EU & UK GOLDEN VISAS
Book Your Free ConsultationIn this unstable world, many wealthy people want to secure a safe bolthole in Europe for both them and their loved ones. Fortunately, there are many options available often with limited residency requirements. However, in our experience many wealthy families do not simply want an ‘emergency’ visa but rather a tax efficient method of moving themselves and their families to world class locations such as London (for its business, entertainment, shopping and unparalleled educational facilities, schools etc.), Monaco (for its superb location, tax free status, weather and proximity to most key European locations) or even Ireland (for its quality of life, scenery, beautiful country estates and continued non-domiciled tax benefits). No matter your preferences or needs, the SCF Group can provide objective advice as it has professional partners in all major European jurisdictions.
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Technically the UK Golden Visa, often referred to as the Teir 1 Visa, no longer exists having been closed in February 2022. However, for those actually seeking to relocate and live – i.e. become ordinarily resident in the UK – there remain.
- Innovator Founder Visas: These require the establishment of a business with endorsement for innovation, viability, and scalability.
- Global Talent Visas: These are limited to leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, or digital technology.
However, the issue with moving to the UK is that over the last decade or so, the country has not only become a high tax (for both businesses and individuals) jurisdiction but its traditional tax benefits for non-domiciled individuals have now virtually dissipated. This means that within a relatively short space of time ordinarily resident individuals of whatever original nationality will become taxable on their worldwide income and, subject to tax treaties, assets. For this reason, it is now essential for those wishing to relocate to the UK to first separate their ‘surplus’ assets into a regulated private interest foundation (PIF) or trust. Correctly set-up, this will ensure that for future generations hard earned wealth can be maintained in a low tax environment combined with ‘controlled’ tax exposure as and when funds may be needed. Better still, such structures can have a high degree of flexibility to react to any future changes in circumstances.
IRELAND
In many ways, Ireland can be considered to be the secret tax haven! On the one hand, it has impeccable tax treaty credentials and international respectability whilst on the other, it has maintained significant tax benefits for non-domiciled individuals with it being possible to structure one’s affairs so that Irish taxation only occurs on remitted income. Better still, it also offers a Golden Visa option under the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), which requires a high-net-worth non-EU/EEA individual to invest at least €1 million into approved Irish projects or alternatively donate €500,000 into an Irish philanthropic project. Applicants must have a net worth of at least €2 million, proof of funds, good character, and no criminal convictions.
CYPRUS
The Cypriot Golden Visa (Permanent Residence Permit) is one of the most economic ways of securing an EU visa and only requires a €300,000 plus investment into new residential/commercial real estate, Cypriot company shares, or Cypriot investment funds, plus proof of a secure annual foreign income of €50,000 (plus an additional €15,000 for a spouse and €10,000 per child applicant). All applicants must have a clean criminal record, valid health insurance, and visit Cyprus once every two years. The investor and their family must visit Cyprus at least once every two years to maintain their permanent residency status.
GREECE
As of early 2026, the Greek Golden Visa requires non-EU/EEA nationals to invest between €250,000 and €800,000 in real estate, depending on location and type, or €500,000 in financial instruments. As with all Schengen members, Greek visas allow access to other EU member states whilst like Cyprus and Portugal there is a limited requirements to actually be physically resident in Greece. In addition, for those wishing to relocate to Greece there is also a non-domiciled option of paying a fixed annual tax of €100,000.00 no matter one’s level of worldwide income/wealth.
ITALY
Italy has successfully positioned itself as offering perhaps the most targeted of the EU golden visa schemes. Unlike Cyprus, Greece or Portugal the primary aim was and is to attract ultra-high net worth individuals requiring non-EU nationals to make a significant economic investment, starting at €250,000 for innovative startups up to €2 million for government bonds, which must be maintained for at least two years. Notwithstanding the above, technically the Italian visa does not require a physical presence in Italy. However, the introduction of a lump sum tax of €200.000.00 per annum for Italian non-domiciled individuals (whether EU or non-EU nationals) has proved very attractive to ultra-high net worth individuals physically relocating to Italy. Further, assets held outside of Italy are not subject to wealth, inheritance or gift taxes. These benefits are subject to certain conditions.
PORTUGAL
The Portuguese Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €250,000 to €500,000, with direct real estate purchases no longer qualifying. However, visas can be maintained by funding cultural/artistic projects, investing in venture capital funds, or creating business jobs. At the time of writing, by far the most popular the option was the venture capital/investment fund route requiring €500,000 or more invested in a Portuguese regulated fund. Apart from the visa itself, the biggest benefit of the Portuguese Golden Visa is that there is only a a minimum stay of 7–14 days required over 5 years..
