Where to Get a Residence Permit by Investment in 2025: Henley & Partners Ranking

Henley & Partners has published the annual Residence Program Index 2025, evaluating 26 countries across 10 key criteria, including required investment, access to citizenship, tax and visa benefits, and quality of life.

Leaders: Greece, Switzerland, Italy

For the first time in nine years, Greece topped the ranking with 73 out of 100 points, surpassing Portugal, which had traditionally led the market for investment migration.

Greece offers residence through real estate or asset investments. The minimum threshold is €250,000 outside major city centers (e.g. Athens, Thessaloniki). In these cities and hotspots like Mykonos or Santorini, the minimum is €800,000.

Also available:

Purchase of a single residential property of at least 120 sq.m. starting from €400,000.

Investment in Greek bonds, equities, or mutual funds starting at €500,000.

Applicants can include family members, are not required to reside permanently in Greece, and may apply for citizenship after seven years.

Switzerland ranked second with 72 points, offering residence to financially independent non-EU/EFTA nationals via lump-sum taxation (starting at CHF 250,000). The program offers access to high living standards, stability, healthcare, education, and visa-free travel in the Schengen zone.

Italy came in third with 70 points, tied with Portugal and the UK. It offers:

€2M in government bonds;

€500K in existing Italian companies;

€250K in startups;

€1M donation to social impact projects.

A 2-year renewable residence permit is granted, with eligibility for PR after 5 years and citizenship after 10. Italy also offers a “Elective Residence” visa for individuals with passive income.

Portugal, scoring 70 points, has reformed its Golden Visa program:

Real estate is no longer eligible.

Now limited to:

€250K+ in arts/culture;

€500K+ in venture capital or R&D;

Creating 10 jobs or investing €500K in an active company.

Minimum stay: 7 days/year. Citizenship after 5 years with basic Portuguese.

UK shares third place with its Innovator Founder visa, for entrepreneurs with a viable, endorsed business plan and no minimum investment. It grants a 3-year residence permit with PR in 5 years.

Other Notable Programs

Australia: 69 pts. AUD 5M+ in funds for the Significant Investor Stream.

Canada: 69 pts. Start-up Visa with support from designated incubators or VCs.

Spain: Scored 69 points, but its real estate-based visa closed in April 2025.

UAE: 68 pts. Multiple options including real estate, business, and tax payments.

Hungary: 67 pts. New program with €250K in RE funds or €1M in state-priority projects.

Other Mentioned Jurisdictions:

Luxembourg – €500K+ in a company or €3M in funds.

Ireland – €500K+ in cultural or educational projects.

Cyprus – €300K+ in real estate or businesses.

Malta – Residency remains, citizenship program ruled illegal by EU court.

Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand – niche programs for UHNWIs.

Global Trends

Henley & Partners highlights:

Growing demand amid geopolitical uncertainty;

Lower entry thresholds;

More diversified investment options;

Emphasis on transparency and long-term economic integration.

Many EU countries are shutting down “golden passport” schemes under EC pressure, shifting focus to more regulated residency routes that favor sustainable integration over fast-track nationality.