For investors and professionals looking to expand their horizons, Residency by investment programs offer a powerful opportunity to grow personally and professionally. These economic residency programs allow countries to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), while investors gain easy access to new markets, world-class infrastructure, and the right to live, work, and do business abroad — with some programs even offering a pathway to citizenship down the line.

What Are Residency by Investment (RBI) Programs?

Residency by Investment, commonly known as RBI, allows an investor to obtain legal residency in a country of their choice by making a qualifying investment. Unlike Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, RBI grants the right to live, work, and do business in a country — typically through a renewable residency permit — without immediately conferring full citizenship or a passport.

European countries are especially well known for their Golden Visa residency programs designed to attract non-EU investors. Top European RBI options include Portugal, Greece, Latvia, Hungary, and Malta. In the Gulf region, popular residency options include the UAE Golden Visa, Qatar Golden Visa, and Saudi Premium Residency.

Best Residency by Investment Programs

Portugal Golden Visa

Investment range: €250,000 to €500,000, offering 5 years of Portugal residency.

Greece Golden Visa

Requires a minimum €250,000 real estate investment for 5 years of Greek residency.

Hungary Golden Visa

A newer addition to the RBI landscape, requiring a minimum €250,000 investment in real estate funds.

Latvia Golden Visa

Known for affordability, with options starting from just €50,000 — plus fast processing, making it one of the most valued RBI options.

Malta Residency

The Malta Permanent Residency Program starts from €163,775 in investment.

UAE Golden Visa

A unique Gulf option starting from 2 million AED investment in real estate or other approved sectors.

Benefits of Residency by Investment

• Travel Mobility: European residency grants visa-free access to all 29 Schengen states, while UAE residency opens doors to the Gulf region and beyond
• Access to Healthcare and Education: World-class European healthcare and education systems become accessible to you and your family
• A Second Home: Most RBI programs are built around real estate investment, giving you a home base abroad
• Business Expansion: Full access to start a new business or open a branch in Europe or the UAE — ideal for entrepreneurs looking to scale internationally

Residency by Investment Requirements

• Applicant must be 18 years or older
• Meet the program’s minimum investment requirements
• Pass due diligence checks
• Have a clean criminal record
• No critical health issues
• Retain the investment for the specified holding period
• Must not be a national of a banned/sanctioned country

Visa-Free Access with EU Residency

Beyond Schengen access, non-EU citizens holding EU residency can also benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to a number of additional destinations (subject to your original nationality), including:

Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, El Salvador, Georgia, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Singapore, and Turkey.

Residency by Investment FAQs

How does the residency by investment program differ from a CBI program?

An RBI program grants residence in a specific country, whereas a CBI program grants full citizenship along with a passport. RBI programs may require certain conditions to maintain residency status, while citizenship by investment is generally free from such ongoing conditions.

What is a residency by investment program?

An RBI program allows an investor to live, work, and do business in their country of choice. Most programs offer a 5-year renewable residency including dependent family members, though some countries offer longer terms — 10 years or more.

Can I work or start a business in the country where I gain residency?

Yes, residency by investment programs allow you to work or start a business in the host country.

Can family members be included in the residency by investment application? Yes, you can typically include your spouse, children, and in some cases other dependents in the RBI application.

Are there any language requirements to get residency by investment?

Language requirements vary by program. Some countries require language proficiency, while others do not — though language requirements often apply later, when applying for citizenship.

How do I get US residency through investment? US residency has dedicated programs, most notably the E2 Investor Visa, which is highly popular. Residency can be obtained via Change of Status or Consular Processing. Contact us for investment amounts and full details.

Which countries can I travel to visa-free with a European residency by investment program?

A European RBI grants visa-free travel to all 29 Schengen states — for example, Portugal residency allows travel to Portugal plus Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

How does the UAE residency by investment program differ from European residency?

UAE residency requires real estate investment and grants a renewable 10-year residency — known as the UAE Golden Visa — and can serve as a pathway to UAE nationality after 30 years of residence.

What are the investment requirements for the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of 2 million AED in real estate.

What is the cheapest residency by investment option in Europe?

As of March 2025, Latvia’s residency by investment program is the cheapest option, starting from €50,000 plus associated costs.

Conclusion

Residency by Investment programs offer a flexible, powerful route to living, working, and doing business abroad — whether your goal is European Schengen access, world-class healthcare and education for your family, or business expansion into new markets. With options ranging from Latvia’s affordable €50,000 entry point to Portugal’s well-established Golden Visa, there’s an RBI program suited to a wide range of investor budgets and goals.