Golden Visa: What Is It, and Why Do Foreigners Need It?

Golden Visa programs open the door to residency in the EU, the UAE, or the U.S. with an investment starting at €200,000. Learn more about the requirements for 2026

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Residency by investment is one way to legally establish yourself in another country. Among such programs, the Golden Visa holds a special place, as it provides access to residency, work, and travel under preferential terms.

What is a Golden Visa, who is it suitable for, how much does it cost, and which countries issue it in 2026—we’ll cover all of this in the article below.

Not sure which country and investment vehicle are right for you?

Visit World’s attorneys will analyze your budget, goals, and citizenship, select the optimal Golden Visa program for you, and provide full-service support throughout the application process.

What is a Golden Visa?

A Golden Visa is a residence permit (or, in some jurisdictions, citizenship) that a foreign national receives in exchange for a qualifying investment in a country’s economy. Investments can take the form of real estate purchases, subscriptions to investment funds, business investments, government bonds, or charitable donations. The status granted allows the holder to legally live, work, and travel, often without the requirement to reside permanently in the country.

The term “Golden Visa” is a marketing term—in official documents, these programs are referred to by different names: Investor Visa in Italy, Guest Investor Program in Hungary, and Malta Permanent Residence Program in Malta. A common feature is that the status is granted without requirements regarding education, an employer, language proficiency, or prior residency experience. It is sufficient to confirm the legality of the funds’ origin and make a qualifying investment.

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What benefits does a golden visa offer its holder?

The main benefit is legal resident status in another country without the need for employment or education. A golden visa holder gains the right to live in the country, conduct business, access the healthcare and education systems, and travel freely. For Schengen Area member states, residency grants visa-free access to other Schengen countries for 90 days within any 180-day period.

The standard package of benefits offered by most Golden Visa programs includes:

• a residence permit valid for 2 to 10 years, renewable;
• inclusion of family members (spouse, children, and—in some programs—parents) in a single application;
• no mandatory minimum stay requirement or only minimal requirements (in Portugal—7 days per year);
• the right to work, conduct business, and open bank accounts within the country;
• access to eventual naturalization after 5–10 years of residence (conditions vary by country).

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Who is eligible for a golden visa, and what are the requirements for applicants?

The golden visa is designed for foreigners with verified capital who seek to obtain a second residency or access to the Schengen Area without relocating permanently. The applicant must be of legal age, have no criminal record or serious infectious diseases, and prove the lawful origin of their funds. Due diligence is a standard procedure in all programs—bank statements, tax returns, and declarations regarding the origin of assets must be submitted along with the application.

Additional restrictions apply to Ukrainian citizens in some programs. Specifically, in Hungary, the real estate investment fund option (€250,000) is not available to citizens of Ukraine and the United States—only the €1,000,000 donation option remains available. It is advisable to consult a lawyer to clarify the current list of citizenship-based restrictions before submitting an application.

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What can you invest in to obtain a golden visa?

Qualified investments vary from country to country, but most programs offer several standard options. These include investments in investment funds, the purchase of real estate (with regional restrictions in some jurisdictions), capital investments in businesses or job creation, the purchase of government bonds, and charitable contributions. The minimum investment amount depends on the type of investment and the country chosen.

Main types of qualifying investments as of 2026:

1. Investment funds — Portugal (from €500,000), Hungary (from €250,000).
2. Real estate—Greece (€250,000 / €400,000 / €800,000 depending on the region), Malta, UAE (from 2 million dirhams).
3. Business creation and job creation — Italy (€500,000), U.S. EB-5 ($800,000 in Targeted Employment Areas).
4. Government bonds — Italy (€2,000,000).
5. Charitable contributions and donations — Italy (€1,000,000), Portugal (€250,000 for culture and heritage), Hungary (€1,000,000).

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Countries Issuing Golden Visas in 2026

According to specialized immigration agencies and official documents, in 2026, active investment-based residency or citizenship programs will be in place in approximately 14–20 jurisdictions.

The most popular destinations among Ukrainian applicants are Portugal, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Malta, the UAE, the U.S., and countries in the Caribbean. Minimum investment thresholds and residency requirements vary, so the choice of country depends on your budget, goals, and planned place of residence.

Current minimum investment amounts by country (2026):

• Portugal — €500,000 in a qualified investment fund or €250,000 to support culture and heritage; minimum stay of 7 days per year;
• Greece — €250,000 (properties to be converted from commercial to residential use and restoration of historic buildings) / €400,000 (regions outside high-demand areas) / €800,000 (Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with a population of over 3,100);
• Italy — €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an existing Italian company, €1,000,000 in a charitable donation, €2,000,000 in government bonds; no mandatory minimum stay required;
• Hungary — €250,000 in a real estate fund (not available to Ukrainian citizens) or €1,000,000 in a government trust; a 10-year residence permit renewable for another 10 years;
• Malta — Malta Permanent Residence Program with a real estate purchase of at least €375,000 or a lease of at least €14,000 per year for 5 years;
• UAE — 2 million dirhams (approximately $550,000) in real estate or an approved fund; a 10-year residence permit;
• United States (EB-5) — $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1,050,000 in standard regions, with the creation of at least 10 jobs;
• Caribbean (Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis)—from $200,000 to $250,000 under citizenship-by-investment programs.

Legal Support and Application Submission

Golden Visa programs have varying processing times (from 3 to 24 months), document requirements, and due diligence requirements. An error in the application, an incorrectly prepared statement of funds’ origin, or an unaccounted-for tax liability can lead to a denial even if the full investment amount is available. 

Therefore, working with a licensed immigration attorney who specializes in residency-by-investment significantly reduces this risk.

Visit World’s immigration attorneys provide comprehensive support for obtaining a Golden Visa—from selecting a country and an investment vehicle tailored to your specific budget to preparing the due diligence package and submitting the application.

Schedule a consultation with a Visit World immigration lawyer to receive a personalized plan for obtaining residency through investment!

Reminder! In our previous article, we discussed the top 5 EU countries for starting an offline business in 2026.

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