How to obtain a residence permit without the right to work in different countries in Europe?

Overview of immigration programs

The review prepared by the law firm "Elma Global" provides valuable information about programs that allow for obtaining permanent resident status in several countries, but do not open up opportunities for employment. It should be noted that in the mentioned countries, there are also alternative pathways to obtain the right to work, such as student and work visas, investment schemes, and the possibility of starting one's own business, but these issues are not the main focus of this article.

Immigration program of Austria

Austria has a specially designed immigration program for financially independent citizens. To participate in this program, you must have a fixed income that should be at least€2512for a couple, as well as for€259for each child. Suitable sources of such income can include pensions received, dividends from investments, or interest from banking products. It is also permissible to confirm financial stability with a bank statement (from a Swiss or Austrian bank) showing a balance of no less than€85,000for each adult and€45,000for the child.

In addition, one of the important requirements is the presence of real estate in Austria or a long-term rental of residential property, as well as the mandatory arrangement of annual health insurance. To successfully obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to demonstrate basic knowledge of the German language, which must be confirmed by a certificate.A1Such certificates can be obtained at the branches of the Goethe-Institut located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk, upon successful completion of the assessment. Without this certificate, you will not be allowed to apply for a residence permit in Austria. Language proficiency is required from both the main applicant and their spouse.

Application submission process

The process of reviewing applications takes aboutsix monthsAn important drawback of this program is the limited number of quotas, which are usually filled quite quickly at the beginning of each year.

Andorra's immigration program

As for Andorra, it is possible to obtain a residence permit through investments in the country's economy. The minimum investment amount is€400 thousandfrom which€50,000It should be deposited in the Andorran bank in the name of the main applicant, as well as for€10,000For each family member. The funds can be used for purchasing real estate as well as for other financial instruments. A residence permit is not granted for investments below the specified threshold.

Requirements for applicants

The applicant must confirm their financial stability, as well as have no criminal record or serious medical conditions. To extend the residence permit in Andorra, the applicant and their family must be present in the country for at least...three months a yearThus, the process of obtaining a residence permit in these countries requires careful preparation and the fulfillment of certain conditions.

Residence permit in Andorra

Obtaining a residence permit in Andorra provides access to free movement only within countries like Spain, France, and Portugal. For travel to other European Union states, a visa is required.

Immigration to Germany

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Germany, especially without the possibility of employment, is quite complicated. According to paragraph 7 of immigration law, "justifiable reasons" can serve as the basis for issuing a residence permit in this country.

Although there is no specific list of acceptable reasons, practice shows that the applicant's financial stability can indeed be one of the factors influencing the decision.

• Lack of clear guidelines on the minimum income level.
• It is necessary to demonstrate either stable income, a significant amount in a bank account, or ownership in a business.

The main thing is to demonstrate your ability to support yourself independently and the lack of intention to seek employment in Germany. The residence permit is issued for one year, with the possibility of extending it twice, with intervals of two years.

Knowledge of the German language is not a mandatory requirement, nor is there a need to stay in the country for a specific period of time. After five years of legal residence, one can begin the process of applying for permanent residency.

Immigration to Greece

As for Greece, there is also a special program that allows individuals with financial independence to obtain a residence permit. This includes not only the individuals themselves but also their family members who have passive income from abroad, such as from bank deposits or rental income.

It is important that such income is sufficient to cover all living expenses. Active income, such as salaries, is not taken into account in this case, as it does not demonstrate financial stability for immigration to Greece.

• The minimum required annual income for the main applicant is 24,000 euros.
• An additional 4800 euros should be considered for spouses.
• 3600 euros for each child.

It is also essential to have health insurance and no criminal records for all family members. In Greece, a residence permit with restrictions on employment is issued for a period of one year, with the possibility of annual renewal.

After five years of living in the country, you can apply for permanent residency and then for citizenship. Usually, the decision-making process for issuing a residence permit takes about three to four months.

Immigration to Spain

In Spain, a residence permit without the right to work is granted to those who have sufficient financial resources and own real estate worth at least 150,000 euros.

The second important component in this case is the financial stability of the applicant, which is also a crucial factor considered during the legalization of their stay in the country. These programs offer a chance to create new housing and start a life in one of the sunniest and most attractive countries in Europe.

Each of the aforementioned countries offers unique opportunities for immigration, each with its own laws and requirements that can vary significantly from one another.

Obtaining a residence permit in Spain

In Spain, there is no precisely established legal norm defining the minimum amount of funds required to obtain a residence permit. However, general practice shows that having accessible housing does not affect the chances of successfully obtaining this status.

Instead of investing in real estate, potential immigrants may consider the option of long-term renting. However, one of the key requirements is having a stable annual income, which for the main applicant must be at least€26 thousandAn additional amount is added for each dependent family member.€6,500.

Sources of income can be diverse:

• active, such as salary,
• passive income, for example, from dividends, rent, or interest on deposits.

It is important to note that such income may come from outside of Spain. Also, all family members listed in the application are required to havemedical insurance.

The residence permit is initially issued for one year, with the possibility of extending it twice for two years each time.

Introduction

Currently, many people with high qualifications and independent financial status are interested in the possibility of obtaining a residence permit or permanent residency outside their country. Among the popular destinations offering such opportunities are Cyprus, Malta, Monaco, and France.

Cyprus

Cyprus is at the forefront for those looking to obtain permanent residency. This place, although perceived as a resort destination, offers various options for financially independent individuals. To obtain permanent residency, you need to either purchase property or sign a long-term lease agreement. For example, if you want to settle on the picturesque island of Gozo or in the southern part of Cyprus, you will need at least€220,000for purchase, the rent will be around€8,750per year. However, if you have chosen Nicosia, then the amount for the purchase increases to€275,000and the cost of annual rent reaches€9,600.

Tax obligations

It is also worth paying attention to tax obligations:

• Everyone who wishes to participate must pay a fixed tax of€15,000per year.
• It is necessary to make a payment.15%from the amount of capital they bring into the country, if the conditions for preventing double taxation do not apply.
• The applicant is required to confirm their intention to make Cyprus their permanent residence, thereby not staying in other countries for more than six months a year.

Malta

As for Malta, only those who are not citizens of EU countries can obtain permanent residence visas here. To get a residence permit that does not allow you to work, you need to either buy property or sign a long-term rental contract. If you want to move to Malta, for example, to the island of Gozo or its southern regions, you will need a minimum amount for the purchase.€220,000, and for rent —€8,750per year. These amounts for the capital, Valletta, are€275,000and€9,600accordingly.

Tax aspects

Each applicant is also required to pay a fixed annual tax of€15,000and also15%from the amount of capital that is planned to be brought in. It is important to confirm the intention to make Malta your primary residence, which implies not residing in other countries for more than180 daysin the year.

Monaco

As for Monaco, residency can only be obtained by wealthy individuals. To do this, one must either purchase real estate or enter into a long-term rental agreement, as well as open a bank account with a deposit of at least€500,000In the future, the minimum amount may be increased to€1,000,000Those moving to Monaco should also arrange health insurance for themselves and their family members.

Procedure for submitting documents

It is worth noting that the documents for obtaining a residence permit must be submitted in person on the territory of Monaco, after obtaining an immigration visa, which can be obtained at the French consulate in your city. To maintain your status, you need to stay in the country for at least183 daysin the year.

France

In France, there is an option to obtain a residence permit through the so-called "visitor visa." This can be obtained by foreigners who own property or have a long-term lease in the country and have sufficient financial means to be independent from the local labor market. The minimum amount of required funds starts from€2,000per month for the primary applicant, plus additional requirements for dependents should be taken into account.

Sources of income

Possible sources of income may include:

• Deposits in local financial institutions.
• Profit from business outside of France.

Residence status

This visa grants permission to stay for one year, after which the status can be extended if the applicant has spent at leastsix monthsAfter five years in this status, you will be able to apply for permanent residency in France.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that residency programs in various countries without the right to work open up many opportunities for financially independent individuals who are ready to live abroad. Each country discussed in this article—whether it’s Austria, Andorra, Germany, Greece, or Spain—offers its unique conditions and requirements, but they all share one common factor: to successfully obtain residency, it is essential to have significant financial resources.

An important aspect is understanding that although these programs do not grant the right to work, they can serve as an excellent foundation for building a new life in another country. For example, in Austria and Greece, you will need to prove the existence of a regular passive income, which requires careful planning and financial stability. At the same time, Andorra offers the opportunity to invest in the country's economy, which can also be an interesting option for those considering alternative sources of income.

Moreover, the requirement to know the language, as in the case of Austria and Germany, demands not only financial investments from applicants but also active efforts to integrate into a new cultural environment. This further emphasizes the importance of preparation and awareness of all aspects related to immigration.

The main requirements for obtaining a residence permit:

• The presence of passive income (pensions, income from investments).
• Absence of a criminal recordand strict medical contraindications.
• Knowledge of the languageif this is required.
• Real estate availabilityor corresponding investments.

Of course, each of the listed options has its pros and cons, and to make a successful choice, it is essential to consider personal circumstances such as family status, children's ages, and lifestyle preferences. In this context, it is important not to rush into a decision but to carefully analyze all available options to choose the most suitable path for a new life.

Ultimately, realizing the dream of living abroad requires a serious approach and thoughtful choices. Therefore, I strongly recommend that all potential immigrants seek professional help from lawyers and consultants who can competently guide them in the right direction and help avoid common mistakes. This way, you can make the most of the opportunities available and start a new chapter in your life, wherever it may be.