Establishing a foothold in Europe has become a primary goal for many people and families from India. The prospect of being able to move globally, a higher standard of living, access to high quality education and health care, and a secured future make Europe attractive. One of the easiest and fastest routes to get there is a Golden Visa, which is residency by investment granting you a residence permit in exchange for an investment that meets qualification criteria. The term visa might seem exclusory, but there are plenty of options for the cheapest Golden Visa in Europe, allowing a wider range of investors to achieve this goal.
It’s important to note that while some programs may have a very low investment minimum, these may have additional costs (such as contributions to government funds or annual fees) which need to be accounted for to find the complete cost and the total cost. Here we are specifically looking at programs that have the most accessible entry points, providing a passport to the cheapest permanent residency in Europe as a non-EU citizen.
Here are a few of the most accessible Golden Visa Programmes across Europe – focusing on their financial requirements and benefits.
Greece: An Evolving Golden Visa Program
Historically, the Greece Golden Visa was one of the cheapest Golden Visas In Europe. Recently, Greece has updated the program to add a tiered investment structure to address demand in popular areas. There are now different investment amounts based on the type and location of the property.
Below are the three tiers for real estate investment in Greece.
€800,000: The minimum investment for properties in locations with very high demand like central Athens, Thessaloniki, and popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini is €800,000.
€400,000: For properties in all other parts of Greece, the minimum investment is €400,000. These are typically in less-populated areas and smaller towns.
€250,000: This is the Greece Golden Visa cheapest option. It is exclusively for specific types of properties, such as those undergoing full renovation or those being converted from commercial to residential use. This option is available regardless of the property’s location.
Beyond real estate, there are other investment routes, such as a capital contribution of €500,000 in a Greek business or a fixed-term deposit with a Greek credit institution. The primary benefit of the Greek Golden Visa is the absence of a minimum stay requirement. This makes it an ideal option for investors who are not ready to immediately relocate but desire the option to travel visa-free within the Schengen Area. The residence permit is renewable every five years as long as the investment is held. After seven years of residence, applicants can apply for Greek citizenship, assuming they satisfy the integration criteria.
Portugal: A Popular Choice with New Avenues
Portugal’s Golden Visa has, for many years, been one of the most popular European Golden Visa Programs. Although real estate investment is no longer a valid route for new applicants, the program has changed its model towards capital and fund investments, with some options being low cost and providing a Low-cost Golden Visa programs Europe pathway.
The minimum investment amount for the program is €250,000 for a donation to an arts, culture or national heritage Project, and a second widely used option is an investment of €500,000 into a specific qualifying private equity or venture capital fund. These funds do not invest in real estate, instead, they take investor capital and provides capital to Portuguese companies. This change makes the program more attractive to an investor purpose who want a return on their investment through a diversified portfolio of investments.
The Portuguese Golden Visa provides a significant benefit with a low stay requirement of only 7 days per year, which is one of the lowest in Europe, and is a perfect program for investors wanting to keep their original residence in India after a five year period of maintaining the investment and satisfactory basic language and civics requirements to apply for Portuguese citizenship for themselves and their family.
Italy: A New Option for Indian Investors
Italy’s Golden Visa, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, offers an excellent pathway to European residency with multiple investment options. Although it does not offer an outright property purchase, it does offer a clear and efficient pathway for anyone wishing to live, work, and study in one of Europe’s largest economies.
The minimal investment required is a €250,000 investment into an innovative Italian startup. this option is especially attractive to entrepreneurs and those interested in helping new, growing businesses. Other investment alternatives include investing €500,000 into a limited company, making a €1 million charitable donation to a public interested project or investing €2 million in Italian government bonds.
The Italian golden visa offers a simple path to permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten years. Its benefit is that it does not have a minimum stay requirement to maintain residency allowing maximum flexibility. The application process is usually very fast, as the “Nulla Osta” (certificate of no impediment) is usually issued within 30 days.
Read more: Which European country is the easiest to get a Golden Visa?
How FRR Immigration Can Help
Getting a Golden Visa can be difficult with so many legal, financial and logistic areas to consider. At FRR Immigration, we have substantial experience in delivering immigration by investment solutions for Indian clients. Our team has the best knowledge of the nuances of various Golden Visa Programs in Europe, and will support you through each step of the process.
Complete Consultation and Strategy: Our process begins with complete consultation about your individual circumstances and the financial goals. We then look to the cheapest Golden Visas In Europe that can meet your requirements. We will provide objective and clear information on the investment options, benefits, and requirements for the programs.
Document Compilation and Application Submission: There are significant amounts of documents needed for these programs, and documentation must be precise. Our team will assist with the rigorous compilation, translations, and authenticated documents in the application. Our job is to compile and submit a strong application so you can have a smooth process with the respective government authority.
Investment Support: We work with an experienced network of trusted partners, including developers, financial fund managers, and legal professionals to help you identify a qualified investment. Whether you want the cheapest Greece Golden Visa option, or fund investment in Portugal. We can help you complete your investment for the Greece Golden Visa option or fund investment in Portugal, it will depend on the financial requirements of each program.
Ongoing support: Our service does not stop once your application is in. We maintain complete support to you during the time of your visa application and afterwards with any of your requirements, including permit renewals and applications for your family. Our goal is to assist you in making your integration to Europe as seamless as we can.
Read more: Which EU country has the cheapest golden visa?
Conclusion
The belief in a European future is as attainable as it has ever been, with various Golden Visa programs giving a realistic and affordable chance to obtain residency. By understanding the different investment options available to you and selecting the one that meets your needs, you can unlock a new world of opportunities for you and your family. If you are looking to explore and find the cheapest residency by investment in Europe, get in touch with FRR Immigration today for a customized consultation.
