Property
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8 Luxury Villas and Apartments the Purchase of Which Leads to an EU Residence Permit

Only a few EU countries have state programs that allow investors to obtain a residence permit. Such countries include Portugal, Greece, Malta and Cyprus.

A foreign investor receives a residence permit or permanent residence in a European country under a simplified procedure. Each program provides different investment options, such as buying real estate or securities, starting a business or opening a deposit with a bank.

Igor Buglo

Author •Igor Buglo

Head of the Maltese office, MBA

A residence permit in the EU: luxury real estate for investors

8 Luxury Villas and Apartments the Purchase of Which Leads to an EU Residence Permit

Buying real estate is the most popular option among investors who receive a residence permit under government programs. For example, about 93% of investors have chosen the option with real estate over the 10 years of the existence of the Portuguese residence permit program.

Wealthy people prefer to buy real estate in gated residential complexes and a quiet arearnwith beautiful nature. Real estate experts of Immigrant Invest have evaluated the villas and apartments in Portugal, Malta, Greece and Cyprus and selected eight luxury properties.

pt-flagPortugal

Apartments in a residential complex on the Atlantic coast

  • Price ― €720,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 5%

Residence permit in Portugal: real estate for investors

The residential complex includes 24 apartments, the arearnof which is 262 m²

The residential complex is located in the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira. The climate in the region is pleasant, having warm summers and mild winters without frost.

The largest island beach Praia Formosa and the main attractions of the city, the historical market and the botanical garden of Funchal, are located near the complex. Residents can reach all the attractions by car, the trip will take about 10 minutes.

Investors can buy apartments with two, three and four bedrooms. The complex has a parking and a common recreation area.

Apartments in a residential complex on the island of Madeira

  • Price ― €485,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 5%

A residence permit in Portugal: real estate for investors

There are 10 houses on the territory of the residential complex. Investors can buy duplexes and apartments with two, three or four bedrooms

The residential complex is located in the modern arearnof Funchal which is called Ajuda. Shopping centers and cinemas, public beaches and parks are located nearby.

A swimming pool and a covered veranda were built for the residents of the complex, and a garden with trees and shrubs was planted. The owners of the apartments receive a parking space and a utility room.

mt-flagMalta

Apartments in a residential complex on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea

  • Price ― €350,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 7%

Permanent residency in Malta: real estate for investors

The residential complex was built next to an artificial lagoon and is located 1.5 km from Valletta, the capital of Malta

The complex is located in the small town of Kalkara in the east of Malta. This is one of the largest projects in the country as a plot of 14,000 m² has been allocated for construction. The complex will have a spa, a swimming pool with a relaxation area, an underground parking and a shopping center.

Investors can buy renovated apartments, duplexes and penthouses equipped with everything necessary for life. If desired, real estate can be rented out so that investor could receive additional income.

Apartments in a multi-storey building in Sliema

  • Price ― €740,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 6%

Permanent residency in Malta: real estate for investors

Owners of apartments in new homes will have an underground parking space as well as an access to a private pool and gym

Sliema is the economic and tourist center of Malta. Travelers come to the city throughout the year, rent apartments and houses, and relax on the coast.

The residential complex of multi-storey buildings is located on the front line and next to the historic Cambridge Battery fort. Buyers of real estate can choose apartments with two or three bedrooms on any of the 20 floors of the house.

gr-flagGreece

A villa with a vineyard in Corfu

  • Price ― €1,560,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 4%

A residence permit in Greece: real estate for investors

The arearnof the villa is 350 m². There are two kitchens, five bedrooms and two bathrooms

Corfu is one of the most beautiful Ionian islands. It is popular among tourists and residents of Greece: before the pandemic, about 500,000 people visited the island annually.

The villa is located in the village of Gouvia on the eastern side of the island. The land arearnis 23,000 m². There is a parking lot and a swimming pool next to the villa, in the garden there are vines, palms and conifers.

A villa with its own lagoon on the island of Lefkada

  • Price ― €1,050,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 4%

A residence permit in Greece: real estate for investors

The villa has a swimming pool and a private garden. The house is located 100 meters away from the sea

Lefkada is located in the southwest of Greece and is washed by the Ionian Sea. The island is known for its white cliffs and picturesque lagoons. The secluded villa can be bought next to one of such lagoons.

The arearnof the villa is 163 m². There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a kitchen combined with a living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views to the sea, mountains and a garden.

cy-flagCyprus

Apartments and villas in a residential complex near a pier

  • Price ― €515,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 4%

Permanent residency in Cyprus: real estate for investors

Investors can buy apartments in 25-storey buildings or villas on the beach

The residential complex is located in Ayia Napa, the popular Cipriot resort. There are villas and piers on the territory of the complex, and a yacht club, spa and fitness centers will open in the near future.

Tourist life in Ayia Napa is in full swing around the clock, so the area’s real estate is in demand among travelers. If desired, the owners will be able to rent out apartments and receive additional income.

Villas with floor-to-ceiling windows in Limassol

  • Price ― €4,300,000+

  • Rental yield ― up to 4%

Permanent residency in Cyprus: real estate for investor

The floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa offer breathtaking views of the sea or the city

The villas are located in one of the most prestigious areas of Limassol which is called Agios Tychonas. There are restaurants, shops, banks and pharmacies near the residential complex.

Investors can choose villas, which are located on plots with areas ranging from 473 m² to 545 m². There are swimming pools and recreation areas, a garage and parking lots on the territory of the villas, and the villas themselves are connected to the “smart house” system.

What a purchase of real estate in the EU countries provide

Residence permit in the EU country for the whole family. In Portugal, Greece, Malta and Cyprus, there are investment programs for obtaining residence permits and permanent residences. To become a resident of one of the countries, an investor buys real estate, opens a deposit in a bank, invests in a business or cultural heritage of the country. The options depend on the program.

The investor can add his family members to the application for a residence permit or permanent residence: a spouse, children and parents. Investment program requirements for participants vary. For example, the investor’s children under the age of 26 can obtain a residence permit in Portugal. Greece allows children under 21 to participate in the program together with the investor.

The EU countries with the investment programs

Country and status

Investment in real estate

€280,000+

€150,000+

€250,000+

€350,000+

Visa-free travel across the Schengen area. Residents of Portugal, Greece and Malta travel within the Schengen area without visas and can stay in other countries for 90 days for 180. Cyprus is only part of the European Union so Cipriot residents need a Schengen visa which can be obtained in just one or two days.

An additional income. European real estate is a liquid asset. Over the past 10 years, house prices in the region have risen by 30%, according to Eurostat.

Real estate investment is a returnable option for all four programs. This means that an investor can sell objects and return the invested money in five or more years, depending on the country.

Other opportunities available to EU residents:

  • to quickly open accounts in reliable banks;

  • to study in top European universities;

  • to be treated in the best clinics in the region;

  • the prospect of obtaining EU citizenship.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent who helps to obtain a residence permit in EU countries. If you want to live in a European country or travel freely within the Schengen area, seek advice from investment programs experts.