Easy Residency Countries: Where You Can Relocate Without Bureaucratic Headaches

Post sponsored by Immigrant Invest

Moving abroad doesn’t have to be complicated. Investors looking to relocate often worry about endless paperwork and unclear rules. But some countries make it easier. They offer residency programs that are simple, fast, and designed for investors.

Albert Loffe, legal and compliance officer at Immigrant Invest, explains how those work and which countries offer a GoldenVisa.

What Is Residency?

Residency is official permission to live in a country. It doesn’t make you a citizen, but it allows you to stay long-term, open a bank account, rent or buy property, and offer access services like healthcare and education.

Some residencies last one to five years and must be renewed. Others are permanent from the start. Many temporary residencies can lead to permanent residency and later citizenship.

Getting a residence permit doesn’t mean you get a passport. But it’s often the first step in the process.

Residency allows you to manage assets and business in the country. You can open local bank accounts, sign contracts, and reduce reliance on tourist visas. Many investors use it as a backup plan—a plan B—in case of instability in their home country.

How to Get Residency by Investment

Many countries now offer “Golden Visas”—residence permits in exchange for investment. This skips the usual routes like work contracts, family ties, or asylum. It’s faster and more predictable. Easy residency countries include Portugal, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, and others.

Investors can choose between several options, such as:

• Buying real estate
• Investing in government bonds
• Creating jobs or starting a business
• Donating to state funds

Countries use these programs to attract capital. They get new taxpayers, real estate buyers, or donors. In return, they offer simplified residency without needing to speak the language or work locally.

Benefits for investors:

• Legal residency
• Possibility to include family members in the application
• Freedom to live, study, and access local services
• Path to citizenship in some cases

Country-by-Country Look at Residency Programs

Portugal's Golden Visa

Flexible and reliable. Portugal’s Golden Visa is one of the best-known. You can qualify by investing €250,000 in culture or €500,000 in a fund. The real estate option is no longer available.

Key facts:

• Residency after 12 months
• Requires only 7 days a year stay
• Access to Schengen Zone
• Can lead to citizenship after 5 years

Popular with global investors. Portugal is safe, stable, and has a good quality of life.

Additional options. Besides investment funds and culture, Portugal also allows business investment. Fund investment remains the most practical choice.

Greece's Golden Visa

Fast and affordable. Greece offers one of the cheapest options in the EU. For €250,000 in real estate, you get a five-year residence permit. The required investment amount for real estate under the Greek Golden Visa program depends on the property's location and type. The country is divided into zones with different thresholds:

1. €250,000—Lower threshold applies to properties located outside Greece’s high-demand zones. These include many mainland towns and rural areas, as well as smaller islands not classified as prime zones. It is suitable for investors looking for more affordable entry points or planning to renovate and lease properties in emerging markets.
2. €800,000—High-demand or prime areas. This elevated threshold is in effect for properties in Greece’s most sought-after locations, including the Attica region, central Athens and its suburbs; the city of Thessaloniki; tourist islands such as Mykonos, Santorini; and other islands with populations exceeding 3,100 residents.
3. €400,000—For some regions not considered prime but still experiencing increased interest. This can also apply to purchases of multiple units with a combined value meeting the threshold.

Program features:

• No stay requirement
• Quick 4 month+ process
• Access to Schengen Zone
• Renewable every 5 years

Malta's Permanent Residence Programme

Malta Permanent Residence Programme offers permanent residency. Obligatory investment requirements include:

1. Rent real estate for at least €14,000 per annum or buy a property for at least €375,000.
2. Application administrative fee. Investors pay €15,000 as an initial payment and €35,000 at the final stage, regardless of whether they choose to buy or rent property.
3. Government contribution. Investors must make a one-time, non-refundable contribution of €30,000 to the government if purchasing property, or €60,000 if renting.
4. Donation to a non-governmental organisation. An additional donation of €2,000 is required to a local NGO. This donation contributes to social projects in Malta.
5. Proof of funds. Applicants need to demonstrate assets worth at least €500,000, with €150,000 in liquid financial assets. This ensures that applicants have sufficient financial stability to support themselves and their families.

Why Malta? It’s English-speaking, part of the EU and Schengen.

Family benefits. The program includes principally dependent children, spouses, and even parents. Everyone receives permanent status, making it ideal for multi-generation families.

Hungary's Golden Visa

New and simple. Hungary’s Golden Visa was relaunched in 2024. It offers fast-track residency for those investing in real estate or development funds.

Investment options:

1. €250,000 in real estate fund units
2. €1 million donation to public interest trust

Program strengths:

• Simple application
• Short processing time
• Central European location with Schengen access

No stay obligation. Like Greece, Hungary does not require investors to live in the country. You can maintain your tax residency elsewhere.

Italy's Golden Visa

Modern and digital. Italy’s investor visa focuses on capital and business investment, not real estate. The process is now online and streamlined.

Ways to qualify:

• €250,000 in an Italian startup
• €500,000 in a company
• €1 million in philanthropy
• €2 million in government bonds

Advantages:

• Two-year renewable permit
• No minimum stay to renew
• Lifestyle and tax incentives

Good for entrepreneurs. Italy rewards active investors and innovative businesses. The visa can also support founders who plan to launch Italian tech companies.

Cyprus' Golden Visa

Fast-track for property buyers. Cyprus offers permanent residency to those who invest €300,000+ in real estate or local companies.

Conditions:

• Purchase new property
• Annual income of €50,000+ from abroad
• Visit once every two years

Perks:

• Permanent residency in 9+ months
• Family members included
• Non-EU citizens welcome

Business-friendly climate. Cyprus has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe. Its legal system is based on English common law, familiar to many investors.

UAE's Golden Visa

10-year residence permit, zero taxes. The UAE grants long-term residency to investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. It’s a non-EU option with modern appeal.

Investor route:

• AED 2 million, or €500,000 in property investment
• Also open to company owners, scientists, and creatives

Highlights:

• No income tax
• 100% foreign business ownership
• Fast-track processing

High-growth economy. Dubai and Abu Dhabi attract global capital. The infrastructure is modern and English is widely used in business and daily life.

Residency without citizenship. The UAE does not offer citizenship to investors, but long-term residency is renewable and offers most of the same benefits.

Application Process

Fast and guided. Most Golden Visa programs follow a similar process:

1. Choose an investment type
2. Collect documents—passport, proof of funds, no criminal record
3. Make the investment—funds or property purchase
4. Submit application—often with legal help
5. Biometrics or visit—some countries require a short trip
6. Receive permit—in a few weeks or months

Legal support is key. Local experts help avoid errors, delays, or rejections. Companies like Immigrant Invest provide end-to-end handling.

Don’t go it alone. Requirements change. Rules vary by region and even city. A legal team ensures the application is done right, especially where translations, notarised documents, or apostilles are required.

Relocate Without Bureaucratic Headaches

Golden Visas offer a clear path to legal residency with minimal red tape. Countries like Portugal, Greece, Malta, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, and the UAE make it easy for investors to relocate.

Choose what fits best. Real estate or business? Fast track or permanent from day one? Each program has its strengths.

About the Author

Albert Loffe

Albert Loffe is a legal and compliance officer and certified CAMS specialist. Albert helps investors choose the best-suited investment program, prepare for due diligence, and apply for second citizenship or residency. About 100 families have already obtained the desired status with Albert’s legal assistance.

Company: Immigrant Invest
Website: www.immigrantinvest.com