3 European Residency by Investment Programs to Focus On in 2025

Global crisis make it vital for people to set a contingency plan for themselves and their families by obtaining global mobility assets such as a Second Citizenship or Residency. And one of the most popular areas to obtain these has long been Europe. Today, we will highlight three European residency by investment programs to focus on in 2025.

Malta

Malta had two different investment migration options, a Citizenship by Investment Program called the Maltese Exceptional Individual Naturalization Program (MEIN) and the Maltese Permanent Residency Program (MPRP).

The costlier MEIN provided applicants a way to obtain Maltese (and hence EU) citizenship before being discontinued in 2025. The MPRP contnues to provide them with a permanent residency permit that allows them to reside and work in Malta if needed.

To qualify for the MPRP, you must either buy a property in Malta or Gozo for a minimum $375,000 while the rental threshold is no less than €14,000 a year.

The MPRP also requires you to make a €60,000 donation to the government, pay a €7,500 administrative fee, and make a €2,000 contribution to an NGO in Malta. You're also required to have a net worth of a minimum E500,000 (with at least €150,000 in assets) or no less than €650,000 (with a minimum €75,000 in assets).

Portugal

The Portuguese Golden Visa is one of the most popular Residency by Investment Programs in the world, having granted residency to over 33,000 investors and their family members since its inception in 2012.

The most popular golden visa investment route is the €500,000 investment or venture capital fund option.

The Portuguese Golden Visa is one of the simplest ways to get EU residence and eventually citizenship, as it has a fast track to naturalisation. Golden Visa holders can qualify for Portuguese citizenship after five years of holding the Golden Visa and spending just seven days every year in Portugal, allowing them to obtain one of the best passports in the world, which grants visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa access to 180+ global destinations, including fellow EU countries, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

Portugal offers a low-cost but high-standard second home for Golden Visa holders, and its wide array of investment options make it a great way to diversify an asset base while obtaining an immigration component simultaneously.

Portugal’s strategic location and pleasant climate, coupled with the nation’s excellent healthcare and educational systems, make it an excellent option for investors.

A new proposed Portuguese Nationality Law could double the length of naturalization from 5 to 10 years. If you want to take advantage of this route, you should prioritize your Portuguese Golden Visa application in 2025.

Greece

The final option on the list is Greece’s Golden Visa. Another popular option among investors, Greece’s Residency by Investment Program is an excellent way for people to obtain an EU residence permit that does not require any residence to maintain one’s status.

A beautiful country bursting with magnificent culture and heritage, Greece offers investors a chance to create a second home in one of the world’s most visited nations.

The Greek Golden Visa still includes a real estate option. The lowest threshold is €250,000 but this is only available for conversion of commercial properties into residential units or the restoration of listed buildings.

The minimum investment amount increases to €800,000 in the Attica region (Athens), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Thira (Santorini), and other islands with a population exceeding 3,100. It's €400,000 in all other regions of Greece.

Investment opportunities in low-density areas may create a housing market boom that gives you great returns on your investment. Real estate in high-density areas leads to better value as investors put more money into the housing market.

You can naturalize as a Greek citizen following 7 years of permanent residence. As well as establishing yourself as a permanent resident, you will need to pass language and culture/history exams to qualify to become a Greek national.

What's Next?

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