Golden visa programs trade a qualifying investment for residence or citizenship, and the list of programs that still work has shrunk fast. Spain, Malta’s citizenship route and Portugal’s property route are closed, while Greece, Italy, the UAE and the Caribbean still take applications. This guide compares what is open as of October 2026, what it costs, and where each route leads.
Last checked against official sources in October 2026.
Not sure you need an investment route at all? Take the free WhereToNomad quiz first, because most remote workers are better served by an income-based visa.
Golden Visa Programs vs Nomad Visas
Residency by investment is not a nomad visa. A nomad visa asks you to prove steady remote income and lasts one to three years. Golden visa programs ask you to lock up capital, often for five years or more, and give you a longer permit and sometimes a route to a passport.
- Cost. Nomad visas cost fees and insurance. Golden visa programs start around 200,000 euros or dollars.
- Stay rules. Many golden visa programs require almost no time in the country. Nomad visas assume you live there.
- Risk. Your money sits in property, a fund or a donation, and a donation is gone for good.
If you earn remotely and simply want a legal base, compare the best digital nomad visas for Americans before spending six figures.
Golden Visa Programs Still Open in 2026
Greece
Greece is the most active of the European golden visa programs. Under its tiered system, the main property thresholds are 250,000 euros for converting a commercial building or restoring a listed heritage building, 400,000 euros in lower-demand mainland areas and small islands, and 800,000 euros in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and similar zones. A 250,000 euro startup route also exists. Fund, deposit and bond routes run from 350,000 to 800,000 euros, per an industry summary of Law 5100/2024 and Law 5275/2026.
The Greek migration ministry confirms the 250,000 euro threshold and a 2,000 euro renewal fee, and says you must keep the asset. There is no minimum stay. Citizenship is possible after seven years with a B1 Greek test, but it is not guaranteed. See our Greece nomad visa page for the cheaper option.
Portugal
Among European golden visa programs, Portugal’s property route is closed: real estate has not qualified since 7 October 2023. The fund and activity routes remain open, including 500,000 euros in an eligible fund held five years, 250,000 euros for an arts or heritage donation, and 500,000 euros for scientific research. The stay rule is light, at 7 days in the first year and 14 days per following two years. The big change is citizenship: under Organic Law 1/2026 it now takes 10 years for non-EU residents, with transitional rules for pending cases. Industry reports put processing at 18 to 24 months to biometrics.
Italy
Italy’s Investor Visa is one of the stricter golden visa programs and excludes real estate. Choose one category: 2,000,000 euros in government bonds, 1,000,000 euros as a philanthropic donation, 500,000 euros in an operating company, or 250,000 euros in an innovative startup. The permit runs two years, then renews for three while the investment stays. Naturalization takes 10 years and B1 Italian. See the Italy country page for the nomad option.
Malta and Cyprus
Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme is one of the golden visa programs that gives residence only. It needs a 375,000 euro purchase or a lease of at least 14,000 euros a year, plus about 99,000 euros in government fees. There is no minimum stay. Cyprus offers permanent residence for a 300,000 euro plus VAT property purchase, 50,000 euros a year of foreign income, and a visit at least once every two years, per a 2026 market guide.
UAE
The official UAE government portal lists a 10-year golden visa for AED 2 million in public investments and a 5-year version for real estate at the same capital. Holders may stay abroad longer than six months. It gives residence only. Our Dubai digital nomad visa guide covers the cheaper route.
Hungary and Panama
Hungary runs one of the newest golden visa programs, its Guest Investor Program, which needs 250,000 euros in an approved real estate fund held five years, or a 1,000,000 euro university donation. Direct property purchases were removed. The 10-year card is not permanent residence, which takes three years of real residence. One source flagged political uncertainty after the spring 2026 elections.
Panama’s Friendly Nations route asks 200,000 dollars in real estate or a bank deposit, with permanent status after two provisional years and citizenship after five more. One promotional source said the qualified investor property minimum rises from 300,000 to 500,000 dollars after 15 October 2026. We could not confirm that officially, so check Panama’s immigration service.
Golden Visa Programs That Closed or Changed
- Spain: The golden visa ended on 3 April 2025. Existing visas stay valid to expiry, with renewals under the rules of the original filing.
- Portugal property: Closed since October 2023.
- Malta citizenship: On 29 April 2025 the EU Court of Justice ruled in Case C-181/23 that Malta’s investor citizenship scheme breached EU law. The route is suspended and replaced by a discretionary merit process.
- Cyprus citizenship: Cancelled on 1 November 2020. Residence by investment continues.
Citizenship by Investment: Caribbean and Turkey
Some golden visa programs hand you a passport directly. Figures below come from each government unit where we could open it.
- Dominica: 200,000 dollars single, 250,000 for a family of up to four, plus processing, due diligence and interview fees, per the Dominica CBIU.
- Antigua and Barbuda: 230,000 dollars plus a 10,000 dollar government fee for a single applicant, per the Antigua CIU.
- St Kitts and Nevis: 250,000 dollars plus a 10,000 dollar due diligence fee, per the St Kitts Citizenship Unit.
- Grenada and Saint Lucia: industry guides list about 235,000 and 240,000 dollars. The official sites we opened did not state a clear price, so confirm directly.
None requires residence to obtain citizenship. Antigua’s law asks for five days in five years, and an industry source reports a bill tabled 14 July 2026 to require 30 days. All five now interview applicants. Industry reports say the US has partially restricted visas for Antigua and Dominica nationals since 1 January 2026, so check passport strength first.
Turkey grants citizenship for a 400,000 dollar property held three years, or 500,000 dollars in deposits, bonds, funds or business investment, per a 2026 industry guide. We could not confirm this on an official Turkish page, so verify it.
Golden Visa Programs Compared
This table sets the main golden visa programs side by side by status, cost, stay rule and path to a passport.
| Program | Status Oct 2026 | Minimum | Gives | Stay rule | Path to passport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | Open | 250,000 to 800,000 euros | Residency | None | 7 years |
| Portugal | Funds open, property closed | 250,000 to 500,000 euros | Residency | 7 days, then 14 per 2 years | 10 years |
| Spain | Closed April 2025 | None | None | None | None |
| Italy | Open | 250,000 to 2,000,000 euros | Residency | None | 10 years |
| Malta | Residence open | 375,000 euros plus fees | Permanent residence | None | None via investment |
| Cyprus | Residence open | 300,000 euros plus VAT | Permanent residence | Visit every 2 years | Residence-based |
| UAE | Open | AED 2 million | Residency | Flexible | None |
| Hungary | Open, policy risk | 250,000 euros | 10-year residence | None | About 8 years |
| Panama | Open | 200,000 dollars | Residency | Enter every 2 years | 5 years after permanent status |
| Turkey | Open | 400,000 dollars | Citizenship | None | Immediate |
| Caribbean five | Open | 200,000 to 250,000 dollars | Citizenship | Minimal | Immediate |
Due Diligence and Risks
Every one of these golden visa programs runs background checks, and due diligence fees are not refundable if you fail. Expect source-of-funds documents, police certificates from each country where you lived, and interviews in the Caribbean. Use only government-listed agents or lawyers, and never wire money to an individual.
Golden visa programs also carry market risk. Property can fall, funds can underperform, and Portuguese and Hungarian fund routes lock your money for five years. The rules of golden visa programs change with little notice, as Spain and Malta show, so do not borrow for a route that depends on a policy staying put.
Tax Residency Consequences
A permit alone usually does not make you a tax resident, but around 183 days a year often does. Under most golden visa programs, tax residency follows time spent in the country, and Hungary, Turkey and Italy all use the 183-day mark as a test. An American holding a Portuguese fund may face passive foreign investment company reporting, and US citizens stay taxable at home wherever they live. Read our guide to digital nomad taxes for Americans, and hire a cross-border tax adviser before committing capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are golden visa programs still available in 2026?
Yes, several are. Greece, Italy, Portugal’s fund route, the UAE, Panama, Hungary and the Caribbean citizenship programs are open, while Spain’s golden visa and Malta’s citizenship route have closed.
What is the cheapest of the golden visa programs?
Dominica’s citizenship program starts at 200,000 dollars for a single applicant. For residence, Panama’s Friendly Nations route asks 200,000 dollars and Greece starts at 250,000 euros for conversions and restorations.
Does a golden visa let me live and work anywhere in Europe?
No. A European golden visa gives residence in one country plus Schengen travel of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It does not give you the right to live or work elsewhere in the EU.
Is a golden visa better than a digital nomad visa?
Only if you want long-term residence, a path to citizenship or family security and can afford the capital. If you simply want a legal base while working remotely, a nomad visa costs far less.
Can I lose a golden visa?
Yes. You can lose it by selling the qualifying asset early, missing renewal conditions, breaching rental rules, or if checks reveal problems with your background or source of funds.
Also read: Best Digital Nomad Visa for Americans in 2026 | Digital Nomad Visa vs Tourist Visa: Why It Matters in 2026 | Citizenship by Descent: Which Countries Offer It | Best Passports in the World 2026
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