Residence permit for investment: a quick way to integrate into another country for life and business

Immigrating to another country may be the best decision you have ever made. Moving and changing your place of residence will change your life, as well as allow you to expand your horizons for work, business and travel.

How realistic is it to buy a residence permit, which countries open their doors to investors, and under what conditions do investment programs operate?

What is a residence permit for investment?

Residence permit for investment (Golden Visa) is the name given to programs aimed at acquiring residency status for investments in the country’s economy, real estate, stocks and bonds. This service is available only at the state level, and the procedure is controlled and regulated by the authorized bodies. The main purpose of granting a residence permit for investment is to stimulate the economic and tourism development of the country, its role in the global economic space, and to attract foreign capital. Importantly, if certain conditions are met, such an exchange between countries makes it possible to obtain a second passport relatively cheaply and in a short time, as well as a residence permit.

In each country, the time for legal residence, study, and business development is different and depends on the chosen investment area. In most cases, it ranges from 1 to 5 years. After the program expires, the investor can extend it.

HAYAT ESTATE is a company that offers its clients a wide range of real estate abroad. We guarantee the security of transactions and the quick execution of all necessary documentation. Our experts provide advice on residence permit for investment and help you choose the best destination.

Countries for residence permit

Where can I buy a residence permit? Many EU countries offer potential investors to consider them as a destination for investment and residence permit with further prospects for official citizenship.

Which countries have immigration programs?

1. Austria. Residence permit in Austria is available for 1 year for financially independent persons with a passive income of 2200 euros/month (processing time – 3-4 months). After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence.
2. Italy. If you want to apply for a permanent residence permit in Italy, you can choose from several investment options: invest 250,000 EUR in a joint-stock company, 250,000 EUR in a startup, 1 million EUR in charitable organizations or 2 million EUR in government bonds and get a visa for 2 years. Other requirements for investors should be borne in mind, such as the availability of housing in Italy, as well as an income sufficient to live in the country. After obtaining a residence permit, a resident can move freely within the Schengen countries as long as he or she needs, and has access to quality healthcare and education.
3. Spain. The most popular option to obtain a residence permit is to buy real estate and be its owner for some time (without the possibility of resale). The minimum investment amount is 500,000 EUR. The application process takes about three weeks. As a result, you get freedom of movement to the EU and other destinations.
4. Cyprus. A huge advantage of choosing Cyprus for investment is that, in addition to a residence permit, an investor can obtain the right to permanent residence with a minimum investment of EUR 300,000. Advantages: in addition to the resident, family members are also eligible for permanent residence.
5. Malta. To obtain a residence permit in Malta, you need to become a tax resident of the country and pay tax on time under a special regime, rent/purchase real estate (rent – from € 8750 per year, purchase – from € 220,000). You are not allowed to reside in another country for more than 183 days. The procedure takes 4-6 months, and the residence permit status allows you to travel to Schengen countries and reside there for 90 days).
6. Hungary. You can get a residence permit for 9 months when registering a business (with supporting documents) or investing 250,000 EUR or more in other areas. After approval, the resident does not have to stay in Hungary.
7. France. Investors wishing to obtain a residence permit in France can launch a startup, create a business, make investments or buy real estate. The minimum amount is from 300,000 EUR in assets. The program participant can get the right to stay in the country for many years without confirming the right to stay in the country.
8. UAE. The country encourages new businesses that have a positive impact on the economy, so it is possible to get a golden visa. You can buy real estate in the UAE or register a company. The processing time is 4 months, and a resident visa is issued for 2 years for purchases of real estate worth $204,000 or more and for 10 years for purchases of real estate worth $545,000 or more.
9. Turkey. Immigration under the permanent resident program is possible with a minimum investment of $400,000 in real estate or a real estate fund with a right to buy out in a few years. After a period of time after immigration, you can obtain official citizenship.
10. Bulgaria. An investor can buy any real estate in the country, but at the same time have enough money in the account to live and support a family. It is not necessary to be a business owner: It is possible to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria as a representative of a foreign company.
11. Montenegro. Residence permit in Montenegro is issued for 1 year with a possibility of extension. When starting a business, it is necessary to employ local residents, preferably in managerial positions. The investor has the right to plan how much investment he is willing to make in exchange for official activities. It is important that he is solvent and has at least 4000 EUR in his account.
12. Portugal. A golden visa to Portugal can be obtained for investments in the country’s funds from € 500,000 (there are no residency requirements, and the investment is returned in 5-8 years). Another option for obtaining a residence permit to Portugal is a D7 visa (it takes 9-12 months to process). To do this, you need to live in the country 183 days a year and have a passive income of 9840 euros per year. Residence permit with a Digital Nomad visa (9 months). It can be obtained by remote employees with an income of 3280 euros per month and only with a proven fact of residence in Portugal 183 days a year. In all cases, you can obtain citizenship in 5 years.

What is required to obtain an official residence permit?

In addition to making a minimum investment, a potential resident should collect a package of documents to obtain a residence permit in the chosen country and fulfill the conditions for immigration.

1. Have a passport with a validity period that allows you to stay in the country for the required amount of time specified in the residence permit program.
2. Indicate the reason for obtaining a residence permit: work, study, business, etc. Therefore, you need to be prepared to provide an official document confirming this reason.
3. Confirmation of housing availability for the period of stay in the country (own or rented). In the second case, you should provide a long-term lease agreement.
4. Confirm the availability of sufficient funds to live in the country (bank statement, sponsorship, passive income) to avoid state assistance. Therefore, we recommend that you study in advance what the minimum amount of money should be for each family member.
5. In some countries, a residence permit is not possible without a document confirming the absence of a criminal record and serious crimes.
6. Many countries require an applicant for immigration to live in the country for some time without leaving.
7. Insurance that allows you to receive the necessary medical care.
8. Undergo a medical examination for the presence of other diseases dangerous to health and life.

Residence permit for investment – advantages of the programs

Why should you think about investing in another country and obtaining a residence permit (with a further prospect of citizenship)?

Among the advantages:

• the opportunity to obtain a residence permit for all family members;
• immigration under the residence permit program will be cheaper: unlike buying citizenship for investments, where the amount is several times higher;
• EU residence permit allows traveling to Schengen countries without a visa;
• loyal tax policy for investors and tax optimization;
• no need to learn the state language and pass an exam on the knowledge of its history and culture;
• residence permit can be obtained faster than official citizenship;
• you can choose a country with a high level of security, economic and political stability, and a pleasant climate, which is important for a quiet and comfortable life;
• by purchasing real estate, an investor can use it as a second home and rent it out: it is a very profitable investment in the future;
• immigration allows you to get a high-quality European education and find a decent job in the Schengen countries.

This number of advantages is proof that a residence permit for investment opens up a lot of options for a person to live a quality and secure life.

Investment programs are a great opportunity for wealthy people to get a solid foundation for business development and the opportunity to give the best secure future to their families. Is it possible to get a residence permit for investments? Even now, it is a fairly simple process that requires a minimum of effort and time, especially if you comply with the requirements and conditions of the country for immigration, as well as entrust the paperwork to professionals. HAYAT ESTATE will help you realize your dream of living in another country!