By the US GO EU Editorial Team · Last updated July 11, 2026
€50,000
Lowest EU investor residency entry point — Latvia’s share capital route. Greece starts at €250,000, Portugal at €250,000 (cultural) or €500,000 (funds)
5–7 yr
Typical path to EU citizenship across active programmes — Latvia and Luxembourg at 5 years, Portugal now 10 years (7 for EU/CPLP, since a May 2026 law change), Greece at 7 years, Cyprus 7–8 years
27
Schengen countries accessible on a Portuguese, Greek, Hungarian, or Latvian investor residence permit from day one
Active & Archived Programmes
Five EU programmes are currently active and accepting applications. Two — Spain and Malta — are closed to new applicants. Select any country for the full guide.
Portugal
From €250,000 · 10yr citizenship
Latvia
From €50,000 · 4 routes
Italy
From €250,000 · 10yr citizenship
Greece
From €250,000 · zero stay
Hungary
Govt-approved fund · Schengen
Cyprus
From €300,000 · lifetime permit
Spain
Closed Apr 2025
Malta (MPRP)
Closed Mar 2024
Programme Comparison
All Active EU Golden Visa Programmes — Side by Side
The table below compares every currently active EU residency-by-investment programme relevant to US investors. Two programmes — Spain (closed April 2025) and Malta MPRP (closed March 2024) — are included for reference as historical archive pages.
| Country | Min. Investment | Min. Stay | Schengen | Citizenship | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal → | €250,000 (cultural) €500,000 (funds) |
7 days/year avg | Yes | 10 years (7 EU/CPLP) | Active |
| Greece → | €250,000–€500,000 (real estate) | Zero | Yes | 7 years (actual residence) | Active |
| Italy → | €250,000 (Investor Visa) | No minimum | Yes | 10 years | Active |
| Latvia → | €50,000 (share capital) €250,000–€280,000 (other) |
Zero | Yes | 5 years | Active |
| Hungary → | Government-set (confirm) | Flexible (confirm) | Yes | After qualifying period | Active |
| Cyprus → | €300,000+ (+ €50,000/yr income) | Once every 2 years | No (EU, not Schengen) | 7–8 years + B1 Greek | Active — Lifetime |
| Spain | €500,000 (former) | — | — | — | Closed Apr 2025 |
| Malta (MPRP) | €68k contribution + property | — | — | — | Closed Mar 2024 |
A Golden Visa is not one product — it is a category of programmes, each with a distinct investment structure, residency obligation, family coverage, and citizenship timeline. Choosing the right one depends on your capital, your lifestyle, and what you actually want from European residency. The differences between them are significant and worth understanding before you commit a single euro.
US GO EU — EU Golden Visa Guide
European Residency by Investment: How It Works
A Golden Visa — the informal term for residency-by-investment programmes across the EU — grants non-EU nationals a renewable residence permit in exchange for a qualifying capital investment in the host country. The investment can take several forms depending on the country: real estate, government bonds, fund subscriptions, bank deposits, or company equity. In exchange, you and your family receive the legal right to reside in the EU, access the Schengen travel zone, and — in most programmes — a clear path to permanent residency and eventually citizenship.
Why US Investors Choose EU Golden Visas
Strategic European Residency Without Relocation
Schengen Access · Family Inclusion · Citizenship Path · Asset Diversification
Most EU Golden Visa programmes require minimal physical presence — Portugal averages 7 days per year, Greece requires zero. You maintain your US life while holding valid EU residency for you and your family. The strategic benefits compound over time: Schengen travel freedom, an EU passport option after 5–10 years, legal protection across 27 member states, and capital diversification into stable EU-regulated markets.
US-Specific Considerations
What Americans Need to Know Before Investing
FBAR · FATCA · Worldwide Taxation · Tax Treaties
The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Holding foreign real estate, bank accounts, or fund investments creates FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations. Tax treaties between the US and EU countries can mitigate double taxation — but require proactive specialist advice before investment. Every programme below has US-specific implications that are detailed in each country guide.
Which EU Golden Visa Matches Your Profile?
If citizenship is your primary goal — Latvia now leads on speed
Latvia offers a 5-year EU citizenship timeline for Golden Visa investors, with the additional advantage of four distinct investment routes and zero minimum stay. Portugal remains attractive on investment flexibility (as low as €250,000 via the cultural route) and minimal stay (just 7 days per year average), but its naturalisation timeline lengthened significantly under a May 2026 law change (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026): 10 years of legal residence for most Americans, or 7 years for EU/CPLP nationals, up from the previous 5 years. If an EU passport on the fastest available timeline is the ultimate objective, Latvia is now the clearer route of the two. Portugal Golden Visa → Latvia Investor Visa →
If lowest investment threshold matters — Latvia (€50k) or Greece (€250k)
Latvia’s share capital route — a €50,000 investment in a qualifying Latvian SME plus a €10,000 state fee — is Europe’s lowest qualifying threshold for EU residency by investment. Processing can be as fast as 30 days with zero minimum stay. For investors who prefer real estate ownership, Greece offers the next lowest entry point at €250,000 in most regions — also with zero minimum stay and full Schengen access from day one. Both are genuine, well-established programmes with efficient processing. Latvia €50k route → Greece Golden Visa →
If zero stay and maximum flexibility matter — Greece or Latvia
Both Greece and Latvia impose no minimum physical presence requirement on investors holding their residency permit — you maintain full EU residency while living entirely in the US, visiting as often or as rarely as you choose. Portugal requires an average of just 7 days per year. Cyprus requires one visit every two years but issues a lifetime permanent residency permit from day one. Hungary’s flexible stay requirement makes it viable for globally mobile investors. If staying in the US the vast majority of the time while holding EU legal status is the core objective, Greece and Latvia are the most accommodating programmes. Greece (zero stay) → Latvia (zero stay) →
Explore Each Country in Detail
Investment from €250,000 (cultural) or €500,000 (qualifying funds). Average 7 days/year stay. Family inclusive (spouse, children under 26, dependent parents). Citizenship now requires 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU/CPLP nationals, A2 Portuguese + civic test) following a May 2026 law change that lengthened the previous 5-year timeline. One of Europe’s most established programmes — fund route currently most popular for US investors following 2023 real estate rule changes.
Real estate investment from €250,000 (most regions) or €500,000 (Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini). Zero minimum stay. Family inclusive (spouse, children under 21, dependent parents of both spouses). 5-year renewable permit with full Schengen access. Citizenship requires actual physical residence (7 years) — Golden Visa holding alone does not qualify.
Investment from €250,000 across four qualifying routes: new residential real estate, commercial real estate, share capital in an Italian company (5+ employees), or regulated investment funds. Clean criminal record and private health insurance required. Investor Visa leads to a residence permit and a path to Italian citizenship after 10 years. Full Schengen access. Note: Italy is separate from the Italian Elective Residency Visa — the Investor Visa is specifically for capital investment routes. See the full guide for current eligible categories and application process.
Four routes: real estate (€250k), bank deposit (€280k), government bonds (€250k + €38k fee, fully refundable), share capital (€50k + €10k fee — Europe’s lowest). Zero minimum stay. Fast processing (as little as 30 days for share capital). 5-year citizenship path. Each route has a dedicated sub-guide: real estate, bank deposit, bonds, share capital.
Investment from €300,000 (+ €50,000/year income requirement). Lifetime permanent residency — one visit every two years. Family inclusive (spouse, children up to 25 if students). Non-Dom tax regime: 17 years of tax-free dividends and interest in Cyprus. Important caveat for US investors: Cyprus is EU but not yet Schengen — travel within the Schengen Zone remains limited to the standard 90/180 days.
Key Considerations for US Investors
US citizens are taxed on worldwide income — get specialist advice before investing
Unlike most nationalities, US citizens remain subject to IRS taxation on worldwide income regardless of where they live or what foreign residency they hold. Every EU Golden Visa investment — whether real estate, a bank deposit, a fund subscription, or equity in a foreign company — creates US tax reporting obligations. FBAR filing for foreign accounts, FATCA disclosure, potential PFIC reporting for foreign funds, and Form 8938 for specified foreign financial assets all apply at various thresholds. Consult a cross-border tax advisor with specific US expat expertise before executing any qualifying investment.
Distinguish between Schengen and non-Schengen EU members
Not all EU member states are part of the Schengen borderless travel zone. Cyprus is an EU member but not yet Schengen — a Cyprus Golden Visa does not provide visa-free travel within the Schengen Area beyond the standard 90/180-day rule you already have as a US passport holder. Portugal, Greece, Latvia, Hungary, and all other active Golden Visa programmes listed above are full Schengen members — their permits do provide free movement. If Schengen access is a core objective, verify current Schengen membership before choosing a programme.
Residency does not automatically equal citizenship — understand the timeline
Holding a Golden Visa permit does not make you a citizen. Citizenship requires a separate application process, language proficiency, and in most cases years of actual physical residence — which is distinct from the minimal stay needed to maintain the permit. For Greece, citizenship requires 7 years of genuine residence even for permit holders who have had the Golden Visa for that entire period. For Portugal, A2 Portuguese and 10 years of permit holding (7 for EU/CPLP nationals) as of a May 2026 law change — previously 5 years. For Cyprus, 7–8 years of physical residence plus B1 Greek. Plan your citizenship strategy from the start, not retrospectively.
Programme rules change — always verify current terms before committing capital
EU Golden Visa programmes are government-administered and subject to revision. Spain terminated its programme entirely in April 2025. Malta’s MPRP closed in March 2024 after reaching its quota. Portugal changed eligible real estate categories in 2023. Greece adjusted investment thresholds for premium locations. Always confirm current investment thresholds, eligible asset categories, and application procedures with your legal advisor at the time of application — not from outdated guides or previous investor experiences.
Family inclusion terms vary significantly between programmes
The definition of “family” differs across programmes. Portugal covers children under 26 and dependent parents of both spouses. Greece covers children under 21 and dependent parents of both. Latvia covers children under 18. Cyprus covers children up to 25 if they are students. Hungary covers dependent minor children. If your family situation — adult children still in education, elderly parents, extended family members — is a priority, map it carefully against each programme’s specific inclusion terms before choosing.
The trade you are making
- →High monthly premiums — moderate social contributions
- →Fear of in-network emergencies — a guarantee of treatment
- →Risk of bankruptcy from illness — the certainty of care
- →Complex claims and prior authorisations — show your card, walk out
- →$300 prescriptions — €10–€30 for the same medication
For American families, remote workers, and retirees, this is not purely a financial calculation — it is a profound shift in quality of life and peace of mind. For many, healthcare access is the cornerstone of the decision to build a new, more secure life in Europe.