15 countries that offer citizenship or residence permits by investments in real estate
Wealthy people from all over the world buy properties abroad for various reasons. For example, to save money or get a holiday home. However, property ownership is not enough to visit the selected country anytime or live there for as long as you want. That’s when a residence permit or citizenship is a must.
Discover the countries where an investor can combine business with pleasure by both purchasing liquid properties and obtaining a second passport or a residence permit.
How to choose a country for investing in real estate
Some European and Caribbean countries officially offer residency or citizenship in exchange for real estate investments. Such programs shorten the time required for completing formal procedures and ease the requirements for applicants.
Under the investment programs, applicants don’t have to know the local language or live in the country. Family members can join the main applicant without raising the necessary investment amount.
To choose the best-suited investment program, the investor should consider the required property cost, the investment return period and the number of countries that can be visited without a visa.
Comparison of investment paths to residency or citizenship through purchasing real estate
Portugal, Spain, and Greece are popular countries where you can buy a property and get residency among investors who want to become residents of the EU.
As European residents, investors get liquid assets and become eligible to travel within the Schengen Area without visas. Besides, they can live permanently in the country that issued the residence permit and, sometimes, apply for citizenship earlier than other resident permit holders.
Obtaining a residence permit in these countries takes at least €250,000 of investments and six months.
Turkey offers paths to citizenship, which include purchasing real estate in the country. In Turkey, the threshold is $400,000. Turkish citizens enter 100+ countries without visas. Living in the country of citizenship is unlimited.
Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment can be obtained in 1 or 3 years after receiving a residence permit card. The minimum property price for purchase in Malta is €700,000.
After becoming a Maltese citizen, an investor can travel to 180+ countries visa-free, including the Schengen states, the UK, and the USA.
Five Caribbean states are among the best countries to invest in real estate. Five countries offer similar conditions for real estate investments with fast and remote processing of citizenship applications. Visa-free destinations and the required investment amount differ depending on the chosen country. The minimum investment amount usually is $200,000.
Practical Guide
Comparison of citizenship and residency by investment programs
Greece residence permit: real estate investment — €250,000+ for 5 years
Greece’s residence by investment program is particularly affordable: a relatively small investment in real estate, quick registration and renewal for an unlimited period.
A residence permit card is initially issued for five years without requiring the applicant to live in Greece. Seven years later, the resident can apply for citizenship.
The main requirement for real estate is an investment of at least €250,000. It does not matter whether ownership is shared, the property is leased, or there are multiple properties.
The program offers investors the following investment options:
buy residential or commercial real estate;
buy land for construction, including the cost of construction work;
rent a hotel or tourist residence for 10 years;
timeshare property for 10 years;
inherit or receive a property as a gift.
The entire family of the main applicant can obtain residence permits: a spouse or a partner, their parents and children under 21.
The number of participating family members doesn’t affect the property price but increases overall expenses.
Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Greece
Malta citizenship: real estate investment — €700,000+ for 5 years
Malta citizenship is granted for exceptional service by direct investment. Since 2021, the procedure has changed, and naturalisation has become a mandatory step. It means that the applicant must get a residence permit before applying for citizenship 1 or 3 years later.
The applicant must comply with the following three conditions:
Buy residential real estate for €700,000 or rent housing for at least €16,000 per annum. The ownership or renting period is 5 years after receiving the naturalisation certificate.
Contribute €600,000 or €750,000 to the Malta National Development Fund after holding a residence permit for three or one years, respectively;
Donate €10,000 to a cultural, sports or other non-governmental organisation.
The applicant can choose a residential property in a resort in any part of Malta. Renting is more popular: after five years, the housing can be changed to another one without price limits.
Citizenship can be obtained for the whole main applicant’s family: a spouse or a registered partner, children under 29 and parents over 55.
The number of family members in the application affects additional expenses. For example, there are fees for Eligibility Test for all applicants over 12, residence cards and health insurance.
Individual cost calculation of the Maltese citizenship
Turkey citizenship: real estate investment — $400,000+ for 3 years
Turkey’s citizenship by investment program offers advantageous terms. A passport can be obtained without living in the country and learning the language. All procedures take about 6–8 months to complete.
The Turkish passport allows the holder visa-free travel to Asian countries: Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. As a result of Turkey’s cooperation with the United States, a Turkish citizen can obtain an E‑2 investor visa for 5 years.
There is a well-developed real estate market in Turkey. Most foreign investors invest in Istanbul, the economic centre of the Middle East, with attractive conditions for business and life.
To get citizenship by investment, applicants often buy one- or two-bedroom apartments in the city centre. Apartments and villas in resorts in Antalya, Bodrum, Belek and other coastal cities are also popular alternatives.
The main applicant’s spouse, their children under 18, and their parents can be included in the application.
The government fee that increases expenses depending on the number of family members is $574 per applicant.
Individual cost calculation of the Turkey citizenship
Portugal residence permit: real estate investment — €280,000+ for 5 years
The Portugal Golden Visa Program offers applicants considerable flexibility in selecting a suitable investment option: ranging from buying real estate to creating jobs. Over 90% of the applicants prefer to buy real estate as it is a predictable and reliable investment.
Real estate options are available under the following conditions:
purchase of residential or commercial property for at least €500,000;
purchase of residential property for at least €350,000, as long as it is older than 30 years and requires renovation.
In sparsely populated regions, the cost threshold is 25% lower: €400,000 and €280,000, respectively.
Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Portugal
Real estate choices are vast: luxury villas, apartments, shares in hotels and apartments for renovation. An investment of €500,000 can be made in one or more properties, while an investment of €350,000 is limited to just one property.
The share of properties requiring renovation is growing. Many developers take care of the repair and maintenance of housing and even guarantee its subsequent rental income.
Portugal offers investors with families favourable terms: they can include spouses and financially dependent children under 26 in their residence application.
Depending on the number of participants in the application and the complexity of Due Diligence, obtaining a residence permit takes 2 to 6 months.
The applicant must spend at least seven days a year in Portugal, get a household registration, and buy health insurance. Besides, they visit the Portuguese Migration Service to submit their biometrics.
After five years of holding a residence permit, the investor is eligible to apply for permanent residence or citizenship.
Practical Guide
Will you obtain a residence permit in Portugal?
St Lucia citizenship: real estate investment — $200,000+ for 5 years
Saint Lucia’s citizenship program requires investing at least $200,000 in government-approved real estate projects. An additional state fee of $30,000 is paid, too.
The program allows investments in hotels, luxury villas and other government-approved tourism projects.
The real estate bought under the CBI program can be sold in 5 years.
The main applicant’s spouse, children under 30, parents over 55 and siblings under 18 can qualify for St Lucia citizenship.
Depending on the number of family members in the application, additional costs include Due Diligence and processing fees. For example, Due Diligence costs $7,500 for the main applicant and $5,000 for each family member over 16.
Individual cost calculation of the St Lucia Citizenship
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship: real estate investment — $400,000+ for 7 years
The St Kitts and Nevis CBI program is the oldest in the world: the first passports by investment were issued in 1984. This indicates the reliability of the program and the continuous interest of applicants.
Real estate investment options are the following:
Shares or properties in full ownership in government-approved touristic projects — at least $400,000 for 7 years.
Purchase of approved private houses for at least $800,000. The housing can be sold in 7 years.
A St Kitts passport application can include children under 30, parents over 65.
The applicant pays Due Diligence and application fees. Expenses depend on the family composition. For example, a single investor spends $7,000 on Due Diligence and $25,000 on the application fee. A family of four will pay at least $11,500 for Due Diligence and at least $60,000 for the application fee.
Individual cost calculation of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship: real estate investment — $200,000+ for 5 years
The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is similar to other Caribbean programs. However, there is one main difference: the applicant must come to the country to spend at least five days within the first five years of citizenship.
Besides, an applicant takes an oath of allegiance. It can be done in Antigua and Barbuda, at a country’s representative office abroad, or by videoconferencing.
The minimum investment in real estate is $200,000 for five years. Joint investments are possible.
Government-approved touristic projects are available for purchasing and investing in.
The main applicant’s family can also get Antigua and Barbuda passports: their spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, and unmarried siblings.
Irrespective of the family’s composition, a $30,000 application fee is paid. However, the rest of the fees and expenses are calculated depending on the number and age of applicants.
Individual cost calculation of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
Dominica citizenship: real estate investment — $200,000+ for at least 3 years
Dominica’s citizenship by investment program is one of the most affordable in the Caribbean. The main applicant chooses between the following two options:
a non-refundable contribution of at least $100,000;
a purchase of real estate for at least $200,000.
The applicant can buy a share in a tourist real estate project approved by the Dominica government. Approved properties usually are hotels or resort complexes.
A management company looks after the property, which can be sold three years later. However, the next owner won’t be able to participate in the CBI program until the property is sold after 5 years. Thus, selling the investment real estate five years after obtaining citizenship is easier as there will be more prospective buyers.
There is no requirement to live in the country or visit it. All the procedures are remote and are completed in 3 to 6 months.
Dominica passports can also be obtained by close relatives of the main applicant: a spouse, children under 30, and parents over 65.
In addition to the main investment, the applicant pays Due Diligence and administrative fees. The total expenses depend on the selected investment option and the number of applicants. For example, a family of four will spend about $194,700 for a non-refundable contribution and $254,700 for buying real estate.
Individual cost calculation of the Dominica citizenship
Spain residence permit: real estate investment — €500,000+ for 5 years
Spain’s residence by investment program provides the opportunity to work and run a business in the country and travel freely within the Schengen Area.
However, to obtain Spanish citizenship, the resident must live in the country permanently and, depending on their original country of citizenship, renounce their first passport.
The minimum investment amount in residential or commercial real estate is €500,000. The property can be sold, and the investment returned after five years.
The features of obtaining a Spain residence permit are the following:
The process takes 4–5 months.
Health insurance is required for each applicant.
The applicant must submit documents to the Spanish Migration Service in person. This can be done by visiting the country on a D visa.
Spanish registration is required. The applicant can be registered at the purchased or rented property.
The whole family can obtain residence permits: the main applicant, their spouse, children under 26, and dependent parents.
Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Spain
Grenada citizenship: real estate investment — $220,000+ for 5 years
Grenada citizenship offers visa-free travels to China and is the only one in the Caribbean that entitles the holder to get an E‑2 business visa to the United States.
The minimum investment in real estate is $220,000 in Grenada. As with other Caribbean programs, a project must be government-approved.
An investor can buy a share in hotels, resorts and villas. The property can be sold, and the investment returned after five years of ownership.
Parents, grandparents and siblings can be included in the application. Children under 30 can be included if they depend financially on the main applicant. Their participation is subject to additional expenses.
Individual cost calculation of the Grenada citizenship
Immigrant Invest has its own database of properties from reliable developers. Our experts from the Real Estate Department can assist you in choosing the best-suited country and project for investments that will lead to obtaining a residence permit or a second passport.
UAE residence visa: real estate investment — AED 750,000+
For a 2-year UAE residence permit, investors may purchase real estate for AED 750,000, which is $204,204. To obtain a UAE Golden Visa for 10 years, you must buy real estate valued at AED 2 million, or nearly $540,000.
Long-term leases in Dubai can yield a return of about 5—8% annually. This number applies to high-end communities like Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Business Bay. Apartments in districts such as Discovery Gardens and International City can generate a profit of up to 9%.
Spouses can purchase property in joint ownership, provided that the object’s value is at least AED 1 million or $272,000. A certified and translated marriage certificate is required.
UAE Golden Visa can be renewed however many times you want. Spouses, children, and housekeepers may join applicants in obtaining. There are also no requirements to live in the UAE all the time to keep the residency.
Individual cost calculation of the UAE Golden Visa
Austria residence permit: buying or renting real estate of any value
A financially independent person can obtain an Austrian residence permit if they prove a monthly income and a bank account with a deposit. Besides, investors must buy or lease a residential property. The minimum value of the real estate is not required.
An Austrian residence card allows one to live in the country and requires spending there more than 183 days a year. An expat can’t work in Austria with this residency type.
The financial independence of the applicant can be confirmed with a bank statement at the rate of €2,060.98 per month for a single or €3,251.42 per month for a married couple, as well as €318 per month for a child.
Relocation to Austria for a financially independent person with a family
Mark decided to move to Austria with his wife and daughter and obtained Austrian residency for financially independent persons. For this purpose, the investor rented a small house in Perhtolstdorfe, a very quiet and beautiful village near Vienna.
The family got resident permits three months after applying and moved to Austria.
Article 44 of the Settlement and Residence Act (Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz, NAG) regulates the issuance of residence permits for financially independent foreigners. There are about 450 quotas for this type of permit per year.
Applications are submitted to an Austrian consulate in any country or a magistrate in Austria by appointment. The deadline is the first working day of the year. The earlier your meeting, the better the chance of getting a residence permit.
Individual cost calculation of the residence permit in Austria
Cyprus permanent residency: real estate — $300,000+
Permanent residency in Cyprus may be obtained by investing €300,000 in residential or commercial immovable property. The required period for getting a permit is from 3 months.
The PR status is life-lusting, allowing their holders to live in Cyprus and apply for citizenship after five years of residence. It’s a more convenient residence permit type than a temporary residence permit when investors must update their cards every 2—3 years.
When applying for Cyprus investment residency, individuals must provide the required documents. The final list of papers depends on the investment option, marital status and investor’s financial sources.
In general, applicants need the following documents:
Valid passport.
Main applicant biography.
Tax return confirming the amount of annual income in the amount of at least €30,000.
Confirmation of investment: for example, a certificate of ownership of the real estate, share purchase agreement, or a Certificate of Shareholder and Incorporation.
Testimony about unemployment in Cyprus.
Certificate of no criminal record.
Marriage certificate.
Divorce certificate.
Birth certificate.
Spouses, children under 18, and unmarried and financially dependent children under 25 can participate in the same application process. Also, the investor and their spouses’ parents can join the main applicant.
Individual cost calculation of the Cyprus permanent residence
Malta Permanent Residence Programme: real estate investment — €150,000+
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants residence rights to foreign investors seeking an alternative residence in Europe.
Under the terms of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, the investor rents or buys residential property in Malta and follows two other mandatory options.
The investment conditions include:
Renting or buying housing in Malta;
Paying government fees;
Making a charitable donation to one of the Maltese organisations.
If the investor chooses to buy, the property’s value must be at least €350,000 for the north and the centre of Malta and €300,000 for the south of Malta and Gozo island.
The Malta PR Program is the only one in the EU that does not impose age restrictions on family members. For example, in the Portugal residence permit program, children under 26 can participate.
The investor’s spouse is eligible to participate in the Maltese program. Marriage which is not officially registered is also allowed.
Individual cost calculation of the Maltese permanent residence
USA permanent residency: real estate investment — $900,000
To apply for the EB‑5 visa, an applicant invests in a US company independently or through regional centres. The last one is the private or government structures that promote the economic development of specific states.
The regional centres have their business projects approved for foreign investment by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS.
Usually, regional centres work with companies in rural areas or places with a high level of unemployment, so the threshold for investment in them is from $900,000. So most foreigners apply for an EB‑5 visa via the regional centres. They typically invest in commercial real estate: hotels, retail and office buildings.
There are investment requirements for an EB‑5 visa, as follows:
invest from $900,000 in a company in rural areas or in a region with an unemployment rate of 1.5 times higher than the national average or from $1,800,000 in other areas;
the selected company must be created by the investor from scratch or opened no later than November 29th, 1990;
the purpose of the business should be to make a profit;
the investment must lead to the creation of 10 jobs for qualified Americans for a period of two years;
investments cannot be carried out in the form of a loan to American companies, and the investor will not be guaranteed a return on investment;
the investor will need to confirm the legality of the invested funds;
the investor needs to participate in the management of the company in which one invested and confirm involvement in the day-to-day management of the business or participation in the formation of the company’s strategy.
Sum up: where to get residency or citizenship by real estate investment
European and Caribbean countries offer residency or citizenship in exchange for real estate investments. Such programs shorten the time required for completing formal procedures and ease the requirements for applicants.
You can apply for an EB‑5 visa and contribute to construction projects to get a green card in the US. Usually, you can apply for citizenship three years after receiving a permanent residency.
In most cases, the property investment is refundable with the opportunity to sell the object in 3—5 years.
In Malta, foreigners can buy or rent property to obtain citizenship by naturalisation or residency.
The types of investment property vary from country to country and may include residential and commercial objects, hotel shares, projects under construction, etc.
Living in a country with residency or citizenship exchange investment is not obligatory. You can rent the property out with the help of local managing companies.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean.
Frequently Asked Questions
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