Buy EU Citizenship: Your Options Explained

This guide is for high-net-worth individuals seeking EU citizenship through investment opportunities.

  • Posted:
  • Last updated: October 8, 2026
  • By: Logan Pierce
  • 7 minutes
A professional reviewing investment options for acquiring EU citizenship through various programs.
Exploring investment opportunities for EU citizenship.
In this section

You can acquire EU citizenship through investment programs that grant either direct citizenship or residency leading to naturalization. Malta offers the only direct route, requiring €600,000–750,000 government contribution plus €700,000 property purchase and 12–36 months residency12. Alternatively, golden visa programs in Portugal (from €250,000), Greece (€250,000–800,000), and Hungary (€250,000) provide residence permits that qualify for citizenship after 5–10 years345. Your first step: determine whether you need immediate citizenship or can wait through a residency pathway, then assess your budget against program requirements.

What You Receive

  • Freedom of Movement Across the EU

    You gain the right to live, work, and travel freely in all 27 EU member states without visas or permits [6]. Over 450 million EU citizens cross internal borders daily for work, study, or family visits under this framework [7].

  • Permanent Residence Rights

    After legally residing continuously for five years in any EU country, you automatically qualify for permanent residence rights [6]. You can stay in another EU country for up to three months initially with just a valid passport or identity card [6].

  • Pathway to Full Citizenship

    Golden visa holders can apply for citizenship after five years in Portugal, seven years in Greece, or ten years in Italy, provided you meet naturalization requirements [5]. Malta's citizenship by investment program requires 30 days of physical presence per year during the 12 or 36-month residency period before applying [2].

  • Real Estate Investment Options

    You secure property ownership or rental agreements as part of your investment. Malta requires either purchasing property valued at €700,000 or renting at €16,000 per year [2], while Greece's golden visa starts at €250,000 for special conversion properties [3].

  • Family Inclusion

    Your spouse and dependent children can join your application. Malta charges €50,000 per dependent for citizenship [1], while Cyprus requires proof of €15,000 additional annual income for a spouse and €10,000 for each child [8].

  • Minimal Physical Presence Requirements

    Portugal's golden visa requires only 7 days in year one and 14 days in each subsequent two-year period [3]. Hungary's Guest Investor Program offers a ten-year EU residence permit with no requirement to live there at all [4].

Buy EU Citizenship: Your Options Explained

Option
Malta Citizenship by Investment (3-year route)
Price
€600,000 + €50,000 per dependent
Timeline
3 years
Requirements
Real estate investment of €700,000 or rental of €16,000/year, due diligence fees €15,000 for main applicant, €10,000 for each dependent over 12
Restrictions
30 days physical presence per year during residency period
Option
Malta Citizenship by Investment (1-year fast-track)
Price
€750,000 + €50,000 per dependent
Timeline
1 year
Requirements
Real estate investment of €700,000 or rental of €16,000/year, due diligence fees €15,000 for main applicant, €10,000 for each dependent over 12
Restrictions
30 days physical presence per year during residency period
Option
Malta Permanent Residence Program (property purchase)
Price
€28,000 + property investment of €350,000 (central/northern Malta)
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Malta Permanent Residence Program (rental)
Price
€58,000 + property investment of €300,000 (southern Malta/Gozo)
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Greece Golden Visa
Price
€250,000 (special properties) / €400,000 (standard areas) / €800,000 (prime areas)
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Portugal Golden Visa (cultural support)
Price
€250,000
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Portugal Golden Visa (other routes)
Price
€500,000
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Hungary Guest Investor Program
Price
€250,000 (real estate fund) / €1 million (donation)
Timeline
10 years
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
No residency requirement
Option
Italy Golden Visa (startups)
Price
€250,000
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Italy Golden Visa (companies)
Price
€500,000
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Italy Golden Visa (donations)
Price
€1 million
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Italy Golden Visa (bonds)
Price
€2 million
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Cyprus Permanent Residency by Investment
Price
U уточняйте
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
Secure annual income of €50,000 + €15,000 for spouse + €10,000 for each dependent
Restrictions
N/A
Option
Spain Golden Visa
Price
U уточняйте
Timeline
U уточняйте
Requirements
N/A
Restrictions
Closed to new applicants as of 2026

How to Acquire EU Citizenship Through Investment

Choose Your Investment Route and Country

You'll first need to decide between direct citizenship programmes and residency-by-investment pathways. Malta offers the only direct citizenship option in the EU, requiring €600,000–750,000 depending on residency duration1. Alternatively, golden visa programmes in Portugal, Greece, Hungary, and Cyprus provide residency that can lead to citizenship after 5–10 years5. Compare minimum investment thresholds: Portugal starts at €250,0003, Greece at €250,000–800,000 depending on location3, and Hungary at €250,0004. Consider your timeline—Malta's fast-track route takes 1–3 years1, whilst Portugal requires five years before citizenship eligibility5.

Prepare Your Financial Commitments

For Malta's direct citizenship programme, you'll need the government contribution (€600,000 or €750,000), plus property investment of €700,000 purchase or €16,000 annual rental2. Add €50,000 per dependent to the government fee1 and budget €15,000 due diligence for yourself, €10,000 for each dependent aged 12+1. Golden visa routes have lower entry points but require sustained investment: Greece needs €250,000–800,000 in property3, Portugal €250,000–500,000 across various options3. Cyprus permanent residency demands property investment plus proof of €50,000 annual income from abroad, increased by €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child8.

Submit Your Application and Documentation

Engage a licensed agent or legal adviser to compile your application—Malta's programme mandates this step1. You'll provide identity documents, proof of funds, clean criminal record certificates, and health insurance coverage. Due diligence checks begin immediately after submission, scrutinising your financial history and source of wealth1. Processing times vary: Malta's citizenship applications typically take 12–14 months after the residency period2, whilst golden visa approvals in Portugal and Greece often complete within 6–12 months from submission3.

Fulfil Residency and Presence Requirements

Malta requires you to maintain at least 30 days' physical presence per year during the 12- or 36-month residency period before citizenship eligibility2. Portugal's golden visa demands only 7 days in year one and 14 days per subsequent two-year period3. Hungary's Guest Investor Programme imposes no residency obligation at all4. Track your days carefully—immigration authorities verify presence through entry stamps, utility bills, and lease agreements. For citizenship via naturalisation, Greece requires seven years' residence5, Italy ten years5, and Portugal five years5.

Complete the Investment and Receive Your Status

Transfer funds according to the programme's escrow or direct payment rules—Malta holds contributions until approval1, whilst property purchases in Greece and Portugal complete at contract signing3. Once approved, you'll receive your residence permit or citizenship certificate. Malta issues passports within 4–6 weeks of final approval1. Golden visa permits arrive as biometric cards valid for 1–5 years depending on the country34. Verify your document's authenticity through the issuing authority's online portal and check that your name appears correctly—errors delay travel and banking processes.

Exercise Your EU Movement Rights

EU citizenship grants you the right to move and reside freely within all member states under Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union6. You can live in any EU country for up to three months with just your passport or identity card6, and gain permanent residence rights after five years of continuous legal residence6. The Schengen area allows borderless travel for over 450 million EU citizens, with 3.5 million people crossing internal borders daily7. Golden visa holders enjoy the same Schengen travel privileges but must meet naturalisation requirements before accessing full EU citizenship benefits5.

Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees

Investing in EU citizenship programs carries certain risks and limitations. For instance, Malta's citizenship by investment program requires a non-refundable government contribution of €600,000 to €750,000, depending on the route chosen1. This investment is substantial, and applicants should be aware that it cannot be recovered if the application is denied.

Due diligence fees also apply, costing €15,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 for each dependent aged 12 and over1. Additionally, Malta mandates a real estate investment of €700,000 or a rental agreement of €16,000 per year2.

Physical presence requirements can also pose challenges. Malta requires at least 30 days of physical presence per year during the residency period before citizenship eligibility2. For other programs, such as Portugal's golden visa, minimal physical presence is required, but applicants must still comply with the regulations3.

Before proceeding, verify all program conditions and fees. Ensure that you understand the timeline for processing and any potential changes in regulations. If you need to withdraw your application, check the specific terms related to refunds and cancellations, as these can vary by program.

Lastly, consider the long-term commitment involved. Residency programs often require sustained investment and compliance with residency rules before citizenship can be granted.

FAQ

Which EU country is easiest to buy citizenship?

Malta offers the only direct citizenship-by-investment programme in the EU, requiring €600,000 for the three-year route or €750,000 for the one-year fast-track option1. You'll need to add property investment of €700,000 purchase or €16,000 annual rental, plus €50,000 per dependent12. The process takes 12–14 months after completing the residency period, during which you must maintain 30 days' physical presence per year2.

How much does it cost to buy EU citizenship?

Malta's direct citizenship programme costs €600,000–750,000 as a non-refundable government contribution, depending on whether you choose the three-year or one-year residency route1. You'll also pay €50,000 per dependent, €15,000 due diligence for yourself, €10,000 for each dependent over 12, and either €700,000 for property purchase or €16,000 yearly rental121. Total costs typically range from €1.4 million to €1.8 million for a family of four, including all mandatory fees and investments.

Can a US citizen get EU citizenship?

Yes, US citizens can apply for Malta's citizenship-by-investment programme or pursue golden visa routes in Portugal, Greece, Hungary, or Cyprus134. Malta's direct route takes 1–3 years with €600,000–750,000 investment1, whilst Portugal's golden visa requires five years' residence before citizenship eligibility at €250,000–500,000 entry35. You'll retain your US citizenship, as Malta and most EU countries permit dual nationality without requiring you to renounce your American passport.

Which EU citizenship can you buy?

Malta is the only EU country offering direct citizenship purchase through its citizenship-by-investment programme, requiring €600,000–750,000 plus property investment12. Other EU countries—Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Cyprus, and Italy—provide golden visa residency programmes that lead to citizenship after 5–10 years of residence5. Portugal allows citizenship applications after five years, Greece after seven, and Italy after ten, provided you meet naturalisation requirements such as language proficiency and continuous residence5.

Cited sources

  1. Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment 2024: The Financial Requirements | ACC Malta Immigration
  2. The Ultimate Guide to the Malta Citizenship-by-Investment
  3. European Golden Visa programs: Cheapest & best in 2026
  4. Hungary Residency by Investment — the Guest Investor Program | Bayat Group
  5. Golden Visa
  6. Free movement and residence - European Commission
  7. Schengen area - Migration and Home Affairs - European Union
  8. Cyprus Permanent Residency Residency by Investment | Mirabello Consultancy

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