{"id":20907,"date":"2018-08-17T09:00:05","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=20907"},"modified":"2020-09-21T11:20:34","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T16:20:34","slug":"europes-golden-visa-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/europes-golden-visa-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe\u2019s Golden Visa Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this article I\u2019ll look at the most popular residency and second passport option in 2018, Europe\u2019s golden visa program. If you want to live and work in the European Union, and you have the cash for a sizable investment, Europe\u2019s golden visa program is for you. <\/span><\/p>\n

And, of course, citizens of other countries are looking for second passports. The top buyers are from China and India, with the United States third. Chinese nationals put a great value on Europe\u2019s golden visa programs and the demand is strong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Citizens of China and India buy into Europe\u2019s golden visa program because they want to upgrade their travel document (their passport). They want more visa free options. Those of us from the United States are looking for a tax savings plan and residency in a foreign country. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now more than ever people are looking into alternative ways to protect their assets, especially residents of the United States. The United States has one of the highest tax rates in the world, and, as opposed to other countries with high tax rates, medicine and education costs seems to be on the rise. <\/span><\/p>\n

This and other factors are pushing ever increasing numbers of Americans to leave for other countries. Many Americans are choosing to retire or invest in an offshore territory. They want a more efficient tax situation and access to a second passport. <\/span><\/p>\n

Several countries in Europe have started to take advantage of this trend and have begun to open golden visa programs with the hopes to incentivize foreign investment. Here are some countries in Europe with the best golden visa programs. <\/span><\/p>\n

PORTUGAL<\/b><\/p>\n

Portugal has created the original <\/span>Golden Visa program<\/span><\/a>, a mechanism that grants a temporary residence permit without the need of a prior residence visa. When citizens of any country outside the European Union, personally or through a company make a substantial investment in real estate, artistic or \u00a0scientific activity, urban \"Consumer<\/a><\/b>rehabilitation, or create jobs in Portuguese territory for a minimum period of 5 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

When obtaining the <\/span>Golden Visa<\/span><\/a>, the investor and his family can live in Portugal and circulate freely in the 26 countries of the Schengen area with his Portuguese residence card. After 6 years, the investor may apply for Portuguese nationality.<\/span><\/p>\n

CYPRUS<\/b><\/p>\n

Cyprus offers passports in exchange for an investment. There are two possibilities: An investment of 2 million euros that must be part of a collective investment of at least 12.5 million euros. You can also make \u00a0individual investment for five million euros that must be made in the banking or real estate sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n

IRELAND<\/b><\/p>\n

The Irish Golden Visa Program is offered to overseas investors who make an investment any type of individual ventures in Ireland such as:<\/span><\/p>\n