Greece

Securing a residence permit in Europe no longer demands years of waiting, rigid job contracts, or family sponsorship. For those ready to invest, Golden Visa programs open a faster, more flexible route to EU residency — without compromising business or lifestyle. Latvia, Greece, and Italy lead the way with some of the fastest investment routes in the EU, granting residence permits in as little as 3—4 months.

Albert Ioffe

The European Union is not the same as the Schengen Area: some EU countries are not part of the Schengen Area, and vice versa.   These differences can restrict visa-free travel for second passport holders, and they need to be considered when selecting the European country where you want to live.  Learn which countries are visa-free for EU residents.

Vladlena Baranova

Third-country nationals can move to the EU after getting residency. A residence permit allows one to move to the country that granted the status, study there, get treatment, use reliable banking services, and in most cases — travel across the Schengen Area visa-free. Participating in state residency-by-investment programs is the most convenient way to become an EU resident. One can obtain not only status but also acquire profitable assets.

Vladlena Baranova

With a Czech passport, you do not need a visa to enter 185 countries. To travel to the US or Canada, citizens only need to obtain an eTA. The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, and therefore its citizens enjoy benefits and privileges in other countries of this association. We tell you how to get a Czech passport, what benefits applicants receive if approved, and whether they can retain citizenship of other countries.

Elena Ruda

Golden Visas are one the fastest ways for wealthy investors to become residents of a foreign country, and some options are absolute bargains. For example, it is possible to obtain residency in the EU by investing €50,000. In this article, we name the cheapest options to get a Golden Visa.

Albert Ioffe

Buying property in another country allows investors to secure their funds, have a stable passive income, make a profit, and sometimes even obtain residency or citizenship in the country. Explore the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner, where strong economies, growth potential, and a high quality of life offer fantastic opportunities.

Elena Ruda

In Greece, income tax for individuals may reach 44%, but new tax residents can qualify for special tax regimes and lessen their tax burden. Corporate income is taxed at 22%. Greek tax rates are the same for tax residents and non-residents.

Albert Ioffe

A residence permit in an EU country allows visa-free travel across 29 Schengen states. It also provides access to high-quality education and healthcare. To get EU residency, an applicant must meet the requirements set by the migration policy of the chosen country. Here is an overview of the grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Europe, the required documents, and the costs involved.

Albert Ioffe

There are 256 countries in the world, but when choosing one for second citizenship, the decision comes down to concrete benefits.  A strong passport can provide visa-free access to key regions, reduce tax burdens, and unlock new business and investment opportunities.  A passport’s strength can be measured in different ways, depending on individual goals, such as ease of relocation, tax advantages, or dual citizenship policies. Still, the number of visa-free destinations remains the most widely used benchmark.

Albert Ioffe

EU citizenship by descent can be granted based on proof that your ancestors were citizens of an EU country.  In this article, we discuss who and in which EU countries can obtain citizenship by descent.

Vladlena Baranova

With over 35 million Indians living abroad, India ranks third globally for its expatriate population. Indians migrate for various reasons, including better job prospects, quality education, and improved living standards. Let’s consider countries with developed economies, good opportunities for entrepreneurship or making a career, and quality education and healthcare. Some of them are easier for Indians to immigrate to because of residency by investment programs.

Lyle Julien

Roughly 450,000 Americans have retired abroad, according to the USA Social Security Administration. 38% of them choose Europe as their destination. This is unsurprising, as most countries in the top 27 belong to the EU. Let’s explore why US citizens retire abroad and what the best destinations for retirement are.

Alevtina Kalmuk

Buying real estate is one of the ways to legally obtain residency or citizenship in another country. All it takes is purchasing an apartment, house, or commercial property that meets the country’s requirements. In Greece, for example, buying a property for renovation worth at least €250,000 qualifies an investor for residency. In Türkiye, investing at least $400,000 in real estate makes one eligible for citizenship. Here is where investors buy property, whether they can rent it out, and how to keep residency when selling property.

Elena Kozyreva

The Schengen Area is a zone that covers the majority of the European countries. Within this zone, there is no border control. Although most of the Schengen countries also belong to the European Union, these two areas are not the same. We explain how the Schengen area differs from the EU, how it functions and which countries it includes.

Vladlena Baranova

Choosing between residency in Greece, Portugal, or Malta isn’t just about the size of your investment. From tax regimes and citizenship timelines to permit types, lifestyle, and living costs — each Golden Visa programme offers a distinct set of advantages. This article provides a detailed comparison of the three EU residency options, helping you determine which one best matches your investment strategy, family needs, and long-term lifestyle goals.

Albert Ioffe

The principle of obtaining citizenship “by right of blood” applies in the European Union. This means that a child born in the EU receives their parents’ citizenship. The “right of soil" or automatically granting citizenship of the country of birth also applies in some countries, albeit, with restrictions. In Europe, the easiest way to obtain citizenship by right of soil is in Portugal.

Vladlena Baranova

Residence and domicile are often confused, yet they carry distinct meanings. In short, the difference lies in permanence and intent. Residence typically involves a temporary stay, while domicile refers to a permanent home. Domicile and residency concepts influence tax obligations, legal rights, and long-term commitments. In this article, we unpack these crucial distinctions and highlight seven countries where you can obtain non-dom status.

Vladlena Baranova

Europe is an attractive destination for many foreigners, including Americans, seeking residence permits. The region offers a high quality of life, often at a more affordable cost than the US.  In some countries, wealthy Americans can take advantage of fast and easy pathways to temporary and permanent residency. Entrepreneurs may also enjoy tax optimizations and the opportunity to expand their business into the unified EU market. In this article, we explore 11 European countries with the best residence permits for US nationals.

Albert Ioffe

Citizenship by investment (CBI) programs, often dubbed golden passports, offer individuals the opportunity to obtain a second passport in exchange for financial investments.  Golden passports are not to be confused with Golden Visas, which are programs that allow foreigners to obtain a residency permit for investment in a country’s economy. Learn more about the best options to become a citizen or a resident of another country by investment.

Albert Ioffe

The Greece Golden Visa offers several investment options to obtain a residence permit, including the purchase of real estate. However, not all investors are interested in managing property or dealing with maintenance costs and taxes.  For those seeking a simpler and more flexible solution, investing at least €350,000 in regulated mutual funds provides a practical alternative — with no need to own or maintain physical assets.  This article explores how fund-based investments work, who they suit best, and why they are gaining traction in today’s market.

Elena Ruda

Since its inception in 2014, Greece has issued nearly 50,000 residence permits by investment. Whether diving into real estate or opting for a hands-off fund, it suits both active and laid-back investors. While fund structures promise streamlined management and built-in diversification, property investments offer the appeal of tangible assets and rental potential. Yet beneath the surface lie nuances that merit a closer look.

Albert Ioffe

More and more Americans are considering moving to Greece. As of July 2024, US investors ranked seventh for initial permits.  Americans choose Greece for its affordable cost of living, pleasant Mediterranean climate, and laid-back lifestyle. The growing expat communities and remote work opportunities further enhance Greece's appeal for US citizens. Discover what fuels the Golden Visa’s popularity in Greece and how US citizens can apply.

Julia Loko

Expensive watches lose 3.6% in value each year, totaling a 16.3% drop over 12 years — only a few brands, like Rolex, tend to gain value. Suppose an investor chooses to buy a villa in Greece and gets a Golden Visa. In 12 years, they’ll likely become a Greek citizen — gaining freedom of movement that no luxury item can match. If the market stays stable, Greek property prices could grow 1.5—2x in these 12 years — or up to 2.5x in hotspots like central Athens or coastal areas. In this article, we will compare luxury assets with residency and citizenship by investment programmes to determine which truly endures.

Elena Ruda

Greece has already granted nearly 50,000 Golden Visas, and Portugal over 30,000 — testament to their long-standing appeal among global investors. Hungary, with its recently relaunched program, is quickly gaining attention as a fresh, accessible alternative. As interest in diversified and professionally managed assets grows, the investment fund route is emerging as one of the leading options for obtaining European residency. This comparison breaks down the key differences between the programs in Greece, Portugal, and Hungary — from fund strategies and thresholds to taxes and residency terms — to help investors make an informed and strategic choice.

Albert Ioffe

In 2024, foreign nationals accounted for 80—85% of all real estate transactions in Greece, purchasing property worth €2.75 billion. This is not driven by chance or casual tourism, but by sound financial reasoning.  Greece’s appeal lies in its relatively low property prices, robust rental returns, persistent demand throughout the year, and a steady climb in asset value. In this guide, we dissect what makes Greece’s real estate market tick — and where savvy buyers should look to benefit from its momentum.

Elena Kozyreva

The Greece Golden Visa is open to non-EU nationals who invest at least €250,000 into the country — usually through real estate, a bank deposit or an investment fund. How long it takes depends on the route you choose. If you go for a financial investment like a deposit or fund, the full process can take around 4 months. If you buy property, expect at least 6 months, sometimes more. In this guide, we break down the options and explain how to make the process as smooth and fast as possible.

Anna Semenyuk

More than 17,000 British nationals now call Greece home — drawn by the relaxed lifestyle, sunshine, tax perks, and the ability to stay longer than 90 days in the Schengen Area. For UK citizens, one of the most straightforward ways to get long-term residency is through the Greece Golden Visa. This route offers a 5-year renewable residence permit, with no minimum stay requirement, and is most commonly tied to a real estate investment of €250,000 or more. In this guide, we take a closer look at how the Greece Golden Visa works post-Brexit, what the key requirements are, and what to keep in mind before making the move.

Anna Semenyuk

Greece offers one of Europe’s most attractive real estate markets, with relatively affordable prices and strong rental yields, especially in tourist areas. Foreign buyers who invest €250,000 or more in property can also apply for a Greece Golden Visa, giving them a 5-year renewable residence permit. In this guide, we outline the key taxes on buying, owning, and selling property in Greece, so you know what to expect.

Albert Ioffe

The Greece Golden Visa offers non-EU citizens a path to European residence by investment. It grants visa-free access to 29 countries, the right to rent out property, and eligibility for citizenship after 7 years. In this guide, you’ll learn why non-EU investors choose Greece, how the Golden Visa works, what documents are needed, and how to apply for residence.

Anna Semenyuk

Turkish investors are increasingly turning to Greece’s Golden Visa, with applications from Türkiye rising by 46% between March 2024 and March 2025. In 2024 alone, 1356 Turkish nationals obtained Greek residency by investment, making Türkiye the second‑largest beneficiary country.  In this article, we explain why Greek residency is becoming a popular choice for Turkish nationals, how the Golden Visa works, what real estate options are available, and what benefits — including EU citizenship — applicants can expect.

Anna Semenyuk

Greece has issued nearly 50,000 residence permits since the launch of its Golden Visa in 2013, including those granted to dependent family members.  The high uptake highlights its appeal as a practical, long-term solution for families seeking stability, mobility, and a secure base in the EU. With a single investment, applicants can extend residency rights to their spouse or partner, children under 21, and parents.

Anna Semenyuk

The Greece Golden Visa offers a residence permit in exchange for a minimum investment of €250,000 in the country’s economy. The permit is valid for 5 years, renewable indefinitely, and may lead to Greek citizenship after 7 years of residency. Greece appeals to investors with its resilient property market, the freedom of movement within the Schengen Area, and low cost of living in a region with a pleasant Mediterranean climate. Below are real-life stories of investors who have successfully obtained residence permits through the Golden Visa.

Anna Semenyuk

Over 4 million Canadians live abroad, drawn by the promise of a lower cost of living, improved quality of life, or a change of scenery. While many choose the US, UK, and Australia, numerous other destinations offer enticing benefits such as tax incentives, warmer climates, and better work-life balance. Discover why and where Canadians are relocating, along with the residency options available to them.

Alevtina Kalmuk

11 countries — including Malta, Vanuatu, and the UAE — do not levy taxes on real estate ownership. Some others, such as the Netherlands and St Kitts and Nevis, offer low property tax rates of no more than 0.5%. This article explores real estate taxation in 21 countries, offering a comprehensive guide to the taxes associated with owning property abroad.

Albert Ioffe

Around 50 countries offer Digital Nomad Visas, but only a few provide a pathway to permanent residence, or PR, and citizenship. It takes at least 6 months to obtain PR and between 3 and 10 years to acquire a second passport as a digital nomad. This article lists five European and two South American countries with Digital Nomad Visas that lead to permanent residence and citizenship.

Albert Ioffe

More than 20,000 American expats are estimated to live permanently in Greece after moving from the United States. Foreigners are attracted to the South European country thanks to its year-round warm climate, relaxed lifestyle, and relatively low cost of living. There are multiple options for Americans to move to Greece, including the Golden Visa program.

Anna Semenyuk

Moving to a new country can be stressful, especially when language barriers make communication a challenge. Struggling to communicate using only gestures makes even simple tasks feel frustrating and overwhelming. Expats can skip this stress by choosing a destination where English is widely spoken. We've curated a list of 17 of the best countries for English speakers to live in, spanning Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa.

Alevtina Kalmuk

With over 9 million US citizens living abroad, according to the US Department of State, more Americans than ever before are choosing to pack their bags and relocate to new countries.  Whether it’s the allure of a lower cost of living, better career opportunities, or simply a change of scenery, the options for American expats are vast. But choosing the right destination can be daunting.  In this guide, we explore the easiest countries for Americans to move to, highlighting key factors like visa requirements, language, and ease of settling.

Alevtina Kalmuk

Wealthy Nigerians can get residence permits in Greece by investment. This status will solve the visa issue and give the opportunity to live, study and work in Europe. The investment threshold is €250,000. Applicants can choose from eight investment options, with the property purchase being most popular.

Lyle Julien

Of the top 10 happiest countries in the world, five countries are from the European Union. The region is renowned for its high quality of life, stable economic growth, and vast business opportunities. It is no wonder that the number of EU citizens continues to grow yearly. Let’s revise the main benefits of the EU passport and all possible ways to obtain one.

Vladlena Baranova

There are 36 banks in Greece: national, foreign and EU banks, which operate under a single licence. Investors and cosmopolitans open accounts in Greek banks to use money abroad, receive dividends from foreign companies, and save money. A foreigner can obtain a residence permit in Greece if they open a bank deposit of €400,000 or more. Opening a bank account in Greece as a foreign resident is possible if you come to the branch in person. A new client needs to justify the purpose of opening an account and pass the bank’s Due Diligence.

Julia Loko

An individual can optimise their tax liabilities by changing their country of tax residency or registering a company abroad. To do this, they need to hold a residence permit, permanent residency, or second citizenship. Discover the countries where an investor can obtain a residence permit, permanent residency, or citizenship in order to reduce the tax due on their global income, get a refund of up to 100% of the corporate tax paid, or receive an exemption from paying corporate tax for 50 years.

Albert Ioffe

Greece has one of the most extensive and developed public insurance systems in the EU: EFKA. It is funded by social security payments and provides the residents with universal healthcare, family benefits, and life insurance compensations. Here is how different types of public and private insurance work for different categories of Greek inhabitants — from nationals to tourists, expats and investors.

Julia Loko

With a Digital Nomad Visa, Egyptian citizens can work remotely from over 40 countries, including European Union states like Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Malta. Each visa program has different requirements for potential applicants who need to prove a certain income amount from a foreign source, as well as buy or rent housing before obtaining the visa. Here’s a complete list of countries offering residence permits for remote workers, income requirements, and a handpicked selection of the best Digital Nomad Visas for Egyptians.

Albert Ioffe

According to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, investors consider Berlin, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Hamburg to be the most promising for real estate investments. The top ten also includes cities in Spain, Italy and Austria. Each European country has its own rules for buying an EU house. To help future cosmopolitans navigate them, we have compiled a guide to real estate in Europe. Immigrant Invest explains the average cost per square meter of housing, additional costs in buying European real estate, the amount of utility bills and annual taxes. The guide will be useful for cosmopolitans who are considering buying real estate in Europe to participate in programs for obtaining a residence permit or second citizenship.

Elena Ruda

The Greek healthcare system is a mix of a National Health System, compulsory social insurance, and private healthcare. Public health care includes around 130 general and specialised hospitals, 200 primary health care centres, and 1,500 rural medical surgeries. Let’s look more closely at what Greece's health care system is like and who is eligible to use it.

Julia Loko

45 countries around the world offer Digital Nomad Visas. They all have different requirements, benefits, costs of living, and climates. Thanks to this diversity, nomads can choose the most appropriate country for their needs. In this article, you will find a complete list of countries that offer Digital Nomad Visas with conditions and requirements that applicants should meet.

Albert Ioffe

The migration policy of many countries does not allow foreigners to obtain permanent residence without a temporary one. The exception is a few states that offer to get permanent residency by investment and skip the stage of temporary residence. The article discusses opportunities for immigration in different countries, and where it is cheaper to live and easier to settle.

Alevtina Kalmuk