The 10 Best Golden Visas in 2024
The 10 Best Golden Visas in 2024
Dreaming of an international lifestyle with better healthcare, adventure, or simply a better quality of life? Say hello to golden visas! Golden visas are residency-by-investment programs that give individuals the chance at residency or citizenship by making substantial investments in the country’s economy. Approved investments typically include purchasing real estate, funding businesses, or investing in government bonds.
Below, we’ll dive into the specifics of the top 10 golden visas of 2024 – requirements, advantages, and everything in between. Let’s explore the golden opportunities that await!
Andorra Golden Visa
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The Andorra Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €400,000 in real estate and comes with tax-free benefits. This investment not only secures the visa but also unlocks the opportunity to explore France and Spain without the need for additional visas. Moreover, the program extends its benefits beyond travel convenience. It provides expedited access to visas for various countries, including the USA, Canada, and multiple Schengen Area nations.
Canada Golden Visa
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The Canada Golden Visa, officially the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program, provides an opportunity for affluent business individuals worldwide to secure residency by contributing CAD 1.2 million.
This program extends Canadian permanent residence benefits to investors, along with their spouses or common-law partners and their minor children. It’s a golden opportunity for those seeking a pathway to Canadian residency while bringing their families along for the journey.
Cyprus Golden Visa
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The Cyprus Golden Visa grants permanent residence to investors who either purchase residential or commercial property worth at least €300,000, invest €300,000 worth of share capital in a Cyprus business, or invest at least €300,000 in units that are part of a Cypriot Collective Investment Organization.
Holders of the Cyprus Golden Visa relish the perk of being exempt from taxes on their global income. Cyprus also offers low rates for income and property taxes, with a corporate tax rate as low as 12.5 percent. After residing on the Mediterranean island for five years, a permanent resident becomes eligible to attain Cyprus citizenship.
Greece Golden Visa
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The Greece Golden Visa Program stands out for having the EU’s lowest investment requirement for residency permits. A clean criminal history is required and if choosing the real estate route, you must commit to a minimum investment of €500,000. This amount was just raised from €250,000 in 2023 and is set for another increase to €800,000 in 2024 for high-demand cities and Greek islands.
Alternative investment options include leasing hospitality establishments for at least €250,000, investing €400,000 in securities, or contributing €400,000 to Greek companies. Lastly, investors can place a deposit of €500,000 in a Greek bank account for a minimum of one year with automatic renewal. Once obtained, the golden visa is valid for five years.
Holders of Greece’s golden visa not only gain the freedom to rent out their acquired property but can also keep their permanent residence permit even if they decide to sell after five years. With such flexible investment choices of all kinds, it’s no wonder Greece lands in the top 10 golden visas.
Malta Golden Visa
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Malta rolls out two appealing golden visa options: one leading to citizenship and the other to permanent residence. The Malta Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program, also known as Naturalization for Exceptional Services, targets high net worth individuals. Investors and families can earn citizenship by contributing a minimum of €600,000 to the national fund and proof of 36 months residency. The accelerated route requires €750,000 and proof of 12 months residency. Investors must also put €700,000 into real estate and keep it for five years, plus donate €10,000 to an approved cause.
The Maltese Permanent Residency Programme grants permanent residency through property investments and government contributions. Investors can rent for €10,000 in the South of Malta/Gozo or €12,000 elsewhere, or purchase property for at least €300,000 in the South of Malta/Gozo or €350,000 elsewhere. Financial obligations to the government include a €28,000 contribution for property purchases or €58,000 for leases. Investors including dependent parents or grandparents must pay an extra €7,500 per individual. Additionally, a €2,000 donation to a local NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations is required.
Investors will have many advantages, including the freedom to live and work in Malta, travel to Schengen countries visa-free for 90 out of 180 days, and even recoup part of the investment.
Italy Golden Visa
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Italy’s golden visa, known as the Investor Visa for Italy, grants residency for two years with the option to renew for an additional three years as long as your investment continues to flourish. There are four different investment options to choose from: €2 million investment in Italian government bonds, €500,000 investment in an Italian limited company, €250,000 investment in an Italian innovative startup, or €1 million donations to a philanthropic initiative in Italy.
If your heart isn’t set on Italian citizenship, living in Italy isn’t a must-do. But for those whose hearts are, there’s a bit of a time commitment involved. To be eligible for Italian citizenship, you’ll need to meet the general conditions and call Italy home for a cozy 10-year stretch. But hey, with Italy’s pasta, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage, who wouldn’t want to stay for a while?
New Zealand Golden Visa
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Get ready for the revamped New Zealand golden visa, now known as Active Investor Plus, where the minimum investment requirement is NZD 5 million. But that’s not all – under the new conditions, investors can spread their investment gradually over the first 3 years of their visa. In addition to the investment, applicants must spend a minimum of 177 days in New Zealand over a four-year period.
While real estate investment is off the table with this new program, investors still have a few options. They can directly invest in New Zealand businesses or choose passive investments like buying shares of companies listed on the stock exchange, shares of local venture and investment funds, and charitable contributions to local funds.
Portugal Golden Visa
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The Portugal golden visa is recognized as one of the best choices globally. It’s the sole route to an EU passport without the need for a minimum 6-month stay at its investment level. Plus, the Portuguese government recently announced a game-changer: the Golden Visa application period (6 to 18 months) now counts toward the 5-year citizenship qualifying period, speeding up the process to obtain both your passport and EU residency rights.
While property investment no longer qualifies, there are four unique options: a €250,000 donation to the arts, €500,000 for venture capital or private equity fund, €500,000 for research activities, or creating a company with 10 employees or €500,000 plus 5 employees.
Once you’ve held the Portuguese Golden Visa for five years, you and your family can take the leap for permanent residence or even citizenship! Living in Portugal is entirely optional, not mandatory, with just a minimum of seven days in the country each year to maintain your residence permit. Talk about a golden opportunity to embrace the Portuguese lifestyle at your own pace!
Spain Golden Visa
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Spain’s golden visa extends to your entire family and can be obtained through three different routes. The most direct method is a €500,000 investment in real estate. Alternatively, the business development route demands job creation, socio-economic investments, and innovation contributions, with a minimum investment of €1 million. Lastly, the capital transfer option allows for investment in Spanish Treasury Bonds or Spanish companies, each requiring a minimum investment of €1 million.
As holders of the Spanish Golden Visa, you and your family are in for a treat. Say goodbye to language and cultural exams, because they’re not required for the five-year residence permit. Plus, the law even allows you to rent out your investment property.
The UAE Golden Visa
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The UAE Golden Visa offers a generous 10-year residence permit for investors and their families. It also has a favorable tax system for residents, including no income tax and minimal corporate tax. Securing this decade-long visa is as simple as investing AED 2 million in real estate or a business, with no strings attached. You’re free to choose your payment method, property type, whether it’s off-plan or move-in ready, and zero additional government financial obligations to worry about.
Jessica Clark is a writer and blogger living in the Midwest and a dedicated mom and wife. Since 2011, she's been sharing her stories and thoughts online as a freelance writer. Besides writing, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, singing, crocheting, reading, and playing video games.
