Vision— the ability to look forward and secure not only the advantages of today, but the certainties of tomorrow — is the key to modern-day success in the UAE. For the savvy entrepreneur, experienced professional, or globally-minded family, vision may mean securing your “Plan B,” establishing a second base, or simply expanding your footprint. This is where residency by investment countries — colloquially called golden visa programs — become invaluable.
It’s more than a visa— it is an insurance policy, a diversification strategy, and a way to enjoy an enhanced quality of life, and to increase global mobility for the whole family. With programs in 2026 continuously evolving, it is important to know the most secure, flexible, and favorable possibilities.
This strong guide outlines the Top Residency by Investment Countries in 2026, and highlights the most appealing pathways to achieve permanent residency through investment providing endless new opportunities and horizons, from your base in the Emirates.
Europe: The Gold Standard for Global Mobility 🇪🇺
Europe continues to be the most attractive destination for investment immigration in the world, due to the tremendous benefits of the Schengen Area, providing residents and travelers to Europe with almost seamless travel throughout its member states. The most sought-after residency by investment countries in Europe remains desirable among UAE residents looking for entry into Europe as well as a high standard of living.
1. Greece Golden Visa Program
With its appealing real estate investment route and no physical presence requirements, Greece continues to be recognized among the top investment residency countries. This investment program offers a five-year residence permit and is renewable as long as the investment is maintained.
Investment Highlight: The pathway most utilized for second residency is a real estate investment, although the lower minimum amount can vary by geographical area, being at its highest minimum purchase requirement in prime locations like central Athens and prime islands. It is still one of the most accessible property-linked second residency programs in the area.
Key Benefit: The investor and their family are not required to live in Greece to maintain the residency, offering immense logistical ease for those based full-time in the UAE. It grants unlimited visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.
Pathway to Citizenship: Eligibility to apply for Greek citizenship is available after seven years of continuous legal residency, subject to meeting naturalization requirements.
2. Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Malta has a clear and stable pathway to genuine permanent residency through investment within the European Union. As an English-speaking member state, it also offers secure long-term status that is truly valuable.
Investment Highlights: The MPRP is a three-pronged commitment, which represents the aforementioned one-time government contribution (of €58,000), the investment in a property (either purchase or lease), and a charitable donation to a Maltese NGO. The total investment is structured so that you’ll attain immediate permanent status.
Key Benefit: It grants the right to live, settle, and reside in Malta permanently without minimum stay requirements. This represents a significant advantage over many temporary permits. The residence card can be renewed every five years guaranteeing that you are in perpetual status. You will soon see that Malta is certainly one of the strongest residency by investment countries.
Pathway to Citizenship: You can apply for citizenship by naturalization after several years of residency. However, this must be done with all local regulations and processes.
3. Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program (Golden Visa)
Despite the recent changes phasing out residential real estate investments in most significant urban centers, Portugal continues to be a strategic investment for those who want a route to ultimate European citizenship with very minimal stay requirements. The focus has successfully migrated to dynamic invest funds.
Investment Highlight: The preferred route now is transfers into qualifying Portuguese investment funds (Venture Capital or Private Equity) or contributing contributions to scientific research or cultural legacy, typically starting at just €500,000.
Key Benefits: This not only offers visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone but importantly, there is also a clear and attainable route to citizenship after only five years with, on average, just 7 days in presence in the country, and the low threshold certainly makes it one of the most practical golden visa programs for investors who travel frequently.
Pathway to Citizenship: After five years, applicants can apply for citizenship and just need to pass a very basic test, A2 level, of the Portuguese language.
North America & The Gulf: Stability and Global Business Hubs
For those investors whose objectives are to be within a growth economy or extremely high stability in their region, programs outside of European core economies offer some additional benefits in obtaining a strong second residency.
4. United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa
For those individuals and families already in the UAE, the Golden Visa is not a passport, but a greater level of stability within their current home. This can be independence without employment or local sponsor for long-term residency.
Investment Highlight: Popular routes include a real estate investment (e.g., property valued at a minimum of AED 2 million) or a public investment in an approved fund, alongside options for entrepreneurs with specific criteria. The UAE is continuously enhancing its position as the best country for residency by investment in the Middle East.
Key Benefit: Grants a long-term, self-sponsored visa (5 or 10 years). The most significant benefit for those in the UAE is the allowance to spend extended periods outside the country without invalidating the visa—a crucial feature for global business owners. This provides unmatched local stability among residency by investment countries.
Pathway to Citizenship: Eligibility for citizenship is generally restricted to specific, exceptional merit categories or requires a very long-term period of naturalization.
5. United States EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
The purpose of the US EB-5 program is to provide investors with the ultimate gift… a US Green Card (lawful permanent resident through investment). This program is specifically for individuals willing and able to invest significant capital in exchange for the creation of American jobs.
Investment Highlight: An investment of a minimum of $800,000 (in a Targeted Employment Area – TEA) OR $1,050,000 (non-TEA) in a new commercial enterprise or approved Regional Center project that will lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs.
Key Benefit: Offers the unique direct path to US permanent residency through investment, the investor, their spouse, and unmarried children under 21 are eligible to apply. This program is among one of the strongest immigration through investment programs granting full rights to live and work anywhere in the US.
Pathway to Citizenship: Investors can be eligible to apply for US citizenship in about five years from their initial conditional permanent residency.
Strategic Rationale: Why Invest in a Second Residency?
For wealthy individuals and families, the choice of joining a second residency program is looked at as a means to take action against all the economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The decision stems from basic strategic requirements:
Mitigation of risk: Holding real estate and other financial assets in different safe jurisdictions is a large protection against financial risk.
Global unfettered access: A European golden visa program allows for ease of travel across the Schengen jurisdiction, removing the often-complex visa issues creating hurdles for short-term business and leisure travel.
Quality education: Often when securing residency for students, the family receives access to the local public education system, private or otherwise, benefiting long-term to securing a lower cost of attendance at respected institutions of higher education.
Tax advantage: Many residency by investment countries offer favorable tax regimes for new residents which can provide an opportunity for future investment strategies.
The strategic acquisition of a second residency is a decision to gain control, flexibility, and security in an increasingly complex world. The residency by investment countries of 2026 are providing the clearest avenues to achieving this global vision.
Conclusion: Making Your Strategic Move
The options to gain permanent residency through investment in 2026 are extensive and strong. If your top priority is fast-track EU citizenship (Portugal), long-term stability without any stay requirements (Malta, Greece), or the fastest path to the United States (EB-5), there is a distinct and reliable path to follow.
For UAE-based individuals, the key is to assess which of these best countries for residency by investment aligns perfectly with your family’s mobility needs, investment risk tolerance, and long-term goals. Do not rely on outdated information; the rules for these golden visa programs are constantly being refined. Your next move should be guided by expert, up-to-the-minute advice.
The strategic acquisition of a second residency is a decision to gain control, flexibility, and security in an increasingly complex world. The residency by investment countries of 2026 are providing the clearest avenues to achieving this global vision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a Golden Visa, and how is it different from a normal visa?
A: Golden Visa is a common term for a residency by investment program, which grants a long-term or permanent residence permit to non-EU/EEA nationals in exchange for a substantial financial investment in the host country, unlike a normal visa which is temporary and doesn’t require such an investment.
Q2: Are there minimum stay requirements for all residency by investment countries?
A: No, not all residency by investment countries have strict minimum stay requirements. Programs like the Greek Golden Visa and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, and the Portugal Golden Visa (minimal stay) are highly flexible, making them ideal second residency programs for UAE-based individuals.
Q3: Does obtaining residency automatically grant citizenship?
A: Residency does not grant immediate citizenship. It grants the right to live in the country. To achieve citizenship, you typically need to hold the permanent residency through investment for a set number of years (e.g., 5 or 7 years) and meet additional requirements like passing a language or cultural test.
Q4: Can I include my family in my Golden Visa application?
A: Yes, all major countries offering residency by investment allow the main investor to include their immediate family members, such as a spouse and dependent children, in the single application for immigration through investment.
Q5: Which are the best countries for residency by investment in Europe for quick travel?
A: European residency by investment countries like Greece, Malta, and Portugal are excellent choices, as their programs grant immediate visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, providing one of the most powerful global mobility benefits.
