A golden visa, sometimes called a residence-by-investment program, lets people become residents of a country by making a large payment. This is not only about moving to a new place. It is a big choice that can change your life and your family’s lives in many ways. These programs give you more than a new passport. They help you travel to many countries, find good education and healthcare, and feel safe if there is trouble at home. When you invest in a new country, you help build your future and find many new chances for yourself and your loved ones.
A great example of this kind of program is the golden visa for Portugal. It is one of the most popular in Europe because the rules for living there are easy, and it has a simple way to get citizenship. While buying real estate will not count as a way to apply after 2025, there are still several good ways to invest. You can put your money into investment funds, help grow the arts or local culture, or create jobs at a company in Portugal. This program lets you travel without a visa in the Schengen Area. You also only need to spend around seven days each year in Portugal. It is a good choice if you want the benefits of living in the EU, but do not want to move there full-time.
The Benefits of a Golden Visa
A golden visa helps people around the world. It gives them many benefits. This visa can make your life safer and help you have a better future.
- Global Mobility: One big advantage is being able to travel easily in the Schengen Area. This area covers 27 European countries. You do not have to worry about getting a visa each time you go there. You can also have new options for travel and business.
- A “Plan B” for Security: A golden visa is like having a backup plan. In times when things feel unsure, this gives you and your family a safe place to move to. If there are big problems like trouble with politics, society, or money in your country, you have a place you can go.
- Access to Top-Tier Education and Healthcare: When you live there, you and your family can use the country’s public schools and hospitals. These are known for being of good quality. This can help give your children a better life and future.
- Tax Efficiency and Business Opportunities: A lot of golden visa countries have good tax systems for people who move from other countries. Getting this residency means you can start or grow your business in the country and the region around it.
A Path to EU Citizenship
For many, a golden visa is the first step on the way to full citizenship. If you keep living in the country for some time, you might be allowed to try for a second passport. This gives people more freedom and chances in life. Every country has its own rules for this. A golden visa makes it much faster than the regular ways of moving to a new country.
The Greece citizenship by investment program stands out as a good choice for many people. This is mainly a residence-by-investment program. However, you can get citizenship if you live there for seven years in a row. You only need to invest at least €250,000 in real estate in some places to join. Greece offers one of the lowest investment costs in Europe. That’s why many see it as a smart way to get residency and also to become an EU citizen. The Greek program does not ask you to stay for a set amount of time each year. So, it is great for investors who may not want to live full-time in Greece.