Residency by Investment in Europe: Second Residency from €250,000
European Residency Programmes from EUR 250 000
No requirement to live/move there.
Residency through investment programmes offer investors and their families an affordable route to gaining temporary or permanent residency, for example in the EU. This give families a Plan B option should they wish to immigrate and the freedom to travel the Schengen countries.
EU Residency:
What are the benefits of acquiring residency in the EU?
Holding an EU residency card grants the holder the freedom to live, work or study in the country of residency as well as the freedom to travel visa free in any of the Schengen zone countries. Residency does not, however, give the freedom to live anywhere in the EU – European citizenship would be required for this. There are some options that can offer this, please contact one of our team to learn more.
EU Residency programmes include:
Malta, Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, and more.
Other Residency Programmes include: Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahamas
What Are the Requirements to Acquire a Second Residency?
Residency Programmes are some of the most popular programmes as the investment criteria are typically lower than that of the EU citizenship programmes. There are several different programmes available and it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Typically the required investment is into real estate, investment funds or Government bonds, depending on the programme, and must usually be held for around 5 years. Each programme’s requirements differ depending on what is prescribed by the legal framework.
Portugal’s Golden Visa, for example, no longer accepts real estate investment. The main route is now a minimum investment of €500,000 in qualifying non-real estate investment funds.
Cyprus’ programme, for example, grants permanent residency in Cyprus, an EU member state. It is permanent, i.e. it does not need to be renewed.
RESIDENCY PROGRAMMES
Spain’s Golden Visa closed in April 2025.
Ask us about alternatives.
Compare Residency by Investment Programmes
| Programme | Minimum investment | Investment type | Stay requirement | Typical processing time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | €250,000 | Real estate | Renewal visit required | 2–4 months |
| Cyprus | €300,000 + VAT | Real estate | Renewal visit required | 2–3 months |
| Malta | Rent or buy qualifying property, plus contributions | Property and government contribution | No minimum stay | 3–4 months |
| Italy | €250,000 | Start-up, company, government bonds or donation | Renewal visit required | On request |
| Portugal | €500,000 | Investment funds (real estate no longer qualifies) | Average of 7 days per year | On request |
| Paraguay | US$65,000 (single applicant) | Investment / contribution | Visit required | 3–4 months |
| Uruguay | On request | Residence-based | Visit required | On request |
| USA EB-5 | US$800,000 | Job-creating project | Green Card residence rules apply | On request |
| Belgium | On request | Business and entrepreneur route | On request | On request |
| Spain | Programme closed (April 2025) | – | – | – |
Minimum amounts exclude government, legal and due diligence fees and apply to selected investment categories. Programme rules can change without notice.
Residency by Investment: Frequently Asked Questions
What is residency by investment?
Residency by investment, often called a golden visa, gives you and your family the legal right to live in another country in exchange for a qualifying investment, such as real estate, investment funds, government bonds or a contribution. It is a popular Plan B for South Africans who want a secure base abroad without having to relocate immediately.
How much does a golden visa cost?
Entry points vary by programme. Greece starts from €250,000 for selected property categories, Cyprus from €300,000 plus VAT, Portugal from €500,000 in qualifying investment funds, and Paraguay from US$65,000 for a single applicant. Government, legal and due diligence fees are additional.
Can I include my family in the application?
Most programmes allow a spouse and dependent children to be included in the same application, and some also allow dependent parents. The rules and age limits differ from programme to programme, so contact us to confirm who qualifies.
Do I have to live in the country?
Most programmes have minimal or no stay requirements. Greece has no in-country stay requirement, Portugal requires an average of 7 days per year, and Paraguay requires an initial visit to apply.
Can I travel in the Schengen area with a residency card?
A residency card from a Schengen member state, such as Greece, Malta, Italy or Portugal, allows visa-free travel to the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Cyprus is in the EU but is not yet part of the Schengen area.
Does residency lead to citizenship?
Some programmes offer a route to citizenship, subject to each country’s residence, language and other requirements. Residency on its own does not give the right to live anywhere in the EU – that requires EU citizenship. Contact us to find out which programmes lead to citizenship.
Is Spain’s Golden Visa still available?
No. Spain closed its Golden Visa programme in April 2025. We can advise on alternative European residency programmes that are still open.
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