Robert Outerbridge

Italy is home to more than 5 million foreign residents, with people moving for very different reasons: some are drawn by the climate, lifestyle, and slower daily rhythm, while others seek business opportunities, family life, or a stronger long-term base in the EU. This guide breaks down the real pros and cons of living in Italy and the main residency routes available to non-EU nationals.

Malta citizenship offers the opportunity to live, work, study, and build a business abroad. Besides, citizenship gives cosmopolitans freedom to travel without visas. A foreigner can become a Maltese citizen by naturalisation, marriage, descent, or merit.

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.

The Italian Golden Visa is a ticket to enjoying la dolce vita — the sweet life that Italy is renowned for. A pleasant climate, 542 Blue Flag beaches and marinas, rich cultural heritage, delicious Italian cuisine, visa-free travel to Schengen countries, and a special tax regime — it is all at your service.

From April 3rd, 2025, Spain will stop issuing residence permits by investment, also known as Golden Visas. Discussions about ending the programme began in spring 2024, with somewhat of a final decision made a few months later, on November 14th. Let’s explore the reasons for the cancellation and the options left for investors.

The ruling Spanish Socialist Party has put forward a proposal to abolish residence permits by investments. Amendments to the Golden Visa laws will be considered in the country's Congress in September 2024. We explain the reasons for the cancellation of the programme and why you should not wait for the Congress's decision, and obtain a residence permit in Spain now.

Italy started accepting applications for the Digital Nomad Visa in April 2024. Highly skilled professionals are now eligible for a one-year residency in Italy. To qualify, applicants demonstrate a monthly remote income of €2,700 or more. Additionally, they need to purchase medical insurance and either rent or buy property in Italy.

As the worldwide number of digital nomads keeps surging, business owners account for 66% of them. When choosing a country to reside in, they look for immaculate Internet coverage, a low crime rate, and an immigrant-friendly environment. Malta is one of the best locations for the task — especially with its Nomad Residence Permit in place. There are, however, alternative paths to long‑term residency in the country that digital nomads and expats can benefit from.

The Statistical Office of Cyprus published economic indicators for 2021: the country's economy grew by 8.4% compared to the previous year. The growth of the Cypriot economy is helping property sales in the country, which are up 40% in the first four months of 2022. We will tell you how the Cyprus economy is recovering and how it affects the real estate market in the country.