Golden Visa Showdown: Which European Country Is Best for You 2025?

REAL ESTATE3 months ago

Golden Visa programs have become a popular route for international investors and wealthy individuals seeking residency or citizenship in Europe. These programs offer residency – and in some cases, a path to citizenship – in return for investment in the host country.

Portugal, Spain, and Greece are among the top countries offering Golden Visas, each with its unique rules, benefits, and challenges. In this article, we compare these popular options to help you decide which one might be right for you.

What Is a Golden Visa?

A Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program. By investing a certain amount of money – usually in real estate, business, or government bonds – non-EU nationals can gain the right to live, and sometimes work, in the host country.

These programs also often include benefits like visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, family reunification, and a route to citizenship after a number of years.

Why Europe?

Europe remains attractive for several reasons:

High quality of life
Strong healthcare and education systems
Access to 27 EU countries via the Schengen Zone
Safety and political stability

Let’s now explore and compare Golden Visa options from Portugal, Spain, Greece, and others.

1. Portugal Golden Visa

Overview

Launched in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa has been one of the most popular in the world, attracting thousands of investors.

Investment Options

As of 2024, real estate is no longer available. Instead, investors can choose from:

€500,000 in private equity or venture capital funds
€500,000 in research activities
€250,000 in arts and culture
€500,000 in a Portuguese company with job creation

Residency Requirements

Stay just 7 days per year on average
Can apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years

Pros

Low physical presence required
Path to EU citizenship in 5 years
Visa-free travel across Schengen

Cons

Real estate option removed
Application delays due to high demand

2. Spain Golden Visa

Overview

Spain offers a solid Golden Visa option since 2013, popular among Latin American and Chinese investors.

Investment Options

€500,000 in real estate
€1 million in Spanish company shares or bank deposits
€2 million in government bonds

Residency Requirements

No minimum stay required to renew visa
Must live in Spain to apply for permanent residency or citizenship

Pros

Fast application processing (2–3 months)
Includes work permit
Allows investment in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona

Cons

Must live in Spain full-time for citizenship
High property costs in top cities

3. Greece Golden Visa

Overview

Greece has the lowest entry threshold among European Golden Visas. Its program is fast and flexible, making it attractive to many.

Investment Options

€250,000 in real estate (some areas now require €500,000)
Other options include hotel investments or tourism projects

Residency Requirements

No stay requirement
Can apply for citizenship after 7 years of residency (with language and integration requirements)

Pros

Lowest property investment threshold in Europe
Fast processing (2–3 months)
Beautiful lifestyle destination with tourism potential

Cons

Citizenship route more complex
Limited healthcare and education in rural areas

4. Other Golden Visa Programs in Europe

Malta

Offers both residency and citizenship programs
Citizenship through naturalization for exceptional services by direct investment
High investment amount (up to €750,000)

Italy

Investor visa for €250,000 in an innovative startup
No real estate option
Slower path to permanent residency and citizenship

Cyprus

Investment threshold of €300,000 in real estate
No direct citizenship option anymore
Fast residency (within 2 months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Portugal	Spain	Greece	Malta	Italy
Min. Investment	€250,000	€500,000	€250,000	€690,000+	€250,000
Real Estate Allowed?	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
Citizenship Time	5 years	10 years	7 years	1–3 years	10 years
Physical Stay	7 days/year	Optional (more for citizenship)	None	Required for citizenship	Required
Processing Time	6–12 months	2–3 months	2–3 months	4–6 months	6+ months

Which Golden Visa Is Right for You?

Choose Portugal if:

You want EU citizenship in just 5 years
You prefer fund-based investment over real estate
You want minimal physical presence

Choose Spain if:

You want to live full-time in Europe
You’re interested in high-value real estate
You need a work permit

Choose Greece if:

You’re looking for the lowest investment cost
You want to buy property in a scenic location
You prefer not to relocate permanently

Final Thoughts

The right Golden Visa depends on your personal goals:

Do you want eventual EU citizenship?
Are you looking for rental income from property?
Do you plan to live in Europe full-time or part-time?

Always consult with immigration lawyers and investment advisors before applying. These programs are constantly changing based on political and economic shifts.

With careful planning, a European Golden Visa can open doors to a better lifestyle, greater travel freedom, and long-term security for you and your family.