Published on April 24, 2025
Golden Visa: Where to Get a Residence Permit by Investment in 2025 – Greece, Malta, Cyprus
Why the golden visa remains one of the most popular ways to obtain a European residence permit
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Golden Visa is a program that provides a residence permit in exchange for investment in a country’s economy. This could include purchasing real estate, investing in funds, bank deposits, or starting a business. In 2025, such programs remain relevant for entrepreneurs, investors, and wealthy families seeking European security, freedom of movement, and tax optimization.
Top 3 countries offering attractive conditions in 2025: Greece, Malta, Cyprus
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to obtain a residence permit through investment in each of these countries, the required amounts, timeframes, applicant requirements, and program benefits.
Top 3 countries offering attractive conditions in 2025: Greece, Malta, Cyprus
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to obtain a residence permit through investment in each of these countries, the required amounts, timeframes, applicant requirements, and program benefits.
Greece – Golden Visa through Real Estate Investment
The Golden Visa Greece program grants a residence permit for 5 years when purchasing real estate from €250,000. The residence permit can be renewed as long as the property remains in ownership.
Processing time: 3–6 months
Investment options:
Residency is not required to maintain the residence permit
The application can include a spouse, children up to 21 years old, and parents
Naturalization is possible after 7 years of residence (with an exam and integration)
Advantages:
Processing time: 3–6 months
Investment options:
- From €250,000 – in regions with the basic threshold
- From €400,000 – in high-demand zones
- From €800,000 – in highly attractive tourist areas (Athens, Thessaloniki, Santorini, etc.)
Residency is not required to maintain the residence permit
The application can include a spouse, children up to 21 years old, and parents
Naturalization is possible after 7 years of residence (with an exam and integration)
Advantages:
- Fast residence permit issuance
- One of the lowest investment thresholds in the EU
- No requirement for permanent residence
- Visa-free access to Schengen countries
Malta: Permanent Residence by Investment through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The government program Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) allows you to obtain permanent residence in Malta through renting or purchasing real estate.
Processing time: 6–8 months
Real estate: Rent from €14,000/year or purchase from €375,000 (for 5 years)
Total cost: From €182,000 for rent / from €457,000 for purchase
Additional requirements: Due diligence, assets of at least €500,000
The application can include a spouse, children, and parents
Benefits of the Malta Residence Program:
Processing time: 6–8 months
Real estate: Rent from €14,000/year or purchase from €375,000 (for 5 years)
Total cost: From €182,000 for rent / from €457,000 for purchase
Additional requirements: Due diligence, assets of at least €500,000
The application can include a spouse, children, and parents
Benefits of the Malta Residence Program:
- Immediate permanent status with no stages
- No residence requirement
- Free movement within the Schengen Area
- No tax on global income if non-domiciled
Cyprus: Permanent Residence by Investment in Real Estate
The permanent residence program in Cyprus allows investors to obtain PR by investing from €300,000 in new real estate purchased from a developer.
Processing time: 4 to 6 months
Property: Must be new (resale property is not eligible)
Applicant's income: From €50,000 per year + additional income for each family member
Permanent Residence in Cyprus is granted indefinitely, provided the applicant visits the country at least once every 2 years.
A spouse, children, and parents can be included in the application. The program does not require physical residence.
Benefits:
Processing time: 4 to 6 months
Property: Must be new (resale property is not eligible)
Applicant's income: From €50,000 per year + additional income for each family member
Permanent Residence in Cyprus is granted indefinitely, provided the applicant visits the country at least once every 2 years.
A spouse, children, and parents can be included in the application. The program does not require physical residence.
Benefits:
- Fast-track application process
- No obligation to reside in Cyprus
- Option to purchase housing for the entire family
How to choose a residence-by-investment program in 2025?
Before applying, it’s important to determine:
- Do you want a temporary or permanent residence permit?
- Are you planning to live in the EU, or are you looking for a backup option “just in case”?
- What is the structure of your assets: real estate, cash, securities?
- Are you ready to prove the legal origin of your funds?
Conclusion: What to choose in 2025
The Golden Visa is not just a residence permit, but a strategic tool. It provides a path to visa-free travel, European education, tax planning, and asset protection.
In 2025, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus continue to offer strong and in-demand programs for high-net-worth individuals.
In 2025, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus continue to offer strong and in-demand programs for high-net-worth individuals.
Need help obtaining a residence permit through investment?
The Finextwin team supports clients at every stage:
- Analysis and selection of the optimal program
- Collection and submission of documents
- Full support throughout the process until the residence card is issued
- Consultations on taxes, banking, and relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
before applying for a residence permit by investment
before applying for a residence permit by investment
Golden visa holders receive:
- Legal residence in an EU country
- Free movement within the Schengen Area
- Opportunity to live, run a business, and educate children
- Tax optimization with proper structuring
The lowest entry threshold is in Greece: from €250,000 for real estate.
However, in popular areas the threshold may be higher (€500,000).
At the same time, Greece has the simplest renewal process.
However, in popular areas the threshold may be higher (€500,000).
At the same time, Greece has the simplest renewal process.
Yes. Most programs (Greece, Cyprus, Malta) do not require living in the country.
The residence permit remains valid if you meet the conditions (e.g., property ownership or lease renewal).
The residence permit remains valid if you meet the conditions (e.g., property ownership or lease renewal).
A golden visa grants residency, not citizenship.
It allows you to live in the country but doesn’t automatically provide a passport.
Citizenship is only possible through naturalization after several years of residence and fulfilling specific requirements.
It allows you to live in the country but doesn’t automatically provide a passport.
Citizenship is only possible through naturalization after several years of residence and fulfilling specific requirements.
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Citizenship programs
Investment requirement: from $130,000
Visa-free travel:
Access to over 95 countries,
including the Hong Kong and Singapore
Processing time: from 2 months
Visa-free travel:
Access to over 95 countries,
including the Hong Kong and Singapore
Processing time: from 2 months
Investment requirement: from $105,000
Visa-free travel:
Access to over 88 countries,
including the UK, Ireland and Singapore
Processing time: from 4-6 months
Visa-free travel:
Access to over 88 countries,
including the UK, Ireland and Singapore
Processing time: from 4-6 months
Investment requirement: from $235,000
Visa-free travel:
Access to over 148 countries,
including the UK and Schengen Area
Processing time: from 6 months
Visa-free travel:
Access to over 148 countries,
including the UK and Schengen Area
Processing time: from 6 months
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