Residency by Investment

Become a resident of Europe, the USA or the Middle East via investing in a business, funds or property. A residence permit will allow you to move to a new country, open bank accounts in local banks or run a business, and travel the world.

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€169,000

Minimum investment

From 2 weeks

Processing time

Freedom of movement
Status for the whole family
Alternative income sources
Access to the global financial system

Freedom of movement

Status for the whole family

Alternative income sources

Access to the global financial system

Residency Programs We Offer

Greece Greece

Residency

from €250,000

Minimum investment

~4 months

Processing time

  • Real estate purchase
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 7 years
  • Most accessible and fastest program in the EU
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

Cyprus Cyprus

Residency

from €300,000

Minimum investment

~8 months

Processing time

  • Purchase of new property
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 8 years
  • Non-Dom tax regime

Portugal Portugal

Residency

from €250,000

Minimum investment

~18 months

Processing time

  • Investment in a fund
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 7-10 years
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

Hungary Hungary

Residency

from €250,000

Minimum investment

~4 months

Processing time

  • Investment in a fund / non-refundable donation
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 8 years

Turkey Turkey

Residency

from $200,000

Minimum investment

~2 months

Processing time

  • Real estate purchase
  • Right to live in Turkey
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 5 years

Italy Italy

Residency

from €500,000

Minimum investment

~3 months

Processing time

  • Investment in shares or bonds / non-refundable contribution
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 10 years
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

Malta Malta

Residency

from €169,000

Minimum investment

~9 months

Processing time

  • Non-refundable contribution and property rental or purchase
  • Rental or property purchase
  • No residency requirements
  • Visa-free access to Schengen countries

UAE UAE

Residency

from $100,000

Minimum investment

~2 weeks

Processing time

  • Real estate purchase
  • Rental income ~7% per year
  • Possible domestic staff inclusion
  • Favourable tax regime

USA USA

Residency

from $800,000

Minimum investment

~12 months

Processing time

  • Investment in a regional fund
  • Returnable investment
  • Eligibility for citizenship after 5 years

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Receive a Personalised Investment Immigration Solution

It’s time to take control of your future. Start your citizenship or residency journey today with a personalised consultation.

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Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Benefits of Residency by Investment

Residency by investment offers a fast-track route to live, work, and study in a new country. Investors gain access to quality healthcare, education, and a stable living environment, along with the freedom to travel visa-free to numerous destinations. It’s a secure pathway to long-term opportunity and global mobility.

Freedom Of Movement And Relocation

A residence permit allows you to move to your chosen country and significantly expands the range of visa-free travel.

Opportunities For The Whole Family

Investment residence programs are open to spouses and children, and some countries, such as Greece, also allow parents to be included in the application.

Alternative Sources Of Income

Investments in real estate or business help preserve and grow your capital.

Access To The Global Financial System

Resident status enables you to open bank accounts abroad, run a business, and explore new markets.

Tax Optimisation

Some countries, such as Greece and Cyprus, offer favourable tax regimes for new residents, including reduced rates.

High Level Of Security

Many countries with investment residence programmes feature stable economies and well-developed infrastructure.

Pathway To Citizenship

In several countries, a residence permit is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship once required residency periods are met.

Education And Healthcare

Access to quality schools, universities, and modern healthcare systems, including top-tier public and private clinics.

Right To Live Abroad

Official resident status allows you to live comfortably in your chosen country and take full advantage of opportunities for life and personal development.

Plan B

An alternative country of residence provides freedom and security for your family and business.

5 Steps to Secure Your Residency

Get a Free Consultation

Our experts will tell you about available residency-by-investment programs, participation requirements, benefits, and potential pitfalls.

Choose a Program and Gather Documents

Astons’ lawyers will help select the right program for you, make a list of required documents, and ensure they are correctly prepared.

Fulfill Investment Requirements

Buy real estate or make the necessary investment. Astons’ lawyers will assist in selecting residential or commercial properties and ensure transparency at every stage.

Obtain Your Residence Permit

Astons will handle most of the paperwork on your behalf. You only need to collect your residency card and plan your new visa-free life.

Live as a Resident

Enjoy all the benefits of your new status. Note: our services remain available even after you’ve obtained your permit.

Visa-Free Access to Schengen

The Most Accessible And Fastest Program in EU

Greek Golden visa grants the right to visa-free travel within the Schengen area. By investing in real estate starting from €250,000, investors and their families gain the opportunity to live in Greece. The residence permit can be processed in as little as 4 months. The permit can be renewed an unlimited number of times, and there is no requirement to live in Greece permanently. If the investor decides to relocate and resides in the country for 7 years, they may be eligible for citizenship.

  • Residency for spouse, children, and parents
  • Eligibility for Greek citizenship after 7 years of residence
  • Opportunity to earn rental income
  • Active real estate market
  • Average return of 5% per year
  • Visa-free access to 29 Schengen countries
  • Preferential tax regime

The Most Accessible And Fastest Program in EU

Greece Golden Visa

Explore Program →

Benefit From a Low-Tax Lifestyle

Cyprus Golden Visa program offers accelerated residency through the purchase of real estate starting from €300,000. Investors can live, study, or retire in the country.

The investment property must be a primary residence purchased directly from the developer; secondary properties are not eligible. Permanent residency can be obtained by purchasing either a single property or multiple properties. There is no requirement to live permanently in Cyprus — visiting at least once every 2 years is sufficient. Permanent residency is granted indefinitely and extends to all family members of the main applicant.

  • Minimum residency requirement: visit the island at least once every 2 years
  • Preferential tax regime
  • Returnable investment with high income potential
  • Purchase of new property directly from the developer
  • Active real estate market
  • EU resident status for spouse and children
  • Eligibility to apply for citizenship after 8 years

Benefit From a Low-Tax Lifestyle

Cyprus Golden Visa

Explore Program →

What Taxes Do Residents Have to Pay?

Obtaining a residence permit does not automatically change your tax residency. If you spend less than 183 days a year in the new country, your tax obligations are generally limited to income and assets located within that country. This allows you to maintain your existing tax arrangements in your primary jurisdiction and minimise the tax burden on your foreign income and assets. At the same time, many countries offer special favourable tax regimes for residents under investment programmes. These can include reduced rates on personal income, corporate taxes, property taxes, or dividends.

  • Non-Dom Regime in Cyprus – full exemption from the Special Defence Contribution (SDC) on dividends, interest, and income for 17 years
  • IP BOX Regime in Cyprus – a preferential tax mechanism allowing IT companies and intellectual property owners to reduce the effective corporate tax rate to 2.5%
  • Non-Dom Regime in Greece – fixed tax of €100,000 per year on foreign-sourced income

What Taxes Do Residents Have to Pay?

Hidden Costs of Residency by Investment

The cost of obtaining a residence permit through investment consists of several components. It includes not only the main investment amount but also associated administrative and service expenses required for the legal processing of documents and smooth support throughout every stage of the procedure:

  • Government fees and charges for document processing
  • Notary registration of the transaction
  • Taxes on property purchases (including VAT)
  • Document translation and legalisation
  • Legal services and agent support

Hidden Costs of Residency by Investment

Who Can Apply for Residency by Investment?

To participate in residency by investment programs, applicants must be adult citizens with no criminal record, no visa rejections in the chosen region, and legally earned capital.

Spouse

Spouse

  • Legal marriage; in some countries, registered partnerships are also accepted
  • Сertificate of no criminal record
Children

Children

  • Under 18 and dependents with disabilities: no restrictions
  • Over 18: eligibility depends on the specific program’s requirements
Parents

Parents

  • Not included in all programs
  • Must meet the minimum age requirement
  • Financially dependent on the main applicant

Applicants may be required to provide the following documents:

  • Certificate of no criminal record
  • Bank statement or tax declaration
  • Rental or property purchase agreement
  • Proof of completed investments

How to Choose the Right Residency by Investment?

With Astons by your side, you can develop a comprehensive residency strategy. Our experts have in-depth knowledge of each program and will help you choose the one that best matches your goals. Just tell us what you’re aiming for:

Schengen or U.S. access

Schengen or U.S. access

Place for family relocation

Place for family relocation

Business setup

Business setup

Tax haven

Tax haven

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Expert Guidance for Your Decision

It’s time to take control of your future. Start your residency journey today with a personalised consultation.

Common Mistakes: Why Applications Get Rejected?

Applicants with clean records, strong financial backgrounds, and correctly prepared documents have no issues obtaining residency. Astons’ preliminary consultation can reduce rejection risks by:

  • Studying your case and recommending the best program
  • Ensuring documents are complete and correctly formatted
  • Checking the legality of the transaction and the investment process
  • Filing applications per program requirements
  • Maintaining direct contact with immigration authorities until final approval

Common Mistakes: Why Applications Get Rejected?

Assistance in Obtaining Residency

Frequently Asked Questions About Residency by Investments

What is the minimum investment required?

It varies by country. For example, in Malta it’s €169,000, in Cyprus it’s €300,000, in Greece it starts at €250,000.

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

How long does the process of obtaining a residence permit take?

The fastest investment program is in the UAE and takes as little as 2 weeks. In Europe, particularly in Greece, you can expect a minimum of 4 months.

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Can I include family members in the application?

A spouse and children — in all programs. Greece also allows the inclusion of elderly parents, while the UAE permits household staff to be added.

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Do I need to live in the country after obtaining a residence permit?

Most programs don’t require permanent residency, but long-term presence may be needed for citizenship eligibility (usually 5-10 years).

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Can I obtain a residence permit by investment without visiting the country?

The investor and their family members have to visit the country in person 1-2 times to submit biometric data. However, most procedures can be handled by Astons’ lawyers through a power of attorney.

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Can I sell real estate or securities?

Each program has its own requirements regarding the investment retention period. You can sell real estate, securities, or other assets at any time if you no longer need resident status. Otherwise, you can recover your investment after changing your status from a residence permit to permanent residence or citizenship.

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Which country has the lowest taxes for new residents?

A Golden Visa doesn’t require the investor to relocate or become a tax resident. As a result, simply holding a residence permit doesn’t impose any tax obligations — only income earned within the country is subject to taxation, such as rental income from property.

Igor Nemtsov

Head of UAE Office

Still have questions?

Get a personalised consultation with one of Astons’ experts.

Contact Us

Stories of Global Mobility

Greek Golden Visa

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The Greek Golden Visa program allows non-EU nationals to secure EU residency through real estate investment. Investors can include their spouse, children under 2, and parents, obtaining a renewable 5-year residence permit without the need for physical presence or tax residency in Greece.

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Dominica Citizenship

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Saint Lucia Citizenship

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Faisal and Amira are a couple from Bahrain. Faisal co-owns a family logistics holding with branches in the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, while Amira runs a boutique perfume store in Manama. Because their business involves international shipments and frequent visits to Europe, they travel there regularly.

Faisal and Amira H

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Greece Golden Visa

How Astons Secured Greece Residence for Three Generations of a Turkish Family

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High-quality European education is one of the key priorities for many parents outside the EU. A diploma from an EU country provides strong career prospects worldwide. However, not every family is ready to send their child alone to a foreign country.

Osman K.

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Furniture Entrepreneur

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Greek Golden Visa

Iranian Family Secures Greek Residency to Safeguard Mobility and Prepare Their Children for European Education

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In 2024, a successful entrepreneurial family from Iran partnered with Astons to access one of Europe’s most prestigious residency by investment programs.

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Ali R.

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Cyprus Permanent Residency

How Astons Secured Cyprus Permanent Residence and Tax Optimization for a London IT Entrepreneur

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James is a British entrepreneur in the IT sector and owner of an international company. Like many UK-based businesspeople, he was affected by rising taxes in the UK: by 2024, the combined corporate and personal tax rate reached nearly 50%.

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James S.

IT Entrepreneur

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Greek Golden Visa

How Astons Revived EU Business Post-Brexit with Greece Residence

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After the UK left the EU, many British companies encountered unexpected obstacles: European clients began requesting VAT numbers, contracts in euros, and EU-based banking details. Business was on the verge of losing market share, and re-establishing relationships proved harder than expected.

Peter H.

Peter H.

Entrepreneur

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Greek Golden Visa

How an Astons Client Secured Greece Residence and Non-Dom Tax Status

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In 2024, the UK announced the upcoming abolition of the non-dom tax regime. This meant that, in the near future, foreign income of residents in the country would be taxed on a progressive scale – from 20% to 45%.

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Turkish Citizenship

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I watched Istanbul grow before my eyes, and at some point I thought: I want to have a home here. Later I found out that by purchasing property, I could obtain a passport too — so I decided to hit two birds with one stone.

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Greek Golden Visa

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In summer 2024, a UK-based entrepreneur approached Astons with a time-sensitive mission: secure EU residency under Greece’s Golden Visa program before the minimum investment threshold rose to €800,000. At that time, Piraeus still qualified under the €250,000 threshold for new builds — a regulation that changed in August 2024.

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Grenada Citizenship

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Even holders of the world’s strongest passports sometimes face entry restrictions to certain countries. For US citizens, China’s visa service can be a barrier: recently, obtaining a visa has become more difficult, with delays becoming more common.

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Bespoke Residency Consultation

It’s time to take control of your future. Start your residency journey today with a personalised consultation

We were looking for a peaceful, sunny place by the sea to retire. Greece ticked all the boxes! Astons took care of the entire residency process and spared us the bureaucracy and paperwork. They explained everything clearly and were always ready to answer our questions. Special thanks for accompanying us on our trip and helping us find a villa — it was comfortable and incredibly productive. Now we spend our days enjoying the sunshine, local architecture, and unbelievably delicious food!

John William Smith

Top Manager

I wanted to buy an apartment in Turkey for rental income and turned to Astons for help. I liked their approach, clear, professional, and to the point. They selected several options in Istanbul and handled all the paperwork. Now I not only earn rental income but also have Turkish residency, allowing me to visit anytime!

Matimatida

Manager

I wanted to ensure my children could get a European education. Out of the available options, Greece stood out — a beautiful country with a great climate and strong universities, plus a calm lifestyle. I reached out to Astons on a business partner’s recommendation and was very pleased. I was met at the airport, guided throughout the trip, and shown various neighborhoods while house hunting. The residency process went smoothly — thank you for your professionalism. My kids now attend an international school, and we’re all very happy!

Julia B

Financial Analyst

Our Licenses

Licensed Legal Services in Greece

Licensed Legal Services in Greece

Astons attorneys are licensed members of the Athens Bar Association authorised to provide legal services in Greece. These include assisting clients with real estate acquisitions and obtaining residence permits.

Authorised Marketing Agent for Sao Tome and Principe CBI Program

Authorised Marketing Agent for Sao Tome and Principe CBI Program

We are permitted to promote, market, and assist our clients in obtaining Sao Tome and Principe citizenship. We are licensed to submit applications to the government under the program.

Official Partner of Vanuatu CBI Program

Official Partner of Vanuatu CBI Program

Astons is a trusted partner of Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program, dealing directly with official representatives.

Agent for Saint Lucia CBI Program

Agent for Saint Lucia CBI Program

We provide end-to-end support for the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program, from investment selection to document preparation and coordination with authorised local representatives.

Agent for Grenada CBI Program

Agent for Grenada CBI Program

Astons advises applicants pursuing Grenada citizenship, providing tailored investment guidance, comprehensive file preparation, and coordination with government-recognized agents throughout the process.

Agent for Dominica CBI Program

Agent for Dominica CBI Program

Our team assists investors in obtaining citizenship through the Dominica program, ensuring accurate documentation, strategic guidance, and smooth communication with approved representatives.

Agent for Antigua and Barbuda CBI Program

Agent for Antigua and Barbuda CBI Program

Astons supports clients under the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program by structuring the optimal investment route, preparing the full application package, and working closely with authorized local partners.

Authorised Agent for Nauru CBI Program

Authorised Agent for Nauru CBI Program

Astons is officially licensed to promote the program and assist with applications for Nauru citizenship.

Authorised Agent for El Salvador CBI Program

Authorised Agent for El Salvador CBI Program

Astons is officially licensed to provide agency services and assist with applications for El Salvador citizenship.

Secure Your Future with Astons’ Expertise

Astons is a leading investment immigration company with over 35 years of experience. We provide tailored solutions for obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU, the Caribbean, Oceania, the Middle East, Latin America, and the United States. Astons has facilitated over $2.6 billion in investments across immigration and real estate and has assisted more than 9,000 clients from 50+ countries.

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