Golden visa routes into Europe, compared for 2026

Route 1

Cyprus Permanent Residency

EUR 300,000 from, EU member state, not in the Schengen Area. A Cyprus permanent residence permit gives the right to live in Cyprus; it does not by itself give visa-free travel to Schengen states or other EU countries, which apply their own visa rules to the holder's nationality.

Minimum investment: EUR 300,000, New residential property (plus VAT), other real estate, Cyprus company shares or a Cyprus investment fundSource: gov.cy, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Processing time: Approximately 2 months to examine a complete application (Migration Department estimate; varies with application volumes) monthsSource: gov.cy, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Visa-free access: 174 destinationsProvisional, verify against the official source

Path: 12 months of continuous legal residence immediately before applying, plus at least 7 years of legal residence in the preceding 10 years (8 years in total). Greek language at B1 level and knowledge of Cyprus's contemporary political and social reality required (Civil Registry (Amendment) Law 2023, in force 19 December 2023).Source: gov.cy, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Index confidence 92, last verified 2026-10-03. Full programme detail →

Route 2

Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP)

EUR 99,000 from, Visa-free travel within Schengen Area (90 days in any 180-day period)

Minimum investment: EUR 99,000, Government contribution + admin fee + donation (excl. property)Source: residencymalta.gov.mt, verified 2026-09-24 (confidence 92)

Processing time: No fixed official timeframe (decided after due diligence) monthsSource: residencymalta.gov.mt, verified 2026-09-24 (confidence 90)

Visa-free access: 184 destinationsProvisional, verify against the official source

Path: Not directly. The MPRP grants permanent residence only. Maltese citizenship by naturalisation is a separate, discretionary process under the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188), with its own residence, language, integration and good character requirements; MPRP status does not shorten it or entitle the holder to it.Source: komunita.gov.mt, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Index confidence 92, last verified 2026-10-01. Full programme detail →

Route 3

Greece Golden Visa

EUR 250,000 from, Schengen Area, visa-free short stays (up to 90 days in any 180) across the 29 Schengen countries (European Commission, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, checked 2026-09-28)

Minimum investment: EUR 250,000, Real estate (EUR 250,000 to EUR 800,000 by zone and property type) or startup investmentSource: en.mitos.gov.gr, verified 2026-10-03 (confidence 92)

Processing time: 3-9 months in practice, end to end; the official procedure registry (mitos.gov.gr) estimates 50 days for the permit itself (change-of-use route) and 50-60 days (listed-property route) once a complete file is submitted monthsSource: en.mitos.gov.gr, verified 2026-10-03 (confidence 92)

Visa-free access: 185 destinationsProvisional, verify against the official source

Path: Not directly: the Golden Visa is a residence permit, not a citizenship route. Greek naturalisation is a separate process requiring 7 years of actual, legal residence in Greece (majority of time in Greece), a language exam and demonstrated integration; holding the permit without living in Greece does not count.Source: mitos.gov.gr, verified 2026-10-03 (confidence 92)

Index confidence 92, last verified 2026-10-03. Full programme detail →

Route 4

Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP)

EUR 220,000 from, Visa-free travel within Schengen Area

Minimum investment: EUR 220,000, a qualifying home bought or rented in Malta or GozoSource: legislation.mt, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Processing time: 3-6 months monthsSource: legislation.mt, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Visa-free access: 184 destinationsProvisional, verify against the official source

Path: Not directly. The GRP is a special tax status only. Maltese citizenship by naturalisation is a separate, discretionary process under the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188), with its own residence and other requirements; GRP status does not shorten it or entitle the holder to it.Source: legislation.mt, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Index confidence 92, last verified 2026-10-01. Full programme detail →

Route 5

Slovenia Business Residence

EUR 50,000 from, Yes, Slovenia is in the Schengen Area; permit holders move visa-free within Schengen (up to 90/180 days in other Schengen states).

Minimum investment: EUR 50,000, Company (d.o.o. + ~€50k fixed-asset investment)Source: ess.gov.si, verified 2026-10-03 (confidence 92)

Processing time: not publishedProvisional, verify against the official source

Visa-free access: not publishedProvisional, verify against the official source

Path: Naturalisation generally after 10 years' total residence including 5 continuous years immediately before application, with B1-level Slovenian language, lawful income, and clean record; renunciation of prior citizenship is generally required.Source: gov.si, verified 2026-06-04 (confidence 92)

Index confidence 92, last verified 2026-10-03. Full programme detail →

Route 6

Italy Investor Visa

EUR 250,000 from, Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period in other Schengen states) as an Italian residence-permit holder.

Minimum investment: EUR 250,000, Innovative startup investmentSource: investorvisa.mise.gov.it, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Processing time: Approximately 3-6 months end to end; nulla osta decision by law within 30 days of a complete application (firms report ~25-35 days in practice). monthsSource: investorvisa.mise.gov.it, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Visa-free access: 185 destinationsProvisional, verify against the official source

Path: Italian citizenship by naturalisation after 10 years of legal residence (Law 91/1992, art. 9), subject to Italian at B1 level (art. 9.1) and other requirements (income, clean record). The June 2025 referendum to cut the period to 5 years did not reach quorum, so 10 years stands.Source: interno.gov.it, verified 2026-10-01 (confidence 92)

Index confidence 92, last verified 2026-10-03. Full programme detail →

How to read this brief. Routes are ranked from Mirabello's live dataset. Each figure shows the official source it was verified against and the date. Where a figure is marked provisional, treat it as indicative and confirm against the linked government source before acting. Programme terms change, sometimes with short notice. This is general information, not investment, legal, tax or financial advice.

Questions

Questions about this brief

Which golden visa routes lead into Europe in 2026?

On the 2026 Q3 Edition data, the top three routes are Cyprus Permanent Residency (EUR 300,000), Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP) (EUR 99,000) and Greece Golden Visa (EUR 250,000). Every figure below links to its official source and verification date. A golden visa grants a renewable residence permit, not a passport.

How are these routes ranked?

Routes are ranked from Mirabello's live dataset. Each figure shows the official source it was verified against and the date. Where a figure is marked provisional, treat it as indicative and confirm against the linked government source before acting. Programme terms change, sometimes with short notice. This is general information, not investment, legal, tax or financial advice.

Is this brief advice for my case?

Mirabello Route Briefs present general information about citizenship and residency by investment programmes, ranked from a verified dataset with official-source citations. They are not investment, legal, tax or financial advice, and no client relationship is formed by reading them. Programme figures are time-sensitive: governments change thresholds, fees and rules, so verify any figure against the linked official source before acting. A Mirabello specialist confirms eligibility and next steps for your specific case.

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Compare the full ranked field on the golden visa and residency hub, or explore the methodology on the Investment Migration Index.