The Firm of Global Citizens®
Individuals of talent and means need not limit their lives and business interests to one country. Residence by investment programs, also known as golden visa programs, provide high-net-worth individuals with the option to relocate and the right to live, work, study, and receive healthcare in their new countries of residence. Being able to change residence to a suitable country or have multiple residences is an increasingly important aspect of international planning for private clients.
Henley & Partners offers expert advice on residence by investment programs in some of the world’s top places in terms of business environment, quality of life, and the possibility of acquiring citizenship. Listed below are the details of the most credible and successful residence programs recommended by Henley & Partners.
Minimum Capital |
Key Benefit |
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EUR 50,000 in liquid funds, German language skills, permanent accommodation, and more |
The right to live and study in Austria, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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EUR 512,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Bulgaria, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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EUR 300,000 |
The right to live and study in Cyprus |
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EUR 250,000 |
The right to live and study in Greece, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen area |
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EUR 250,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Hungary, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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The Ireland Residence by Investment Program was concluded on 10 December 2023 |
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EUR 250,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Italy, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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GBP 1.75 million in real estate and GBP 250,000 in annual taxes |
The right to live, work, and study in Jersey |
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EUR 60,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Latvia, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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EUR 500,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Luxembourg, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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EUR 169,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Malta, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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No minimum investment |
The right to live, work, and study in Monaco, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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No minimum investment |
The right to live, work, and study in Montenegro |
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The Netherlands Residence by Investment Program was concluded on 1 March 2024 |
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EUR 250,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Portugal, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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Annual cost of EUR 6,000 (company formation option) |
The right to live, work, and study in Serbia |
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The Spain Residence by Investment Program was concluded on 4 April 2025 |
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CHF 250,000 in annual taxes |
The right to live and study in Switzerland, with visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area |
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Innovative, scaling business |
The right to live, work, and study in the UK |
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Minimum Capital |
Key Benefit |
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USD 1 million |
The right to live in The Bahamas |
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USD 1.2 million or 10% ownership in Cayman Islands business |
The right to live in the Cayman Islands |
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USD 200,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in the Dominican Republic |
Minimum Capital |
Key Benefit |
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Minimum monthly passive income or pension of USD 1,500 |
The right to live in Argentina |
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CAD 1.2 million (QIIP) |
The right to live, work, and study in Canada |
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USD 150,000 (Investor Residence) |
The right to live and study in Costa Rica |
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USD 280,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Mexico |
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USD 100,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Panama |
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USD 150,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Paraguay |
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USD 800,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in the USA |
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Minimum monthly income of USD 1,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Uruguay |
Minimum Capital |
Key Benefit |
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BHD 130,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Bahrain |
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Annual fee of SAR 100,000 or one-time fee of SAR 800,000 |
The right to live, work, and study in Saudi Arabia |
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AED 1 million |
The right to live, work, and study in the UAE |
Minimum Capital |
Key Benefit |
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HKD 30 million |
The right to live, work, and study in Hong Kong |
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MYR 1 million |
The right to live, work, and study in Malaysia |
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Launching in H2 2026 |
The right to live in the Maldives |
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SGD 10 million |
The right to live, work, and study in Singapore |
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THB 650,000 |
The right to live in Thailand |
Minimum Capital |
Key Benefit |
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No financial contribution |
The right to live, work, and study in Australia |
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NZD 5 million |
The right to live, work, and study in New Zealand |
Secure an alternative residence that ensures readiness to relocate efficiently if conditions in your home country become less stable.
Access high-quality healthcare, efficient public services, and good infrastructure in an attractive location that supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Benefit from a reputable public education system alongside access to leading private schools and recognized universities.
Reside in a safe and stable environment with low crime rates, effective law enforcement, and a high level of public trust in institutions.
Benefit from a competitive tax framework with lower taxation levels, a territorial tax system, or the absence of personal income tax.
Combine international property ownership with an alternative residence to support both lifestyle objectives and asset diversification.
One of our experienced client advisors will carefully assess your personal requirements and help you select the most suitable residence by investment program to meet your individual needs and preferences. This initial consultation is free of charge.
Before a client agreement is signed and you are invoiced for any services rendered, our compliance team will conduct thorough due diligence on you and any family members included in your application. Once you have passed our due diligence checks, we will onboard you as a client and request a fixed fee for our ongoing services.
A dedicated relationship manager will be appointed to assist you in securing and compiling all necessary supporting documents and completing various government application forms. We will guide and support you throughout this often time-consuming and complex part of the process, including making the final submission to the relevant government authority.
Once the relevant government agency has reviewed all documentation, it will conduct its own due diligence checks. If your application is successful, the government will send us an approval-in-principle letter, and you will be asked to fulfill any payment obligations (namely, make the investment, and/or pay the contribution, and/or settle any remaining fees). On receipt of the payments, the government will initiate your residence documents.
If you require any further services relating to your residence portfolio, we will continue to provide you with all the assistance you need. This includes the provision of any annual declarations, the renewal of your residence permit, the addition of dependents or new spouses to approved applications, and any additional residence or citizenship options you and your family members may wish to acquire.
Residence by investment (RBI) is a legal immigration pathway that allows foreign nationals to obtain a residence permit by making a qualifying investment, such as purchasing real estate, investing in funds, creating a business, or donating to approved projects. Residence by investment programs grant the right to live, work, study, and access healthcare, and many also offer a path to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
Residence by investment grants a residence permit — the legal right to live in a country — which is typically temporary and renewable. Citizenship by investment (CBI) grants full citizenship and a passport directly, usually within months. Residence by investment generally involves lower investment thresholds but requires the investor to follow a longer pathway to citizenship through naturalization, meeting residence, language, and integration requirements over several years.
Investment thresholds vary widely. Latvia starts from EUR 50,000, Greece from EUR 250,000, Portugal from EUR 200,000 or EUR 500,000, Italy from EUR 250,000, and Malta from EUR 150,000 plus property. The UAE starts from about USD 204,000, while the US EB-5 requires USD 800,000 to USD 1,050,000. Government fees, legal costs, and due diligence charges are additional. Please contact us to find out more.
Yes, a residence by investment pathway to citizenship is available in many countries after meeting residence and legal requirements. For example, Portugal offers citizenship eligibility after seven years for citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and EU nationals and after 10 years for all other nationalities, Greece after seven years, Italy after ten years, and the USA after five years of permanent residence. Requirements can include meeting physical presence rules, demonstrating language proficiency, and maintaining the qualifying investment throughout the required period.
The residence by investment no minimum stay requirement depends on the country. Portugal requires an average stay of just seven days per year. Greece, Hungary, and Bulgaria have no minimum physical presence requirement, while Cyprus requires one visit every two years. In contrast, the US EB-5 program requires continuous physical residence to maintain status and qualify for citizenship. It is important to check the specific requirements of each program.
Common residence by investment types include real estate purchases, investment fund subscriptions, government bonds, business creation or capital transfers, job creation, and donations to cultural, scientific, or heritage projects. Available residence by investment options vary by country, with some focusing mainly on real estate while others prioritize fund-based or donation routes.
Yes, residence by investment family inclusion usually allows spouses, dependent children, and often parents to be included, depending on the program requirements.
A residence by investment Schengen benefit allows visa-free travel across Europe’s Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180 day period, provided the residence permit is issued by a Schengen member state.
The residence by investment processing time varies. Some countries process applications in around 3–4 months, while others may take 12–18 months due to backlogs. Timelines also depend on how complete the applicant’s documentation is. Please contact us to find out more about a specific program.
Residence by investment tax implications depend on physical presence. Holding residence by investment does not automatically make you a tax resident, which is usually based on spending about 183 days per year in the country. Some countries offer special tax regimes for new residents, which can provide favorable tax treatment. Obtaining professional tax advice is essential.
Residence by investment due diligence includes identity verification, criminal record screening, source of funds checks, and anti-money laundering procedures. Documents are typically translated and notarized. In some cases, applicants are required to work with accredited agents or licensed immigration advisors.
Most residence by investment work rights allow you to live and work in the host country. European Union residence permits usually allow the holder to work without needing a separate work permit. The US EB-5 Green Card also provides full and unrestricted employment rights. However, some programs may include specific conditions, so it is important to check the work rights for each program.
The EB-5 investor visa is the US version of a golden visa. It grants permanent residence, also known as a Green Card, to foreign nationals who invest at least USD 800,000 in a targeted employment area or USD 1,050,000 in other locations, in a commercial enterprise that creates or preserves a minimum of 10 full-time US jobs. After five years of permanent residence, investors may become eligible to apply for US citizenship.
In most programs, the qualifying investment must be maintained for the full duration of the residence permit or for a minimum holding period, typically five years. When it comes to residence by investment, selling property before this period may lead to loss of residence status. After obtaining permanent residence or citizenship, some programs no longer require the investment to be maintained.
The Canada Start-Up Visa program was paused for new applicants as of January 2026, with a replacement program expected. Existing applications continue to be processed. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program remains an alternative option for investors seeking Canadian residence, although it operates under different criteria and is subject to intake limits.
Residence by investment documents required include a valid passport, proof of funds, criminal record clearance, health insurance, investment proof, and completed application forms. Documents must usually be translated and notarized.
The best residence by investment program depends on your goals, whether that is access to the EU or Europe’s Schengen Area, a pathway to citizenship, tax planning, business expansion, quality of life, education for children, minimal physical presence, or cost. Key factors to consider include investment thresholds, residence requirements, processing times, family inclusion policies, and the political and economic stability of the host country. As the global leader in residence and citizenship planning, Henley & Partners can provide personalized guidance so you choose the program best suited to your needs.
As the global leader in residence and citizenship planning, Henley & Partners is best placed to advise you and your family. Contact us for a free consultation.
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