What Is a European Golden Visa and How to Get It in 2026

Last updated: March 2026

Interested in Europe? This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire application process. With Mirabello Consultancy's 99% approval rate and expert team, your application is in safe hands from start to finish.

What Is a European Golden Visa? A Clear Definition

A European Golden Visa — formally known as a Residence by Investment (RBI) programme — is a government-authorised scheme that grants residency permits to non-EU nationals in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution to the host country. That contribution typically takes the form of real estate acquisition, a capital transfer, a government bond purchase, or a job-creating business investment.

Unlike standard immigration pathways that require employment offers, language examinations, or years of prior residency, a Golden Visa is designed specifically for financially independent individuals who wish to secure the right to live, work, and study in Europe without relocating full-time. In most programmes, there is no — or a very minimal — physical presence requirement to maintain your residence permit.

The term "Golden Visa" was popularised by Portugal's now-restructured programme, launched in 2012, but today the concept covers a family of programmes across multiple European nations. Each is independently legislated, carries its own investment thresholds, and offers a different pathway to permanent residency and, ultimately, citizenship. For a broader comparison across all global options, see our guide to the best golden visa investment programmes.

Which European Countries Offer a Golden Visa in 2026?

The European Golden Visa landscape has evolved considerably in recent years. Portugal restructured its programme in 2023, shifting the focus away from residential real estate in major cities. Spain surprised the market by announcing a sunset of its real estate route, redirecting applicants toward business and capital investment. Meanwhile, Greece doubled its real estate threshold in prime areas, and Hungary re-launched its Guest Investor Programme in 2024. Here is where the leading programmes stand today:

• Greece: Real estate investment starting from €400,000 in high-demand zones (Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini) and €250,000 in other regions. One of the fastest-processing programmes in Europe, with residence permits often issued within 2–4 months. Explore the Greece Golden Visa programme in detail.
• Portugal: Following the 2023 reform, qualifying routes include capital transfer of €500,000 into approved investment funds, €500,000 into research activities, or €250,000 into arts and cultural heritage. Residential real estate in Lisbon, Porto, and coastal areas is no longer eligible. Processing currently takes 6–12 months.
• Spain: The real estate route (previously €500,000) officially closed to new applications in early 2025. Capital investment of €1,000,000 in Spanish company shares or investment funds, or €2,000,000 in Spanish government bonds, remains active. Business investment creating employment is also eligible.
• Malta: The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) requires a combination of a government contribution (€28,000 to €58,000 depending on property route), property rental of €10,000 per year or purchase of €300,000 (€375,000 in the north/central), plus a €2,000 donation to a registered Maltese NGO. Processing takes approximately 4–6 months. Learn more about the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
• Italy: The Investor Visa for Italy (formerly known as Italy's Golden Visa) offers routes from €250,000 for investment in an innovative startup, €500,000 into an Italian limited company, €1,000,000 into a philanthropic project, or €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds. Processing typically takes 3–6 months.
• Hungary: The Guest Investor Programme, re-launched in 2024, offers a 10-year renewable residence permit through a €250,000 investment in an approved real estate fund or €500,000 in real estate purchase. Processing takes approximately 3–5 months. Review the Hungary Guest Investor Programme for full details.

Investment Options and Minimum Thresholds Compared

Understanding the cost of a European Golden Visa requires looking beyond the headline investment figure. Total programme costs include government fees, legal and advisory fees, due diligence charges, and — in some cases — mandatory donations or contributions that are not refundable. Below is a structured overview of what each programme costs from, inclusive of key components:

• Greece: Costs from €250,000 (property outside prime zones) + legal fees of approximately €15,000–€25,000. Stamp duty and registration fees apply separately. Total outlay including property: from approximately €270,000.
• Portugal: Investment fund route costs from €500,000 (non-refundable fund subscription) + legal fees of approximately €10,000–€20,000. Government application fees per applicant are around €5,000.
• Malta: All-in cost for a family of four (renting property) starts from approximately €100,000 in non-refundable contributions and fees, making it one of the most cost-effective permanent residency programmes in Europe when assessed on a per-family basis.
• Italy: Costs from €250,000 (startup investment route) + government application fee of €16,000 + legal fees. The startup route carries the lowest entry point but carries commercial risk.
• Hungary: Investment fund route costs from €250,000 + advisory and legal fees of approximately €15,000–€20,000. No mandatory donation component.
• Spain: Capital investment route costs from €1,000,000 + legal fees of approximately €20,000–€35,000.

It is important to work with an experienced adviser who can model the true cost of ownership, particularly for real estate routes where ongoing property management, local taxes, and eventual exit strategy all affect the net investment return.

Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?

While each European Golden Visa programme carries its own eligibility criteria, several core requirements are broadly consistent across programmes:

• Non-EU/EEA nationality: EU and EEA citizens already hold freedom of movement rights and are not eligible for Golden Visa programmes. Applicants must hold a non-EU passport.
• Clean criminal record: All programmes require a police clearance certificate from your country of residence and, in most cases, your country of birth. Any serious criminal history will disqualify an application.
• Proof of funds: Applicants must demonstrate that investment funds originate from legitimate sources. This involves providing bank statements, tax returns, corporate accounts, or evidence of asset sale. Anti-money laundering (AML) due diligence is rigorous across all European programmes.
• Minimum age: The principal applicant must typically be 18 years of age or older.
• Health insurance: Most programmes require valid health insurance covering the host country, at a minimum for the duration of the residency permit.
• No active EU visa refusal: A prior Schengen visa refusal does not automatically disqualify an applicant but may require additional documentation and explanation.

Notably, most programmes do not require language proficiency at the initial residency stage — though some, such as Portugal, require it for naturalisation after five years.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a European Golden Visa

Understanding what a European Golden Visa is and how to get it is best illustrated through a clear process overview. While specifics vary by country, the following sequence reflects the standard pathway across most programmes:

1. Step 1 — Programme Selection and Free Consultation: Identify the right programme for your personal and financial profile. Factors include investment budget, desired level of mobility, family size, future naturalisation ambitions, and tax implications. Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy to receive personalised programme recommendations.
2. Step 2 — Due Diligence and Document Preparation: Your advisory team begins compiling your personal and financial documentation package. This includes certified copies of passports, birth and marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, proof of address, and source-of-funds documentation. All documents must typically be apostilled and translated by sworn translators.
3. Step 3 — Investment Execution: The qualifying investment is made — whether through a real estate purchase, fund subscription, capital transfer, or other approved route. This is typically done in parallel with or shortly after document preparation, depending on the programme.
4. Step 4 — Application Submission: The complete application, including investment proof, is submitted to the relevant government authority (e.g., the Hellenic Ministry of Immigration for Greece, AIMA for Portugal, or Residency Malta Agency for Malta). Government fees are paid at this stage.
5. Step 5 — Biometrics Appointment: Most programmes require the applicant(s) to attend an in-country biometrics appointment to provide fingerprints and photographs. In some programmes, such as Greece, this can be done through a power of attorney without the applicant being present for the main filing.
6. Step 6 — Approval and Residence Card Collection: Upon approval, the residence permit card is issued. Some countries post the card to the applicant's address; others require in-person collection.
7. Step 7 — Renewal and Path to Permanent Residency: Residence permits are initially issued for 2–5 years depending on the programme and are renewable provided the investment is maintained. After the requisite period (typically 5 years), applicants may apply for permanent residency and, in due course, citizenship.

Processing Times and Realistic Timelines in 2026

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Mirabello Consultancy concerns how long the European Golden Visa process takes. Here are realistic, current timelines based on our team's active case experience:

• Greece: 2–4 months from application submission to residence permit. The pre-approval confirmation card, which grants immediate travel rights, is typically issued within 10–20 business days of filing.
• Malta: 4–6 months from full submission to permanent residence certificate.
• Hungary: 3–5 months from investment completion to residence card issuance.
• Italy: 3–6 months, including the pre-approval "nulla osta" stage (approximately 30 days) and subsequent visa and permit issuance.
• Portugal: Currently 6–12 months due to administrative backlogs, though the AIMA authority has been working to reduce processing times throughout 2025 and 2026.
• Spain: 20 business days for initial approval once a complete application is submitted, making it one of the fastest in theory — though document preparation typically adds 2–3 months to the total timeline.

Total elapsed time from initial consultation to residence card in hand typically ranges from 3 months (Greece, fast-track) to 14 months (Portugal). Your Mirabello Consultancy case manager will provide a personalised timeline projection during your initial engagement.

Benefits of a European Golden Visa: Why HNW Families Apply

The appeal of a European Golden Visa extends well beyond the residency permit itself. For high-net-worth individuals and families, the strategic benefits are compelling:

• Schengen Zone Access: Residents of Schengen member states (Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Malta) enjoy freedom of movement across all 26 Schengen countries — covering the vast majority of continental Europe — without additional visas.
• No Full-Time Relocation Required: Most programmes require only minimal physical presence — as little as 7 days per year (Portugal) or even zero mandatory days (Greece, Malta) — to maintain the residence permit.
• Educational Access: Resident children have access to European state and private school systems, and in many cases qualify for EU-rate university tuition across the bloc.
• Healthcare: Residents gain access to national healthcare systems and can purchase comprehensive private health insurance within the EU.
• Path to EU Citizenship: After typically 5–10 years of legal residency, Golden Visa holders may apply for citizenship, unlocking an EU passport with visa-free access to 180+ countries worldwide.
• Portfolio Diversification: Real estate and fund investments made through Golden Visa programmes represent genuine asset diversification into stable, regulated European markets.
• Political Risk Hedging: For clients from jurisdictions with political or economic instability, a European residency provides a meaningful insurance policy for the whole family.

Including Your Family: Dependants and the Golden Visa

One of the most significant advantages of European Golden Visa programmes is the breadth of family members who can be included in a single application at no — or minimal — additional investment cost:

• Spouse or civil partner
• Children under 18 (automatically included in most programmes)
• Financially dependent adult children (typically up to age 26 if in full-time education, varying by programme)
• Dependent parents of either the principal applicant or the spouse (subject to proof of financial dependency)
• Minor siblings in some programmes, provided guardianship is evidenced

Additional government processing fees apply per dependant, but no additional qualifying investment is required. For a family of four, this makes the per-person cost of European residency exceptionally competitive compared with other global mobility solutions. Review our best citizenship by investment programmes guide for a full global comparison including family-inclusion policies.

Frequently Asked Questions: European Golden Visa

What is a European Golden Visa and how is it different from citizenship?

A European Golden Visa grants residency — the legal right to live, work, and travel within the host country and, in most cases, the broader Schengen Area. It does not immediately confer citizenship or an EU passport. Citizenship is a separate status achieved after a qualifying period of legal residency (typically 5–10 years depending on the country), successful language and integration assessments (where required), and a formal naturalisation application.

How much does a European Golden Visa cost?

Costs vary significantly by country and investment route. At the lower end, Italy's startup investor route starts from €250,000 in investment plus approximately €20,000–€30,000 in fees. Malta's permanent residency programme starts from approximately €100,000 in total non-refundable contributions and fees. At the higher end, Spain's remaining capital investment route requires a minimum of €1,000,000. The Greece real estate route starts from €250,000 (select regions) with total costs from approximately €270,000 all-in.

Can I include my parents in my European Golden Visa application?

Yes, in most European Golden Visa programmes, dependent parents of either the main applicant or the spouse can be included — subject to proof of financial dependency. No additional investment is required, though per-person government fees apply. Mirabello Consultancy advises clients on the specific documentation required to qualify parents as dependants under each programme's regulations.

Do I need to live in Europe full-time to keep my Golden Visa?

No. This is one of the defining features of most European Golden Visa programmes. Greece and Malta impose no minimum annual residency requirement. Portugal requires just seven days per year during the first two-year permit period. Spain requires applicants to visit at least once per year. This flexibility makes Golden Visas particularly suitable for internationally mobile individuals and families who wish to maintain primary residence elsewhere.

Which European Golden Visa programme is fastest to obtain?

Greece currently offers the fastest processing, with residence permit cards typically issued within 2–4 months of application. A confirmation document granting immediate Schengen travel rights is often issued within 10–20 business days of filing. Hungary and Malta typically follow at 3–6 months. Portugal is currently the slowest active programme at 6–12 months due to administrative processing volumes.

Will I pay European taxes if I hold a Golden Visa?

Holding a Golden Visa does not automatically make you a tax resident of the host country. Tax residency is generally triggered by spending more than 183 days per year in a country or by establishing your "centre of vital interests" there. Many Golden Visa holders who do not relocate full-time remain tax resident in their home country. That said, tax structuring is a highly personal matter and Mirabello Consultancy strongly recommends obtaining independent international tax advice as part of the planning process.

Is the European Golden Visa under threat from EU regulations?

The European Commission has expressed concerns about certain Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes and, to a lesser extent, Residence by Investment schemes. Portugal's reform in 2023 and Spain's closure of the real estate route reflect both domestic political pressures and EU scrutiny. However, programmes such as Greece, Malta, Hungary, and Italy remain fully operational and legislatively stable in 2026. Mirabello Consultancy monitors all legislative developments in real time and advises clients accordingly.