Introduction
IMM Group · Est. 2005
European Golden Visa Programs: Permanent Residence and Citizenship
Residence permits and European citizenship through investment, including European Golden Visa programs, for you and your whole family.
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01
01 Overview
European residency by investment:
an overview
What is residency by investment in Europe?
- Obtain residency, a Golden Visa, or European citizenship through investment
- Your family may live, study, and do business in the participating country
- Many programs allow Schengen travel under the applicable rules
- You may progress toward European citizenship if you meet residence, language, and integration requirements
02 Programs
Popular European residency and
citizenship by investment programs
Investment can lead to permanent residence, a Golden Visa, or European citizenship. The 2 most common routes are buying real estate and investing or donating through a fund.
A
A Residency by investment
Residency and
Golden Visa programs in Europe
Invest in real estate or a financial fund to obtain residency or permanent residence in a European country for your whole family, with Schengen travel under most programs and a pathway to EU citizenship.
01
01 Group A · Option 01
Greece Golden Visa
Investment
From €250,000
(approximately US$285,000)
Outcome
Greek residency
European real estate ownership, Schengen travel
Processing time
Around 12
months
How the investment works
- Qualifying real estate investment
- A 5-year residence permit, renewable for further 5-year periods as long as you keep the property
Key benefits
Freedom to live, invest, run a business, and study in Greece
Travel to the 29 Schengen countries under short-stay rules
The application can include your spouse, children under 21, and the parents of both spouses
No minimum stay requirement to maintain the permit
Limitations to consider
Naturalization requires at least 7 years of residence in Greece
You must meet the residence and language requirements under Greek law
02
02 Group A · Option 02
Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
Investment
From €400,000
Outcome
Irish residency
a pathway to EU citizenship and, as an Irish citizen, special rights in the UK
Processing time
8 – 10
months
How the investment works
- A €400,000 endowment to a qualifying social project
- Or a €1 million investment in a qualifying business or project, held for 3 years
Key benefits
Funds are transferred only after your application receives approval in principle
Maintain your Stamp 4 permission with a minimal residence requirement of 1 day per year
After 5 years of residence in Ireland, you may apply for naturalization, subject to the residence requirements for Irish citizenship
With Irish citizenship, you may live and work freely in the EU and the UK
Limitations to consider
The IIP closed to new applications on February 15, 2023
Only valid endowment places in projects that qualified before that date remain available
03
03 Group A · Option 03
Cyprus Permanent Residence Permit
Investment
From €300,000
(approximately US$342,000)
Outcome
Permanent residence in Cyprus
leading toward EU citizenship
Processing time
Around 12
months
Investment options (choose 1)
- Purchase a new home or apartment from a developer
- Purchase commercial real estate
- Invest in the share capital of a Cyprus company
- Invest in units of a Cyprus investment fund
Key benefits
Live, study, and do business freely in Cyprus
No government contribution required
No language, education, or management experience requirements
You only need to visit Cyprus once every 2 years to maintain your permanent residence
Please note
Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen Area, so unlike residence in Greece, Malta, or Portugal, Cyprus residence does not include visa-free Schengen travel
Once you obtain Cypriot citizenship, you may live in any of the 27 EU member states and travel to 180 destinations, subject to each country's entry rules
04
04 Group A · Option 04
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Investment
From €375,000
(approximately US$427,000)
Outcome
Maltese permanent residence
plus travel within the 29 Schengen countries
Processing time
Around 8–10
months
How the investment works
- Purchase real estate worth at least €375,000, or lease property for at least €14,000 per year
- Maintain the property or lease for 5 years
- Pay the government contribution, administrative fees, and charitable donation as required
Key benefits
Permanent residence in Malta
Travel within the 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days
Family members from several generations may be included in one application
No minimum stay required to maintain permanent residence
Please note
After 5 years, you may sell the qualifying property or end the lease, provided you continue to maintain a residential property in Malta
Applying for citizenship requires meeting the residency conditions under Maltese law
05
05 Group A · Option 05
Portugal Golden Visa
Investment
Minimum €500,000
(approximately US$570,000)
Outcome
Portuguese residency
Schengen travel and a pathway to EU citizenship
Processing time
12 – 16
months
Investment options (choose 1)
- Investment fund units of €500,000 or more, with a maturity of at least 5 years and at least 60% of the fund invested in commercial companies headquartered in Portugal
- A contribution of €500,000 or more to scientific research
- Cultural donation of €250,000 or more (non-refundable)
- €500,000 or more to set up a commercial company and create 5 jobs, or a new company that creates 10 jobs
- Real estate investment of €280,000 or more (closed since October 7, 2023)
Key benefits
Your whole family can live, work, and study in Portugal
Travel to the 29 Schengen countries under short-stay rules
You may later apply for Portuguese citizenship once you meet the residence and other legal requirements
Once you hold Portuguese citizenship, you can live anywhere in the EU and may be eligible to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor visa
Please note
You only need to be present in Portugal for 14 days in each 2-year period to maintain the Golden Visa
With the real estate route closed, fund investment has become the main option for the Portugal Golden Visa
B
B Citizenship by investment
European citizenship by investment
Malta citizenship
Closed since July 2025
- Investment: from €690,000 (approximately US$786,000)
- Outcome: Maltese citizenship, making you an EU citizen
- Processing time: from 18 months
Montenegro citizenship
Suspended
- Investment: from €450,000 (approximately US$513,000)
- Outcome: direct Montenegrin citizenship
- Processing time: 6–7 months
C
C Other programs
Other European residency
by investment programs
For reference
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IMM
Why choose IMM Group?
Since 2005, IMM Group has been a pioneer in investment migration advisory, helping entrepreneurs secure residency and citizenship in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Canada.
1
21+ years of experience
- Two decades of international investment migration advisory
- 625+ investment migration cases successfully completed
- 2,500+ visas granted to client families
2
Deep expertise in European programs
- In-depth knowledge of European Golden Visa and citizenship programs
- Advice aligned with each family's goals for residency, education, travel, and citizenship
- Help choosing a program that fits your finances and long-term plans
3
An internationally certified team
- Advisors certified by the Investment Migration Council (IMC)
- Trained in anti-money laundering (AML), confidentiality, and client due diligence
- We work with immigration firms and attorneys across Europe and worldwide
4
Objective advice
- Clear analysis of the benefits, requirements, and limitations of each program
- We screen each case for eligibility before we proceed
5
A long-term commitment
- We put our clients' interests ahead of our own
- High standards of client confidentiality, with NDAs signed on request
- Fee refunds in the event of circumstances beyond our control, as set out in your contract
6
Giving back: the Be Better Foundation
- Since 2025, IMM Group has officially operated as a nonprofit enterprise
- IMM Group commits at least 51% of its annual profits to the Be Better Foundation
- The foundation helps disadvantaged students continue their education and change their futures
21+
Years of experience
625+
Successful cases
2.500+
Visas granted
"Serving with Authentic Values"
IMM Group's guiding principle
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