Residency & Citizenship by Investment: 6-Country Guide (2026)
Property investment is the most common route to a second residence permit or passport. But each country's rules differ, and 2025-2026 brought major changes (Spain abolished its Golden Visa, Portugal removed residential property). Below we compare the 7 countries Resida Global serves with accurate, up-to-date facts.
Country Comparison Table (2026)
| Country | Program | Min. Investment | Timeline | EU / Schengen | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | Citizenship by Investment | $400,000 | ~6-12 months | No | Citizenship + passport |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | Golden Visa | €250,000+ | ~2-4 months | EU member (Schengen) | 5-yr renewable residence |
| 🇲🇪 Montenegro | Residence by Property | €150,000 (tax value) | 1 year (renewable) | EU candidate, uses € | Residence → permanent in 5y |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) | No investment — €34,188/yr (~€2,850/mo) | ~1-3 months | EU member (Schengen) | 1-yr visa / 3-yr residence → PR in 5y |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Golden Visa (no residential) | Fund €500k (property out since 2023) | A few months | EU member (Schengen) | Residence; D7 visa also |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 3M THB Long-Stay Visa (LSV) | THB 3,000,000 (~€78,000) | 3mo + 12mo renewable | No | Annually renewable long-stay residence |
| 🇦🇪 Dubai (UAE) | 10-Year Golden Visa | AED 2M (~€500,000) | 10 years (renewable) | No (Gulf) | 10-yr residence + 0% tax |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Elective Residence (Residenza Elettiva) | Passive income ~€32,000/yr | ~3-6 months | EU member (Schengen) | Residence → PR in 5y → citizenship 10y |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Company (TRO) / Retirement | Company turnover ~€52,000/yr | ~2-4 months | EU member | Residence → PR in 5y |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Company-based Residence | Romanian company + business plan | ~2-4 months | EU member | Residence → PR in 5y |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | e-Residency / Company Residence | €65,000 equity (or startup) | ~2-3 months | EU member (Schengen) | Residence → PR |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Startup Visa / Company | Startup (no capital) / company | ~2-4 months | EU member (Schengen) | Residence → PR |
Spain abolished its Golden Visa on 3 April 2025; entry is now based on regular income, not capital. The DTV income threshold is 200% of the minimum wage (2026: ~€34,188/yr ≈ €2,850/mo) and is updated annually. Add +€1,060/mo for the first dependant and +€357/mo for each additional family member.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying property automatically grant citizenship or residency?
It depends on the country. Turkey grants direct citizenship with a $400,000 property. Greece and Montenegro give renewable residence via property. Spain abolished its Golden Visa in 2025 (no residency by property), and Portugal removed residential property in 2023. In Thailand a THB 3,000,000 condo purchase grants a renewable long-stay visa (LSV, since Oct 2025).
EU passport or fast citizenship?
If you want to live in/move freely within the EU, Greece (Golden Visa → path to citizenship in 7 years) or Portugal fit best. If you want a fast second passport, Turkey grants citizenship in ~6-12 months (not EU, but visa-free to 110+ countries).
Which country with the lowest budget?
Greece Golden Visa starts at €250,000 (commercial-to-residential conversion). Montenegro requires a €150,000 (tax value) minimum (Jan 2026). Thailand condos from THB 3,000,000 grant a renewable long-stay visa.
Where is rental yield best?
Turkey (Antalya/Bodrum) and Montenegro (Budva) offer strong high-season yield with Airbnb allowed. In Greece short-term (Airbnb) letting is banned on Golden Visa properties; plan for long-term rental.
Does Resida Global manage the process?
Yes. We manage title/registration, tax number, bank account, application and legal due diligence end to end, and guide you to the right country and property.
Which country fits you? Let's find out together
Based on your goal (citizenship, EU residence, rental yield or lifestyle) we'll assess the best country and property for free.
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