VIEN

Glossary

Golden Visa

Updated 5 June 2026

« Back to Glossary Index

Golden Visa is the common name for residency-by-investment programmes, particularly in Europe, which grant residence rights to foreign investors in exchange for a qualifying investment.

The most common investment channel for a Golden Visa is real estate, alongside options such as government bonds, business capital contributions, or bank deposits. Investment thresholds and conditions vary by country.

The appeal of a Golden Visa lies in its flexible minimum residency requirements: many programmes only require a few days per year. Investors can maintain their current job and life while holding residence rights in Europe.

Greece is currently one of the most popular Golden Visa destinations. Portugal was also very popular but has removed the real estate route and extended the path to citizenship, demonstrating that policies can change over time.

See details of typical programmes via our article on Greek Golden Visa.

PLI Glossary

Related terms

DWIDWI (Driving While Impaired/Intoxicated) is a criminal offence related to operating a vehicle while impaired or intoxicated...View DefinitionStamp DutyStamp Duty is a tax levied on legal transactions and documents, most commonly on property purchase agreements...View DefinitionDWAIDWAI (Driving while ability impaired) is a legal term often used in some jurisdictions, such as the state of New...View DefinitionDue DiligenceDue diligence is the background verification process conducted by regulatory authorities for every applicant in the programme.View DefinitionConjugal PartnerIn the Canadian immigration system, a "Conjugal Partner" is an important category within the family sponsorship programme...View DefinitionJus soli and Jus sanguinisJus soli and jus sanguinis are two fundamental legal principles that determine a person's citizenship at birth.View Definition

Need deeper advice on these terms?

The Prosperous Living Investment team explains every concept in the context of your actual case — residency, citizenship and international real estate.

Free profile assessmentWhere life gets prosperous