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Europe offers a variety of investment opportunities for individuals seeking residency and citizenship. This guide addresses common questions about these programs.
Can you recover your initial investment?
What is the potential return on investment (ROI)?
How long must you maintain the investment?
What are the financial eligibility requirements for European residency programs?
Do these programs grant permanent or temporary residency?
Which countries offer the most stable and secure programs?
What if you are only interested in EU citizenship?
Who qualifies for these programs? Do you need to be a high-net-worth individual, or can digital nomads and solo entrepreneurs apply?
Several European nations, including Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, and Malta, offer attractive residency programs through investments in real estate, funds, private enterprises, or government bonds. Let's explore each country's program in detail.
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Investment Categories in Italy:
Italian Government Bonds (€2,000,000)
Italian Startup Ventures (€250,000)
Private or Publicly Traded Companies (€500,000)
Philanthropic Contributions (€1,000,000)
Investment Security & ROI
Investing in a well-established, publicly traded company is considered the safest and most cost-effective option. The FTSE MIB Index, a benchmark for Italian equities, has averaged returns of 17-19% annually from 2021 to 2023. Government bonds, while secure, require a significantly higher investment.
The securest option in Italy with value for money is investing in an established blue-chip publicly traded company. No offence to Italians, but I wouldn’t invest €2m in government bonds if I have a €500,000 option in an established publicly traded company in Italy.
Will you get your money back? Most likely yes, if the company doesn’t go bankrupt. Consider the many options for Italian brands to invest in, you are relatively safe.
Residency & Citizenship Pathway
Initial 5-year temporary residency, renewable after 2 and 3 years.
Permanent Residency (PR) eligibility after 5 years, subject to criteria.
Citizenship can be obtained after 10 years of legal residency.
For official details, refer to the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.
For a deeper analysis, check out our article on How to Move to Italy: Investor Visa Guide and our YouTube video:
How to MOVE to ITALY – Moving to ITALY from USA and OTHER Countries – Investor Visa
Bottom Line: Investing in an established Italian company offers stability and potential growth, making it a preferred choice for many applicants.
Investment Options in Portugal’s Golden Visa Program:
€500,000 in a registered investment fund.
€500,000 investment in a new or existing company, creating at least 5-10 jobs.
€500,000 in research and development.
€250,000 donation for cultural or heritage preservation.
Key Changes & Investment Returns
Portugal removed real estate as a Golden Visa investment option in 2023, making investment funds the most popular route. These are private equity funds, not mutual funds, and require careful selection.
Will you get your capital back and how long would you need to hold the investment?
Depending on the option you select, you can of course receive your capital back. What is the timeline for this? The Golden Visa can lead to citizenship in 5 years and throughout the residency period you need to hold the original investment or deposit to maintain your status. Therefore, logic dictates that you need to hold it for 5 years, no matter which option you select to be eligible with your investment or contribution. If you apply for citizenship after 5 years, and are approved, then you don’t need to hold any investment anymore. However, if you plan to renew your residency under the same program after 5 years, you do need to make a new investment or continue/renew the one you already had if it made money for you.
Will you make money through your investment in the Portuguese residency program? If you invested in a company, obviously that is completely up to the performance of the private company you decided to invest or setup. If you invested in a registered Golden Visa Portuguese fund, then the performance of the fund over the 5-year period will dictate the ROI for you and the security of your investment. Keep in mind that these are not mutual funds, but rather private equity funds. Not all of them are created equally, hence you need to weigh your options.
We have over 10 short-listed funds which have strong track records in case you’re wondering what options there are – if you don’t want to invest in setting up a company or existing company for new job creation.
Residency & Citizenship Timeline
Initial 2-year residency permit, renewable for 3 more years.
PR eligibility after 5 years.
Citizenship is possible after 5 years, with a minimum stay of 14 days every 2 years and passing a basic Portuguese language exam.
For official details, refer to the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF).
For a deeper analysis, check out our article on Golden Visa Portugal: Top Investment Options for Wealth and Residency and our YouTube video:
Golden Visa Showdown: Portugal vs. Italy – Where Should You Move?
Bottom Line: Portugal’s residency program remains one of the most flexible in Europe, offering an efficient citizenship pathway within five years.
Investment Categories in Spain:
€500,000 real estate purchase (valid until April 3, 2025).
€1,000,000 in company shares or a bank deposit.
€2,000,000 in Spanish government bonds.
The flexibility of the program also allows multiple properties to be purchased which would total €500,000 to become eligible for the Golden Visa in Spain – up to April 3rd, 2025 after which the real estate options will be removed or revised. Commercial, residential or industrial real estate options are all eligible under this program.
Spain has one of the most viable, logical, and flexible programs in terms of purchase & investment options for the residency program. You obtain the temporary residency for the first 5 years and then can convert to permanent residency. Thankfully unlike Italy and Greece, the permanent residency eligibility is very flexible and doesn’t require language exams.
The trick with the Spain residency program is that the real estate option has an expiry date. Real estate is definitely an option to obtain the residency in Spain, meaning that if you want to reside full time or even part-time in Spain, you’ll need an apartment or villa anyways, this would be the most logical choice. However, this option is being removed or partially withdrawn as of April 3rd, 2025. The Golden Visa program in Spain is resetting in April and therefore February and March are the last opportunities for anyone including digital nomads, investors, entrepreneurs or want to own a property in Spain and utilize it for residency purposes.
The security of holding your money in a Spanish bank is very solid. I would even suggest that it’s the safest investment in all the residency and Golden Visa programs – with your money right under your nose. Obviously, the real estate option in Spain valid until April 3rd, 2025 is also quite stable as long as you invest in the right location & property and don’t overpay. My personal favourites are Madrid and Marbella for solid investments. We’ve included some property examples and prices for both cities in this article (see below).
Residency & Citizenship Process
Temporary residency granted for 5 years, renewable.
PR eligibility after 5 years.
Citizenship after 10 years, with language and residency requirements.
The ROI for the purchases or funds you have paid for the Spain residency program are fully dependent on the option you have selected, in terms of a bank deposit, company investment, real estate purchase or bonds. The positive point is that you are allowed to rent out your property if you choose to purchase one for your residency, or purchase more than one combined for €500,000 (the real estate option is expiring April 3rd, 2025). If you invest in a publicly listed company in Spain or an index fund, the returns have been volatile as 2020 and 2022 saw significant negative returns, but in 2021, 2023 and 2024 the returns have recovered their initial losses with an average return of 15-17% per annum. The choice is up to you depending on your risk appetite, and whether you prefer real estate or just straight out cash in a bank account, or perhaps an investment through the bank or a publicly traded company in Spain.
For official details, refer to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For a deeper analysis, check out our our Spain YouTube video:
Bottom Line: Spain offers diverse investment options, but real estate investors must act quickly before the program changes.
The options to obtain residency in Greece are all based on real estate—meaning that anyone who wants to own an apartment or villa (whether you’re a remote worker, solopreneur, business owner, or retiree) can obtain residency through the following real estate purchase options, based on the latest 2024 policy updates by the Greek government:
Real Estate Investment Categories:
High-Demand Areas: In regions such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini, the minimum investment has been increased to €800,000.
Other Regions: For properties located outside high-demand zones, the minimum investment is €400,000.
Property Specifications: Eligible properties must be at least 120 square meters in size.
Commercial to Residential Conversions: A reduced investment threshold of €250,000 applies to properties originally intended for industrial or non-residential use that are converted into residential units. The conversion must be fully completed before the investor submits their Golden Visa application. This has become a popular choice among foreign investors due to its lower investment threshold.
Return on Investment (ROI) & Market Conditions
The ROI in Greece from real estate investments remains limited, as property prices have been inflated due to the Golden Visa program’s heavy reliance on real estate investments. Currently, 99% of Golden Visas are issued through real estate acquisitions. Unless the minimum investment thresholds increase again, which is unlikely in the near future, the main returns on investment will be from rental income (averaging 4-5% annually, with higher yields during peak tourist seasons). However, property management and leasing service fees may reduce the net ROI.
Residency & Citizenship Timeline
The Greek Golden Visa program grants temporary residency for 5 years.
Investors must maintain their real estate investment for the duration of their residency.
After 5 years, applicants may renew their residency or convert to permanent residency, subject to eligibility criteria similar to Italy’s PR program.
Citizenship eligibility: Investors can apply for Greek citizenship after 7 years, but must meet language proficiency and residency requirements.
Security & Best Investment Options
Since real estate is a tangible asset, it provides reasonable security for investors. A recommended approach is to purchase renovation projects or residential conversion units, which offer quicker handover periods than pre-construction projects that carry higher inherent risks.
For official details, refer to the Enterprise Greece Official Website: https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/en/
For a deeper analysis, check out our Greece’s Golden Visa video:
We’ve included some highly sought after real estate investment options eligible for the Greece Golden Visa below:
Residency Routes Under Malta’s Permanent Residency Program (MPRP):
€50,000 government admin fee + €10,000 per dependent.
€60,000 additional government contribution.
€2,000 charity donation.
Rental of €14,000 annually or property purchase of €375,000.
No Investment Returns, But EU Residency Benefits
Unlike other programs, Malta does not provide an investment ROI unless you choose the property purchase route.
For official details, refer to the Residency Malta Agency.
For a deeper analysis, check out our article on Malta 2025 Residency Program Updates
Bottom Line: Malta offers permanent EU residency immediately, but does not provide a return on investment unless purchasing property.
We’ve covered the top European residency programs for 2025, comparing investment requirements, security, and long-term benefits. Your choice depends on:
Investment type (real estate, funds, business, or government bonds).
Residency-to-citizenship timeline (Portugal is the fastest at 5 years).
Financial flexibility & security (Spain and Portugal have stable options, while Greece is real estate-dependent).
For a detailed comparison and exclusive insights, check out our latest videos on YouTube. If you’re ready to take the next step, book a 1-on-1 consultation with our experts today.
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