Golden Visa for Indians
A golden visa is a residence permit granted in return for an investment, usually in property, funds or a business. It is not citizenship. It gives you and your family the right to live in the country, and in Europe the right to travel across the Schengen area. Most have light or no requirements to actually live there.
Programmes open to Indians
| Country | Main investment options | Residence | Minimum stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Property worth AED 2 million, a qualifying business, or a professional or talent category | 10 years, renewable | None |
| Greece | Property from €250,000 for conversions and restorations, €400,000 in most of the country, and €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and popular islands | 5 years, renewable | None |
| Hungary | Units in an approved real estate fund, or a donation to a higher education institution | 10 years | None |
| Latvia | Company investment, property, bank deposit or government bonds | 5 years | Minimal |
| Portugal | Investment funds, business or cultural donations. Property no longer qualifies | 2 years, renewable | About a week a year |
| Italy | Government bonds, company shares, startups or donations | 2 years, renewable | None to keep the permit |
What a golden visa does not give you
- A passport. Citizenship comes only after years of real residence, language tests and, for Indians, giving up Indian citizenship
- The right to work elsewhere in the EU
- Tax residence, unless you live there
- A guaranteed return. The property or fund can lose value
What to check before investing
- The developer or fund’s regulatory status and track record
- All costs: taxes, legal fees, government fees and annual charges
- How and when you can exit the investment
- Whether the property price matches the local market, or has been inflated for foreign buyers
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