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ASTONS
- Residency by Investment
- Residency in Europe Through Investment
Residency in Europe Through Investment
Residency in Europe through investment offers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain legal residence by making a qualifying financial commitment in a European country. This pathway is designed to attract investors by providing a streamlined process to secure residence permits, enabling them to establish themselves and their families within Europe while adhering to national immigration requirements.
Get a Free ConsultationFrom €182,000
Minimum investment
From 3 months
Processing time
Freedom of movement
Access to education
Quality medicine
Business Opportunities
Residency in Europe: Available Programs
Cyprus
Residency
from €300,000
Minimum investment
~8 months
Processing time
- Purchase of new property
- Eligibility for citizenship after 8 years
- Non-Dom tax regime
Greece
Residency
from €250,000
Minimum investment
~4 months
Processing time
- Real estate purchase
- Eligibility for citizenship after 7 years
- Most accessible and fastest program
Hungary
Residency
from €250,000
Minimum investment
~4 months
Processing time
- Investment in a fund / non-refundable donation
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries
- Eligibility for citizenship after 8 years
Italy
Residency
from €500,000
Minimum investment
~3 months
Processing time
- Investment in shares or bonds / non-refundable contribution
- Eligibility for citizenship after 10 years
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries
Malta
Residency
from €169,000
Minimum investment
~9 months
Processing time
- Rental or property purchase
- No residency requirements
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries
Monaco
Residency
from €1,000,000
Minimum investment
~4 months
Processing time
- Freedom of movement
- Attractive lifestyle
- Stable estate market
Portugal
Residency
from €500,000
Minimum investment
~18 months
Processing time
- Investment in a fund
- Eligibility for citizenship after 7–10 years
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries
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It’s time to take control of your future. Start your citizenship or residency journey today with a personalised consultation.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
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Benefits of a Residence Permit in Europe
A European residence permit allows you to live, work, and study in your chosen country, with access to public services like healthcare and education. It also enables visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, offering greater freedom and mobility within Europe.
Exclusive Astons Opportunity
Secure Greek Residency Within 4+ Months from €250,000
Invest in Greek real estate and gain the right to live in the EU and travel freely across the Schengen area. Include your spouse, children and parents.
Explore Offer
Property Management
Assistance with asset registration, obtaining a tax number, conclusion of property transactions.
Documentation
Support with acquiring all necessary legal documents for your application.
Tax Incentive Guidance
Expert advice on tax incentives available for new residents.
Education and Health Services
Help with school selection and arrangement of health insurance.
Vehicle Support
Assistance with vehicle and yacht registration.
Airport Welcome Services
Meet-and-greet services at the airport for your initial visit
Difference between Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits in Europe
| Category | Residence permit | Permanent residence |
|---|---|---|
| Validity period | Limited: 1-5 years | Unlimited, valid indefinitely |
| Terms and Conditions | Compliance with programme conditions (e.g. maintaining investment or residing in the country) is required | Usually issued after 5 years of residency with a residence permit, subject to requirements being met (e.g. knowledge of the language or integration). |
| Extension | It is necessary to regularly renew the residence permit, and complying with the requirements | Formal update of documents |
| Right to work | Depends on the type of visa. Most "Golden Visas" do not allow the investor to work, but they do allow entrepreneurial activity. | Full labour rights. |
How to Easily Obtain a Residence Permit in the EU and the Schengen Zone
One of the fastest and most reliable ways to obtain a European residence permit is through investment programs, with approval often granted within just a few months.
Selecting a program
Many European countries offer investment programs, including Italy, Greece, Monaco, Malta, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Cyprus. Our immigration specialists will conduct a preliminary check of the investor for compliance with the program requirements and select the best option for participation based on their goals.
Preparation of documents
Our consultants will prepare a full package of documents, carefully checking their compliance with the program requirements in order to eliminate possible delays in considering the application. The standard package of documents includes a passport, a certificate of no criminal record, documents confirming family ties with other applicants, the legality of the origin of investment funds, and medical insurance.
Investments
Make the required investments. This could be buying real estate for a certain amount, investing in a government fund or bonds, donating to charities, or opening a bank deposit.
Submitting an application
Our staff will submit your application for a residence permit and also arrange for the submission of biometric data to the country’s migration service.
Waiting for a decision
Application review times vary by country.
Obtaining a residence permit
Once your application is approved, you will receive a residence card, which gives you the right to reside in the country and, in most cases, the ability to travel within the Schengen area without the need for a visa. Other applicants included in the application also receive their residence cards.
Rights and Obligations of European Residents
Along with the European residence permit, the applicant can also make the most of specific benefits, including:
- Permanent residence in the country that issued the residence permit.
Visa-free travel within the Schengen area (up to 90 days within a six-month period).
Access to banking and investment services.
Access to the local health care system.
Opportunity to educate children in local schools.
However, to maintain resident status, certain obligations must be met:
- Timely extension of residence permit (in accordance with the program terms).
Maintaining program conditions (e.g., owning real estate).
Compliance with the laws of the country.
Refusal or Cancellation of Residency in Europe
An applicant may be denied a European residence permit for investment in several cases:
- Incomplete set of documents or false information.
- Insufficient investment amount or illegal source of funds.
- Having a criminal record or being on sanctions lists.
- Violation of immigration rules.
If the residency rules are not obeyed, the residence permit received may be cancelled under the following conditions:
- Selling an investment asset (such as real estate) before the permitted time.
- Violation of the program conditions (for example, if the investor does not comply with the requirements for visiting the country. As a rule, under the “Golden Visa” programs these rules are very minimal.
- Committing offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Residency by Investments
Where in Europe is it easy to obtain a residence permit?
The easiest way is through real estate investment. Malta and Greece’s programs offer minimal thresholds (€182,000 and €250,000) and short processing times (3-6 months). Residency requirements are minimal, and there is no need to be in the country all the time.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Which country is easiest to obtain permanent residence?
In Malta, you can obtain permanent residence in 6 months for an investment of €182,000.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Which European countries provide residence permits when purchasing real estate?
Residence permits for real estate purchases can be obtained in Malta (from €182,000), Greece (from €250,000), Cyprus (from €300,000), Monaco (€1,000,000 on average), Portugal (from €500,000), Italy (from €500,000) and Hungary (from €250,000). Family members of the investor can also be included in the application for a residence permit.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Is it possible to have several residence permits in Europe?
There are no legal restrictions on multiple residence permits, and you can be a resident of different countries at the same time, provided you meet the requirements for residence and maintaining investments. In practice, this is not that convenient due to the overlap of terms and financial obligations.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Is it possible to travel around Europe with a residence permit?
Yes, a European residence permit in a Schengen member country allows visa-free visits and short-term stays (up to 90 days within a six-month period) in all other Schengen countries. A separate permit is required for work or long-term residence outside the issuing country.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Where can I get a residence permit in Europe fast?
The fastest Golden visas are issued in Greece and Italy (from 3-6 months).
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Which country has the lowest taxes for new residents?
A Golden Visa doesn’t require the investor to relocate or become a tax resident. As a result, simply holding a residence permit doesn’t impose any tax obligations—only income earned within the country is subject to taxation, such as rental income from property.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Which country has the lowest taxes for new residents?
However, some countries offer attractive tax regimes, which is why many investors consider relocating and changing their tax residency. The most favorable tax rates for individuals and businesses are found in the UAE, Malta, and Cyprus.
Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Still have questions?
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Several years ago, we received a Dominica passport through Astons.
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Several years ago, we received a Dominica passport through Astons.
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Secure Your Future with Astons’ Expertise
Astons is a leading investment immigration firm with 35+ years of experience, offering tailored residence and citizenship solutions across the EU and the Caribbean. The firm has facilitated over $2,600,000 in immigration and real estate investments and has helped more than 9,000 clients from over 50 countries.
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Events Calendar
Register for Our Upcoming Events
Ultimate Guide for a Greek Golden Visa
Discover how to secure EU residency through Greece's €250,000 Golden Visa programme at our expert-led webinar. Get all the crucial details about investment options and benefits.
Upcoming webinar
Ultimate Guide for a Greek Golden Visa
Discover how to secure EU residency through Greece's €250,000 Golden Visa programme at our expert-led webinar. Get all the crucial details about investment options and benefits.
Sunday, December 2nd — Wednesday, December 2nd from 6:00pm to 6:00pm
Speakers
Aleksandr Kosovsky
Investment Citizenship Expert
Igor Nemtsov
Head of UAE Office
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