'European Golden Visas - How to get EU Permanent Residence through investment'

Golden Visa is an immigration program that grants wealthy individuals permission to live in another country in exchange for a significant investment. A golden passport, on the other hand, is a program that grants citizenship and a passport to the country in which someone has invested. In both cases, the investor (usually) does not need to reside permanently in the country in which they have invested.

To get a Golden Visa or Golden Passport in Europe

your investment must be quite large, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Considering the amount of money involved and the fact that the investment is in another country, this can be overwhelming.

K''will require approximately seven to ten years of continuous residence.

The Golden Passport programs are a simplified way of obtaining an EU passport in exchange for an investment. Investors in a Golden Passport program do not have to live in the EU member state in which they invested to obtain citizenship, but EU citizenship does not come instantly. For example, Portugal (which is one of the most popular Golden Passport programs in Europe) grants citizenship five years after the initial investment.

Only Portugal and Bulgaria offer the option of a second passport to investors who are not permanent residents.

Requirements for Golden Visa and Golden Passport

Requirements for obtaining''A Golden Visa or Golden Passport can vary from country to country, but usually includes the following:

• You must own money intended for investment.
• The money must be legally obtained.
• You must have no criminal record.
• You must be able to support yourself and your family members for the period you plan to reside in the country.

Do the same conditions apply to family members?

In most cases, the Golden Visa or Golden Passport is issued to the principal investor as well as his/her immediate family members (spouse and children).

How much investment is required for a Golden Visa?

The amount of money you need to invest,''To be eligible for a Golden Visa, it depends on the country.

Some countries, such as Spain, Portugal or Greece, offer residency when investing in real estate, companies, government bonds or certain industries in the country. In these cases, the amount of money required for the investment usually does not exceed €500,000.

On the other hand, there are EU countries such as Switzerland, Italy and Austria that require more active investment methods such as job creation. The investment requirements in these countries are higher.

The experts at La Vida - Golden Visas can help you choose the most appropriate type of investment for you.

Can I get a loan to pay for my Golden Visa?

No, you can't.

Of course, if you plan to buy a property, a mortgage may be allowed, depending on the country. You still have to pay a minimum amount of money in cash, and for anything over the required minimum amount, you may be able to get a mortgage or loan. Keep in mind, however, that specific rules change from country to country, so this may not always be true.

Which EU countries offer Gold visas and investment programs?

EU countries offering Golden Visas, Golden Passports and other residency by investment programs,''include:

• Spain
• Portugal
• Greece
• Italy
• Malta
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Belgium
• Germany
• Bulgaria
• Ireland

Comparison of the most popular ES

Portugal:

• Minimum investment: €250,000
• Investment options: real estate, investment fund or capital transfer
• Residency requirements for renewal of the residence permit: seven to fourteen days per year
• Citizenship: after five years (residence not required)

Spain:

• Minimum investment: €500,000
• Investment options: real estate, Spanish government debt'. 'or investment in a company
• Residency requirements for residence permit renewal: no residency requirements
• Citizenship: after ten years of residence

Greece:

• Minimum investment: €500,000
• Investment options: real estate, Greek government bonds, investment in a Greek company or deposits in a Greek bank
• Residency requirements for the renewal of the residence permit: no residency requirements
• Citizenship: after seven years of residence

Malta:

• Minimum investment: €600,000
• Investment options: investment in Malta Development Trust Fund
• Residency requirements for permit renewal''Residence: additional real estate investments and philanthropic contributions are required
• Citizenship: between 12 and 36 months of residency

Other EU countries also offer their own Golden Visa programs, with different requirements and investment options.

Do countries outside the EU offer Golden Visas?

Yes, several countries outside the European Union also offer Gold visas. These include:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Canada
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• United States of America
• Turkey
• United Kingdom

If you're not sure which country is right for''your investment, you can turn to the experts from La Vida - Golden Visas. They are a consulting company offering over 18 programs worldwide and can help you choose the best program considering your family structure, country of residence and funding. Their experts and consultants can facilitate residency and citizenship through international real estate investments.