Top Countries Where You Can Easily Obtain Residency

Demand for flexible, reliable residency options is surging as global citizens pursue mobility, quality of life, and strategic access to international markets. What “easy” means varies widely — from low cost and fast timelines to minimal stay requirements and clear paths to long‑term residency or citizenship. This guide compares the easiest countries to obtain legal residency in 2025–2026, spanning EU programs, flexible Americas pathways, and residency options in non‑European jurisdictions.

Whether you’re looking for the easiest European countries to get residency, low investment thresholds, or minimal bureaucratic hurdles, this overview highlights the most accessible programs worldwide.

What Makes a Country “Easy” for Residency?

• Low minimum investment or income thresholds
• Fast or predictable approval timelines
• No language or integration exams
• Minimal physical stay requirements
• Family inclusion
• Clear long‑term residency or citizenship pathway

Easiest Countries to Get Residency — Comparison

Top Countries Where You Can Easily Obtain Residency

Greece Residency

• Golden Visa Investment Thresholds – Greece offers a tiered property investment structure for its residency‑by‑investment program:
•  €800,000 in high‑demand areas — includes the entire Region of Attica (Athens & Piraeus), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with populations over 3,100.
• €400,000 in other regions — applies across the rest of Greece, with the property required to be a single unit of at least 120 m².
• €250,000 special threshold — limited to specific projects, such as commercial‑to‑residential conversions and full restoration of listed historic buildings, offering the lowest entry point under defined conditions.
• Financially Independent Person (FIP) – Residency through passive income of €42,000+, no property purchase required.
• Minimal Stay Requirements – No mandatory annual stay; applicants only need to visit Greece for biometrics during application and renewal.
• Family Inclusion – Spouse, children up to 21, and dependent parents can be included under the same permit.
• Schengen Access – Visa-free travel across 29 Schengen countries, enabling easy European mobility.
• Path to Citizenship – After approximately 7 years of legal residency (with some conditions), applicants can pursue Greek and EU citizenship.

Portugal Residency

Golden visa investment routes are as follows:

• Private equity fund — from €500,000.
• Cultural and artistic support contributions — from €250,000.
• D7 Passive Income Visa — One of the simplest and most popular non‑investment pathways: individuals with stable passive income, pensions, rental income, or sufficient savings can apply for residency without a business or property purchase. Typical minimum income requirements are tied to Portugal’s national minimum wage (i.e., sufficient recurring funds to support yourself + dependents). As of 2026, the minimum threshold is €920 / day.
• Low Physical Presence Requirements — Portugal does not enforce strict stay minimums for residency renewal. Typically, residents must spend 14 days every 2 years in the country. This makes it ideal for frequent travelers.
• Family Inclusion & Social Benefits — Spouse, dependent children, and parents can be included.
• Path to Citizenship — After 5 years of legal residency (with basic Portuguese language proficiency level A2), individuals can apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Portugal plans to extend the naturalisation period from 5 years to 7–10 years, depending on nationality, but the current 5-year rule still applies until the law is officially enacted.

Cyprus Residency

• Minimum Investment: A qualifying investment of €300,000 (plus VAT) is required in one of several eligible categories — including new residential property, commercial real estate (new or resale), shares in a Cyprus-registered company with local presence and at least five employees, or units in regulated Cyprus investment funds.
• Income Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate a stable annual income of at least €50,000 from abroad; an additional €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per dependent child is required to show sufficient means to support the family.
• Physical Stay: There is no strict annual stay requirement — residents need only visit Cyprus once every two years to maintain their status.
• Family Inclusion: The investor’s spouse and children under 25 can be included on the same residency permit.
• Path to Citizenship: Cyprus Golden visa holders are generally eligible to apply for citizenship after 8 years of legal residence in the country, subject to standard naturalisation requirements.

Hungary Residency

• Guest Investor Program (Golden Visa) – Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA) can obtain a long-term residence permit valid for 10 years, renewable for an additional 10 years, by making a qualifying investment. The most accessible option is a €250,000 investment into a government-approved Hungarian real estate investment fund; a €1,000,000 charitable donation to qualifying public institutions (e.g., higher education) is also available as an alternative route.
• Physical Stay Requirements – There is no mandatory minimum stay to maintain the permit.
• Family Inclusion – The main applicant can include a spouse and dependent children, and the permit grants rights to live, work, and study in Hungary with Schengen travel access.
• Path to Permanent Residency & Citizenship – While the program itself does not automatically grant permanent residence or citizenship, holders may become eligible for Hungarian permanent residency after about 3 years of lawful residence and citizenship after approximately 8 years, subject to standard naturalisation conditions including residence and cultural knowledge requirements.

UAE Residency

• Property and Investment Visas – A property investor visa can be obtained by purchasing real estate worth at least AED 750,000 (about $204,000) in Dubai or other emirates, granting a 2-year renewable residency tied to property ownership.
• Golden Visa Tiers – For a 10-year visa, higher real estate investments are typically required: AED 2,000,000+ ($545,000) in real estate.
• Family Inclusion – Visa holders can sponsor family members (spouse, children, and in many cases domestic staff) under the same residency permit.
• Mandatory Stay: The UAE does not impose a minimum physical stay requirement to maintain residency.

United States Residency

• EB-5 Investor Visa – To qualify, investors must place capital into a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. that will create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
• Minimum Investment Levels – The required investment depends on the project’s location: $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (rural or high-unemployment zone).
• Family Inclusion – The investor’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included on the application, and all receive conditional permanent residency (Green Card).
• Path to Citizenship – After maintaining permanent residency for a required period (typically a total of 5 years including conditional status), applicants may pursue U.S. citizenship subject to standard naturalization requirements.

Which Country Is Right For You?

Residency programs around the world differ in cost, processing time, investment requirements, and long-term benefits. The UAE and Cyprus offer fast approvals with minimal stay requirements, while the USA provides a clear path to citizenship but requires high capital and longer timelines. Portugal remains attractive for residency but its naturalisation period is set to increase soon, making citizenship a slower prospect. Hungary may seem low-cost at €250,000, but additional investments are needed to maintain funds, and effective yields can be limited.

Greece stands out as the most attractive option: its Golden Visa allows entry from €250,000, with strong real estate returns and flexible investment options. Minimal stay requirements, full family inclusion, Schengen mobility, and a path to EU citizenship in 7 years make it a cost-efficient, practical, and long-term choice compared to other programs.

How Astons Greece Can Help?

Astons, recognised as the Best Real Estate Agency in Greece 2024–2025, provides a full-service, reliable pathway to European residency:

• Expert guidance & program comparison — Our on-site team in Athens evaluates the best options specifically under the Greek Golden Visa program to match your goals, budget, and family.
• Curated property portfolio — Access carefully selected Golden Visa–eligible properties across Greece, with high investment potential and compliance assured.
• Legal support you can trust — Our  lawyers are licensed by the Athens Bar of Lawyers, managing contracts, applications, and legal due diligence.
• End-to-end application management — From documentation to submission, we streamline the process and minimise hassle.
• Family relocation support — Assistance with visas, schooling, healthcare, and settling into life in Greece.

Book a consultation to explore your options and start your path to Greek residency with confidence.