Golden visas in 2026: what changed and what's left

Residency-by-investment rules have shifted fast, and several "golden visa" programmes have closed or repriced. This guide explains what changed by 2026, how to read a programme, and why a purchase never guarantees status.

The big picture

Europe has tightened or ended several property-based golden visas, while some markets keep investor routes with higher thresholds. Treat any programme as a moving target — confirm the rules in force on the day you apply.

What changed in key markets

• Spain: the investor golden visa closed in 2025; living routes are Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad.
• Portugal: residential property no longer qualifies (since 2023); other investment categories remain.
• Greece: still active, but minimum thresholds rose and vary by region.
• UAE: residency visas (including the long-term Golden Visa) continue, tied to value thresholds.

How to read a programme

• The qualifying investment type and minimum amount.
• Whether residential property still counts.
• Physical-presence requirements and renewal conditions.
• The path (if any) from residency to permanent status.

Residency vs citizenship

Most current routes grant residency, not a passport. Citizenship-by-investment is rarer, slower and separately regulated — do not conflate the two.

A purchase is not a guarantee

Buying property may support an application, but the authorities decide. Build your plan on living and investment merits first, with residency as a possible benefit, not the sole reason.

FAQ

Is there still an EU golden visa via property? Options have narrowed — check the current programme and thresholds. Does buying give me a passport? No — residency and citizenship are different tracks. Can rules change after I buy? Yes; rely on rules at application.

How we help

We map your goal to current, realistic routes, flag programme risk honestly, and coordinate the purchase and application together. Informational only — not legal or immigration advice; programmes change.