British expats can no longer spend as much time as they like in Europe now Britain has left the European Union. Are Golden Visas the answer?
Expats have lost the right to unlimited stays to live and work unless they already lived in the EU before January 1.
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Instead, they can stay in the EU for 90 days in any 190 days.
That time limit applies to the total stay in the EU. Border-hopping between countries to reset the counter is not allowed.
If expats overstay their welcome, they must apply for visas or travel permits. If they don’t, the risk is deportation back to the UK.
This rule change is particularly annoying for second homeowners who have retired to countries with a sunny, warm climate bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Happy campers touring Europe in motorhomes also face disruption to their trips.
British expats can still apply for residency in an EU country, but many turn their attention to so-called golden visas that allow them to buy a new life in the sun if they have enough money in the bank.
What is a Golden visa?
Golden visa is the popular term for expats gaining residency or citizenship in a foreign country through an immigrant investor program.
The number of countries offering golden visas is continually changing as governments tweak the terms and conditions or even withdraw their programs.
The investment needed to qualify for a golden visa ranges from $200,000 to $10 million or more.
A golden visa is a fast-track to citizenship for investors and their families and often comes with a passport, access to healthcare and education.
Another advantage of the scheme is visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, but British expats already have that privilege under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
How does a golden visa work?
Governments dangle the carrot of a golden visa to lure wealthy entrepreneurs into investing some of their fortunes with them.
The schemes typically demand investment in a home or business that gives jobs to locals.
The rules vary between schemes, but the common threads are:
- You must control the cash you want to invest
- The cash must be on deposit with a regulated bank to avoid money-laundering
- You must have proof of how you obtained the funds
- You and your family must have a clean criminal record
Some quirky rules apply to buying your home:
- Pay at least the minimum required investment in cash – and that goes for everyone on a separate visa in the household
- Some governments will let you finance the balance over the minimum cash input
For example, you, your wife and two children aged 10 and 12 years old buy a home worth $1 million. The minimum investment is $500,000. You should pay the $500,000 in cash and take a mortgage for the balance.
Applying for a golden visa
Be careful about putting the cart before the horse and take professional advice before applying for a golden visa.
Due to the amount of money involved in a golden visa application, expats considering the route tend to instruct lawyers to handle the matter for them.
Some governments want your application and proof of funds before investing, while others want to see investment followed by an application.
Get the procedure wrong, and you will have the time and costs involved in starting the process again.
While some golden visas invite a property investment, others demand contributions by way of:
- Buying a local company’s shares
- Investing in government bonds
- Opening a business that creates jobs for locals
Which countries offer golden visas?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have suspended or closed their golden visa opportunities.
Golden visas come in two types – residence by investment or citizenship by investment.
Sometimes citizenship by investment is called a golden passport.
About one in four of the 192 countries recognised by the United Nations offer golden visas or passports.
The list below details the countries offering pre-COVID golden visas:
| Country | Residence | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua & Barbuda | x | |
| Australia | x | |
| Austria | x | x |
| Cambodia | x | |
| Canada | x | |
| Comoros | x | |
| Cyprus | x | x |
| Dominica | x | |
| Egypt | x | |
| Greece | x | |
| Grenada | x | |
| Hong Kong | x | |
| Italy | x | |
| Jersey | x | |
| Jordan | x | |
| Latvia | x | |
| Macedonia | x | |
| Malaysia | x | |
| Malta | x | x |
| Mauritius | x | |
| Moldova | x | |
| Monaco | x | |
| Montenegro | x | |
| New Zealand | x | |
| Portugal | x | |
| St Kitts & Nevis | x | |
| St Lucia | x | |
| Singapore | x | |
| Spain | x | |
| Switzerland | x | |
| Thailand | x | |
| Turkey | x | |
| UK | x | |
| USA | x | |
| Vanuatu | x |
The top golden visa schemes for British expats
Portugal is the most popular golden visa destination for British expats since Brexit.
Austria, Greece and then Italy make up the rest of the top f our.
Here are the details of their golden visa options:
Portugal
Portugal is one of the top ten hot spots for British expats.
Around 60,000 Brits already enjoy the warm climate, beautiful beaches and laid back culture of the friendly Portuguese.
As an EU nation and a Schengen Area member, Portugal offers the benefits of living in the EU to residents.
For expats buying a home under the golden visa, the minimum investment is €350,000 for a property that is at least 30 years old. The other options are €500,000 or €1 million investments. The larger the investment, the shorter the qualifying time for permanent residence.
An alternative route to the golden visa is investing in a business.
Several options are available, from creating ten jobs for locals to sinking €500,000 into an investment fund or venture capital.
The golden visa requires the holder to spend just two weeks a year in Portugal. The visa is renewable after two years. Holders can seek Portuguese citizenship after five years.
Austria
The Austrians are clear about what they want from expats seeking to retire or work there.
Nothing less than a substantial contribution to the economy will do. Substantial means just that – typical investments start at around €3 million and aimed at starting or expanding businesses to create jobs.
An Austrian golden visa is unique in many ways – mainly as Austria is the only EU nation to offer citizenship by investment to expats without prior ties to the country.
Like the other popular golden visas, Austria is an EU state and Schengen Area member for visa-free travel.
Greece
Popular with Brits as a holiday destination but lower down the list than France, Spain and Portugal as somewhere to move for retirement.
Greece is home to around 18,000 Brits dotted around the mainland and the scores of beautiful islands that float like jewels in the crystal blue seas.
Residency by investment in Greece is the cheapest in Europe and costs a €250,000 purchase of a home.
With that comes a five-year residency permit and the benefits of EU residency and Schengen Area visa-free travel.
Italy
More than 25,000 British expats already enjoy the dolce vita in Italy, so it’s no surprise many more are looking to move to the bustling cities of Rome or Milan or the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Residence by investment costs between €250,000 to €2 million and leads to citizenship after ten years.
Like most other EU golden visas, investors gain the rights of living in the EU and visa-free Schengen Area travel.
Golden Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Who buys a golden visa?
A study by the International Monetary Fund in 2015 suggests more than 100,000 Chinese nationals bought into one of the available schemes between 2007 and 2016.
The Canadian government also revealed more than 75% of applicants for investment visas were from China.
Lawyers working in the golden visa market argue that many applicants from the UK and USA regard the schemes as part of their retirement planning by relocating to a country with lower taxes charged against retirement income.
Are golden visas a permanent immigration solution?
Do golden visas cover families?
If I get a golden visa, do I have to live in that country?
Where is the Schengen Area?
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