Residency by investment

Residency by investment — nine programmes, one advisory mandate

Second residency through nine government-approved programmes across Europe, North America, the Gulf, and the Indian Ocean — advised end-to-end by a single team.

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The case

Why high-net-worth clients pursue a second residency

A second residency is rarely about relocation alone. The principals we advise treat it as a portfolio of options — the right to live, work, bank, and educate a family in a second jurisdiction, drawn on when circumstances ask for it.

Mobility

Schengen access on a single permit, Gulf or US right-to-reside without the visa friction your primary passport carries. For a principal whose business takes them across borders monthly, the gain is measured in hours per year.

Taxation flexibility

Several residency programmes carry favourable tax regimes — Italy's flat-tax option, Greece's non-dom regime, Mauritius's GBC framework. A second residency creates the legal basis for a tax-residency conversation.

Family security

A second residency is a Plan B — for political risk, for educational access, for medical optionality, or for the next generation's working life. Most programmes include spouse and dependent children.

Pathway to citizenship

Several residency programmes lead to citizenship after a defined period — typically five to ten years. Where citizenship is the long-term aim, the residency choice today narrows the citizenship choice tomorrow.

The programmes

Each residency programme we advise on

Greece

Residency

EU residency through real estate. Schengen access on a single permit. Thresholds revised in 2024 — €250k–€800k by zone.

Investment From: €250,000
Processing: 4–8 months

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Italy

Residency

The Italy Investor Visa — EU residency through targeted investment. Pairs with Italy's flat-tax regime for incoming residents.

Investment From: €250,000
Processing: 6–12 months

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Portugal

Residency

EU residency through qualifying investment routes — fund investment, R&D, and cultural support. Pairs with the NHR-successor regime.

Investment From: €250,000
Processing: 12–18 months

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Malta

Residency

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme — EU residency through a defined contribution and qualifying property. Schengen-area mobility.

Investment From: €150,000
Processing: 4–6 months

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Cyprus

Residency

Permanent residency through real estate or financial assets. Visa-free access to Cyprus and a credible family-inclusion framework.

Investment From: €300,000
Processing: 2–3 months

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USA EB-5

Residency

US conditional permanent residency through qualifying investment in a regional centre or direct project. Path to a US passport over the long term.

Investment From: USD 800,000
Processing: 24–48 months

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Canada

Residency

Canadian permanent residency through investor and start-up visa pathways. Federal and provincial programme variants.

Investment From: CAD 200,000
Processing: 12–24 months

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UAE

Residency

The UAE Golden Visa — long-term renewable residency for investors, talent, and qualifying property holders. Tax-residency potential within the GCC framework.

Investment From: AED 2,000,000
Processing: 2–4 months

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Mauritius

Residency

Residency through the PDS, IRS, Smart City scheme, or qualifying investor permit. Pairs with Mauritius's GBC framework for offshore structures.

Investment From: USD 375,000
Processing: 2–4 months

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Choosing

How to narrow a residency programme to your situation

We narrow a residency programme around four questions. The answers are usually clear within the discovery hour.

01
What is the primary purpose — mobility, tax positioning, family security, or pathway to citizenship? Each motivation favours a different programme set.
02
What is your physical-presence appetite? EU programmes range from no minimum stay (Greece, Cyprus pre-grant) to substantial residence (Portugal, Italy in some configurations).
03
What is the investment structure — donation, real estate, government bond, fund, or equity? The structure determines the liquidity and exit profile of the programme cost.
04
What is the timeline — months or years? Some programmes grant residence in weeks; others run twelve to eighteen months. Timeline often narrows the shortlist faster than budget.

Distinction

Residency or citizenship — which is the right route?

Residency grants the right to live in a jurisdiction. Citizenship grants a passport. The two are often confused, and the right answer depends on what you actually need.

A second residency is the right route where mobility, tax positioning, or a Plan B is the priority. A second passport is the right route where visa-free travel, intergenerational optionality, or full political rights are the priority.

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Common questions

Residency-by-investment FAQs

: A government-approved pathway to legal residence in a jurisdiction in exchange for a defined investment — real estate, government bond, fund subscription, business equity, or qualifying contribution. Each programme has its own eligibility, processing, and renewal rules.
: Not automatically. Tax residency is determined by the rules of each jurisdiction — typically days of physical presence, centre-of-life tests, or domicile. A second residence permit creates the legal basis for a tax-residency conversation, but it does not replace one. Specialist tax advice is required.
: Several — including Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, USA, and Canada — offer a citizenship pathway after a defined residency period (typically five to ten years). The exact route, naturalisation requirements, and presence rules vary; we cover these at programme-fit stage.
: Yes. Most residency programmes include spouse and dependent children. Several extend to dependent parents and, less commonly, dependent siblings. Family-inclusion thresholds and additional fees vary by programme.
: Two to twelve months from engagement to grant, depending on the programme. UAE and Mauritius can process in weeks; EB-5 and Canadian provincial routes run longer.
: Holding-period rules vary. Real-estate investments typically require five-to-seven-year minimum holds. Bond and fund investments are usually held for the duration of the residency permit. Exit and divestment timing is part of the programme-fit conversation.

Begin a private residency consultation

Speak to a senior advisor about which residency programme fits your situation. Reply within one business day.

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