Relocation news digest: what changed for global movers
Relocation news digest
China: major banks tighten scrutiny of payments from Russia
Several large Chinese banks, including Bank of China and Great Wall West China Bank, have tightened controls on transactions arriving from Russia. They are now requesting details about whether payments are linked to particular regions and countries.
The move is intended to shield the banks from fines and sanctions.
Andorra: officials propose making knowledge of the state language mandatory for residence permits
Andorra's official language is Catalan. Applicants would need an A1 level to obtain a residence permit and A2 to renew it.
Language requirements are becoming a common feature of naturalization across Europe.
Russia: Aeroflot to allow pets under 15 kg on adjacent seats
The option will be available on all of the carrier's flights, as well as those of its subsidiary Rossiya, regardless of the class of service.
The expected terms: the pet carrier may only be placed on a window seat, and the fare for the animal will match the full price of an adult passenger's ticket.
Greece: minimum property investment for the golden visa raised
The minimum property investment required for a golden visa has risen to between 400,000 and 800,000 euros, depending on the region.
Limits have also been introduced on how many properties a single investor may buy in a given area.
Belgium: authorities announce new EU Blue Card options
Blue Card holders who have lived in any EU member state for at least 12 months will now be entitled to live and work in Belgium without a separate visa. Foreign nationals will still need to apply for a work permit.
EU: a push to simplify legalization across Europe
The European Council has adopted a directive introducing a single EU-wide residence permit that will streamline the legalization process for movers from third countries.
Processing times for permit applications will be cut to three months. The directive is due to take effect within two years.
Singapore: employers required to consider four-day-week and remote-work requests
Employees at any business whose operations do not depend on daily on-site tasks may now request a four-day week, flexible hours or a switch to remote work.
Turkey: a digital nomad visa in the works
Turkish authorities are developing a digital nomad visa. To qualify, applicants will need:
- A university degree
- Proof of remote employment
- Income of at least $3,000 a month or $36,000 a year
- Age between 21 and 55
Russia: the ECB demands a faster wind-down of Raiffeisen Bank's business
The European Central Bank has asked Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to speed up the reduction of its operations in Russia. The ECB's requirements include cutting lending to the bank's Russian clients to 65 percent of 2023 levels, along with a reduction in international payments originating from Russia.
Dominican Republic: migration applications may face delays
The head of the Migration Department has resigned and no successor has yet been appointed. As a result, the processing of migration applications will be delayed by several months. The holdups may affect the issuing and renewal of residence permits, citizenship applications and other procedures.
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What has changed by October 2026
- Greek golden visa. The threshold has three tiers: €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and islands with more than 3,100 residents, €400,000 elsewhere, and €250,000 only for converting a commercial building into housing or a restoration. A rise in the transfer tax on homes bought by non-EU nationals from 3% to 15% in 2027 has been announced. Applications from Russian citizens with only a Russian passport are not accepted. More in the Greece residence by investment section.
- Schengen. Since 7 November 2025 Russian citizens mostly receive single-entry visas, and since 10 April 2026 the entry/exit system with fingerprints runs at the border.
- Language for French residence. From 1 January 2026 a first multi-year card requires A2 French and a civics exam. The talent passport and the visitor card are exempt.
Where language is needed for residence and citizenship in 2026
| Country | For residence or permanent residence | For citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| France | A2 for a multi-year card, B1 for a resident card | B2 and a civics exam, after 5 years |
| Portugal | basic Portuguese for permanent residence after 5 years | 10 years of residence from 19 May 2026 |
| Germany | depends on the permit | B1 and a test of 17 out of 33, after 5 years |
| Greece | not needed for the golden visa | B1 and an exam, after 7 years |
Investment residence permits usually do not require language, but you will need it if you want a passport.
FAQ
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