Portugal Golden Visa vs EU Golden Visa Programs (2025 Comparison)?

The Portugal Golden Visa remains Europe’s leading residency-by-investment program, combining flexibility, lifestyle, and one of the fastest routes to EU citizenship. But how does it compare to other active options in Greece, Italy, and Bulgaria, or to Malta’s discontinued scheme?

If you’re exploring ways to secure EU residency or citizenship, understanding these differences is key.

Portugal Golden Visa (Active) — Best Choice in 2025

Portugal continues to lead the way with its investor-friendly program, offering one of the shortest and most flexible timelines to EU citizenship.

Key Highlights:

• Minimum investment: €200,000 donation to a certified cultural association (the real estate option ended in 2023).

• Residency requirement: Only 7 days per year.

• Citizenship eligibility: After 5 years.

• Family inclusion: Spouse, dependent children, and parents.

• Extra benefits: Attractive tax regime (NHR 2.0), access to EU healthcare & education, lifestyle in one of Europe’s safest countries.

Why Portugal?It is the most efficient pathway to EU citizenship without requiring full-time relocation — offering the perfect balance of investment, residency flexibility, and long-term security for families.

Greece Golden Visa (Active)

Greece offers the lowest entry cost for EU residency, with real estate as the investment route.

Key Highlights:

• Minimum investment: €250,000 in real estate (raised to €500,000 in high-demand areas like Athens).

• Residency requirement: None.

• Citizenship eligibility: After 7 years, but requires permanent relocation.

• Family inclusion: Yes.

  
  

Best for investors seeking affordable residency, but less ideal if your main goal is citizenship.

Malta Citizenship by Investment — Discontinued in 2025

In April 2025, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled Malta’s “Golden Passport” scheme illegal under EU law.

What This Means:

• The old program (requiring €600,000–€750,000+ in contributions, real estate, and donations) is no longer valid.

• Residency requirements (12–36 months) and the fast-track citizenship option (as little as 1 year) have been abolished.

• Family inclusion is no longer available.

What’s Next:Malta is drafting a citizenship-by-merit framework to grant nationality for exceptional contributions (science, culture, entrepreneurship, innovation). The new law is still under revision.

Italy Investor Visa (Active)

Italy offers access to Europe’s third-largest economy, but citizenship takes longer.

Key Highlights:

• Minimum investment: €250,000 in a startup or €500,000 in an Italian company.

• Residency requirement: Must maintain residence.

• Citizenship eligibility: After 10 years.

• Family inclusion: Yes.

Attractive for those wanting to live in Italy, but the long path to citizenship makes it less competitive.

Bulgaria Golden Visa (Active)

Bulgaria’s program stands out for granting immediate permanent residency.

Key Highlights:

• Minimum investment: €512,000 in Bulgarian-regulated funds.

• Residency requirement: None (remote process).

• Path to citizenship: After 5 years of holding permanent residency.

• Family inclusion: Spouse, children, and parents.

• Limitation: Bulgaria generally restricts dual citizenship. U.S. citizens would likely need to renounce their U.S. passport to naturalise.

A strong option for permanent residency with minimal presence, but less suitable for Americans targeting dual citizenship.

Comparison Table: Portugal vs Other EU Golden Visa Programs (2025)

Country	Min. Investment	Residency Req.	Citizenship Timeline	Key Advantage	Main Drawback
Portugal	€500,000 (regulated funds)	7 days/year	5 years	Fastest & most flexible EU residency route	Immigration law under revision in 2025 (but program remains active)
Greece	€250,000–€500,000 (real estate)	None	7 years (requires relocation)	Lowest entry cost into EU residency	Citizenship harder to obtain; relocation required
Malta	€600,000–€750,000+ (old scheme)	12–36 months	❌ Ended in 2025	Previously fastest EU passport	Program abolished; new merit-based law under revision
Italy	€250,000–€500,000 (investment)	Residence needed	10 years	Access to Italy’s economy & lifestyle	Longest wait for citizenship
Bulgaria	€512,000 (regulated funds)	None	5 years	Direct permanent residency	⚠️ Dual citizenship restrictions for U.S. citizens

Final Thoughts

Each program has its strengths, but:

• Portugal → Best overall: balanced cost, flexibility, and the fastest route to citizenship without relocation.

• Greece → Lowest cost entry, but limited for citizenship-seekers.

• Malta → No longer available after EU court ruling.

• Italy → Attractive lifestyle, but 10 years for citizenship.

• Bulgaria → Strong residency option, but dual citizenship restrictions reduce its appeal for U.S. investors.

For most international investors, the Portugal Golden Visa remains the smartest and most future-proof choice, offering lifestyle, security, and EU citizenship in just five years.

Ready to explore your options? Book a free virtual coffee with our team and get your Portugal Golden Visa eligibility check today.