Many investors want the benefits of international residency without the obligation to relocate. While traditional immigration pathways often require applicants to spend significant time in the host country, several countries with Golden visas allow investors to obtain and maintain residence rights with little or no physical presence.
These programs appeal to globally mobile entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and families who want greater international flexibility while continuing to live and work in their current country of residence. Depending on the jurisdiction, investors may gain access to the Schengen Area, diversify their asset holdings, create future relocation options, and establish a pathway to long-term residence or citizenship.
This guide explores the leading Golden Visa programs with no residency requirements in 2026, explains how they work, and highlights the key considerations for investors managing their residency status remotely.
| Country | Minimum Investment | Processing time | Family Eligibility | Residency Requirement | Permit Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece residency | From €250,000 (real estate) | From 6–12 months | Spouse, children under 21, parents of both spouses | None | 5 years, renewable |
| Cyprus residency | From €300,000 + VAT (real estate) | From 8 months | Spouse, children up to 25 | One visit every 2 years | Permanent residence |
| Malta residency | From approx. €169,000* (real estate) | From 9 months | Spouse, children, parents, grandparents | None | Permanent residence |
| Portugal residency | From €250,000 (donation / fund) | From 18 months | Spouse, children under 26, parents | Average of 7 days per year | 2 years + renewable 3-year periods |
| Hungary residency | From €250,000 (fund) | From 4 months | Spouse and children | None | 10 years, renewable for another 10 years |
| Italy residency | From €500,000 (company share / donation / bonds) | From 3 months | Spouse, children under 18, parents over 65 | None | 2 years, renewable for 3 years |
| Türkiye residency | From $200,000 (real estate) | From 2 months | Spouse and children under 18 | None | Up to 2 years, renewable |
* Through a combination of government contributions, property requirements, and administrative fees.
For many applicants, a Golden Visa is not primarily about immediate relocation. Instead, it functions as a strategic tool that provides optionality, mobility, and access to future opportunities while allowing investors to maintain their existing lifestyle and business commitments.
A non-resident Golden Visa refers to an investment-based residence program that allows applicants to obtain and retain residency rights without living in the host country full-time.
Unlike conventional residence permits, which often require substantial annual physical presence, many Golden Visa programs focus primarily on maintaining the qualifying investment. As long as investors continue to satisfy the program requirements, they can generally preserve their residence status while remaining based elsewhere.
This flexibility has become increasingly attractive for entrepreneurs with international businesses, high-net-worth families seeking geographic diversification, and investors who want a foothold in another jurisdiction without disrupting their daily lives.
One of the most common misconceptions surrounding Golden Visas is the assumption that obtaining residency automatically creates tax residency.
In reality, immigration residency and tax residency are usually separate concepts.
A Golden Visa may provide legal residence rights, but tax obligations generally depend on factors such as:
As a result, many investors maintain a Golden Visa while remaining tax residents elsewhere. However, tax rules vary significantly between jurisdictions, making professional tax advice essential before implementing any cross-border residence strategy.
For many investors, mobility is one of the primary motivations behind obtaining a Golden Visa.
Several European countries with Golden Visa programs provide residence rights within countries that are part of the Schengen Area. While a residence permit is not equivalent to citizenship, it can facilitate travel throughout much of Europe and simplify access to the region.
Importantly, investors can often enjoy these benefits while continuing to live in their current country of residence. This creates an additional layer of flexibility without requiring a permanent move abroad.
Several investment migration programs allow investors to maintain residence rights without any mandatory annual stay requirement.
Minimum investment: From €250,000 to €800,000, depending on the property type and location.
Family eligibility: Spouse, children under 21, and parents of both the main applicant and spouse can be included.
Permit validity: Five years, renewable.
Minimum investment: From €300,000 + VAT in new real estate.
Family eligibility: A spouse and dependent children up to the age of 25.
Residency requirement: No permanent relocation is required. Permit holders only need to visit Cyprus once every 2 years.
Permit validity: Lifetime status allowing holders to live, study, and run a business in Cyprus.
Minimum investment: From $200,000 in qualifying residential or commercial real estate.
Investors may qualify for Turkish citizenship through property investment of at least $400,000. For further information, please contact our experts.
Family eligibility: A spouse and children under the age of 18.
Permit validity: Renewable residence permit that can be maintained as long as the qualifying conditions continue to be met.
Minimum investment: From €169,000 through a combination of government contributions, property acquisition or rental, and administrative fees.
Family eligibility: A spouse, children, parents, and grandparents.
Permit validity: Permanent residence granted from approval, with residence cards renewed periodically for administrative purposes.
Astons submits Malta residency by investment applications through a licensed local program agent (License No. RES-IMMV) to the government-appointed Residency Malta Agency.
Why investors choose Malta
Minimum investment: From €250,000 through eligible cultural investment projects or from €500,000 in funds (a more popular option).
Family eligibility: A spouse, children under 26, and parents.
Residency requirement: An average of just 7 days per year in Portugal.
Permit validity: Initial residence permit valid for two years, followed by renewable three-year periods.
Minimum investment: From €250,000 through qualifying investment fund units.
Family eligibility: A spouse and dependent children.
Permit validity: An initial residence permit valid for 10 years, renewable for a further 10 years.
Minimum investment: From €500,000 through an investment in shares / from €1,000,000 non-refundable contribution / from €2,000,000 in government bonds. It is possible to invest from €250,000 in an innovative start-up.
Family eligibility: A spouse, children under 18, and parents over 65.
Permit validity: Initial residence permit valid for 2 years, renewable for a further 3 years while the investment is maintained.
The flexibility offered by Golden Visa programs can be highly attractive, but managing residency from abroad also creates unique risks. Investors who spend little or no time in the host country should understand their ongoing obligations to avoid jeopardizing their status or undermining their long-term objectives.
One of the most common misconceptions is assuming that maintaining a Golden Visa automatically leads to citizenship. While many programs allow investors to preserve residency without living in the country, citizenship usually requires significantly greater physical presence, language proficiency, integration requirements, or a combination of these factors.
For example, an investor may successfully maintain a residence permit for many years without becoming eligible for naturalization. Those whose ultimate goal is obtaining a second passport should evaluate citizenship requirements before selecting a program rather than focusing solely on residency flexibility.
Even programs with no minimum stay requirement typically impose ongoing obligations. These may include renewing residence cards, maintaining the qualifying investment, updating personal documentation, and complying with administrative procedures.
Missing a renewal deadline or failing to satisfy program conditions can result in delays, additional costs, or, in some cases, the loss of residency rights.
Obtaining residency does not automatically change an individual’s tax position. In most jurisdictions, immigration residency and tax residency are governed by different rules.
Factors such as physical presence, local tax legislation, treaty provisions, business activities, and the location of a person’s primary economic interests may all influence tax obligations. Investors should obtain independent tax advice before assuming that a Golden Visa will provide specific tax benefits.
Selecting a program based solely on the lowest investment threshold can sometimes lead to disappointment if the residence rights, family eligibility rules, renewal conditions, or long-term benefits do not align with an investor’s objectives.
For example, some investors prioritize broad family inclusion and may prefer programs that allow parents or grandparents to be included in the application. Others may focus on securing permanent residence from the outset, maximizing flexibility through the absence of physical presence requirements, or accessing specific tax incentives and investment opportunities.
Investors should also consider factors such as permit validity, renewal obligations, property market conditions, and the practical benefits available to residents. A program that appears attractive because of its low entry threshold may ultimately be less suitable if it does not support the investor’s personal, family, or business goals.
1. Select Your Asset Class and Target Country
The first step involves determining which investment category and jurisdiction best align with your objectives.
Factors to evaluate include:
2. Prepare the Required Documentation
Once a suitable program has been selected, applicants can begin gathering the documents required for the application. Depending on the jurisdiction, this may include identity documents, investment-related paperwork, family records, and other supporting materials.
3. Execute Remote Investment Transactions
Many Golden Visa programs allow substantial portions of the investment process to be completed remotely.
Depending on the jurisdiction, investors may be able to:
4. Submit the Application and Coordinate the Biometrics Trip
Although many administrative procedures can be completed remotely, most jurisdictions still require at least one in-person visit for biometric data collection.
5. Receive and Manage Your Residency Cards Remotely
After approval, investors typically receive residence cards that can often be renewed while maintaining a largely remote relationship with the host country.
Ongoing management usually involves:
Golden Visa no residency requirement programs offer investors a way to secure international residence rights without relocating or significantly changing their lifestyle. Depending on the jurisdiction, these programs may provide access to the Schengen Area, family inclusion benefits, investment opportunities, and long-term residence rights while requiring little or no physical presence.
However, not all programs are designed for the same goals. Some prioritise flexibility and minimal stay requirements, while others offer broader family eligibility, permanent residence status, or stronger long-term prospects. Comparing investment thresholds, renewal requirements, family rules, and overall benefits is essential before making a decision.
If you would like to explore the most suitable Golden Visa option based on your investment budget, family circumstances, and long-term objectives, contact Astons for a personalised consultation. Our experts can help you compare available programs and guide you through every stage of the application process.
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Susanna Uzakova
Senior Citizenship & Residency Advisor
Suzanna Uzakova is an international specialist and a leading expert at the company in the field of investment immigration.
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