Golden Visa 2025: Where Can You Still Secure Residency Through Investment?
As some European countries phase out or restrict their Golden Visa programs, investors are now looking for alternative destinations to secure residency or citizenship through investment. With Spain’s Golden Visa program ending in April 2025 and Portugal shifting focus away from real estate, the landscape for investment migration is changing rapidly.
For those still interested in obtaining a Golden Visa, here are the top destinations offering residency-by-investment programs in 2025.
Where Can You Still Get a Golden Visa in 2025?
Despite policy shifts in Spain and Portugal, several countries continue to offer Golden Visa programs, each with its own investment requirements and benefits.
🇬🇷 Greece Golden Visa
✔ Minimum Investment: €250,000 (now €500,000 in high-demand areas like Athens and Santorini)
✔ Processing Time: 60-90 days
✔ Benefits:
• Residency for investor and family.
•No physical presence requirement.
• Schengen visa-free travel.
•Strong real estate investment potential.
💡 Why Invest? Greece remains one of the most affordable Golden Visa programs in Europe, especially as Spain’s exit increases demand.
🇵🇹 Portugal Golden Visa
✔ Minimum Investment: €500,000 (for venture capital or business investment)
✔ Processing Time: 6-12 months
✔ Benefits:
•Residency leading to citizenship in 5 years.
•Visa-free access to Schengen.
•Strong tech and startup ecosystem.
💡 What’s Changing? Portugal eliminated real estate investment options, shifting the focus to innovation, job creation, and cultural investments.
🇱🇻 Latvia Golden Visa
✔ Minimum Investment: €75,000 (investment in a local company)
✔ Processing Time: 2-4 months
✔ Benefits:
• One of Europe’s lowest investment thresholds.
•Business-friendly environment.
•Visa-free Schengen access.
💡 Why Latvia? Latvia is now a leading choice for low-cost investors after Spain’s withdrawal from the Golden Visa market.
🇦🇺 Australia Significant Investor Visa (SIV)
✔ Minimum Investment: AUD 5 million
✔ Processing Time: 12+ months
✔ Benefits:
•No age limit.
•Pathway to Australian permanent residency.
• Investment in government-approved funds.
💡 New Developments: Australia may relaunch the SIV program in 2025, following discussions about bringing back investor migration options.
🇦🇪 UAE Golden Visa
✔ Minimum Investment: AED 2 million (~$545,000) in real estate or business/startup investments
✔ Processing Time: 1-3 months
✔ Benefits:
•10-year residency for investors and professionals.
•No income tax.
•Strong real estate growth.
💡 What’s New? The UAE also introduced the Blue Visa for climate-focused professionals.
🇲🇹 Malta Citizenship by Investment
✔ Minimum Investment: €750,000 (non-refundable government contribution)
✔ Processing Time: 12-24 months
✔ Benefits:
• Fast-track European citizenship.
• Visa-free travel to Schengen, the UK, and the U.S..
•Family members included.
💡 Why Malta? One of the few remaining citizenship-by-investment options in Europe.
Why Are Golden Visa Rules Changing?
Countries like Spain, Portugal, and Ireland have been tightening their investment migration rules due to:
•Housing market pressures (increased real estate prices).
•EU regulations limiting fast-track residency programs.
•Shift toward business investments rather than passive real estate purchases.
However, demand remains high, particularly from:
✔ U.S. investors looking for European residency.
✔ High-net-worth individuals seeking a “Plan B” for global mobility.
✔ Remote workers and entrepreneurs leveraging low-tax environments.
Yusuf Boz’s Perspective: What Should Investors Do in 2025?
Investment migration expert Yusuf Boz highlights the importance of acting quickly:
“Golden Visa programs are changing fast. With Spain out and Portugal shifting focus, investors need to look at Greece, Latvia, and the UAE for residency options while these programs are still accessible.”
Boz also warns about potential future restrictions:
“We’ve already seen investment thresholds increase in Greece, and it’s likely that more European countries will follow. Those considering a Golden Visa should secure their investment before prices go up again.”
Final Thoughts: Where Should You Apply for a Golden Visa in 2025?
✔ If you want the lowest-cost European option: Latvia (€75,000 business investment).
✔ If you’re looking for real estate investment: Greece (€250,000-€500,000 minimum).
✔ If you prefer a business/startup investment route: Portugal or Australia.
✔ If you want a fast-track citizenship: Malta or the Caribbean.
With Spain’s withdrawal from the Golden Visa market, the time to invest in alternative residency programs is now.
For expert guidance on securing a Golden Visa, contact NotteGlobal today.
