Residency by investment: golden visas in 2026

How to choose a golden visa for your budget

Start with the amount you can invest and leave untouched for 3-5 years, and whether you want an EU passport in the long run.

• Up to $100,000. Thailand from $20,000 for 5-20 years, Mauritius from $35,000, Latvia from $68,000 into a company, Paraguay permanent residency from $70,000 straight away, Panama from $100,000.
• $100,000-300,000. Costa Rica from $150,000, Montenegro with a home from $170,000, Greece, Portugal, Italy and Hungary from $290,000.
• $300,000-1 million. Cyprus from $340,000 with permanent residence in 2 months, Namibia from $370,000, UAE from $550,000 for 10 years, Monaco from $570,000, the US green card from $800,000.
• From $1 million. New Zealand from $2.8 million, Hong Kong from $3.9 million, Singapore from $7.9 million. Jersey and Switzerland ask not for an investment but for a large annual tax.

Amounts exclude government fees, purchase taxes and support. We will work out the total for your family in the chat.

The total cost of the whole route for each programme, timelines and which countries are open to Russian citizens are collected in the article residency by investment for Russians in 2026.

Golden visas compared in 2026

Golden visa prices differ fortyfold: from $20,000 in Thailand to $800,000 for a US green card. But more expensive does not always mean better; what matters is what the status gives you a few years on.

Amounts exclude state fees, purchase taxes and support. We will calculate the total for your family in the chat.

Where permanent residence comes straight away

Most golden visas are temporary residence for 2-10 years. Only a few countries grant permanent residence from the start:

• Paraguay - from $70,000 in business, tourism or securities; you can apply for citizenship 3 years after permanent residence.
• Cyprus - from $340,000 in a new home or business, with a decision in about 2 months under the rules.
• Malta - fees and contributions from $120,000 plus renting or buying a home.
• US - a green card for an investment from $800,000, first for 2 years with conditions, then for 10 years.
• Singapore - from $7.9 million, with a decision in 9-12 months.

Permanent residence matters if you are counting years to citizenship: in many countries the count starts only from permanent status.

The fastest programmes

• Cyprus - about 2 months to permanent residence.
• Thailand - 2-3 months.
• Namibia - about 3 months.
• Italy - 3-4 months.
• Panama - 1 to 6 months depending on the option.

The longest waits are where both the source of funds and the investment are checked: in Hong Kong, New Zealand and the US the route takes from six months to 2 years. Speed almost always depends on a complete file: a missing certificate adds months.

What closed and changed in 2025-2026

• Closed: Spain from 3 April 2025, the Netherlands from 17 April 2024. The UK investor visa has not been issued since 2022.
• Lower threshold: New Zealand has asked for NZ$5 million instead of NZ$15 million since 1 April 2025, removed the English requirement and from 6 March 2026 allowed investors to buy a home from NZ$5 million.
• Softer rules: Hong Kong counts homes from HK$30 million and investments through your own company.
• Thresholds will rise: in the US EB-5 amounts will be adjusted for inflation from 1 January 2027.
• More expensive: in Greece since 2024 homes in popular areas start at €800,000, with €250,000 left only for commercial conversions and restoration; Portugal has not accepted real estate since 2023, only funds and business.

The full dated log of changes is in programme changes 2025-2026.

Golden visas for Russian citizens

Some programmes do not accept Russian and Belarusian citizens or check them much longer, and European banks often refuse an account for the investment. Programmes that remain open include Paraguay, the UAE, Thailand, Panama, Costa Rica, Mauritius and Namibia, as well as those where what matters is the source of funds rather than the passport.

If you hold a second citizenship, you can apply on it. But some programmes look at all of the applicant's citizenships, so we check the terms before filing and before any transfer. Each programme page states its status for Russian citizens.

Taxes and golden visas

A golden visa does not make you tax resident by itself. Residence arises if you live in the country for more than 183 days a year or move your centre of vital interests there. So choose the programme and the tax regime together:

• Paraguay taxes only local income; foreign income is not taxed.
• The UAE has no personal income tax.
• Cyprus offers a regime with no tax on dividends and interest for 17 years.
• Hong Kong taxes only income earned in Hong Kong.
• Jersey charges 1% on income above £1.25 million with a minimum tax of £250,000 a year.

The world taxes section compares rates in every country.

How the process works

1. Selection and checks - 1-2 weeks. We compare 2-3 countries by amount, timing, taxes and access for your citizenship, and check the source of funds.
2. Documents - 3-8 weeks. Police certificates, civil certificates, statements, apostilles and translations.
3. Investment - from 2 weeks to several months. A local bank account, the transfer, buying the property or fund units.
4. Filing and review - from 1 month to 2 years depending on the country.
5. Cards and renewals. Biometrics, cards for the family, tracking renewal dates and days in the country.

Can you get the investment back

In most programmes the money remains your asset, but you cannot withdraw it early:

• New Zealand - 3 years in Growth or 5 years in Balanced.
• Hong Kong - while you hold the permit; after permanent residence at 7 years the investment can be withdrawn.
• US - regional center money is usually returned after 5-7 years, and the law prohibits guaranteed returns.
• Cyprus - the property or stake must be kept to retain permanent residence.
• Paraguay - the business investment stays yours, and permanent residence is indefinite.

Non-refundable government fund contributions are found mainly in citizenship programmes, not residence.

Costs on top of the investment

• Government fees for processing and cards - from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars per family.
• Property purchase taxes - usually 2-10% of the price, plus notary and registration.
• Due diligence fees - in some programmes for each adult separately.
• Documents - certificates, apostilles, translations, health insurance.
• Holding costs - property tax, fund and bank fees.
• Support - we fix our fee in writing after a consultation.

You can compare two or three countries by the full total for your family in the chat.