The situation in the world changes frequently, and this is a good reason to think about your security. Stable economic growth, a predictable political situation and a high standard of living are the things that unite the countries of Europe. They have united into a bloc and offer their residents several advantages.
To get access to the privileges of a permanent citizen allows you to participate in the residency by investment program. A foreigner gets the right to issue a residence permit, enjoy the benefits of a resident and go through an accelerated path to naturalization. To take advantage of this opportunity, it is enough to choose a country and make investments in the state.
What is Residence Permit (RP) in Europe
A residence permit in European countries is a ticket to a new life. The holder of the status gets the opportunity of visa-free movement, work and live in any state. To get these and other privileges, it is necessary to fulfill the conditions of the program and obtain the golden visa.
This is the first step to citizenship. The next step is to live in the country (with access to the benefits) for the specified period of time. Then the foreigner can apply for citizenship and plan the future in any of the countries of the European bloc.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Residence Permit
The countries’ offers differ, so a foreign investor has a lot to choose from. The results of comparison of popular programs will help to make a decision about moving. Residency by investment program differs in the following ways:
- the amount of investment and methods of investment;
- the cost of including other family members in the application
- the mandatory period of residence in the country after authorization;
- investment payback period;
- opportunities for work and business development.
The attractiveness of the offer depends on the applicant’s requirements. It is worth considering the climate, opportunities for living and working, as well as the political and economic situation in the country. An accredited agent helps to conduct a comparative analysis in a short period of time. Vladlena Baranova is an expert on investment programs from Immigrant Invest.
Popular European Residence Permit Programs
The analysis of the offers allows us to highlight several programs that receive the most attention from investors. The current list of Golden Visas is compiled taking into account the strength of a second passport and residency in European countries.
1. Italy
Italy attracts thousands of tourists every year. All this is due to the good climate, the stable situation in the country and the rich historical heritage. This explains the interest in investment programs that the country offers. You can apply for residency
- for contributing funds to Italian stocks (from 500 thousand euros);
- for investing in socially useful projects (from 1 million euros);
- for the purchase of government bonds (from 2 million euros).
After 10 years, foreigners apply for a passport. A wealthy immigrant can undergo a simplified immigration procedure.
2. Portugal
You can participate in the program by one of the options. In the first case, the investor creates a business in the country and provides jobs for the local population. The amount of investment starts from 200 thousand euros. Requirements for residents include mandatory residence in the country.
The second option is the purchase of real estate. The amount of money spent on the purchase depends on the choice of region. Portugal also offers to invest in the repair of real estate, age from 30 years.
3. Greece
The advantage of the Greek program is the fast processing of applications for residence permits. The government offers to invest funds in one of the proposed ways:
- purchase of real estate – from 250 thousand euros;
- investment in a Greek company – from 400 thousand euros;
- investment in an investment company – from 400 thousand euros;
- purchase of government bonds – from 400 thousand euros;
- making a deposit – from 400 thousand euros.
Companies in which funds can be invested must operate officially, but it is mandatory to work on the territory of Greece.
4. Malta
Malta has managed to attract the attention of investors due to its low tax rates. This factor began to attract foreigners. You can obtain a residence permit by investment in several ways:
- purchase of real estate;
- making a down payment;
- renting residential real estate for residence.
In addition, investors make a charitable contribution of 10 thousand euros.
5. Cyprus
The Cyprus program is one of the simplest. An immigrant is obliged to purchase real estate, the value of which exceeds 300 thousand euros. This is enough to get government approval and obtain a second passport. Simple conditions and low investment threshold are worthy of attention. Applicants for participation in the program are subject to mandatory screening.
Conclusion
You can enjoy the rights and freedoms of an EU citizen as soon as your application is processed. A wide range of options will allow you to find a suitable solution based on your interests. For example, the EU golden visa program helps investors to scale their business, regardless of the direction of their activity.
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