What is RBI?
Residence by investment (RBI) schemes offer a permanent residency against investment in property, government securities or businesses. RBI schemes offer a path to future citizenship usually after five years depending on the country. Portugal, Greece, Malta and Latvia are the most popular european RBI schemes. Most schemes do not require investors to live or move permanently in the country.
Real estate investment is the most popular choice for many..
United States EB-5, Canada, Australia are very popular among rich and wealthy from China. Chinese are the most consumers of the RBI market with over 90% of the share.
RBI schemes were designed to attract foreign capital and business people by providing the right of residence and citizenship in return. These are also known as Golden Visa program. The concept is relatively new and was only brought to the focus around 2006.
Rise of Immigrant Investor Schemes
- 1990 – United States
- 1986 – Canada Quebec
- 1994 – United Kingdom
- 2009 – Bulgaria
- 2010 – Latvia
- 2012 – Portugal
- 2013 – The Netherlands
- 2014 – Spain, Malta, Greece
- 2017 – Italy
RBI/Golden visa market is currently valued at $10 billion and expected to growing at a pace of 20% annually. The property markets in Spain, Portugal, Greece have recovered from the slump five years ago and prices are increasing at a steady rate.
Q&A
We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about golden visas and residence schemes.
What is Golden Visa?
Golden visas (GV) offer temporary or permanent residency in exchange for buying real estate or other investment routes approved for the purpose of program.
Which is the Best golden visa program in Europe?
Portugal (€ 280K), Greece (€250K) and Spain (€500K) are the most popular golden visa programs in Europe through real estate investing.
Which is the cheapest golden visa?
Malta has the cheapest golden visa in Europe through financing government bonds. Prices start from €135,000
Which Golden visas offer permanent residency?
Only Malta, Greece offer permanent residency in Europe through Golden visa schemes.
Is it possible to get citizenship through golden visas?
Golden visas offer path to citizenship under ordinary naturalization rules (after 5 years). No special provisions for accelerated citizenship are given to investors
Are there are any physical residency requirements?
Most golden visa schemes (Greece, Portugal) have no residence conditions except for just a few days. All other GV programs in US, UK, Canada require you to move and live in those countries.
What are the waiting times for golden visa?
The processing times for GV schemes in Europe takes atleast 3-4 months with a personal visit required to complete the process.
What is the history of golden visa?
Portugal first invented golden visa when the launched the scheme in Oct 2012. Since then the concept became widely popular, so much so that it has become a $15 billion industry annually.
What is the effect of Covid-19 on Golden visas?
Golden visa programs are still open despite Covid-19. Due to border closures and non-availability of airlines, many investors are unable to make personal visits to complete the process with authorities. Greece, Turkey and Portugal have eased the bureaucratic paperwork exempting personal visits, so that all the process can be completed at consulates abroad.
What is the minimum property investment required for golden visa?
Greece requires atleast minimum €250,000 property investment followed by Portugal €280,000. This is the minimum required for golden visa.
What are the benefits of golden visa?
You get permanent resident status including all family members, free movement in the schengen area, equal rights, free education, access to healthcare and enjoy world class living standards (work and do business