From Dreams to Destinations
From Dreams to Destinations
Category: Articles
TABLE OF CONTENT :
Residency by investment gives high-net-worth individuals like you one of the fastest ways to secure legal residence in another country. You gain access to better healthcare, world-class education, global business opportunities, and a higher quality of life.
By directly investing in a country’s economy- through real estate, government bonds, or development funds- you can obtain residency in just a few months.
In this article, we’ll discuss the 10 Best Residency by Investment Programs in 2025. You’ll know what each country offers, how much you need to invest, and which programs give you the strongest path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Residence by Investment (RBI) allows you to legally reside in another country by making a qualifying financial investment. You can achieve this by purchasing property, investing in a business, or contributing to a government-approved investment fund. These programs are also known as golden visas.
Once you complete the investment and meet the program’s requirements, the government grants you and your family legal residency, often within just a few months.
Here’s how RBI programs usually work:
Choose a Program: Start by selecting a country that offers a residency-by-investment option. Nations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas have different rules, benefits, and timelines- some even provide a path for permanent residency or citizenship.
Make the Required Investment: Invest the required amount based on the country’s program- buying real estate, starting or funding a business, purchasing government bonds, or making a donation. Investment amounts typically range from $200,000 to over $1 million.
Due Diligence: Prepare your documents and submit your application through official government channels or authorized agents. You’ll need to prove the legality of your funds, show a clean criminal record, and sometimes demonstrate a stable income.
Get Your Residency: Once approved, you and your family receive residency permits. These permits allow you to live in the country and grant the right to work, study, or access public services like healthcare and education. Many programs lead to permanent residency or citizenship after a few years.
WeRWealthy will guide you through the entire process - Book a Meeting
Countries that offer Residency by Investment:
Canada residence by investment programs offer two main ways to get residency through investment: the Canada Start-Up Visa Program and the Quebec Investor Immigration Program. The Start-Up Visa is for entrepreneurs with new business ideas. To qualify, you need support from a recognized organization like a venture capital group, and your investment can range from USD 215,000 to USD 275,000. The Quebec program is for those who prefer a more passive option. You need to invest CAD 1 million in a government fund for five years, and have a net worth of CAD 2 million, along with some business experience.
Get more info about Canada RBI Program or Contact Us
France permanent residence by investment program lets you live there if you invest at least €300,000 in a French business. Your investment must help create jobs in France within four years. To apply, you’ll need to visit the nearest French consulate and show proof of your investment, a business plan, and your role in the company. After getting your visa, you’ll travel to France, register, and get your residence permit, which is valid for four years and can be renewed. After five years in France, you may apply for permanent residency or citizenship if you meet the other rules.
Get more info about France RBI Program or Contact Us
Greece Residence by Investment, also known as the Greek Golden Visa, lets non-EU citizens get residency by investing in Greece. You can finance in real estate starting from €250,000, deposit €500,000 in a Greek bank, or invest in government bonds, Greek companies, mutual funds, or the stock market. You can also qualify by signing a long-term lease for tourist accommodations. The investment amount depends on the option and location, ranging from €250,000 to €800,000. The residence permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed. You don’t need to live in Greece, but you must visit once for biometric registration. After 7 years, you can apply for citizenship if you pass a Greek language test.
Get more info about Greece RBI Program or Contact Us
Italy residence by investment program lets non-EU nationals live legally in Italy by making a qualifying investment. Known as the Italian Golden Visa, it offers several options: invest €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, €1 million as a philanthropic donation, or €2 million in government bonds. To qualify, you must be at least 18 and maintain the investment for five years. The government issues a two-year residence permit, which you can renew for three more years. You don’t need to live in Italy full-time to keep your residency, but you must stay for ten years if you want citizenship.
Get more info about Italy RBI Program or Contact Us
Malta Residency by Investment allows non-EU citizens to get permanent residency in Malta by making a property investment, contributing to the government, and donating to a local charity. To qualify, you can either buy a property worth at least €375,000 or rent one for €14,000 per year. You must also donate €2,000 to a registered charity in Malta and show you have at least €500,000 in assets, including €150,000 in cash or investments. There’s no need to live in Malta full-time, and you can include your spouse, children, and dependent parents or grandparents in the application. The process usually takes 4-6 months, and you can apply for Maltese citizenship after living there for 1-2 years.
Get more info about Malta RBI Program or Contact Us
Portugal Residency by Investment program, or Golden Visa, allows non-EU nationals to live in Portugal by investing in different areas, such as businesses, scientific research, or cultural projects. To qualify, investors must be 18 or older and invest at least €500,000 in funds or research, or €250,000 to support arts and culture. Investors can also start or invest in businesses that create jobs. To maintain the visa, investors must spend at least 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days in each of the following two-year periods. After living in Portugal for 5 years, you can apply for citizenship. However, real estate investments are no longer eligible for the Golden Visa starting in 2025.
Get more info about Portugal RBI Program or Contact Us
Hungary permanent residence by investment allows non-EU nationals and their families to live, work, and travel within the Schengen Area. To qualify, investors can choose one of three options: invest at least €250,000 in a Hungarian real estate fund, buy a property worth at least €500,000, or donate €1 million to a Hungarian public trust that supports education, science, or art. Investors must provide proof of their investment within three months of entering Hungary. The residence permit lasts for 10 years and can be renewed for another 10 years. There’s no minimum stay requirement. After 5 years, investors can apply for citizenship.
Get more info about Hungary RBI Program or Contact Us
Cyprus residence by investment allows non-EU nationals and their families to live, work, and travel within the EU. To qualify, you must invest at least €300,000 in property, Cyprus company shares, or a Cyprus investment fund. You also need to show an annual income of at least €50,000, with additional income required for dependents. The investment funds must come from abroad and be transferred to Cyprus. Once approved, the residency permit is permanent, as long as the investment is maintained. There’s no lowest stay requirement, and you can apply for citizenship after seven years. Your spouse, children under 18, and dependent parents can also be included in the application.
Get more info about Cyprus RBI Program or Contact Us
UAE residency by investment offers a path to long-term stay for individuals who invest in the country. If you invest at least AED 2 million in real estate or a business, you can apply for the 10-year Golden Visa. You can also qualify if you own a startup that earns at least AED 1 million per year. The 5-year Green Visa is available for self-employed individuals and business owners, and you don’t need a local sponsor to apply. You can also visit the UAE for 60, 90, or 120 days to explore investment opportunities before applying.
Get more info about UAE RBI Program or Contact Us
Austria Residence by Investment allows non-EU nationals to live in the country by making significant investments. Unlike other countries, Austria doesn’t offer a passive investment visa. Instead, investors can qualify by starting or investing in a business that contributes to the economy. The minimum investment is €100,000 for the Self-Employed Key Worker Program or between €200,000 and €500,000 for other business investments. Applicants must also show they can financially support themselves, have health insurance, and provide proof of accommodation. German language skills at an A1 level may be required. The residence permit is valid for 1-year and can be renewed. After 10 years of living in Austria, investors can apply for citizenship.
Get more info about Austria RBI Program or Contact Us
With an RBI program, you can travel easily to many countries without a visa. For example, Portugal’s residency lets you access over 190 destinations, including the Schengen Area.
As a resident, you gain access to high-quality healthcare and education. Portugal ranks 23rd globally in healthcare quality, according to the World Health Organization.
Some countries let you apply for citizenship after a few years in some programs. For instance, Malta allows you to apply for citizenship after just 1 year of residency.
Countries like the UAE offer 0% income tax, allowing you to save significantly compared to nations with higher taxes.
You can start or invest in businesses as a resident. Cyprus’ economy is growing, with its GDP projected to rise by 2.5% in 2025, making it a great place to expand your business.
A second residency gives you security in case of political or economic instability in your home country. For example, more than 4,000 Americans sought second citizenship or residency in 2024 for safety.
Many programs require you to invest in real estate, giving you a valuable asset. In Greece, property prices rose by 9.2% in 2024, showing that real estate can be a smart investment.
You can include your spouse, children, and sometimes parents in your residency. Your entire family member can enjoy the benefits of healthcare, education, and travel freedom.
In countries like Portugal, you only need to spend 7 days a year to keep your residency. This gives you flexibility without needing to relocate permanently.
Residency in respected countries like the UK or Switzerland boosts your reputation. The UK ranks 5th in ease of doing business, making it a strong credential for professionals.
Residency by investment (RBI) programs offer different ways to get legal residency in a country. The options depend on how much you invest and where you invest.
Many countries allow you to get residency by purchasing property. The investment amount varies but usually ranges from $250,000 to over $1 million.
Greece: You can get residency by investing €250,000 (around $267,000) in property. It’s one of the most popular options for people who want to live in the European Union.
Spain: In Spain, you can get residency by investing at least €500,000 (about $535,000) in real estate. This allows you to live and work in Spain.
Some countries let you invest in government bonds or funds, which help support national projects. These investments usually help with things like urban development or education.
Malta: To get residency in Malta, you can invest €650,000 (around $694,000) into the National Development and Social Fund, with additional fees for family members.
Dominica: In Dominica, you can get residency by donating $100,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund.
For entrepreneurs, investing in a business is another way to get residency. By starting or investing in a business, you gain access to residency and business opportunities.
Canada: Through the Start-up Visa Program, you can get permanent residency by starting a business with the help of a designated Canadian investor group. The typical required investment is CAD 200,000 (around USD 150,000).
Singapore: To obtain permanent residency, you can invest at least SGD 2.5 million (about $1.85 million) in a new or existing business.
Some countries offer residency in exchange for donations to national causes, such as development projects or charities. This is typically a quicker and less expensive method compared to other investment options.
Austria: In Austria, you can obtain residency by donating at least €10 million (about $10.7 million USD) to help promote the country’s economy.
Some countries allow you to get residency by making a large deposit into an approved bank or financial institution. This option often requires proof of the origin of your funds.
Turkey: You can get Turkish citizenship by depositing at least $500,000 into a Turkish bank.
Each investment option has its own requirements, but most allow you to obtain residency within a few months to a few years, depending on the country and program.
Residency by Investment lets you legally live, work, and study in another country. It gives you the right to stay long-term and someday apply for permanent residency or even citizenship, depending on the country’s rules.
In contrast, Citizenship by Investment gives you immediate citizenship and a second passport. You receive full rights from day one- like voting, visa-free travel, and consular protection- without waiting years to qualify.
Countries like Portugal, Spain, Greece, Malta, Italy, Cyprus, the UAE, Canada, and Australia offer residency by investment programs.
UAE and Greece offer some of the fastest residency programs. You can get UAE residency within 1-2 months, and Greece typically processes residency within 2-3 months.
You can get a residency in Portugal by investing €500,000 in a fund. The process usually takes 3-6 months and requires an average stay of just 7 days per year.
You can apply through Quebec’s Investor Program. You need at least CAD 2 million in net worth and must invest CAD 1.2 million for 5 years. This leads to permanent residency.
You can get Greek residency by investing at least €250,000 in real estate. The process is fast, often completed in 2-3 months, and you don’t need to live in Greece to maintain the residency.
If you want EU access and low stay requirements, Greece is a strong option. If you need fast approval and Middle East access, the UAE is a great choice.
Greece and the UAE are among the easiest. They have low investment options, simple application processes, and don’t require language tests or high physical presence.
The lowest entry-level investment starts from €250,000. Greece offers residency at this amount through real estate investment.
You can secure residency by buying property in several countries:
Greece offers one of the cheapest residency programs in Europe, with the lowest real estate investment of €250,000.
You can invest at least AED 2 million in property or business and apply for the UAE Golden Visa. This visa gives you 10 years of residency.
The UK has closed its investor visa. But you can start a business and apply for the Innovator Founder Visa. After 3-years, you can apply for permanent residency.
You can purchase property or invest in a business in countries like Greece (from €250,000), Italy, Spain, or Malta. These programs offer long-term residency and a path to citizenship.
You can start a business in Germany that supports the economy and creates jobs. If successful, you can get permanent residency in just 3 years.
A Golden Visa lets you get residency by investing in a country. You can invest in real estate projects, businesses, or government bonds. Countries like Portugal, Greece, and the UAE offer these visas starting from €250,000 to €500,000.
WeRWealthy guides you from the initial consultation through to the successful acquisition of your new residency. Our team handles documentation, liaises with local authorities, and ensures a seamless transition for you and your family.
Our expert-driven process is faster, easier, and completely hassle-free.