Looking for a golden ticket out of US turmoil? Amid a ‘golden visa’ crackdown, 8 European countries still grant wealthy investors residency in 2026

The current political climate, rising healthcare costs, uneasiness surrounding public safety and education quality concerns closely follow.

Meanwhile, 63% simply want to diversify their assets abroad and 42% just plain prefer Europe, which dominates as the preferred destination due to quality of life, healthcare systems and the availability of golden visa programs. That’s when a nation grants you legal residency in exchange for a specific economic contribution to the host country.

But the availability of golden visas across the European Union’s member states has dramatically dropped in recent years. Here’s why — and where you can still exchange an investment for residency if you have at least $250,000 to spare.

Why Europe is reducing investment-related residency visas

Europe’s golden visa market has recently declined as governments have cracked down on programs that critics say have opened the door to money laundering.

“Criminal exploitation of citizenship and residency programs is a multi-billion-dollar business to launder the proceeds of fraud and corruption, evade justice or access third countries,” Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) told the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

Financial Action Task Force President T. Raja Kumar also warned that, while “granting citizenship and residency to wealthy investors through ‘golden’ passport and visa programs can potentially lead to economic growth,” criminals have long exploited the system.

European governments also worry that golden visas have inflated housing prices, gentrified local communities and priced out longtime residents.

The International Sustainable Development Observatory Economy Department’s analysis of the real estate market in Spain, for example, shows that the price per square meter has risen 33% in the last decade, affecting affordability for locals. At the same time, research suggests that an increase in tourist accommodations — which have competed with housing demand from Spain’s growing resident population — has contributed to a significant housing shortage.

For those reasons, as of April 2025, Spain has stopped granting investment-based residence permits for foreigners. The Netherlands also terminated its program in January 2024 due to transparency issues. And, in 2023, Portugal significantly pulled back its program options by removing real estate investment as a qualifying option.

The European Commission, at large, has called for an overhaul of the regulations that govern the issuance of golden passports issued for all member states.

8 European countries that still offer golden visas

For wealthy Americans, looking for a Plan B overseas, the option hasn’t disappeared entirely. Eight European countries still offer some form of a golden visa in 2026. While the rules, minimum investments and pathways to citizenship vary widely, these programs remain popular among investors seeking visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area, greater geographic flexibility, portfolio diversification and a new home.

1. Portugal

Portugal’s Golden Visa still remains one of Europe’s best-known residency-by-investment programs, even though buying residential real estate no longer qualifies. Instead, applicants can invest 500,000 euros in approved investment funds or scientific research — or 250,000 euros in cultural or artistic projects. They may also obtain residency through the creation of at least 10 jobs through a local business.

One of the program’s biggest draws is its minimal physical presence requirement, which is roughly seven days per year. Plus, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 10 years (recently increased from five years), provided they meet a new civic and historical knowledge test and an A2 Portuguese language requirement — and make a formal declaration of adherence to democratic principles.

2. Greece

Greece continues to offer one of Europe’s most popular property-based golden visas. Depending on the location within Greece, qualifying real estate investments generally start at

250,000 euros for qualifying conversion and restoration projects. They otherwise rise to 400,000 euros for most of the country and 800,000 euros in high-demand areas like central Athens, Thessaloniki or a Greek island with more than 3,100 residents (think: Mykonos and Santorini).

Alternative options include a 500,000-euro investment in government bonds or 350,000-euro investment in investment funds.

Investors receive renewable five-year residency permits as long as they keep their investments. Citizenship is possible after seven years of legal residence, but applicants generally must live in Greece and satisfy language and integration requirements.

3. Italy

Italy’s investor visa offers several routes instead of relying on real estate alone. Applicants can invest 250,000 euros in an innovative startup, 500,000 euros in an Italian company, 1 million euros in a philanthropic initiative or 2 million euros in government bonds. Processing is often faster than many competing programs, too.

After five years of continuous legal residence in Italy, golden visa holders may be eligible for permanent residency. But Italian citizenship is generally only available to golden visa holders after 10 years of maintaining legal residence — and only to those who can demonstrate successful integration, at least B1-level knowledge of the Italian language and a clean criminal record.

4. Hungary

Hungary revived its investor residency program in 2024 through its Guest Investor Residence Permit. The primary pathway requires 250,000 euros in approved investment certificates issued by the real estate fund. Investors are required to retain possession of those investment certificates for a minimum of five years, and at least 40% of the net asset value of the real estate fund must be allocated to residential real estate projects within the country.

Alternatively, Americans can purchase property in Hungary, but the strictly residential property’s minimum value must be 500,000 euros. The investment must also be retained for a minimum of five years. Investors can also qualify for a Guest Investor Visa by donating at least 1 million euros to a state-recognized higher education institution that’s managed by a foundation engaged in public functions.

Successful applicants receive a residence permit valid for 10 years, renewable for another decade, with no minimum stay requirement to maintain residency. Those with such permits are eligible for a national residence card once they have lived and maintained their status in Hungary for at least three years. From there, they must hold their residence permit and live in Hungary for another five years before applying for Hungarian citizenship by naturalization.

5. Latvia

Latvia remains one of Europe’s lowest-cost investor residency options. Qualifying investments include a 50,000-euro business investment (plus applicable government fees) or other approved investment routes: 250,000 euros for real estate or government bonds or 280,000 euros for a five-year bank deposit. Residency permits are renewable as long as program requirements continue to be met. However, in June 2026, Latvia’s parliament approved closing off most of these routes. The matter is still under review.