Published 02 Dec 2024
Golden Visas have long attracted global investors seeking a pathway to residency or citizenship in the European Union (EU). However, with rising costs, tightening regulations, and increasing scrutiny from local governments, many programs have become less accessible and more complex.
For those seeking a simpler and more affordable alternative, Baltic Capital Partners’ Gateway to Europe Residency Program offers a great solution. Fast.
For a flat, one-time fee of €15,000, this program provides residency in Lithuania (one of the 27 EU member states with visa free access), without requiring additional investments in real estate or business.
Qualifying nationals could even access the Gateway to Europe fast-track, low-doc application which saves further time and money by avoiding the need to submit criminal or accounting records.
This program grants participants the opportunity to become permanent residents or citizens of Lithuania—and, by extension, the EU—within five years. The initial residency period covers the same timeframe, making this a simple, cost-effective choice for those seeking a foothold in Europe.
With this alternative in mind, let’s explore the top 10 EU destinations for Golden Visas, their evolving requirements, and how they compare to the simplicity and affordability of the Gateway to Europe program.
Portugal’s Golden Visa program has been one of the most popular due to its flexibility and relatively low investment threshold. However, recent changes have made it more restrictive.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Changes:
Costs:
https://arquivo.pt/wayback/20231215195457/https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/solicitar/residir/art90-a/
Spain’s Golden Visa was attractive for those with significant real estate interests. Unlike Portugal, Spain continued to allow urban property investments.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: In November 2024 the Spanish government voted to abolish the Golden Visa category altogether. As of the date of publishing this, the rules below still apply, however, it is expected they will be completely removed in the first quarter 2025.
Current Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Trends:
Costs:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68761491 https://schengen.news/spain-to-discontinue-golden-visa-benefits-from-january-2025/#google_vignette
Greece offers one of the most affordable Golden Visas in the EU, but recent changes have increased the cost of entry in prime areas.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Changes:
Costs:
https://migration.gov.gr/en/golden-visa/
Malta’s program is unique in offering a direct citizenship-by-investment route, albeit at a steep price. Malta is also tightening the rules, with a new regime coming in to effect from January 1st. Major changes include the new addition of a €50,000 non refundable “admin fee” along with a €30,000 “government contribution” (if buying a property), or a €60,000 (if renting a property).
To be eligible for the program from the 1st Jan 2025 you must:
To actually participate in the project you must:
Investment Options:
Recent Changes:
Costs:
https://residencymalta.gov.mt/the-mprp-programme/
Italy’s Golden Visa, or “Investor Visa,” is designed to attract high-net-worth individuals with a wide range of investment options.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Trends:
Costs:
https://investorvisa.mise.gov.it/index.php/en/
Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) has grown in popularity, but it faces increasing political scrutiny.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Trends:
Costs:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/
Cyprus suspended its citizenship-by-investment program in 2020 following allegations of misuse. It now offers a revamped residency program.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Additionally, you must prove that you have an annual disposable income of at least €50,000. This annual income increases by €15,000 for your spouse and by €10,000 for each of your dependent minor children.
This income should derive from abroad and may include salaries or wages, pensions, dividends from shares, bank deposits interest, rents, etc., which can only be proved through a tax return declaration from the country he declares tax resident.
Recent Changes:
Costs:
https://www.mip.gov.cy/dmmip/md.nsf/immigrationpfi_en/immigrationpfi_en?OpenDocument
Latvia’s Golden Visa program remains one of the cheapest but hasn’t always seen the same popularity as others in the EU. It’s very complicated, and fees aren’t always clear.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Changes:
Costs:
https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/share-capital-investor-0 https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/person-investing-bonds
Austria’s Golden Visa program is highly selective and not widely advertised. In fact, its not really a Golden Visa at all, in the purest sense. But it’s an option at number 9. Austria uses a points system for general immigration, and the Golden Visa system is time consuming (around 2-3 years application time) and complex. And you have to speak German.
On the plus side, Austria has a great passport, if you can be bothered to get it. It gives you access to 199 destinations. The beer is pretty good as well.
Requirements:
There are too many requirements to list here. Basically, if you are Ultra High Net Worth, and don’t want to be caught up in with the riffraff starting companies and investing in factories in other EU entry points, then Austria could be for you.
That said, if you’re only High Net Worth, not Ultra, there is also the “unicorn of all Visa’s” available. Sort of. The “Austria Private Residence Program” is a government program that requires only €40,000 of cash in the bank (clear equity) on application. And you have to speak German. The catch? They only select 300 applicants a year, from thousands. It’s basically a lottery, for which you wait months to see if you win. And you probably wont – the Austrians wont disclose the ultimate selection criteria (for the 300), in its entirety.
Investment Options:
Recent Trends:
Costs:
https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/
France’s Economic Investment Talent Passport is tailored for business professionals and entrepreneurs rather than pure investors.
That said, France is a bureaucratic nightmare, on every level. So as you can imagine, immigration is not easy. We love France, love it. But their insistence on, you know, French in every aspect of the process makes applications time consuming and hard for foreigners. It also raises the costs in terms of the need for local lawyers etc.. Sure the French government has improved the marketing, and the new customer facing websites are great. But once you start submitting, it goes dark quickly.
It’s worth noting that even if you successfully submit your paperwork, the wait times are far longer than those advertised, and ultimately, if accepted, you’ll have to pay tax in France (with famously high taxes already). Plus, given the national economy is teetering on bankruptcy, these taxes could get even higher (to support massive government social spending to be fair).
At number 10 on our list, France is a great lifestyle destination, and a great weekend away, but serious investors, and those truly wanting a great European experience, without over complicated bureaucracy, occasional terror attacks and huge taxes, tend to make their EU base somewhere else.
Requirements:
Investment Options:
Recent Trends:
No significant changes, but France continues to position its program for business oriented applicants.
Costs:
https://www.welcometofrance.com/en/fiche/talent-passport-business-investor
Maybe for some, but they’re increasingly expensive and complex. We’re finding clients steering away from golden visas, the processing times are far longer than advertised in most cases, goal posts are shifting, and costs rising. What was great 10 years ago, is now often simply not fit for purpose, and politically unpopular.
Other residency programs are on the rise, the likes of which we use for our Baltic Capital Partners Gateway to Europe program in Lithuania.
The European blue card is also popular for those wanting to be an employee, though there are many drawbacks for anyone wanting actual freedom of living, or working within the European Union. More on that later.
Countries like Portugal and Greece have tightened regulations with the Golden Visa, requiring significant capital investments and often excluding urban areas. Others, such as Malta and Cyprus, face EU scrutiny, adding delays and uncertainty.
In contrast, remember, our BCP Gateway to Europe Residency Program offers a straightforward, affordable, and hassle-free alternative. For a flat fee of just €15,000—with no additional investments required—you can secure Lithuanian residency in under 4 weeks, and, eventually, citizenship within the EU in just five years.
This program is ideal for individuals seeking a reliable and cost-effective path to EU residency without the complexities and financial burdens of traditional Golden Visa schemes. The real benefit for many BCP Gateway to Europe applicants though is how straighforward BCP has made the client journey, and of course, again, the processing time.
Baltic Capital Partners is currently securing qualifying applicants a residency card in under 4 weeks, so it’s hard to find a quicker, more affordable, and more accessible way to become part of the EU. To learn more, or get started, visit Baltic Capital Partners – HERE
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