Across the world, more than 80 sovereign nations offer some form of migration by investment. Throughout this guide, we鈥檒l have a close look at the investment visa, immigration by investment, and the ins and outs of acquiring citizenship through investment.
If you鈥檙e considering moving to a new country, investment immigration could very well prove to be beneficial to you. In fact, this is a path that many business owners, innovators, and other high-net-worth individuals have embraced in recent years.
Before we explore the complexities of migration and investment, it鈥檚 important to understand exactly what this all entails.
What’s in This Article?
Understanding Investment Migration
Put simply, investment migration happens when individuals receive residency and/or citizenship after making financial investments in their country of choice. This is handled through the form of immigration by investment programs, which often strongly emphasize entrepreneurship and economic contributions.聽
Across the globe, many Organisation For Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries have baked investment migration programs into their official immigration systems.聽
All in all, investment immigration is designed to be mutually advantageous for nations and individuals alike. This is why investor visa countries are increasingly popular destinations for people looking to relocate.
Benefits of Investment Migration Programs
The benefits of migration by investment programs, for both nations and individuals alike, cannot be overstated.
Benefits for the Nation(s)
From the government鈥檚 point of view, they鈥檙e seeing substantial upticks in revenue. These are funds that can then be directed towards the country鈥檚 education, healthcare, general infrastructure, or other crucial sectors. The additional capital likewise paves the way for additional jobs among existing citizens.聽
Offering an investment visa is a smart business strategy too. This attracts enterprise leaders and others who will bring innovation, corporate tax revenue, and more to the nation. Further sweetening the deal, investor visa countries become well-known as great destinations for other lucrative power players to call home.
Benefits for the Investor(s)
Individuals who receive residency or citizenship by investment enjoy a lot of perks. For starters, the opportunity allows them to protect their assets and diversify their wealth. Many of the world鈥檚 most popular investor visa countries also come with powerful passports that permit visa free travel. This is most common across nations in the European Union.聽
Investment immigration programs are known for their tax benefits as well. This explains why countries like Portugal and Spain are among the most prominent investment migration options. Because of these tax benefits, foreign investors can typically save on capital gains and have more revenue to put back into their businesses. Over the long term, this goes a long way toward building and sustaining wealth.
Dual pathways: Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
Amid explaining migration by investment benefits in this guide, we鈥檇 be remiss not to cover Citizenship by Investment (CBI). This is a path by which individuals receive citizenship in a country by making a significant financial contribution to this country鈥檚 economy. In some cases, the program also allows the investor鈥檚 family members to receive citizenship through investment.聽
In these scenarios, the investor (and their families, if applicable) harbor dual citizenship, as they鈥檙e citizens of both their home nations and the country they鈥檝e invested in. Over the years, CBI has become immensely popular among business owners and other wealthy individuals.
Dual pathways: Residency by Investment (RBI)
A similar scenario holds true with Residency by Investment (RBI). As a premier benefit of certain investment visa countries, investors receive residency in an applicable country once they鈥檝e made a financial investment.聽
However, there are some important differences between RBI and CBI. Residency by Investment permits the individual to live in the country for a specified amount of time (which can vary from place to place). In many cases, RBI countries then offer permanent residency or citizenship later down the line.聽
In most cases, CBI happens directly, whereas RBI can require more time.
Prominent Investment Migration Options
At this point, we鈥檝e explored some key components of migration and investment. In doing so, this guide has covered the benefits of investment migration, while noting the differences between Citizenship by Investment vs. Residency by Investment.聽
Now, we鈥檒l have a look at some of the world鈥檚 most popular investment visa countries and their specific guidelines for immigration by investment.
Austria Citizenship by Investment
In Austria, citizenship by investment guidelines have to be adhered to in order to qualify for citizenship through foreign investment. To date, any investments made must consist of joint ventures, foster export sales, and/or go towards a company that creates new employment opportunities for the public. Austria does not accept real estate contributions or government bonds as qualifications for an investment visa.
Greece Golden Visa
Greece Golden Visa is available to non-European Union citizens, Greece鈥檚 residency by investment allows individuals to invest in either real estate or government bonds. To qualify for residency, the minimum real estate contributions can range between 鈧�250,000 to 鈧�800,000, depending on the type and locality of property. For government bonds, persons seeking the investment visa may need to make contributions that range between a minimum investment of聽 鈧�350,000 to 鈧�800,000.
Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal鈥檚 residence by investment program is available to non-European Union citizens who make a minimum donation of 鈧�250,000 or make a fund investment of 鈧�500,000 in either business ventures or via capital transfers. With this investment visa comes five years of residency, along with the right to study and work in Portugal. After this five-year period ends, the investor can apply to obtain citizenship.
Spain Golden Visa
As one of the most popular investor visa countries, Spain offers residency by investment in either real estate, business development, or via capital transfer. 鈧�500,000 is the minimum contribution for migration by investment visa real estate. In the case of business development or capital transfers, the minimum increases to 鈧�1 million.聽
Italy Golden Visa
Italy鈥檚 investment immigration process offers residency by investment through its Italy Golden Visa in the country鈥檚 economy. Accepted minimums range between 鈧�250,000 to 鈧�2 million, with accepted investments including those made in Italian shares, projects of public interest, or government bonds. When pursuing migration by investment in Italy, the individual鈥檚 spouse, dependents, and children can seek a visa without needing to make additional contributions.聽聽
Hungary Golden Visa
Residence by investment in Hungary provides a ten-year renewable residence permit to individuals who make qualifying contributions. These contributions must include at least 鈧�250,000 in registered real estate capital or 鈧�500,000 in the country鈥檚 real estate. Investments in public interest projects totaling at least 鈧�1 million are also acceptable for a Hungarian investment visa.聽聽聽
Thailand Privilege Residence Program
In Thailand, residence by investment is offered to individuals who contribute at least THB 50,000 to THB 650,000 to the Thailand Privilege Residence Program or the Long Term Residence Program. Through this program, investors are granted 10 to 20 years of residency in the country, along with tax benefits, privileged treatment, and the right to include a spouse or dependent on the visa.聽
Key Drivers of Investment Migration
Across Europe and other parts of the world, it鈥檚 easy to see that investor visa countries appeal to entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals capable of impressive contributions. At this point in the guide, we鈥檒l have a thorough review of four key facts that promote immigration by investment.
Globalization
Amid the rise of globalization, many people are eager to relocate to places with better opportunities, tax breaks, and a higher quality of life. Globalization, at its best, tends to open up additional employment markets and further cross-border investments. For entrepreneurs who run international businesses, relocating to a different country can yield a major return on investment.聽聽
Political Stability
Migration and investment are also strongly impacted by a desire for political stability. Across various nations, most people want to live in safe places run by functional governments. Over the years, this has played a role in some people leaving the United States for investor visa countries like Portugal and Italy.
Economic Opportunities
Immigration by investment wouldn鈥檛 be what it is today without the economic opportunities that come along with it. When moving from one country to another, individuals tend to consider factors, such as cost of living, tax breaks, and job market availability. For high-net-worth individuals, economic opportunities likewise remain critical to diversifying their portfolios and furthering wealth.聽
Education and Healthcare Access
Many countries that allow migration by investment also offer taxpayer-funded education and healthcare. For people who don鈥檛 want to pay out of pocket for these services, they鈥檙e oftentimes inclined to relocate to an EU nation. Over the years, access to healthcare and education has played a significant role in the amount of Americans moving overseas.聽
Essential Terminology in Investment Migration
The investment visa is undoubtedly an attractive feature of many countries around the world. Though even in top destinations like Greece and Hungary, anyone seeking permanent residency or citizenship through investment has to undergo due diligence. Some countries also afford individuals to go through the naturalization process after a certain amount of time.
Due Diligence
Due diligence is an in-depth, thorough report on any individuals attempting investment immigration. As part of the process, individuals must submit documentation that verifies proof of funds for their financial contribution. Investor visa countries are likewise known for requiring criminal background checks and other documentation to confirm good character.聽
In most cases, the entire due diligence process takes about three months. Persons attempting immigration by investment, of course, have to provide various records on their own. However, the governments receiving said records need to review them and then conduct certain assessments.聽
Individuals who are unable to pass the due diligence process will not be able to proceed with residency or citizenship through investment.
Naturalization
Many investor visa countries allow people to go through the naturalization process after they鈥檝e resided in said country for a certain amount of years. Depending on the nation you鈥檝e chosen, successfully naturalizing as a citizen may require passing certain language tests, holding specific permits, and maintaining a clean criminal record.聽
Investment Strategies
Migration by investment is available via some key avenues. As we鈥檝e seen in this guide so far, many of the most popular destinations allow high-net-worth individuals to invest in real estate, government bonds, businesses, or projects of public interest. Some even permit simple capital transfers, so long as the funds meet (or exceed) a specific minimum.聽
Over the years, real estate has continued to be one of the more popular investment strategies across multiple investor visa countries.聽
Challenges in Investment Migration
While residency and citizenship through investment come with major benefits and opportunities, we鈥檇 be remiss not to explore the challenges as well. This is a long-term commitment and anyone who鈥檚 seeking an investment visa should be clear-eyed about all this entails.
Legal Complexity
Immigration by investment is an inherently complicated process that you shouldn鈥檛 attempt to undergo fully by yourself. This is why many people dealing with migration and investment hire legal counsel to assist them.聽
Having a qualified attorney by your side is invaluable, especially as you鈥檙e handling investment structuring, tax planning, and other complex matters. Without legal counsel, on the other hand, it鈥檚 easy to run into avoidable problems and setbacks.
Market Volatility
The markets can be up one day and down the next, depending on your home country and the nation you鈥檙e relocating to. In fact, the rise of globalization has engendered rising levels of interconnectedness between various markets.聽
Even for affluent individuals, volatile markets can prove challenging, especially for those seeking lucrative returns on investment over long time periods. Businesses, too, tend to feel the heat during times of upheaval.聽
Anyone who鈥檚 considering investment immigration should understand that the markets aren鈥檛 always predictable, especially across international borders.
Conclusion and Future Trends
In this guide so far, we鈥檝e analyzed prominent investment migration countries, the benefits of residency or citizenship through investment, key drivers of migration by investment, and more. Regionally, Europe is one of the world鈥檚 most popular destinations for immigration by investment. However, that鈥檚 quickly expanding, as seen by places like Thailand making the list of popular investment visa countries.
In the years ahead, this form of immigration will likely continue. Investors, entrepreneurs, and others with affluence are increasingly seeking out global citizenry. They also want the various tax breaks, real estate opportunities, social services, and other perks that investor visa countries offer.聽
If you, or someone you know, is considering investment migration, feel free to share this guide with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What country lets you buy citizenship?
You can obtain citizenship by investing through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. These programs allow you to invest in a country’s economy in exchange for citizenship. Here are some of the popular citizenship by investment countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
- St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program
- St Kitts Citizenship by Investment Program
- Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program
- Malta Citizenship by Investment Program
- Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program
- Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program
Discover more about citizenship by investment programs here.
Which countries allow dual citizenship by investment?
Many countries that offer CBI programs also allow dual citizenship. This means you can keep your original citizenship while obtaining a new one through investment. Check聽out our article 鈥�How many dual citizenships can you have?鈥� to learn听尘辞谤别.
Which European countries offer residency by investment?
Several European countries provide residency-by-investment (RBI) programs. These schemes offer you a residence visa in exchange for a major investment in the country’s economy. Some popular European countries that provide RBI programs are:聽聽聽
- Portugal Golden Visa聽
- Spain Golden Visa聽
- Greece Golden Visa聽
- Spain Golden Visa聽
- Italy Golden Visa聽
- Hungary Golden Visa聽
Can Americans get Golden Visa in European countries?
Yes, as an American, you can apply for a Golden Visa Program in various European countries. However, the particular standards and eligibility criteria differ between countries.
