Programmes
Which programme suits you? Side by side, on one page
The tables below are drawn from the key facts on the programme pages. The figures come from official sources and were checked on the date shown; the programme pages give the details and the sources.
Residence
Residence programmes – living, remote work, study, family
Monthly income threshold
| Programme | Who it is for | First permit | In total | Income or funds | Family | Leads to settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia Croatian digital nomad residence permit | Remote worker for a foreign company | Up to 18 months | 18 months; new application after a 6-month break | EUR 3,622.50 per month or EUR 43,470 in savings for 12 months | Spouse and child under 18 | No |
| Spain Spanish digital nomad visa | Remote worker for a foreign company, or self-employed with clients abroad | 3 years (applying in Spain); 1 year via a consulate | Renewable every 2 years | EUR 2,849 gross per month; more with family | Spouse and child under 18 – with the right to work | Yes, after 5 years |
| Spain Spanish non-lucrative visa (NLV) | Someone who does not work and lives on passive income or savings | 1 year | 1 + 2 + 2 years | EUR 2,400 per month; +EUR 600 for each family member | Spouse and child under 18 | Yes, after 5 years |
| Hungary Hungarian White Card | Remote worker for a foreign company, arriving alone | 1 year | Up to 2 years | EUR 3,000 net per month, for the previous 6 months | Cannot be included (exception: a child born in Hungary during the stay) | No |
| Hungary Long-term residence in Hungary | Someone who has lived legally in Hungary for 3 years (5 years for the EU card) | Indefinite entitlement; document valid for 10 years | – | Proven, taxed income and accommodation | Spouse and child under 18 – through family reunification | This is settlement itself |
| Malta Malta student residence permit | A student at a licensed school in Malta | Visa for up to 180 days, renewable in Malta up to 365 days | Residence card renewable each year for the length of the course | 75% of the Maltese minimum wage for each month of study | Cannot be included | No; can continue with a work permit after the course |
Investment
Investment and citizenship programmes
Investment amounts
- EUR 25,000 investment or share capital in your own Maltese company Malta Malta Startup Residence Programme
- USD 240,000 contribution (with up to 3 family members) or USD 300,000 in property or government bonds Saint Lucia Saint Lucia citizenship by investment
- EUR 250,000 in investment fund shares or a EUR 1,000,000 donation Hungary Hungarian guest investor programme
- AED 2,000,000 investment or property; AED 30,000 monthly salary for professionals United Arab Emirates UAE Golden Visa
| Programme | Investment or contribution | Permit | Minimum stay requirement | Family | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary Hungarian guest investor programme | EUR 250,000 in a qualified real estate fund or a EUR 1,000,000 donation | 10 years, renewable by up to another 10 years | None | Spouse and child under 18, for 10 years, with unrestricted access to work | If you move to Hungary: national residence card after 3 years, naturalisation after 8 years; if not, a 10 + 10-year permit without settlement |
| Malta Malta Startup Residence Programme | EUR 25,000 in your own Maltese company; an approved business plan | 3 years, then 5 years | Genuine presence in Malta and paying tax there expected; no number of days set | Spouse and child under 18 | Long-term residence after 5 years |
| United Arab Emirates UAE Golden Visa | AED 2,000,000 in investment or property; for professionals, a monthly salary of AED 30,000 | 10 years, renewable | None; exempt from the 180-day absence rule | Spouse, children of any age; parents on conditions that differ by emirate | Renewal on the same conditions |
| Saint Lucia Saint Lucia citizenship by investment | USD 240,000 contribution (with up to 3 family members) or USD 300,000 in property or government bonds | Citizenship and passport | None at present (a connection requirement is being introduced from 2026) | Spouse; child up to 21, dependant up to 30; parent over 55; child or parent with a disability; sibling under 18 | Dual citizenship permitted |
Year by year
The path in years
1 Digital nomad permit for up to 18 months 2 The permit expires 3 New application after a 6-month break Does not lead to settlement – it is meant for a temporary stay.
1 Guest investor permit for 10 years 2 National residence card available (if you live in Hungary) 3 Naturalisation possible after 8 years in Hungary 4 Renewal for a further 10 years (if you have not moved to Hungary) Two routes from one permit: if you move to Hungary, you can settle after 3 years and naturalise after 8; if not, the permit runs for 10 + 10 years with no minimum stay requirement – without settlement or citizenship.
1 Citizenship and passport 2 Property or government bond held for 5 years Full citizenship straight away; dual citizenship is permitted.
1 Permit for 3 years 2 Renewal for 5 years 3 Eligible to apply for long-term residence 4 Naturalisation after 5 years at the earliest, at discretion Leads to settlement after 5 years; naturalisation is discretionary.
1 Permit for 3 years (1 year with a consular visa) 2 Renewal for 2-year periods 3 Eligible to apply for long-term residence Leads to settlement: long-term residence after 5 years.
1 Permit for 1 year 2 Renewal for 2 years 3 Further renewal for 2 years 4 Eligible to apply for long-term residence Leads to settlement: long-term residence after 5 years; after 1 year it can be modified to a work permit.
1 Golden Visa for 10 years 2 Renewal on the same conditions No minimum stay requirement; renewal can be requested on the same conditions.
1 White Card for 1 year 2 Renewal by up to 1 year 3 The permit expires Does not lead to settlement – White Card time does not count; it cannot be switched within Hungary, but a similar programme in another country can be started 2–3 months before expiry.
1 National residence card – indefinite entitlement 2 Naturalisation possible after 8 years of registered domicile 3 Document replaced for another 10 years This is settlement itself: available after 3 years (5 years for the EU card) of legal residence.
1 Study D visa for up to 180 days 2 Renewal in Malta up to 365 days 3 Residence card for the course, renewable each year 4 9-month permit to seek employment after higher education Study time does not count towards long-term residence; you can continue with a work permit.
Guide
If you know just one thing about yourself
-
Would you invest without relocating?
Yes- Hungary Hungarian guest investor programme 10 years, no minimum stay requirement
- United Arab Emirates UAE Golden Visa 10 years
- Saint Lucia Saint Lucia citizenship by investment second passport
No the next question -
Do you work remotely for a foreign company?
Yes- Spain Spanish digital nomad visa with family, for the long term
- Croatia Croatian digital nomad residence permit one to one and a half years
- Hungary Hungarian White Card alone, 1–2 years
No the next question -
Not working, living on a pension or passive income?
No the next question -
Coming with your own business, or studying in Europe for a year?
No the next question -
Does your family already live abroad, or have you lived in Hungary for several years?
| Your situation | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Working for a foreign company, spending one to one and a half years by the sea | Croatian digital nomad residence permit |
| Working for a foreign company, moving for the long term with your family | Spanish digital nomad visa |
| Not working, living on a pension or passive income | Spanish non-lucrative visa (NLV) |
| Arriving alone, looking for a quick, low-cost European base for 1–2 years | Hungarian White Card |
| No foreign employer, but a year in Europe studying | Malta student residence permit |
| Investing, without wanting to relocate | Hungarian guest investor programme or UAE Golden Visa |
| Coming to the EU with your own business | Malta Startup Residence Programme |
| Looking for a second passport | Saint Lucia citizenship by investment |
| Your family already lives abroad – or you would set off together | Onboard Family |
| Living in Hungary for several years and wanting to make it permanent | Long-term residence in Hungary |
Note
Income thresholds and official fees change every year; the tables show the values valid on the ‘Last checked’ date given on each programme page. Before you request a quote, always go by the programme page. The programme page sets out the rule for family members; in the residence programmes, the family members who can be included are the spouse and children under 18.