What €250,000 Can Buy in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Spain, Portugal & Thailand

Introduction

For many investors, €250,000 is a realistic budget that opens doors to Mediterranean or Asian lifestyle properties. The amount can secure an apartment in a bustling capital, a seaside villa on the Adriatic, or a modern condo in Bangkok – but the residency and citizenship benefits differ dramatically from country to country. Below we compare six popular destinations, outlining what you can actually purchase for €250k, the legal pathways to stay longer, and any major restrictions you should be aware of.

How far €250,000 stretches in each market

Country	Typical Property (≈€250k)	Location Examples	Residency / Citizenship Route	EU Status	Short‑term rentals allowed?
Turkey	1–2 bedroom apartment or small townhouse	Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye	No automatic residency; citizenship needs $400k held 3 years	Non‑EU	Allowed with proper permit
Greece	2‑bedroom apartment (minimum €250k tier)	Athens suburbs, Crete, Peloponnese	Golden Visa – 5‑year renewable residence	EU member	Banned on Golden‑Visa units
Montenegro	Apartment or coastal villa	Budva, Kotor, Herceg Novi	Property purchase → renewable residence permit	Non‑EU (euro is legal tender)	Allowed with local licence
Spain	One‑bedroom flat in secondary cities	Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza	No Golden Visa (abolished Apr 2025); use non‑lucrative or digital‑nomad visa	EU member	Allowed under normal rental licence
Portugal	City apartment or suburban townhouse	Porto, Lisbon outskirts, Algarve	D7 income‑based visa (property route removed Oct 2023)	EU member	Allowed with licence; short‑term platforms unrestricted
Thailand	Modern 2‑bedroom condo (freehold)	Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya	No residency‑by‑property; visas based on employment or retirement	Non‑EU (foreign ownership capped at 49% of building)	Allowed under condo management rules

Turkey – Affordable coastal living without citizenship

In Turkey, €250,000 comfortably buys a one‑ or two‑bedroom apartment in popular resort towns such as Antalya, Bodrum or Fethiye. Prices for sea‑view units range from €150,000 to just under €250,000, leaving room for renovation budgets if you wish. The purchase does not grant any automatic residency; you must apply for a separate residence permit, which typically requires proof of income and health insurance.

Citizenship through investment is possible, but the threshold is $400,000 (about €370,000) held for at least three years – well above our budget. Therefore, €250k in Turkey is best suited for lifestyle or rental‑income goals rather than a fast‑track to citizenship.

Greece – Golden Visa entry point

The Greek Golden Visa program offers the lowest entry level at €250,000. By purchasing property that meets this minimum, you obtain a five‑year renewable residence permit for yourself and immediate family members. The permit allows travel throughout the Schengen Area but does not confer citizenship.

Typical €250k purchases include a two‑bedroom apartment in an Athens suburb (e.g., Marousi or Glyfada) or a similar unit on Crete’s coastal towns. While the Golden Visa is attractive, short‑term rentals such as Airbnb are prohibited on units obtained under this scheme; you can only rent them out on a long‑term basis with a proper licence.

Montenegro – Path to renewable residence

Montenegro uses property investment as a gateway to a renewable temporary residence permit. A €250,000 purchase—often an apartment in Budva or a modest villa near Kotor—qualifies you for a one‑year residence card that can be extended annually as long as the property is retained.

The country is not part of the EU, but it uses the euro alongside the local currency, simplifying transactions. The Citizenship‑by‑Investment (CBI) scheme was closed in 2022, so €250k will only secure residence, not citizenship.

Spain – Golden Visa no longer an option

Spain’s popular Golden Visa program was abolished in April 2025. Consequently, a €250,000 property purchase does not lead to automatic residency. However, the Spanish market still offers excellent value: a one‑bedroom flat in secondary cities such as Valencia, Seville or Zaragoza typically falls between €200,000 and €260,000.

If you wish to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a non‑lucrative visa (requiring proof of sufficient passive income) or the newer digital‑nomad visa (which needs a remote‑work contract). Both routes are independent of property ownership.

Portugal – D7 visa instead of property route

Portugal removed residential real estate from its Golden Visa scheme in October 2023. While €250,000 still buys a comfortable apartment—often a two‑bedroom unit on the outskirts of Lisbon or a charming townhouse in Porto—the purchase alone does not grant residency.

The most common pathway now is the D7 visa, an income‑based residence permit that requires proof of stable recurring earnings (e.g., pensions, dividends, rental income). Once granted, the D7 visa can lead to permanent residence and eventually citizenship after five years, but property ownership is only a supporting factor.

Thailand – Freehold condos with ownership limits

In Thailand, foreign investors cannot own land, but they may purchase free‑hold condominium units outright, provided that foreigners collectively hold no more than 49% of the building’s total area. With €250,000 (approximately THB 9 million), you can acquire a modern two‑bedroom condo in central Bangkok, a beachfront development in Phuket, or a high‑rise tower in Pattaya.

There is no residency‑by‑property scheme; visas are granted on employment, retirement (65+ with sufficient pension) or long‑term tourist extensions. Short‑term rentals are allowed if the condominium’s management board approves it and you comply with local tourism regulations.

Practical steps to buying abroad

• Research local market trends: Look at recent sales, rental yields and future development plans.
• Engage a qualified lawyer: A local attorney will verify title deeds, ensure the seller is legitimate and handle tax registration.
• Open a local bank account: Required for transferring funds and paying taxes or utility bills.
• Secure financing (if needed): Some countries allow foreign mortgages; conditions vary widely.
• Apply for the appropriate visa: Follow the specific residency pathway outlined above. Documentation often includes proof of health insurance, clean criminal record and minimum income or investment evidence.
• Consider property management: If you plan to rent, a local manager can handle bookings, maintenance and compliance with short‑term rental rules.

Resida Global specializes in cross‑border real‑estate transactions and can coordinate legal, tax and visa services across all six countries, ensuring a smooth purchase experience from start to finish.

Conclusion

€250,000 offers a genuine foothold in diverse markets—from Turkish seaside apartments to Thai condos, from Greek Golden Visa properties to Montenegrin coastal homes. While the budget does not unlock citizenship everywhere, it can secure long‑term residence, attractive rental income or simply a second home for lifestyle purposes. Understanding each nation’s specific residency rules and property restrictions is essential before committing funds, and professional guidance—such as that provided by Resida Global—can make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I obtain Turkish citizenship with a €250,000 property purchase?

No. Turkey requires an investment of $400,000 (about €370,000) held for at least three years to qualify for citizenship. A €250k purchase only gives you ownership, not residency or citizenship.

Does the Greek Golden Visa allow me to rent my property on Airbnb?

No. Short‑term rentals like Airbnb are prohibited on properties obtained through the Greek Golden Visa. You may rent them out on a long‑term basis with the appropriate licence.

Is Montenegro an EU member, and does its residence permit give me Schengen access?

Montenegro is not part of the EU or the Schengen Area. A residence permit obtained through property ownership allows you to live in Montenegro but does not grant free travel within Europe.

What visa options are available for staying long‑term in Spain after buying a €250k home?

Since Spain’s Golden Visa was abolished, you must apply for a non‑lucrative visa (requires proof of sufficient passive income) or the digital‑nomad visa if you work remotely. Property ownership alone does not provide residency.

Can I own land in Thailand with my €250,000 investment?

Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand. With €250k you can purchase a freehold condominium unit (up to 49% foreign ownership of the building) but you will need a separate visa for residency.