since 2013. You can apply for Spain Golden Visa if you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. The country requires only one entrance each year to maintain your residence right.

Spain Golden Visa offers investment types such as capital transfer and real estate. The minimum investment amount starts from €500,000 in Spanish real estate.

Greece Golden Visa

Greece is one of the popular countries with Golden Visa. Greece does not require you to stay in the country to maintain your residence permit. The minimum investment amount to apply for Greece Golden Visa is €250,000.

You can add family members while applying for the Golden Visa. Besides your spouse and children, your parents and parents-in-law can also apply.

How To Get Golden Visa

If you ask how to get Golden Visa, here is a quick guide. You first choose the investment type. As stated above, you have several options. Among all options, real estate has been the most popular one until now.

Later, you’ll get the necessary documents to be able to apply for a Golden Visa. Note that you’ll need to visit the related Golden Visa country for a biometrics appointment. For each country, waiting periods for approval change. On average, it can take from two to nine months.

So, a Golden Visa is an opportunity to expand your mobility and get access to a larger market. Choose the suitable Golden Visa option and apply without waiting any longer.