Real Estate Investments – to acquire residence and citizenship in 2022

Feb 23, 2022 11:28:01 PM

The pandemic has increased the expectancy of changes to come from unexpected quarters. While nations are becoming more pliant to propelling transformations, infusion of fresh capital has become a critical need for them to revitalize their economies. This has incited the hanker to attract investments, new talent, and skills into the countries. Au contraire high-net-worth individuals are seeking citizenship, hoping to diversify investment options and quality of life. Real estate investment options have been in the offing for a while and they offer transparency, efficiency, and preeminent return-on-investment (RoI).

There are quite a few countries that offer citizenship or residence by investment to foreign nationals. Each country offers certain unique advantages, benefits, and processes for investors to invest and acquire citizenship in the host country.

The Top destinations for investment in real estate and to acquire a residence or citizenship in 2022 are — Dubai, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, Turkey, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Antigua & Barbuda

Launched in 2013 the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program is an excellent solution for investors to acquire citizenship and get access to Europe, the Caribbean, and a few key Asian nations. The applicant must purchase real estate from an approved real estate project worth a minimum of USD 200,000. The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship allows applicants to include spouses, children up to the age of 31 years, and dependent parents of 55 years age and above.

Cyprus

Cyprus is known for its lowest rate of crimes in Europe. It has high-quality healthcare systems and a comparatively low cost of living and no inheritance tax. The Government of Cyprus issues residence permits to non-EU nationals on the purchase of real estate worth a minimum of EUR 300,00 plus applicable taxes. The application and issue of residence take 2 months time and be done from outside the country. Resident does not have to live in Cyprus, they have to visit the country once every two years. Residence applies to the applicant’s spouse, children below 25 years, parents, and parents-in-laws.

Dubai

Dubai is one of the most famous of the lot and has vivid opportunities for growth and business. It provides favorable conditions for conducting business with good returns from the investments and has a good beneficial tax regime. It boasts of an excellent health care system and is considered one of the safest places.

Dubai has multiple pathways for entrepreneurs interested to invest. Real estate investment is the easiest and most efficient way to gain the Dubai Golden visa. The Permanent Residence permit is valid for 3 year time period which is extendable. There is no specification of the number of days one needs to live in Dubai. However, if the investor doesn’t stay in Dubai for a continuous period of 6 months. The requirements for Real Estate Investors can apply for a 5-year residency, and the investment is AED 5 million.

Dominica

The Dominican citizenship by investment program ranked as one of the best Citizenship by Investment programs and has been functional since 1993. An applicant must invest USD 200,000 in approved real estate to acquire citizenship. It takes 90 days to apply and be granted citizenship. Dominica citizenship allows the resident to travel visa-free to 144 countries, it enables applicants to include spouses, children under 31 years, and dependent parents. The resident is not required to stay in Dominica.

Greece

The Greece Golden Visa program is one of the most economical residence programs in Europe. Investors can acquire Greece’s residents while maintaining residence in a different country. The residence can be acquired within 30 to 60 days time, it allows visa-free travel to the Schengen area of the EU, has an unlimited expiry period, it enables the investor to earn by renting the invested property, the residence is applicable for the entire family (children under 21 years) dependent parent and their spouse. Applicant must acquire a real estate worth a minimum of EUR 250,000 plus the applicable taxes to obtain a residence permit.

Malta

Malta is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, with a good climate, welcoming people, low crime rate, and very good quality of life. An investor can acquire the citizenship of Malta by purchasing a residential property in Malta of at least EUR 700,000, which must be held for five years. Alternatively, the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per annum, is also held for five years. Citizenship is granted after 36 months of residence or 12 months with the exception of the government. The residence of Malta allows visa-free travel to 180 countries and rights to hold dual citizenship.

Montenegro

Montenegro is situated in southeastern Europe’s Balkan peninsula. It is a NATO member and a candidate for EU membership. Launched in 2019 the Montenegro citizenship by investment program was to serve as the ongoing efforts of the government to secure Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Applicants must invest between EUR 250,000 to 450,000 in real estate in the north or central Montenegro or in the capital of Podgorica, respectively. Additionally, the applicant will have to pay a government fee of EUR 200,000. The residence of Montenegro allows visa-free travel to 123 countries.

Portugal

The Golden Visa of Golden Residence Permit Program, Portugal’s residence by investment program was launched in 2012. Portugal being a member of the EU, the residence permit allows visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen countries. The residence is valid for 5 years for non-EU nationals and allows 7 days to stay in Portugal in a year. The program allows investors to acquire residence while residing elsewhere.

An applicant must invest between EUR 250,00 to EUR 500,000 in government-approved real estate depending. The process of acquiring a residence permit takes around 3 to 4 months. The residence permit allows the investor to apply for citizenship on completion of 5 years, it grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal and visa-free travel to the Schengen area. Portugal has international quality healthcare and some of the world’s best schools and universities. Added to all this Portugal is known for its mild climate, high level of security, and quality of life.

Spain

Spain is one of the most sought-after destinations for residence. Real estate investment is the most effective way to acquire a residence. The Spanish government grants residence on providing proof of acquisition of real estate worth a minimum of EUR 500,000. Spain is one of the leading economies of the world and a full member of the EU. A resident has visa-free access to the EU and Schengen area. Spanish residence allows the inclusion of a spouse or unmarried partner, financially dependent school-going children, financially dependent parents, and their spouse older than 65 years of age. A resident can apply for Spanish citizenship upon completing 10 years. An applicant is granted residence within a month of submitting the application

St. Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis is a two-island nation located in the West Indies and is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market. Going by history, the country has relied mostly upon the sugarcane industry to sustain the population since the 1970s, and now it has witnessed a great shift in its economy.

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis offers a Citizenship by Investment program that attracts foreigners to make a significant contribution to the development of the Country. Either by making a donation or through investment, investors and their families can directly qualify for citizenship.

To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must purchase real estate worth a minimum of USD 200,000. St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme offers travel to more than 135 countries including the EU Member States, UK & Russia. St. Kitts and Nevis passports allow a citizen to travel visa-free to 157 destinations including the Schengen area, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UK.

Turkey

The Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program was launched in 2017 but has found considerable success. It allows investors to access both the European and Asian markets, as well as gain lifelong citizenship in a country that is in the process of full membership in the EU. For acquiring citizenship in Turkey an applicant must invest a minimum of USD 250,000 in real estate. The residence allows visa-free access to 110 countries, grants full citizenship to applicants’ family members, and eligibility for an E2 investor visa to us for a 5-year renewable period. The citizenship application gets approved within 120 days.

The question which weighs on an investor’s mind is how to choose a country. Quality of life, safety & security, political stability, social freedom, economic opportunity, and healthcare infrastructure; are the basic needs for an investor to start looking for second citizenship. Since Citizenship or residence by investment terms of each country may vary from the minimum amount of investment to the RoI on investment and period for that return, the access to countries the passport of the residence permit allows.

To Know more about the Application Process and your Eligibility

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