There is no single European golden visa. Instead, individual countries offer their own residence programmes, each with different investment options, costs and requirements. A successful application gives the investor the right to reside in that country, while also allowing short-term travel within the Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).
6 golden visa programmes in Europe
Europe Golden Visa
European golden visas allow foreign investors to obtain residence through an eligible investment. Depending on the country, this may include investment funds, real estate, business investment or a financial contribution. Harvey Law Group assists clients with golden visa programmes in Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta and Cyprus. Minimum investment amounts vary by programme, starting from EUR 200,000 for Portugal's cultural contribution route and EUR 250,000 for certain options in Greece, Hungary and Italy.
Comparison
Europe golden visa programmes compared
Minimum investment, processing time, permit, stay rules and family cover for each programme. Amounts are programme minimums; open a programme for the full requirements. Last updated 29 October 2026. Last updated .
| Programme | Minimum investment | Processing time | Residence permit | Minimum stay | Family included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Portugal Golden Visa |
EUR 200,000 | 12-24 Months | 2 years, renewable every 2 years | 7 days in year 1, then 14 days every 2 years | Spouse, dependent children, dependent parents |
 Greece golden visa (GIRP) |
EUR 250,000 | 6-9 Months | 5 years, renewable | No minimum stay | Spouse, children under 21, parents of both spouses |
 Hungary Golden Visa Program |
EUR 250,000 | 4-6 months | 10 years, renewable for 10 more | No physical residency requirement | Spouse and minor children |
 Italy golden visa |
EUR 250,000 | 3-6 Months | 2 years, then renewable in 3-year periods | No physical residency requirement | Spouse, minor children, dependent parents |
 Malta permanent residency |
Varies by option | 6-8 Months | Permanent residence | See programme page | Spouse, unmarried children under 29, dependent parents and grandparents |
 Cyprus permanent residency |
EUR 300,000 | 6-9 months | Permanent residence | One visit every 2 years | Spouse, dependent children up to 25 |
Programmes
Golden visa programmes in Europe
Select a programme to learn more about the available investment options, processing times, benefits and application process.
Golden visas
Portugal Golden Visa
Minimum investmentEUR 200,000
- Reside, work & study in Portugal
- EU access
- Permanent residency after 5 years
Greece Golden Visa
Minimum investmentEUR 250,000
- Visa-free Schengen access
- Indefinite residence
- 5-year renewable visa
Hungary Golden Visa
Minimum investmentEUR 250,000
- 10-year renewable residency
- EU residency & Schengen travel
- No mandatory stay
Italy Golden Visa
Minimum investmentEUR 250,000
- 2-year residency permit
- Schengen area access
- Family inclusion
Malta Permanent Residency
Minimum investmentVaries by option
- Permanent residency in Malta
- Mediterranean lifestyle
- English-speaking country
Cyprus Permanent Residency
Minimum investmentEUR 300,000
- Indefinite residence
- Family inclusion
Other routes to European residence
Alongside golden visas, other European programmes offer residence through investment, business activity or financial means.
France Talent Passport
Minimum investmentEUR 300,000
- 4-year renewable permit
- Create/acquire French business
- Family inclusion
Monaco Residency
Minimum investmentEUR 500,000
- Renewable residency permit
- Permanent residency after 9 years
- Schengen access
Portugal HQA visa
Minimum investment€175,000
- Live, work and study in Portugal
- Include eligible family members
- Pathway to permanent residence and citizenship
Switzerland Residence
- Lump sum taxation
- Swiss residency
- Schengen area access
The basics
What is a Europe golden visa?
Choosing a programme
Which European golden visa fits your goal?
The lowest single investment
Greece, Hungary and Italy all start at EUR 250,000. In Greece, that amount applies to converting commercial property to residential use or restoring listed buildings. In Hungary, it buys units in an approved investment fund. In Italy, it goes into an Italian innovative start-up. Portugal's donation route starts at EUR 200,000 in low-density areas. Malta's rental option starts at EUR 14,000 a year in rent, on top of a EUR 37,000 government contribution and EUR 60,000 in government administration fees. Our guide to the most affordable golden visas compares the full costs.
Buying property
Greece remains the main real estate route, with thresholds of EUR 250,000, EUR 400,000 and EUR 800,000 depending on the property and its location. Cyprus accepts up to two new residential properties worth at least EUR 300,000 plus VAT. Malta accepts a property purchase from EUR 375,000. Since 2023, real estate no longer qualifies for the Portugal Golden Visa.
A Plan B without relocating
Greece has no minimum stay requirement. Hungary and Italy have no physical residency requirement. Portugal asks for 7 days in the first year and 14 days in every two-year period after that. Cyprus asks for one visit every two years.
Permanent residence from day one
Malta and Cyprus both grant permanent residence on approval, rather than a temporary permit you renew.
Bringing the wider family
Malta covers unmarried children under 29 as well as dependent parents and grandparents. Greece includes the parents of both the investor and the spouse.
Long-term plans
From golden visa to EU citizenship
A golden visa is a residence permit, not citizenship. In most programmes, citizenship depends on how long you actually live in the country and on a language test. These are the pathways set out on our programme pages:
- Portugal: permanent residence after 5 years, and citizenship after 7 to 10 years under separate law, subject to conditions including a language test.
- Greece: you may apply for citizenship after 7 years of lawful residence, subject to residency and language requirements.
- Italy: permanent residence after 5 years of legal and continuous residence, and citizenship after 10 years with a B1 Italian language test.
- Cyprus: citizenship after an aggregate of 7 years of residence, including 12 consecutive months in Cyprus before applying.
- Malta: naturalisation is possible under the Maltese Citizenship Act but is discretionary and subject to residence conditions.
- Hungary: permanent residence may be possible after 3 continuous years in Hungary, subject to conditions.
For more detail, read our Greece vs Portugal golden visa comparison and our Hungary and Italy comparison.
What has changed
Closed programmes and recent changes
The list of European golden visas keeps shrinking, so check the current rules before you commit funds.
- Spain: Organic Law 1/2025 repealed Spain's investor residence provisions, effective three months after its publication in the Boletín Oficial del Estado. Applications filed before that date can still be decided under the rules in force when they were filed.
- Portugal: since 2023, direct and indirect real estate investments no longer qualify. The remaining routes are investment funds and donations.
- Greece: property thresholds now depend on location, from EUR 250,000 to EUR 800,000. See our note on the new Greek golden visa regulations.
- Cyprus: a minister has told parliament that Cyprus will tighten its golden visa rules ahead of Schengen accession.
How it works
How the application works
Each country has its own procedure, but most applications follow the same broad steps:
- Consultation and eligibility review. We review your circumstances, family, source of funds and preferred investment route to spot any eligibility issues early.
- Documents and due diligence. You gather civil, financial and police records, and we check them against the programme rules.
- The qualifying investment. You make the investment, usually with funds transferred from abroad.
- Filing. Your lawyer submits the application to the immigration authority.
- Biometrics visit. You and your family travel to the country to give biometrics.
- Permit and renewals. The residence permits are issued, and we track renewals and stay requirements from then on.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the Europe golden visa?
It is a residence permit that a European country grants in return for a qualifying investment. There is no single EU-wide golden visa: each country runs its own programme. Harvey Law Group advises on the golden visas of Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta and Cyprus.
Which European countries offer a golden visa?
The European golden visas we handle are Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta and Cyprus. Other European residence routes based on investment or business include the Portugal HQA visa, the France Talent Passport, the Monaco residency permit and the Swiss residence permit.
What is the cheapest golden visa in Europe?
The lowest investment does not always mean the lowest overall cost. Greece, Hungary and Italy have routes starting from EUR 250,000, while Portugal's cultural contribution route can start from EUR 200,000 for qualifying projects in low-density areas. Malta offers a rental option from EUR 14,000 per year, together with a EUR 37,000 government contribution and EUR 60,000 in administration fees. See our guide to the most affordable golden visas.
Which European golden visa has no minimum stay requirement?
Greece has no minimum stay requirement, while Hungary and Italy do not require applicants to become physically resident. Portugal requires seven days in the first year and 14 days during each two-year period after that. Cyprus requires one visit every two years.
Can I get a European golden visa by buying property?
Property remains an eliginle investment option in Greece, Cyprus and Malta. In Greece, the minimum investment ranges from EUR 250,000 to EUR 800,000 depending on the property and its location. Cyprus accepts qualifying new residential property from EUR 300,000 plus VAT, while Malta has a property purchase option starting from EUR 375,000, as well as a rental route.
Does a European golden visa lead to citizenship?
It can provide a route towards citizenship, but citizenship is not automatic. Each country has its own naturalisation requirements, which may include a minimum period of residence, physical presence and a language test. Simply holding a golden visa does not necessarily mean that the applicant will qualify for citizenship after a set number of years.
Can I live and work anywhere in the EU with a golden visa?
No. The golden visa gives you residence rights in the country that issued it. It does not give you the right to live and work throughout the EU. Golden visa holders can travel within the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Rights to work or study in the country of residence depend on the programme.
Can my family be included in a European golden visa?
Yes. Each programme allows certain family members to be included, although the rules differ by country. A spouse and children can be included under the programmes covered on this page, while some also allow dependent parents. Malta allows unmarried children under 29 and dependent parents and grandparents to be included. Greece can include the parents of both the main applicant and their spouse, while Hungary covers a spouse and minor children.
How long does a European golden visa take?
Processing times vary considerably between programmes. Italy can take around 3 to 6 months, Hungary around 4 to 6 months and Malta around 6 to 8 months. Greece and Cyprus can take around 6 to 9 months. Portugal currently has a longer expected timeframe of around 12 to 24 months. These are estimated processing times and can vary depending on the application and the authorities involved.
Is the Spain golden visa still available?
No. Spain closed its Golden Visa programme in 2025. Organic Law 1/2025 repealed the country's investor residence provisions, with the changes taking effect in April 2025. Applications submitted before the changes took effect can still be considered under the rules that applied when they were filed.
Not sure which golden visa fits?
Our lawyers will compare the European programmes against your budget, family and plans, confidentially and with no obligation.
