Citizenship by Investment is a particular category of the citizenship law and only a few countries in the world have this provision. Citizenship by investment programs allow foreign investors and their families to legally obtain citizenship through an investment in the economy of the country. The benefit of this citizenship category is that citizenship status is achieved in a shorter timeframe than traditional immigration processes, with little or no physical residency requirements.
Citizenship by Investment programs do not require the applicant to learn the language. Residence programs, on the other hand, once the applicant meets the criteria to apply for citizenship at this stage a language test could be required. This varies from country to country.
Eligibility of dependents differs in every country, but usually a spouse and underage children, biological or adopted are eligible. Dependent children over the age of 18 can be included as well if they meet specific criteria. Additionally, parents and sometimes grandparents of the main applicant and their spouse can be included, given that they fit the requirements. Some exceptional programs also accept siblings of the main applicant and wife within certain criteria.
Citizenship by Investment is a particular category of the citizenship law and only a few countries in the world have this provision. Citizenship by investment programs allow foreign investors and their families to legally obtain citizenship through an investment in the economy of the country. The benefit of this citizenship category is that citizenship status is achieved in a shorter timeframe than traditional immigration processes, with little or no physical residency requirements.
The application costs of citizenship by investment depend on each program, the number of family members and ages of the children. The cost also varies depending on what route you chose to apply for citizenship, whether it is a donation to a Government fund, real estate investment or investment on other financial assets.
As a guideline the most cost-effective citizenship program starts at USD 100,000 for a single applicant and USD 150,000 for a family of four members.
Yes, your spouse and your dependent children (age conditions apply depending on the country) are included in the application. Some country programs include the dependent parents of the main applicant as well.
Some countries require a minimum period of physical residence while other country programs require only a visit, and sometimes the applicant isn’t required to spend any time in the country.
A second residency is one obtained in a different country in addition to the primary or current residency of the applicant. A significant number of countries allow their citizens or residents to hold multiple residencies and benefit from all of them.
Countries that offer Residency by Investment include Portugal and Greece.
When a second residence is obtained, the family benefits through access to the health system, universities and job opportunities that may not be available in your home country.
No, there is no requirement to live in Greece. As long as the required property investment is held, you and your family can live abroad while maintaining Greek residency.
Yes, property owners through this program are granted the possibility of leasing their real estate Permanent residence through investment in Greece is called the golden visa.
One of the requirements of this program is to hold the investment for a minimum period of 5 years, including real estate investments. Therefore, you will be able to resell your property after 5 years.
Yes, the applicant’s family members can apply for the “family reunion” option under the Golden Visa program in order to obtain residence permits. Family members included in this feature are the investor’s spouse, children and dependent family members. After five years, family members will be authorized permanent residency. After one year of permanent residency, family members are eligible to obtain Portuguese citizenship.
- Non-residents are taxed on Greece-source profits only
- No capital duty, no net wealth/ net worth tax
- Stamp duty for individuals is 3,6%
- Property taxation includes a main tax depending on the characteristics of the property and an additional tax calculated for properties value exceeding EUR 300,000
- Inheritance tax ranging from 1-10% for close relatives
- Non-residents are taxed on their Portuguese-source income only
- Real estate income is taxed at a flat rate of 28%
- A municipal tax is levied on property sales and transfers
- 10% stamp duty on inheritance/estate tax with exceptions on a few cases
- No net wealth/net worth tax
- No capital gains, no property tax, stamp duty, capital acquisitions tax, inheritance tax, net wealth/net worth
- Non-residents are taxed on income derived or sourced in Dominica
Tax treaty is in force with CARICOM
- Non-residents are taxed on St. Lucia-source profits only
- No capital gains, stamp duty, capital acquisitions tax, no inheritance tax, net wealth/net worth tax
- Real property tax is ranging 0-0,5% depending on the property’s use
- No personal income tax, capital duty, capital acquisitions tax, inheritance/estate tax, net wealth/net worth tax
- Property tax ranges 0,2-0,3% depending on the property’s use and location
- Stamp duty on the transfer of real estate property ranges from 2% to 18,5% and payable by the seller
- Tax treaties are in force with CARICOM, Monaco, Switzerland and the United Kingdom