Henley & Partners has published a ranking of the best programs for obtaining permanent residence and citizenship by investment in 2025. Find out which countries should be considered by wealthy foreigners planning to move in 2025

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Global consulting firm Henley & Partners has published a list of the best investment migration options in the world for 2025, announcing the most attractive destinations for international investors. According to the analysis, European countries took the first place. About the best countries for obtaining a residence permit or citizenship by investment, further in this article.

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The best programs for obtaining citizenship by investment in 2025

1st place - Malta

- Minimum investment: 150,000 euros.

- Processing time: 6-8 months.

Malta has been maintaining its leading position in the ranking of the best cities in the world for investors to move for 10 years in a row, and 2025 was no exception. The main advantage is the possibility of quickly obtaining citizenship, because after obtaining a residence permit, you can apply for citizenship in 13 or 36 months. This program is known for its strong economic benefits and global mobility, as it provides access to the Schengen area and the right to unlimited residence in Malta.

2nd place – Austria

- Eligibility requirement: the ability to obtain Austrian citizenship by making a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

- Processing time: 3 months.

Austria’s investment program requires a significant contribution to the national economy, making it one of the most prestigious and exclusive options. Investment options include contributions in the form of a joint venture or direct investment in a business that creates jobs or generates new export sales.

3rd place – Grenada

- Minimum investment: $200,000.

- Processing time: 9-12 months.

Grenada has only 2 investment options for its citizenship by investment program – a contribution to the National Development Fund and an investment in real estate.

The Grenada National Transformation Fund contribution has increased from $150,000 to $200,000 for a single applicant, and from $200,000 to $235,000 for a family of four.

For the Real Estate option, the threshold has increased to $270,000 for a fractional ownership of a unit in a larger building and remains at $350,000 for a full purchase of a property.

In Grenada, investors benefit from visa-free access to major global destinations and the right to apply for the US E-2 investor visa.

4th place – Antigua and Barbuda

- Minimum investment: $230,000.

- Processing time: 6-9 months

Antigua and Barbuda remains a popular choice among investors due to its low investment threshold, tax policy and visa-free access to over 150 countries. In addition, investors receive tax benefits and access to a beautiful Caribbean island. The level of development of the healthcare system meets international standards - the medical assistance program is available to legal residents of the country.

5th place - Nauru, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia

- Minimum investment: $220,000.

- Processing time: from 4 months.

These three countries share fifth place, and Nauru’s recent entry into the index underlines its attractiveness, offering investors a passport with strong global mobility and investment opportunities focused on climate change resilience.

The countries provide visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the EU, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

The citizenship-by-investment program in St. Kitts and Nevis was launched in 1984 and became the first in the world. The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment program has a competitive advantage over other Caribbean countries due to a wide range of investment methods: investments in the National Economic Fund (NEF), national bonds (NAB), real estate, corporate project financing.

6th place - Dominica

- Minimum investment: $ 220,000.

- Processing time: 6-8 months.

Visa-free travel to 140 countries around the world, tax benefits, as well as the opportunity to live on a lush Caribbean island. The whole family can apply for a permit. The country's education system is represented by 60 schools, both public and private. Citizens of the country often obtain higher education in the United Kingdom (as part of an agreement between Commonwealth countries). The cost of living is moderate - an average person spends $1,000 per month here.

7th place – Turkey

- Minimum investment: $400,000.

- Processing time: from 6 months.

Turkey offers numerous investment avenues, including the possibility of purchasing real estate. The program provides easy access to the markets of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The investor also receives visa-free travel to 110 countries around the world, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Simplified conditions for obtaining a Schengen visa – Turkish citizens can obtain a Schengen C-2 visa for 5 years. The visa allows citizens to stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days every 180 days.

8th place – Egypt, Jordan and North Macedonia

- Minimum investment: from $200,000.

- Processing time: from 5 months.

These three countries can be safely called states that are new investment destinations. In particular, Egypt stands out as the only citizenship by investment program in Africa, while Jordan and North Macedonia provide strategic access to the Middle East and Europe.

9th place – Vanuatu

- Minimum investment: from $130,000.

- Processing time: 1-2 months.

Vanuatu offers one of the fastest citizenship programs in the world, known for its affordability. Among the advantages are visa-free access or the ability to obtain a visa on arrival to 100+ countries in Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, the Caribbean. There is no personal/corporate tax, no withholding/capital gains tax, no property tax, no gift tax, etc.

10th place – Cambodia

- Minimum investment: from $245,000.

- Processing time: 3-4 months.

Cambodia offers a cost-effective path to investment-based migration. With only 54 visa-free countries, none of which are in Europe or North America, a Cambodian passport is unlikely to improve the mobility of those investing in Khmer citizenship. The program is mainly of interest to individuals who would like to move to Cambodia or who want to have the same rights to residence and private property as local citizens.

The best programs for obtaining a residence permit by investment in 2025

In the category of the best countries that provide residence permits by investment, Greece became the leader with its “Golden Visa” program. It is worth noting that the state took first place for the first time and overtook Portugal.

Also, experts from Henley & Partners advise investors to pay attention to the citizenship by investment program of the following countries:

- Switzerland - a premium option for a residence permit.

- Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom - competitive European programs.

- Australia, Canada, Spain – Destinations with high demand.

- UAE – business-friendly and tax advantages.

- Hungary – access to Schengen through real estate investment.

- Luxembourg – strong economic and financial center.

- Singapore – the best country to live in Asia.

- Jersey, Panama – attractive tax conditions.

- Costa Rica – strong economic and financial center.

How did they choose the countries with the best conditions for foreign investors in 2025?

The Henley & Partners indices evaluate programs based on 10 key factors: reputation, quality of life, visa-free access, processing time, compliance and investment requirements.

- For citizenship programs, residency requirements, relocation flexibility and physical presence requirements are also taken into account.

- Residency programs are additionally evaluated in terms of tax implications, overall costs and time to obtain citizenship.

The ranking of the best countries for obtaining citizenship or residence permit by investment allows investors to choose the best destinations for moving that would correspond to their purpose and volume of investment.

Order a consultation with a business lawyer on the Visit World portal to choose the best country for obtaining a residence permit or citizenship by investment in 2025. Full support from qualified specialists of the Visit World portal will allow you to get a second passport without unnecessary worries!

Recall! Henley & Partners has published a new ranking based on the Passport Mobility Index, that is, the ability of citizens to travel without visas. In 2024, the title of leader was awarded to Singapore. We have already told you which countries took leading positions in the Henley & Partners global mobility ranking.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

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