Residency by investment
Residency by investment grants you and your family the right to live in another country, often with travel across a wider region and a long-term path to permanent status.
Overview
For many families, a second residence is the foundation of a global life: somewhere secure to live, study and do business, with the freedom to move when circumstances change.
We advise on the UAE, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Malta, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, weighing stay requirements, family inclusion, tax position and the long-term path each programme offers.
What it offers
Freedom to live and work
Legal residence for you and your family, with the right to live, study and in many cases work.
Wider travel
European programmes open travel across the Schengen Area for residence-permit holders.
Tax planning opportunities
No personal income tax in the UAE, flat taxes on foreign income in Italy and Greece, and lump-sum taxation in Switzerland.
A path to permanence
Many programmes lead, over time, to permanent residence and eligibility for citizenship.
Minimal disruption
Several programmes require little or no minimum stay to keep your status.
Security for the family
Spouses, children and often parents are included in a single application.
Processing and tax at a glance
Typical timelines and the tax position for each programme on this route.
| Destination | What it grants | Typical processing | Tax at a glance |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab EmiratesGolden Visa | Long-term residence of up to ten years, renewable | Typically a few weeks once the qualifying investment is in place | No personal income tax on salaries, dividends or interest |
| GreeceGolden Visa | Five-year renewable residence permit | Often six months or more, depending on the regional office; proof of filing is issued while you wait | Holding the permit does not by itself make you tax resident in Greece |
| PortugalGolden Visa | Residence permit, with permanent residence available after five years | Currently around 12 to 18 months to the first residence card | The Golden Visa does not make you a Portuguese tax resident |
| ItalyInvestor Visa | Renewable residence permit | Clearance usually within weeks; around three to six months overall | Optional flat tax of €300,000 a year on all foreign income for up to 15 years |
| SpainNon-Lucrative and Entrepreneur residence | Renewable residence permit | Usually a few months from the consular application | Special “Beckham” regime: a 24% flat rate on Spanish income up to €600,000 for six years for qualifying new residents |
| MaltaPermanent Residence Programme | Permanent residence | Typically four to six months | Residence does not by itself make you tax resident in Malta |
| SwitzerlandLump-sum taxation residence | Renewable residence permit | Typically three to seven months, depending on the canton | Taxed on annual living expenses instead of worldwide income and assets |
| United KingdomInnovator Founder and Global Talent visas | Residence with a path to settlement | Endorsement first; visa decisions then usually follow within weeks | New residents with ten years abroad pay no UK tax on foreign income and gains for their first four years |
Who it suits
Our clients come to this route for different reasons. These are the most common.
- Families seeking a secure second base
- Business owners expanding internationally
- Clients wanting European or Gulf mobility
- Parents planning their children’s education abroad
How it works
- i
Consultation
We understand your goals, family and preferred regions.
- ii
Programme choice
We compare programmes and recommend the best fit.
- iii
Investment and filing
We coordinate the qualifying investment and application.
- iv
Residence granted
Permits are issued and we manage renewals thereafter.
Destinations
Programmes we advise on for residency by investment.
- Eligibility and source-of-funds assessment
- Programme comparison and recommendation
- Document preparation, translation and legalisation
- Application filing and liaison with authorities
- Biometrics and appointment coordination
- Renewals and permanent residence applications
- Introductions to tax advisers, banks and schools
Questions clients ask
Do I need to live in the country?
Stay requirements differ widely. Some programmes require no minimum stay, while others ask for a short period each year. We explain the obligations of each programme before you apply.
Can my family be included?
Most programmes include a spouse and dependent children, and many extend to dependent parents. We plan the family structure of your application from the outset.
Does residency lead to citizenship?
In several countries, legal residence over a number of years can lead to eligibility for citizenship, subject to that country’s conditions, such as language or physical presence.
How long does the process take?
It ranges from a few weeks for the UAE Golden Visa to more than a year for Portugal. Typical timelines for each programme are shown above, and your advisor confirms a realistic timeline at the outset.
Will I become a tax resident?
Holding a residence permit does not by itself make you tax resident. Tax residence depends on where you spend your time and each country’s rules. We coordinate with your tax advisers so your residence and tax plans work together.
Begin with a private consultation
Speak with a senior advisor about the options open to your family. Every conversation is confidential.