Which EU countries give citizenship when buying real estate

The need to receive new visa- the process is not that intense, but not the most pleasant. How nice it would be to have visa-free entry! But not everyone can get this opportunity. One of the options - quite expensive, but working for sure - obtaining a residence permit (residence permit) when investing abroad. Consider which countries provide a residence permit when buying real estate.

Related materials:

In many countries there is a program for granting a residence permit (residence permit) or citizenship for foreigners who bought real estate for not less than a certain amount or invested this amount in other assets.

A residence permit is a document confirming that a foreign citizen is allowed to permanently reside in the territory of the state that issued the residence permit. With a residence permit, you can enter and leave the country, as well as stay on its territory for quite a long time.

Important! In many countries, a residence permit is issued without the right to work, or necessary condition to obtain a residence permit is a permanent stay in the country for a fixed period or obtaining a work permit.

EU countries

Spain

Spanish legislation contains a provision on the support of entrepreneurs. ZThe law has been recently adopted. It provides for the provision of a residence permit in the country (residence permit) for investments in commercial real estate in the amount of 500 thousand euros. It doesn't matter if it's a one-time deal or multiple purchases. Purchases made before the approval of changes in legislation are also considered. This means that if you already have a property in Spain, you can - if resources permit - buy additional square meters up to the required amount.

Investors can also apply for a residence permit by purchasing bonds for an amount of at least 2 million euros or by investing at least 1 million euros in the authorized capital of a local company.

A Spanish residence permit gives the right to move freely within the European Union for two years, after the first extension, the validity period increases to four.

Latvia

To obtain a five-year right to a residence permit, a foreigner must invest at least 143 thousand euros in real estate in the territory of Riga or the surrounding region, or 71.5 thousand euros in housing in other municipalities countries.

After obtaining a residence permit, the investor (owner of real estate) will have to annually confirm their rights to the declared property. In five years, the investor will receive the right to obtain a permanent residence permit.

The Latvian residence permit allows free movement in 25 Schengen countries, because Latvia is a member of the European Union.

Czech

In 2011, the Czech Republic allowed short-term residence for foreign citizens who own real estate in the Czech Republic (even if it is a small one-room apartment for 40 thousand euros), or who plan to purchase property in this country. An amendment to the law on emigration, for foreign citizens in the Czech Republic, a clause was added on issuing a multi-visa through supporting documents for property purchased in the Czech Republic. This, of course, is not a residence permit. But not a regular tourist visa.

In accordance with current legislation, a long-term visa can subsequently be extended directly in the Czech Republic for up to two years. At the same time, it is no longer a visa that is pasted into the passport, but a residence permit (Povolení k pobytu). After 5 years of residence in the Czech Republic, foreigners can apply to the Aliens Police for a permanent residence permit.

%20">Bulgaria

A residence permit (permit) in Bulgaria is called the status of "Extended stay". The status gives the right to stay in the republic for up to one year. To obtain a residence permit in the country, a foreigner needs to buy real estate for 300 thousand euros, and it doesn’t matter if it is residential or commercial.

It is enough for an entrepreneur to invest 125 thousand euros in the charter of a Bulgarian company that provides at least 5 jobs in disadvantaged areas of the country.

Residence permit in Bulgaria is renewed annually. Obtaining a residence permit five times entitles a foreigner to apply for a long-term residence permit (LLT) in the country - for 5 years.

Greece

Greece issues a five-year residence permit to property buyers. The cost of ownership must be at least 250 thousand euros. The right to obtain a residence permit applies to the family of the investor.

Republic of Cyprus

Buying a property in Cyprus at a price of 300 thousand euros makes it easier to obtain a residence permit. The owner of real estate will first be given a temporary permit to stay in the country, and after 3-5 years you can hope to receive a permanent residence permit. It's not all that simple here.

Because The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union, then the Cypriot residence permit gives the right to free movement around Europe.

Great Britain

The UK is one of the most expensive countries and in terms of living standards, and the value of real estate, and the requirements necessary for obtaining a residence permit. Of the 1,000,000 pounds sterling invested in the economy, only 250,000 can be spent on buying real estate, the rest - the investor owes government bonds.

After 5 years, the investor and his family members will be able to obtain British passports.

The British residence permit does not give the right to move around Europe without a visa (because the UK is not a member of the European Union). Free entry available only to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Principality of Andorra

In Andorra, in order to obtain a residence permit (but without the right to employment), a foreigner needs to invest in any assets, including real estate, in the territory of the state in the amount of at least 400 thousand euros.

An investor will be able to obtain a permanent residence permit in 20 years. However, conditions permanent residence in the country for a certain period of time in Andorra is not.

The Principality of Andorra is not part of the European Union. A residence permit in Andorra gives the right to unhindered stay in France, Spain and Portugal. And to visit the countries of the Schengen zone, holders of an Andorran residence permit are issued an annual multi-visa.

Portugal

Any investor who has invested at least 500 thousand euros in real estate in the country has the right to obtain a temporary residence permit. The period of mandatory stay in the country is 30 days a year. The rest of the time real estate is possible.

For the same 500 thousand, you can open an enterprise that will employ at least 10 people.

After five years, a temporary residence permit can be exchanged for citizenship of the country (citizenship gives the right to stay in the European Union without a visa for three months) or the right to permanent residence.

Turkey

If you have any real estate - and real estate there is inexpensive, you can buy an apartment for 45 thousand euros - it is quite easy to get a residence permit in Turkey. You need to submit a bank statement to the police department, as well as a passport with valid visa, a certificate of ownership of real estate, a contract for the sale of an object, and pay a fee for obtaining a residence permit.

First, a permit will be issued for six months, which can then be extended for two years.

A Turkish residence permit does not give you the right to freely move around Europe, since Turkey is not included in the Schengen agreement.

Panama

Must purchase one or more properties worth at least $300,000. This is the basis for obtaining a residence permit.

The applicant for a residence permit will need a package of related documents confirming the purchase of the property and its full payment. Plus, a certificate of no criminal record. Read about obtaining such a certificate in the material " ". After receiving a certificate for it, it is necessary.

Panama is an associated member of the European Union, then its citizens can enter the Schengen countries without a visa for a period of 3 months.

Residence permit without deposits and purchases

Without buying real estate and other investments, you can get a residence permit in the Dominican Republic and Lithuania.

Dominican Republic

IN Dominican Republic there are some of the simplest rules for granting a residence permit in the world. Anyone can apply for a residence permit, which is issued for a period of 1 year. The applicant is only required to pass tests and prove that he has no problems with AIDS, hepatitis and drugs, as well as provide a certificate that he is not wanted by Interpol. Buying real estate is not a prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit.

Lithuania

To apply for a residence permit, and even citizenship, in Lithuania it is enough to pass an exam (with a high score) for knowledge of the language. I must say that this is one of the most difficult languages in Europe. But many follow the path of business: those who open their own business in Lithuania can also apply for a residence permit.

Important! Buying property abroad, you must account for it Russia.

So which countries give citizenship when buying property?

Let's look at some of the most profitable EU countries in which you will be granted a residence permit, and then permanent residence and citizenship when buying real estate in their territory.

The fastest and most reliable, but not the most economical option is Cyprus.

In this country, you immediately receive EU citizenship and an EU passport in just 180 days, but for this you will need to register ownership of real estate in the amount of at least 2,000,000 euros. Citizenship is issued in this case not only to you, but also to your closest relatives.

Previously, there was a special legally legitimate "scheme". You could sell the purchased property after 3 years, keeping your EU passport. Passports were also kept by all members of your family. It is better to find out whether this scheme exists now on the website http://www.pafilia.ru/, where you can also choose real estate in Cyprus. This company helped us in preparing the materials for this article, it employs real experts on issues related to immigration to Cyprus. They also provide other important details. For example, whether the spouse is now considered the next of kin under EU immigration law, who will be subject to citizenship.

We also note that citizenship in this case is dual. And, most importantly, during all 6 months and 3 years you will not need to actually live in Cyprus.

Move freely within the EU.
work in the EU.
Receive a pension.

Do not confuse obtaining EU citizenship with a residence permit and permanent residence.

Which countries give citizenship when buying real estate the cheapest? The most affordable, but rather long option is Latvia.

It is enough for you to spend only 72,000 euros to buy real estate (in any city, excluding Riga). In Riga, you will need to spend already 143,000 euros on a real estate object.

You get a residence permit immediately after buying a property. Its term is 5 years. It also applies to your children.
After that, you will need to live in this country for 6 years.

Then it will be necessary to pass an exam for knowledge of the Latvian language. You will also need to learn the history of Latvia and pass an exam on it. As a result, you will be granted EU citizenship.

A list of other countries and the conditions for obtaining citizenship in them when buying real estate - see the table below.

Every foreign national who sets himself the goal of moving to another country dreams of obtaining a residence permit. Italy is no exception in this regard.

But is it possible to buy real estate in a sunny country and thus obtain a residence permit? Below is an instruction on how to legally obtain a document and purchase real estate, and, most importantly, whether these actions are related to each other.

Buying real estate in Italy, as in any state, is enshrined at the legislative level. However, purchases of residential and non-residential areas by foreigners are regulated and monitored more carefully than transactions local population. It is allowed to acquire movable and immovable property in the state foreign citizens with the following status:

Foreigners who do not have a residence permit. Getting under this category First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the legislation of your own country. In this case, it is important to have an international agreement with Italy, which must necessarily regulate the possibility of buying real estate in Italy by citizens of the country to which the potential buyer belongs.
Foreign nationals whose residence in the state is due to legal grounds (study or student residence permit, family circumstances, residence permit for business, employment rights). When referring to this category, the existence of an agreement specified in paragraph 1 is not necessary.

Important: Although the Italian Civil Code provides for the legality civil rights foreigners for a number of operations (opening and doing business, buying real estate), immigration law completely cuts off the possibility of obtaining a visa during the acquisition of real estate.

What does it mean?

By purchasing property as a property, you do not automatically receive a residence permit, it is obtained separately.

Therefore, if you want to stay in the country permanently, first, and only then deal with the issue of buying property. Sometimes situations arise when the consulate refuses to issue a residence permit to a citizen.

How to decide on the category of visa?

However, do not lose heart, immigration to Italy is quite real, and if you have already purchased property in sunny country, then you will be able to implement it in the shortest possible time. The next block will tell you about the ways to get the coveted document.

Temporary visa. This means not only obtaining a temporary residence permit in the territory of the state, but also issuing an identity card, as well as an insurance card, the possession of which gives a number of rights, including the medical part. A temporary residence permit is obtained in the following cases:

Registration for permanent or temporary work under a contract of employment.
Long business trips.
Internships with a professional bias.
Passing training (including student internships).
Adoptions.
Family creation.
Applying for political asylum or for religious reasons.

The period of stay in the Italian state for these reasons is regulated by the features of each of them:

Opening of a representative office in Italy. For Russian enterprises, immigration legislation provides for the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in Italy through the opening of a representative office of their organization. This case belongs to one of the subcategories of employment and is suitable for management or highly qualified specialists.

Length of stay - up to 5 years. When obtaining a temporary visa through this channel after 5 years, it will be necessary to leave the country for 3 months, this is also enshrined in law.

The main disadvantage of this choice is a rigid binding to the organization, due to which entry into the territory of the state was allowed.

If you choose any of these types, you can apply for a residence permit. When submitting a package, they will not look at the availability of their own housing, it will be enough to provide a rental agreement.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit before buying a property

If you apply for a visa before the real estate purchase procedure, you have a number of advantages over the reverse operations “purchase => registration”:

When buying real estate, you will have Extra time for registration.
You receive tax benefits under the First Home program.

There are quite interesting for many expats countries that grant a residence permit (permit) when buying real estate. The amounts and conditions vary - for example, in some countries this applies only to commercial real estate, and in some others - to residential too. It is clear that the first option is suitable only for businessmen, and it is akin to business immigration, but the second option is more interesting for older people or those immigrants who work remotely and are not tied to any one place.

The list of such countries is not particularly large, and any exotic can be excluded from it, since it is not relevant for the bulk of emigrants. There are not so many who want to move to the Panamanian Republic for permanent residence, and the Principality of Andorra makes the strictest requirements. But there are other options, also very interesting. Let's start in order.

For example, Great Britain, once a country of talk about the weather, tea parties at five o'clock in the evening every day. It's no secret that England is one of the most expensive countries to live in, so the requirements for buying real estate there are appropriate. Residence permit of the United Kingdom you will be given only on condition of the purchase of any real estate for two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, as well as the purchase of government bonds in the amount of at least another seven hundred and fifty thousand. Impressive? But after five years in the status of a residence permit, you and your family will immediately be able to apply for citizenship.

Slightly cheaper to get Residence permit through the purchase of real estate in Spain. According to local immigration law, a residence permit can be granted to you and your family upon purchase commercial real estate in the amount of half a million euros. Unfortunately, there are no opportunities to invest in residential real estate yet, and due to the costs, this method can be compared with business immigration to Spain. By doing so, you will receive a residence permit for two years, which you can then extend for another four, and then you will receive the status of a resident.

Obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria will cost a little less - three hundred thousand euros, which can be invested in the purchase of both commercial and residential real estate. You will receive a residence permit for a period of one year and you can easily renew it every year, and after five years you can apply for a residence for a period of five years. And so already, permanent residence and citizenship are just around the corner.

Get a residence permit in Greece possible, subject to the purchase of any commercial or residential property in the amount of 260 thousand euros. This amount can be divided between both spouses. It is also possible to replace the purchase with a long-term lease for the same amount, subject to a lump sum payment immediately for all the time in advance.

You can even cheaper get a residence permit in Latvia by purchasing any real estate in the amount of 71.5 thousand euros. True, for Riga and nearby environs this amount will already be 143 thousand euros. The residence permit will be issued for a period of five years, but an annual confirmation of ownership will be required, and you will not be able to sell real estate within this period without losing the residence permit. After five years, you can apply for permanent residence.

If your main priority is a warm climate, then you can consider the option with Turkey. Having bought any real estate (for example, an apartment) in the amount of forty-five thousand euros, you will need to bring a package of documents to the police department, including a passport with a valid visa, a contract of sale for your property, a certificate of ownership of it and bank account statement. A residence permit will be issued to you for six months with the possibility of extending for another two.

As you can see, having a certain amount, you can also consider the option of obtaining a residence permit in other countries through the purchase of real estate. There is only one significant disadvantage of this method - high financial costs, which make this method comparable in cost to business immigration to these and other countries.