By Documentsfolders For investors, entrepreneurs and families looking for greater international mobility, residency by investment can provide an alternative route to living in another country without following a traditional employment or study-based immigration route.
However, choosing the right program requires more than looking at the minimum investment amount. Applicants should consider the type of investment, residence requirements, family benefits, renewal conditions, taxation, processing requirements and the long-term possibility of permanent residence.
In 2026, several established programs continue to attract international applicants, including investment-residence options in Portugal, Greece, Malta, Italy and the United Arab Emirates. Each program is designed differently, so the best choice depends on your personal circumstances, budget and long-term plans.
Important: Residency-by-investment rules, fees and eligibility requirements can change. Always verify the current requirements with the relevant government authority before making an investment or submitting an application.
What Is Residency by Investment?
Residency by investment is an immigration route that allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain residence rights after making a qualifying investment or completing another approved economic contribution.
Depending on the country, the qualifying investment may involve:
- Investment funds
- Government bonds
- Business or company investment
- Job creation
- Real estate
- Donations or contributions
- Other approved investment categories
A residency program is different from a citizenship by investment program. Residency normally provides permission to live in a country, while citizenship involves acquiring nationality and a passport.
This distinction is important when comparing international investment programs.
Best Residency by Investment Programs in 2026
There is no single program that is best for every investor. The most suitable option depends on your investment capacity, preferred country, family situation and intended length of residence.
Here are some of the major programs worth comparing in 2026.
1. Portugal Residency by Investment
Portugal remains an important option for investors seeking European residency.
Portugal’s ARI (Residence Permit for Investment Activity) currently provides several qualifying routes. These include creating at least 10 jobs, investing €500,000 in qualifying research activities, investing €250,000 in eligible cultural or heritage activities, investing €500,000 in qualifying non-real-estate collective investment vehicles, or certain qualifying company investments.
One important change is that direct or indirect investment in real estate does not qualify under the current ARI regime. This means applicants researching older Portugal Golden Visa articles need to be particularly careful about outdated information.
Portugal’s program can also provide family-reunification possibilities and a route toward permanent residence subject to the applicable legal requirements. AIMA states that ARI holders can also travel within the Schengen Area without a separate visa.
Best suited for: Investors interested in European residence, family options and relatively limited physical-presence requirements.
2. Greece Golden Visa
The Greece Golden Visa remains one of Europe’s better-known residency-by-investment programs.
Real-estate investment remains a major route, although the required amount varies according to the location and property circumstances. Recent changes raised the threshold to €800,000 in several high-demand areas, while €400,000 applies in other qualifying areas and certain specific investment situations can qualify at €250,000.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on older articles that simply state that every Greek Golden Visa requires €250,000.
The Greek government continues to maintain a dedicated Golden Visa framework for investors, with documentation and residence-permit procedures administered under the country’s immigration system.
Best suited for: Investors who want European residency and are interested in property investment.
3. Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Malta offers the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) for eligible non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals.
Unlike programs that provide temporary residence first, the MPRP is specifically structured around permanent residence. Applicants must satisfy a combination of property, government contribution, donation and administrative requirements.
Current MPRP requirements include either purchasing a qualifying property for at least €375,000 or renting qualifying property for at least €14,000 per year, together with the applicable government contribution, administrative fee and €2,000 donation to an eligible NGO. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient financial resources and meet the programme’s due-diligence requirements.
Best suited for: Families and investors who place a high value on permanent residence and European mobility.
4. Italy Investor Visa
Italy provides an Investor Visa for qualifying non-EU investors.
The available investment routes include:
- €2 million in Italian government bonds
- €500,000 in an Italian limited company
- €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup
- €1 million donation to qualifying areas such as cultural or natural heritage, education, research or immigration management
According to Italy’s official investment portal, successful investors receive a two-year residence permit that can subsequently be renewed for additional three-year periods, provided the requirements continue to be satisfied.
The €250,000 innovative-startup option can make Italy particularly interesting for entrepreneurs and investors who want to connect their investment with the country’s technology and business ecosystem.
Best suited for: Entrepreneurs, startup investors and high-net-worth individuals interested in establishing a presence in Italy.
5. UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa is another major residency option to consider in 2026.
The United Arab Emirates offers long-term renewable residence visas for several categories, including investors, entrepreneurs and individuals with exceptional skills. Investor routes include public investment and real-estate investment. The official UAE government portal currently lists a minimum capital requirement of AED 2 million for qualifying public investments and a five-year Golden Visa route for qualifying real-estate investors.
The UAE Golden Visa can also allow eligible holders to sponsor family members and, depending on the category, remain outside the UAE for longer than the normal absence period applicable to ordinary residence visas.
Best suited for: Entrepreneurs, investors and professionals seeking long-term residence in a major international business centre.
Residency by Investment Comparison
| Program | Main Investment Route | Residence Type | Particularly Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Funds, research, culture, business/job creation | Temporary investment residence | European residence and families |
| Greece | Qualifying real estate and other routes | Investor residence | Property investors |
| Malta | Property + contribution + donation | Permanent residence | Families seeking permanent residence |
| Italy | Bonds, companies, startups or donation | Investor residence | Entrepreneurs and investors |
| UAE | Public investment, real estate and other categories | 5–10 year renewable residence | Investors and business professionals |
The table should be treated as a high-level comparison, not as a substitute for checking the specific eligibility requirements for an individual application.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing a Program?
The cheapest investment is not necessarily the best investment.
Before choosing a residency-by-investment program, consider the following factors.
Investment Amount
Start by establishing your available investment budget.
A program requiring €250,000 may initially appear more attractive than one requiring €500,000 or more. However, you should also calculate government fees, professional costs, property expenses, taxes, insurance and other application-related expenses.
Physical Residence Requirements
How much time do you actually want to spend in the country?
Some programs may be attractive because they do not require investors to relocate permanently. Portugal’s ARI, for example, has specific minimum-stay requirements rather than requiring continuous residence.
Family Benefits
If you are applying with a spouse or children, check whether dependants can be included and what additional documentation or fees apply.
Family eligibility can make a significant difference when comparing two programs with similar investment requirements.
Long-Term Residence Options
Some investors are interested only in residence, while others eventually want permanent residence or citizenship.
These are separate objectives. Holding a residence permit does not automatically guarantee citizenship.
You should therefore investigate the long-term pathway before investing, rather than assuming that a Golden Visa automatically leads to a passport.
Investment Risk
Investment-based immigration should not be viewed simply as paying a government fee.
Some programs require you to invest capital in businesses, funds or property. The potential financial risks, holding periods and exit conditions should be examined carefully before committing funds.
Why Professional Application Support Can Help
Residency applications can involve passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal-record certificates, proof of funds, investment documentation, translations, certifications, forms and other supporting paperwork.
For someone working full-time or unfamiliar with government procedures, gathering and preparing these documents can become time-consuming.
This is where application and document assistance can be useful.
Our support team helps applicants understand the documentation involved, prepare paperwork and navigate administrative procedures according to the requirements applicable to their chosen application.
If you are unsure which documents you need, where to obtain them or how to prepare your application paperwork, contact our support team before starting the process. We can help you identify the documents and administrative steps relevant to your situation.
How to Choose the Right Residency by Investment Program
A practical approach is to compare programs according to five questions:
- How much can I invest?
- Which country do I actually want to live in?
- How much time must I spend there each year?
- Can my family qualify with me?
- What are my long-term residence or citizenship goals?
Once you answer these questions, the list of suitable programs becomes much smaller.
For example, someone primarily interested in European property investment may look more closely at Greece, while an investor interested in permanent residence may investigate Malta. An entrepreneur interested in a startup route may find Italy more relevant, while someone seeking a major international business hub may consider the UAE.
Documents Commonly Needed for Residency by Investment
Although requirements differ by country, applicants may commonly need:
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, where applicable
- Police clearance or criminal-record certificate
- Proof of address
- Proof of funds or financial resources
- Investment documentation
- Health insurance
- Passport photographs
- Application forms
- Certified translations
- Tax or identification documents
- Family-member documentation
The exact documents depend on the country, investment route and applicant’s personal circumstances.
Do not submit documents based solely on a generic online checklist. Requirements can change, and some documents may need certification, apostille or official translation.
Final Thoughts: Which Residency by Investment Program Is Best in 2026?
The best residency by investment program in 2026 depends on what you want to achieve.
Portugal can appeal to investors seeking European residence with several non-real-estate investment routes. Greece remains relevant for property-focused investors. Malta stands out for its permanent-residence structure. Italy offers investor routes involving companies, startups, bonds and qualifying donations. Meanwhile, the UAE Golden Visa provides long-term residence options for investors, entrepreneurs and other eligible categories.
Before making any investment, compare the total cost, documentation, residence requirements, family provisions and long-term immigration objectives.
And if the paperwork is the part you are worried about, you do not have to handle every administrative step alone.
Contact our support team for assistance with document preparation, application paperwork and the administrative requirements associated with your residency or investment application. We can help you understand what documents may be required and guide you through the paperwork so you can spend less time dealing with lengthy administrative procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best residency by investment program in 2026?
There is no single best program for everyone. Portugal, Greece, Malta, Italy and the UAE offer different investment and residence options. The best choice depends on your budget, preferred country, family situation, residence requirements and long-term goals.
2. Can residency by investment lead to citizenship?
In some countries, legal residence can eventually contribute toward eligibility for citizenship, but residency does not automatically guarantee citizenship. Citizenship has separate eligibility requirements, including residence periods and other legal conditions.
3. Can someone help me prepare documents for a residency application?
Yes. Applicants can use professional document and application-support services to help identify, prepare and organize paperwork. However, applicants should always verify the final legal and eligibility requirements with the relevant government authority or qualified immigration professional.
[…] any supporting document is not in English, you must provide a certified translation. The translator must include their credentials and a […]