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Golden visa comparisons · 2026

Golden Visas Side by Side

Residence through investment, two countries at a time: what you must invest, what you get and where it leads.

In short

Golden visas have changed fast: Spain closed its programme in April 2025, Portugal ended the real-estate route in 2023 and Latvia kept only its company route in 2026. Each comparison shows the routes open today, plus costs, residence, citizenship and taxes.

Comparisons: key factsLast verified 27 September 2026
Investment permanent residenceRegulation 6(2): at least €300,000 (excl. VAT) in new residential property, other real estate, a Cypriot company with 5+ staff, or Cyprus investment funds Source: Chambers: amendments to the permanent residency by investment criteria (2023) · Philippou Law: Cyprus permanent residence by investment, Regulation 6(2) · M. Hadjitofi: revised permanent residency by investment scheme
Golden visa (real estate)€800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands over 3,100 residents; €400,000 elsewhere; one property of at least 120 m² Source: Law 5038/2023 art. 100 (Migration Code): golden visa real-estate thresholds
Golden visa: €250,000 optionOnly for converting a commercial building to residential use or restoring a listed building — anywhere in Greece Source: Law 5038/2023 art. 100 (Migration Code): golden visa real-estate thresholds · Mitos (gov.gr): golden visa, change of use — initial issuance
Investor visa€250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, €1 million donation or €2 million in Italian government bonds; no property route Source: Embassy of Italy in Pretoria: Investor Visa for Italy
Share capital investment€50,000 (company with ≤50 staff and ≤€10m turnover or balance) Source: PMLP: Share capital investor
Permanent residence by investment (MPRP)€60,000 admin fee, €37,000 contribution, €2,000 donation, plus a €375,000 property purchase or €14,000/year rent for 5 years; assets of €500,000 (€650,000 with fewer financial assets) Source: BDO Malta: MPRP amendments · KPMG Malta (licensed agent): MPRP · Dixcart: MPRP key facts
Golden visa (ARI)Five routes in 2026: €500,000 in qualifying non-real-estate funds, €500,000 research, €250,000 culture, €500,000 company capital with 5 jobs, or 10 jobs; real estate and €1.5M capital transfer closed since October 2023 Source: Lei 23/2007 consolidated text (PGD Lisboa) art. 3 · Lei 56/2023: Diário da República
Golden visaClosed: Organic Law 1/2025 repealed the investor visa from 3 April 2025. Applications filed before that date are decided under the old rules, and existing holders can renew Source: Inversores – Unidad de Grandes Empresas (Ministerio de Inclusión)

At a Glance

Investor Routes in the Countries We Compare

CountryGolden (investor) visa
Cyprus€300,000 in new property, other real estate, a company or funds — permanent residence; €50,000 yearly income
Greece€800,000 property in Athens and popular islands, €400,000 elsewhere, €250,000 to convert or restore a building; 5-year permit
ItalyInvestor visa — €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in a company or €2 million in bonds; no property route
Latvia€50,000 share capital in a Latvian company + €10,000 state fee; other routes closed in 2026
MaltaPermanent residence (MPRP) — about €99,000 in fees plus €375,000 property or rent
PortugalGolden visa — €500,000 in funds or a company, €250,000 for culture; real estate closed since 2023
SpainClosed since 3 April 2025

Golden visas in Europe — all programmes →Golden visa programmes compared →Golden visa calculator →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do you compare the countries?

Every comparison uses the same points — cost of living in the capital, visa routes, residence and citizenship, healthcare, taxes and daily life — taken from our country fact registers and city guides, which are checked against official sources. Where one side is clearly better for most Americans, it gets a tick.

Can you help me choose?

Yes. Book a free consultation — we look at your income, work, family and timing and tell you honestly which country and visa fit.

Across Europe

Every guide and comparison

Written by US GO EU TeamResearched from official sources in each country · How we research and update

✓ Facts verified 27 September 2026

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