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Why Choose a Residency by Real Estate Investment Program in the EU

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Date Published: March 17, 2021 | Date Updated: June 8th, 2021
By March 17, 2021 June 8th, 2021 No Comments
Santorini - Greece

European Union (EU) passports are one of the most sought-after passports in the world. Holding citizenship in the EU not only secures a prosperous future for an individual and their family, but it is accompanied by many lifestyles, financial and business opportunities. Businesspeople and high-net-worth individuals from the Middle East and all over the globe are applying to citizenship and residency programs in countries that offer the benefit of either the full right to live, work and travel freely throughout Europe or, for the very least, offer visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.

In This Article:

  1. What is Residency by Real Estate Investment?
  2. Why Choose A Residency by Real Estate Investment Program?
  3. Which Countries Offer Residency by Real Estate Investment Programs?

Many citizenship and residency programs offer legal unrestricted access to the EU. However, some offer more benefits than others. Caribbean citizenship by investment programs, like St. Kitts and Nevis, are the most affordable paths to obtaining second passports and offer unrestricted access to many countries and territories worldwide – however, they only offer visa-free travel to the Schengen Area within Europe.

Whereas European citizenship by investment programs provide an EU passport and the full legal right to live, work and travel freely throughout EU countries. This might seem like the more tempting option, but applying to these citizenship by investment programs can be very costly.

Fortunately, there is a middle ground between the two options: European residency by investment programs. When successfully applying to these programs, individuals gain the right to live, work and travel freely throughout the Schengen Area at a much more affordable cost. Once the residence permit is held for a certain number of years, individuals will be eligible to apply for citizenship. And the best part is that this can be done by purchasing a property in a prime European country. Not only will you be investing in a valuable asset that appreciates over time, but you will also obtain EU residency in the process.

Let’s take a closer look at why you should choose a residency by real estate investment program in the EU:

What is Residency by Real Estate Investment?

Individuals can obtain residence permits in a European nation offering a residency by investment program through several means, including a monetary donation to the country’s government, job creation and investing in a local business. A more popular and lucrative option is to purchase property, as a real estate investment ensures a return or profit on your initial investment if you decide to rent or resell.

People Read Also: How to Get a Portugal Golden Visa Through Real Estate Investment

Different residency by investment programs will require a different minimum investment into a government-approved property. In addition to the investment, individuals will have to meet the minimum requirements and successfully pass all due diligence checks. Once granted EU residence, the individual will then have to hold the property for a set amount of years to maintain his/her residency permit.

Why Choose A Residency by Real Estate Investment Program?

It is obvious why investors worldwide are eager to apply to European residency programs. EU citizens enjoy visa-free entry into 153 countries, making it one of the most desirable travel documents around. In addition to unrestricted international mobility, EU citizens have full working and residential rights throughout the EU, as well as access to subsidised tertiary education and scholarships, lucrative business and investment opportunities, consular protection by EU member states and national healthcare benefits, among others.

The EU is a society in which inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail.

Simply put, residing in the EU is one of the best moves’ individuals can make for themselves and their family. And if you are planning on physically living in the EU, you are going to need a place to stay. That is why purchasing property is one of the better residency by investment options. You will always have a home in the EU, whether you plan to live there full or part-time. 

Even if you aren’t planning to move to the EU, holding property in such a prime region is a lucrative investment. Purchasing real estate in popular residential and tourist destinations like Portugal or Spain will mean that you can increase your wealth by renting to locals and tourists alike.

Related Article: Investing in EU Residency through real estate in the wake of COVID-19

But the biggest lure to obtaining residency by real estate investment is that most EU residency programs require applicants to physically reside in the country for a certain amount of time each year to maintain their residence permit. Therefore, no matter which way you look at it, purchasing property is the most beneficial route to residency and citizenship.

And once you have held your property for a certain number of years, you will be able to sell and recoup your investment or, more likely, turn a profit. 

Which Countries Offer Residency by Real Estate Investment Programs?

Cyprus | from €300,000

The Cyprus Residency by Investment Program allows all applicants who are at least 18 years of age, in good health and without a criminal record to obtain residence permit once purchasing real estate and providing proof of a secure annual income for themselves and all their dependents. Applicants are also required to deposit capital into a financial institution in Cyprus, which will be pledged for 3 years.

Cyprus has one of the lowest taxation rates in Europe.

Portugal | from €280,000

The Portuguese government launched its residency by investment program, also known as a golden visa program, that requires applicants to visit Portugal for 7 days per year in the first 5 years. In addition, applicants are required to purchase real estate, make a capital transfer, or create job openings in the country. After 5 years of holding your residency and fulfilling the minimum requirements, along with learning Portuguese up to a basic level then you may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship which you can obtain without foregoing your original nationality.

After 5 years of holding residency in Portugal, you are eligible for Portuguese citizenship.

Spain | from €500,000

Spain’s residency by investment program requires applicants to make a real estate purchase, invest in debentures or shares, or launch a business project in the country. Purchasing property is the ideal route as the program has a minimal residency requirement which is to visit Spain once a year.

Spain Residency offers a perfect geographical location for effective business activities across Europe.

Greece | from €250,000

The Greece Residency by Investment program grants applicants a 5-year residency which can be renewed every 5 years. All that is required is that applicants meet the minimum criteria and make a purchase, lease or timeshare investment in real estate. The program offers a straightforward residency route with no stay requirement and a timeframe of 30 to 50 days to your new residence permit.

Greece is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Malta | from €100,000

In addition to Malta’s million-euro economic Citizenship by Investment program, the country also has a residency by investment program that began accepting applications in 2016. Besides meeting the minimum requirements, applicants must contribute to the economic development of Malta, own or lease property in the country and invest in government stocks or bonds.

Malta has no foreign income tax, inheritance tax and withholding tax on interest earned.

Book a free consultation

Before applying to any Residency by Investment program, individuals must ensure that they are rendering the services of a government authorized agent and advisor like Savory & Partners. The internet is rife with fraudulent companies offering scams that promise citizenship within an implausible timeframe and at an impossibly low price. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is. 

Savory & Partners is a government-approved agency that specializes in high-net-worth individuals applying to any Citizenship by Investment program. We are a British Authorised Agent with decades of experience who has helped over 1,100 families obtain a second citizenship.

 

Apply Today 

If you would like to obtain legal residency through investment in any of the above-mentioned countries or would like to learn more about citizenship and residency through investment programs on offer, then contact us today for a free online consultation and one of our agents will happily aid you in your endeavours.

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Jeremy Savory

About Jeremy Savory

Jeremy Savory, the founder and CEO of Savory and Partners, runs one of the world’s leading HNW citizenship by investment firms. The second passport company has coverage in over 20 jurisdictions including Europe.

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