Sunday, August 30, 2026 Living abroad, handled. Get the free brief →
Seasoned Expat
Living abroad, handled.
Cruise LifeVirgin Voyages Points Bookings: What the Fine Print Actually CoststodayResidency & CitizenshipAmericans abroad renouncing citizenship2 days agoMoney & TaxesMyanmar Junta Orders 25% Remittance Tax on Overseas WorkerstodayMoney & TaxesITR filing 2026: Foreign income disclosure2 days agoMoney & TaxesThailand's 2025 Tax Rules: What Foreign Workers Must ReporttodayMoney & TaxesMaldives Taxes Foreign Booking PlatformsyesterdayImmigration & VisasThailand Launches New Visa to Attract Business ExpatstodayImmigration & VisasUAE Visa Switch: Change Jobs Without LeavingyesterdayImmigration & VisasHow Overstaying Greece Can Get You Banned From EuropetodayResidency & CitizenshipGeorgia Tightens Residence Permit RulesyesterdayMoney & TaxesThailand Expat Pension Tax: What You OweyesterdayImmigration & VisasVietnam Work Permit: Visa, Tax, Insuranceyesterday
Residency & Citizenship

European residency-by-investment programs still available in 2026

Several European countries still offer golden visas—here's what they cost and which ones are still open to new applicants.

Image: Seasoned Expat
By · Jul 15, 2026

AI-ASSISTED Written by the Seasoned Expat intelligence engine from the primary records and reporting linked in this article. Every claim traces to a source. How we report →

Multiple European countries continue to offer residency-by-investment programs, commonly called golden visas, though the landscape is shifting as some countries tighten or phase out their schemes. Portugal, Spain, Greece, and others still accept investment in real estate, business, or government bonds in exchange for residency permits that can lead to permanent residency or citizenship. The investment thresholds and processing times vary significantly by country, and some programs are more accessible than others.

Several European countries still offer golden visas—but some are closing or tightening their schemes.

If you're looking to establish legal residency in Europe with capital to invest, now is the time to move—several countries are under pressure to close or restrict their programs. A real estate investment in Portugal or Greece, for example, can secure you a residency permit valid for years, renewable as long as you maintain the investment. The cost ranges from roughly €250,000 to over €1 million depending on the country and investment type. Work with a lawyer licensed in the specific country to understand the fine print: tax obligations, renewal requirements, and whether the visa leads to citizenship. These programs are legitimate, but they're not all equal.

Source: original report ↗

Free alerts

Free: the visa and tax changes that move your plans.

Get the immigration, residency and tax changes that actually affect living abroad — verified, dated, and explained, in your inbox. Free, and one click to leave.

Free · weekly · unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.

Knowing the rule changed is the easy part.

Seasoned Expat Pro tells you what each visa change, tax rule and residency decision actually means for your move — and the paperwork it changes — in a two-minute read.

Get the edge · $20/mo

Join the readers who move before the rules do. Cancel anytime, one click.

Share

https://seasonedexpat.com/article/european-residency-by-investment-programs-still-available-in-2026/

Discussion

    Leave a comment

    Comments are reviewed before they appear.
    Seasoned Expat Pro

    By the time it's news, it's too late.

    Seasoned Expat sits where the personal meets the procedural. Warm, been-there guidance on moving, settling, money, and finding your people abroad — right next to matter-of-fact, verified coverage of the visa rules, residency requirements, and regulatory changes that decide whether your plans actually work. Two voices, one job: help you live abroad without nasty surprises.

    Get the free brief Cancel anytime.
    The twice-a-week brief Get the free brief →