Golden Visa Investment Levels Europe 2026

Romania's long-stay investment visa requires only €100.000 in company investment — the lowest in the EU. However, the citizenship timeline is 8+ years and the process is complex. Hungary's Guest Investor Visa requires €250.000 in government bonds (non-recoverable contribution) or €500.000 in real estate investment funds. Greece at €400.000 (non-prime real estate) offers the best combination of investment size, programme maturity, and EU benefits including Schengen travel and a 7-year citizenship path.

Partially. Portugal closed its real estate investment route in October 2023. The remaining active routes are: investment fund subscription (€500.000), venture capital fund (€500.000), cultural heritage donation (€250.000), scientific research (€500.000), and job creation (no capital minimum, just 10 jobs). The programme remains popular for the 5-year citizenship path — the fastest in the EU for investment migration. Fund route applicants should expect 3-6 month processing times through AIMA.

Malta's Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) programme provides EU citizenship in 12-36 months. Requirements: €750.000 donation to Malta government (or €600.000 for 36-month track) + €700.000 real estate purchase or rental (€16.000/yr) + €10.000 charitable donation + clean criminal record + genuine link to Malta. Fast track (12 months): €750.000+ donation. This provides a Maltese passport — full EU citizenship with rights to live, work, and vote in any EU member state. Most expensive but fastest EU citizenship available.

Spain's ruling coalition (PSOE-Sumar) proposed abolishing the golden visa programme in early 2025, citing housing affordability concerns in Madrid and Barcelona. As of January 2026, the programme remains technically active but politically uncertain. The real estate route (€500.000 minimum) faces the most risk. Business investment routes may be retained. Applicants already in the process are expected to be grandfathered. New applicants should monitor developments carefully and consult immigration lawyers before committing.

Physical presence determines tax residency in most countries — spending more than 183 days/year typically triggers tax residency. Most golden visa programmes have no minimum stay requirement — allowing investors to maintain tax residency elsewhere while holding a European residence permit. Portugal's golden visa requires only 7 days/year on average — tax residency can be avoided. Greece and Hungary have no minimum stay. If you do become tax resident, each country's standard income tax rates apply — though special regimes (Portugal IFICI 20%, Italy flat tax €100k, Greece 7% flat for retirees) may apply.