Portugal

Malta combines low employer on-top costs, generous tax refunds, and EU-leading GDP growth, which already makes it a smart base for doing business. Although only 2.4% of companies are foreign-controlled, they generate 43.8% of total value added — a clear sign that international firms tend to scale well in Malta\[1\]. One of the practical ways for entrepreneurs to move their business to Malta is through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. It offers lifelong status, no minimum stay requirement, Schengen access, and a strategic EU location for reaching both European and Mediterranean markets.

Robert Outerbridge

Around 90,000 people currently hold temporary residency in Latvia, most of whom have obtained their permits by employment, study, or family reunification. Wealthy individuals often choose the Golden Visa, which requires a minimum investment of €50,000. Latvia appeals to foreigners with its lower cost of living compared to much of Western and Northern Europe, high quality of life, modern healthcare system, and one of the EU’s most business-friendly tax regimes.

Albert Ioffe

In 2024, EU countries issued 3.5 million first residence permits to non-EU nationals — a clear signal of Europe’s global pull. For Saudi citizens, the EU’s Golden Visa programs offer a unique entry point. A qualifying investment secures residence, visa-free Schengen access, and the long-term prospect of EU citizenship. Explore which EU countries offer these visas — and how they differ in cost, benefits, and family coverage.

Mohamed Zakaria

A temporary residence permit grants the right to live abroad for a set number of years. It is often tied to employment, university enrolment, family reunification, or investment. Over time, one may become eligible for a permanent residence permit. This status allows indefinite stay and typically comes with fewer restrictions. This article explains the key differences between temporary and permanent residence permits, covering how they work, who qualifies, and why they matter for those looking to settle abroad.

Vladlena Baranova

Ireland's residency by investment programme allows non-EEA citizens to obtain residency in the state. Investors who receive a residence permit this way get the right to work, study and start a business in a country with the second-highest GDP per capita in the world. Learn if you’re eligible for the programme and find the best investment option for you.

Elena Ruda

Wealthy people from all over the world buy properties abroad for various reasons. For example, to save money or get a holiday home. However, owning property is not enough to visit the 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 investors can combine business with pleasure by both purchasing liquid properties and obtaining a second passport or a residence permit.

Elena Ruda

If an immigrant does not have enough money to stay in the country, they can ask for help from a sponsor. The sponsor guarantees the government that the immigrant will receive financial support during their stay. Sponsors can be family members, friends, companies, or anyone else. Sponsors have certain responsibilities. First and foremost, their financial situation must allow them to help the immigrant while still being able to provide for themselves.

Vladlena Baranova

Portuguese taxpayers are issued with a unique nine-digit number, Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF). It is also referred to as Número de Contribuinte, the contribution number. NIF is often required even for simple everyday transactions. We explain why you need this individual tax identification number even if you are not planning to move to Portugal and pay taxes there.

Vladlena Baranova

It seems to only feel natural for Britons to seek variety. J.K. Rowling had completed the first three chapters of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” while in Porto, Portugal, and Ian Fleming made James Bond’s ties with Switzerland obvious. It's estimated that around 5.5 million British citizens reside abroad. Britons move abroad to boost their quality of life, optimise taxes, and find a more affordable lifestyle. We’ve compiled a list of the best countries for Britons to move to.

Lyle Julien

An Ireland residence permit can be obtained for an investment of €400,000. The Investor Visa allows the holder to work, do business, and study in the country, and after five years of residence, they can apply for citizenship. We discuss who is eligible to apply for an Irish residence permit by investment, how to participate in the investment program and the grounds on which an Irish passport can be granted.

Elena Ruda

Research companies publish rankings of the best cities to live in every year. In 2021, such a review was published by Resonance Consultancy. It includes 100 cities with a population of one million, in which it is pleasant to live and work.

Alevtina Kalmuk

Rating agencies and financial magazines estimate banks to choose the most reliable ones for individuals and companies. Global Finance, an American financial magazine, assesses banks that work worldwide and are suitable for foreign investors. In 2022 it estimated banks from 150 countries. The list of winners was based on how banks performed in the previous year and such criteria as reputation, management excellence, and leadership in digital transformation. Read on to discover the list of reliable banks for investors.

Albert Ioffe

For most of our clients, their children's future is the main issue. Therefore, it is crucial for those who plan to get a Portugal residence permit to determine where their children will study in advance. Sometimes this can be the deciding factor for moving.

Eymi Castro

Choosing a school is one of the decisive factors for families with children when moving to Portugal. First, parents pay attention to the school's prestige, cost, and study language. Here is a guide on the best Portuguese schools. Learn how to enrol a child in a school, how much it costs and how to study for free.

Eymi Castro

French citizens can travel without visas to 188 countries and freely visit the countries in the Schengen area, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. France is a member of the European Union. With a French passport, you can work, do business, enroll in a school or university of any country in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Elena Ruda

Is it possible to obtain multiple citizenships? The answer is yes. A person can be a citizen of two or even more countries.  However, some countries do not allow dual citizenship, and in such cases, the original passport may be revoked. For instance, Austria requires individuals to renounce their previous citizenships when acquiring Austrian nationality. Keep reading to explore the conditions and potential challenges of holding multiple citizenships.

Vladlena Baranova

Germany citizenship allows the holder to live in Europe, visit 191 countries without a visa, access high-quality medicine and a prestigious education. A German passport can not be obtained by investment but only by naturalization, birth, adoption, marriage or immigration.

Elena Ruda

Finnish citizenship allows you to travel visa-free to 189 countries throughout the world, live and work in the EU, and take advantage of a free education system, as well as a high quality medical system. We discuss the conditions that need to be met to get a Finnish passport, the benefits of Finish citizenship, and whether you can remain a citizen of another country at the same time.

Elena Ruda

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

Immigrant Invest has already helped 10,000 investors and their family members to obtain a second citizenship and residence permit in the EU and the Caribbean. Investors return to get additional services after receiving the status. For example, to obtain a passport for a newborn child, to renew a residence permit card, to register a yacht, or to open a bank account.

Elena Ruda

The Portugal education system consists of three stages — primary, secondary and higher schooling. Kindergartens and nurseries are not required but are in great demand among locals and expats. What are the advantages of studying in Portugal? How can a foreigner enter a local university and enrol a child in a school or kindergarten?

Eymi Castro

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

The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) in Portugal is a special tax status for new residents. Its owners are exempt from paying taxes on global income in Portugal for 10 years. The income earned in Portugal is taxed at a flat rate of 20%. From January 1st, 2024, the NHR tax regime was discontinued. However, if a foreigner was granted the status earlier, they will still enjoy the perks. Let's discuss who still qualifies for the NHR status after its end and the main benefits.

Eymi Castro

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

Portugal has closed its popular Non-Habitual Resident, or NHR, special tax regime and introduced a new framework in 2025: the IFICI tax regime, unofficially known as NHR 2.0.  In this expert guide, we explain the eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, required documents, and key differences between the NHR and IFICI regimes.

Albert Ioffe

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

More than 150 banks operate in Portugal. They provide financial services to individuals and businesses. Unlike most EU countries, where third-country citizens are likely to be denied opening an account, Portuguese banks are more favourable to non-residents. The average rates on consumer loans in Portuguese banks are 3.9% per annum and on mortgages — 3.3%. A new car can be bought on credit at 5%, and a used car at 11.8%. Learn how the Portuguese banking system works, which banks are the best, and how a foreigner can open a current account or take a mortgage to buy a house.

Eymi Castro

Portugal is one of the most amazing destinations for expats in Western Europe. It has a warm climate, excellent ecology, rich culture, a stable economy, and high-quality medicine and education. Learn about all benefits of life in Portugal and costs of living in the country.

Eymi Castro

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

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

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

In Portugal, there are both mandatory and optional types of insurance. Obligatory insurance includes public healthcare and social security systems. These are available to citizens and legal residents of the country and are supported through taxation. Aside from that, car owners are obliged to have at least basic coverage for each of their cars. And homeowners must protect their properties with housing insurance.

Eymi Castro

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

Portugal is one of the most picturesque places in Europe, with a developed economy, high safety level, and a warm climate. Tourists like Portugal for the people’s friendliness, the leisurely rhythm, respect for traditions and the beauty of cities. Foreigners can obtain a Portugal residence permit by investment and settle with their families in any region of the country. What are the top cities in Portugal and the benefits of a Portugal residence permit?

Eymi Castro

Portugal is known for its high living standards. However, food, medical services and education prices are lower than in neighbouring European countries. The monthly minimum wage in Portugal is €760. The sum is enough to cover basic needs, including food, housing, utilities, transportation and clothing. The average salary in Portugal is €1,200 per month. Compare the cost of living in different Portuguese cities, and learn about taxes, banking fees, quality of medicine and education, and various pros and cons of residing in Portugal.

Eymi Castro

Investors can include their siblings in citizenship applications in the Caribbean countries, like Grenada or St Kitts and Nevis. Some European residency programs also allow applicants to obtain residence permits for brothers and sisters. And it’s possible to get a US Green Card for a sibling, too. But there are some peculiarities to consider, like age thresholds, high costs or an enormously long procedure. Let’s discuss all the conditions for getting a passport or an RP for a sibling.

Vladlena Baranova

The Portugal healthcare system consists of 238 hospitals, 127 of which are private. Most hospitals provide services to patients in Portuguese and English. Free treatment in Portugal is available to all residents who contribute to the Social Security Fund and pregnant women, children and pensioners. Learn more about the features of Portuguese medicine and how to get quality treatment in the country.

Eymi Castro