Golden Visa Residency
Golden Visas for Russians: Everything You Need to Know
Can Russians still get a Golden Visa in 2026?
- Yes. Golden Visas for Russians are . Availability varies by country, and applications are assessed individually.
How much does a Golden Visa cost?
- Investment thresholds typically range from €130,000 to €1,000,000, depending on the country and investment route.
What are the most effective routes?
The optimal choice depends on priorities such as speed, prestige, taxation, or access to Europe:
- Fastest pathways: Vanuatu and Turkey offer immediate citizenship, while Panama and Cyprus provide immediate permanent residency, though citizenship takes longer.
- Tax-focused option: The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency with no personal income or capital gains tax, but no direct path to citizenship.
- European Union options:
- Hungary: Lower-cost fund route with tax advantages and immediate 10-year residency, sufficient to qualify for citizenship over time.
- Portugal: Combines EU residency, a realistic citizenship pathway, and lifestyle benefits, but involves long processing times and case-by-case approval for Russian applicants.
- Cyprus: Immediate permanent EU residence at a lower cost, with a longer and potentially more sensitive path to citizenship.
Alternative Strategy
- Some applicants first secure immediate citizenship (for example, in Turkey or Vanuatu) and then apply for an EU residency by investment program otherwise unavailable to Russian citizens, such as the Greece Golden Visa.
What are the Key benefits for Russian citizens?
- Golden Visas can provide long-term residency security, family inclusion, increased global mobility, access to healthcare and education, lifestyle flexibility, and, in some cases, tax planning advantages.
- Heightened scrutiny and frequent regulatory changes make expert guidance essential for many Russian applicants. Investment Visa provides personalized, end-to-end support covering compliance, banking, investment structuring, and long-term planning.
Residency and Citizenship Options for Russian Citizens in 2026
Golden Visa and residency by investment programs have traditionally offered investors increased global mobility, long-term residency security, and access to new markets.
For Russian citizens, however, the landscape has changed considerably in recent years.
Geopolitical developments since 2022 have led to the suspension or tightening of several European programs alongside increased scrutiny, enhanced due-diligence requirements, and greater uncertainty around approvals.
Despite these restrictions, Golden Visas for Russians and investment migration options have not disappeared entirely.
A number of countries continue to accept applications, either openly or on a case-by-case basis, while others outside the European Union provide alternative routes through residency or citizenship by investment programs.
Understanding which options remain viable in 2026 and how requirements differ for Russian applicants is essential.
This article provides a clear overview of investment migration and Golden Visa for Russians currently available.
You'll also find the key benefits of these programs, such as international mobility, family security, lifestyle flexibility, and, in some cases, tax planning opportunities, as well as the specific challenges Russian applicants may face, like banking restrictions, source-of-funds verification, and longer processing timelines.
Investment Visa is committed to bringing you up-to-date information on all the most important options available to Russian citizens looking for residence or citizenship and keep you up to date on the latest developments and how they might affect you.
Discover the best options available in 2026 for Russian investors below or contact us for personalized advice and support.
Benefits of Golden Visas for Russian Citizens
Golden Visa and residency by investment programs offer a range of strategic benefits for investors seeking greater international flexibility and long-term security.
- Global Mobility: European Golden Visas provide residency in an EU country and visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area, as well as onward travel access to a large number of countries worldwide. Over time, many programs also lead to permanent residence or citizenship, further expanding travel freedom.
- Plan B: Golden Visas allow individuals and families to secure legal residence outside their home country, offering an additional layer of safety, stability, and optionality in times of political, economic, or personal uncertainty.
- Access to high-quality healthcare and education systems: especially within the European Union. Residents can benefit from public or private healthcare frameworks and enroll children in reputable international or local schools and universities.
- Family inclusion: Most programs allowing spouses, dependent children, and sometimes parents to be included under a single application.
- Tax planning opportunities, including favorable treatment of foreign income or low-tax regimes for new residents.
- Pathway to Citizenship: enabling applicants to eventually obtain a second passport.
Additional Challenges for Russian Citizens
However, Russians applying for Golden Visas often face additional challenges.
Aside from the issue of the unavailability of many of the biggest programs, especially across the EU, these challenges include enhanced due diligence, stricter source-of-funds requirements, banking difficulties, longer processing times, and, in some countries, case-by-case political approval.
Navigating these obstacles requires careful planning, up-to-date knowledge of program rules, and professional support to reduce risk and uncertainty.
Golden Visas for Russians in 2026: Residency and Citizenship Options
Hungary Golden Visa (Guest Investor Program)
- One of the most promising Golden Visas for Russians seeking EU residency;
- Investment options include €250,000 in a government-approved real estate fund (held for a minimum of five years) or a €1,000,000 donation to a public-interest trust;
- Grants 10-year EU residency, typically processed within 21–90 days;
- Eligible for citizenship after 8 years of residence;
- Includes spouse and dependent children;
- Allows visa-free travel to 119 countries with the residence permit and Schengen Area travel for 90 days in any 180-day period.
Why Russians Choose It:
- Hungary combines a relatively low investment threshold with full Schengen mobility, an affordable cost of living in a European capital, and potential tax advantages.
- While the program is new and banks apply strict compliance checks, it remains one of the very few EU options technically open to Russian nationals seeking residency within the Schengen Area.
UAE Golden Visa
- A flexible Golden Visa for Russians with no physical presence requirement and significant tax advantages;
- Requires a minimum investment of AED 2,000,000 (approx. $545,000) in real estate; an entrepreneur category is also available;
- Grants 5- or 10-year renewable residency permit based on investment amount, with no direct route to citizenship;
- Includes spouse, children, and eligible dependents.
Why Russians Choose It:
The UAE offers a politically neutral and secure environment with world-class infrastructure, modern healthcare and education, and no personal income or capital gains tax.
Russian citizens benefit from established communities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as strong air connectivity to Europe and Asia.
Türkiye Citizenship by Investment
- One of the fastest citizenship by investment routes available to Russian citizens;
- Requires $400,000 (approx. €340,750) in real estate (held for three years) or $500,000 (approx. €426,000) in bonds, bank deposits, or investment funds;
- Grants direct citizenship, with passports typically issued within 3 to 6 months;
- Includes spouse and dependent children.
- A Turkish passport enables visa-free travel to 70 countries.
Why Russians Choose it:
Türkiye offers immediate citizenship, a strong real estate market, and large Russian-speaking communities in Istanbul, Antalya, and coastal regions.
Dual citizenship is permitted, and Turkish passport-holders may later apply for US visas and many EU residency by investment programs.
Portugal Golden Visa
- While Russian citizens were never formally banned from the Portugal Golden Visa, between 2022 and 2024, applications were unprocessed.
- This practice was ruled unconstitutional, and applications are now accepted again, excluding individuals on EU sanctions lists;
- However, all applicants face delays due to significant backlogs at AIMA. Russian citizens may experience additional administrative challenges, including banking, tax registration, and document issuance;
- Investment options include €500,000 in qualifying funds;
- Grants a 2-year residence permit, renewable in 3-year increments;
- Eligible for citizenship after 5 years of legal residence;
- Includes spouse, dependent children, and, in some cases, dependent parents;
- A Portuguese passport enables visa-free travel to 170+ countries while Portuguese residency enables Schengen Area travel to 29 countries for 90 days in any 180-day period.
Why Russians Choose It:
Portugal offers a high quality of life, strong healthcare and education systems, and EU residency with a realistic citizenship pathway.
For Russian applicants able to pass strict compliance checks, it remains one of the few Schengen options still available.
Cyprus Permanent Residence Program
- Provides a straightforward route to permanent EU residence;
- Requires a €300,000 investment in Cypriot real estate;
- Grants permanent residence within months, valid indefinitely;
- Eligible for citizenship after 8 years of residence;
- Includes spouse and dependent children under 25;
- A Cypriot passport enables visa-free travel to 121 countries while residency enables Schengen Area travel for 90 days in any 180-day period.
Why Russians Choose it:
Cyprus offers EU residency rights, a warm climate, and a high standard of living, as well as geographic proximity to Russia.
However, citizenship pathways for Russian nationals remain lengthy and politically sensitive.
US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa
- One of the most prestigious residency by investment programs available;
- Requires $800,000 (approx. €681,500) in a government-designated regional center project or $1,050,000 (approx. €894,500) in a direct investment;
- Grants a 2-year conditional Green Card, followed by permanent residence;
- However, processing times for Green Cards are very long, with current averages ranging from 18 to 48 months;
- Eligible for US citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence;
- Includes spouse and unmarried children under 21;
- A US Green Card enables visa-free travel to up to 52 countries, though this may be dependent on the Green Card holder’s passport.
Why Russians Choose it:
The EB-5 program provides access to the US economy, world-class healthcare, and leading universities, with established Russian-speaking communities in cities such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.
Despite long processing times, it remains one of the most secure routes to US residency.
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
- A fast and flexible permanent residency option;
- Requires a $500,000 (approx. €427,000) real estate or securities investment or a $750,000 (approx. €640,600) bank deposit;
- Grants permanent residency immediately upon approval;
- Eligible for citizenship after 5 years of residence;
- Includes spouse and dependent children;
- A Panamanian passport enables visa-free travel to 88 countries.
Why Russians Choose It:
Panama offers political stability, a dollarized economy, and a strategic location between North and South America, along with a reputation as a global financial and logistics hub.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- One of the fastest and most affordable citizenship programs available;
- Investment of $130,000 (approx. €110,900), a non-refundable contribution that nets you Vanuatu citizenship;
- Grants direct citizenship, with passports issued in 2 to 3 months;
- Includes spouse, children under 18 or unmarried children under 30, and parents or grandparents over 50;
- A Vanuatu passport enables visa-free travel to 46 countries.
Why Russians Choose it:
Vanuatu appeals for its speed and simplicity, offering citizenship within months and no residency requirements.
While travel access is limited compared to EU passports, it provides one of the fastest “Plan B” solutions available.
Canada Start-Up Visa
- An entrepreneurship-focused immigration route requiring the creation of an innovative, scalable business;
- No fixed investment amount, but endorsement from a designated venture capital fund, angel investor group, or incubator is required;
- Grants permanent residence on approval, with interim work permits available;
- Eligible for citizenship after 3 years of residence;
- Includes spouse and dependent children;
- A Canadian passport enables visa-free travel to 113 countries.
Why Russians Choose it:
Canada combines political stability, a high standard of living, strong healthcare and education systems, and large Russian-speaking communities in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
Alternative Strategy: Greece Golden Visa
- Since 2022, Russian citizens cannot apply directly for the Greece Golden Visa;
- However, applicants holding a second passport from a non-sanctioned country may apply without restriction;
- Second citizenship can be obtained relatively quickly through programs such as Turkey or Vanuatu, starting at a €250,000 real estate investment;
- Grants a renewable 5-year residence permit;
- Eligible for citizenship after 7 years of legal residence;
- Includes spouse, children under 18, and parents of both the investor and spouse;
- A Greek passport enables visa-free travel to 120 countries while residency enables Schengen Area travel for 90 days in any 180-day period.
Key Factors for Success
- Transparent source-of-funds documentation: Clear, well-organized financial records demonstrating the lawful origin of invested capital are essential, often covering multiple years.
- Clean criminal and immigration history: Even minor past issues can lead to delays or refusals under enhanced due diligence.
- Early banking preparation: Account opening and fund transfers can be more complex for Russian nationals and should be planned well in advance.
- Careful family planning: Dependents must meet eligibility criteria at the time of application, and future changes should be anticipated.
- Defined exit strategies: Real estate and fund investments should allow for capital recovery if circumstances change.
- Appropriate jurisdiction selection: Political stability, administrative reliability, and continued accessibility for Russian citizens are critical.
- Realistic expectations: Russian applicants should expect heightened scrutiny, longer processing times, and case-by-case decision-making.
Key Mistakes to Avoid
- Bank onboarding failures: Applications can stall or collapse if banking arrangements are not secured early.
- Pursuing closed or restricted EU programs: Some programs are formally closed or informally inaccessible to Russian nationals.
- Over-reliance on real estate investments: Illiquidity, holding periods, and market risks are often underestimated.
- Misunderstanding travel rights: Non-EU residency does not automatically grant broad visa-free travel.
- Ignoring frequent rule changes: Investment migration programs evolve rapidly, and outdated information can lead to non-compliance or lost opportunities.
How Investment Visa Can Help
Investment Visa supports Russian citizens through every stage of the investment migration process, from program selection and compliance preparation to banking coordination and application management.
Our Golden Visa consultants for Russian citizens help clients navigate regulatory risk, avoid common pitfalls, and structure applications to meet current requirements.
Speak to an Investment Migration Expert Today
Given the complexity of today’s investment migration landscape, professional investment migration advice for Russians is essential.
Contact Investment Visa to discuss your options and develop a personalized plan to secure a second residence or citizenship.
| Country/Program | Minimum Investment | Residency Length | Path to Citizenship | Family Inclusion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hungary Guest Investor Program | €250k (fund) or €1M (donation) | 10 years (renewable) | Eligible after 8 years | Spouse and dependent children | Strong option for EU residence, tax, and cost |
| UAE Golden Visa | AED 2M | 5 or 10 years (renewable) | No direct path to citizenship | Spouse, children, and dependents | Strong tax benefits, but no path to citizenship |
| Türkiye Citizenship by Investment | $400k real estate or $500k deposit/bonds | Direct citizenship (3–6 months) | Immediate Turkish passport | Spouse and dependent children | Among quickest citizenship options |
| Portugal Golden Visa | €500k (fund) | 2 years then 3-year renewals | Eligible after 5 years | Spouse, dependent children, and parents | Major backlog and extra challenges for Russians |
| Cyprus Permanent Residence Program | €300k in property, shares, or funds | Permanent residence, indefinite validity | Eligible after 7 years (5 years with integration) | Spouse and dependent children under 25 | Immediate EU residence but long path to citizenship |
| US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa | $800k (regional centre) or $1M+ (direct investment) | Conditional Green Card (2 yrs), then permanent Green Card | Eligible after 5 years of permanent residence | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 | Strong benefits but very long wait for processing |
| Panama Qualified Investor Visa | $500k real estate or securities, or $750k deposit | Permanent residence from approval | Eligible after 5 years of residence | Spouse and dependent children | Among quickest options |
| Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment | USD $130,000+ government donation | Direct citizenship (2–3 months) | Immediate Vanuatu passport | Spouse, dependent children, and parents | Cheapest and immediate citizenship; limited travel |
| Canada Start-Up Visa | No fixed minimum (requires endorsement) | Permanent residence in 18–24 months | Eligible after ~3 years of permanent residency | Spouse and dependent children | Permanent residence in one of richest countries |
| Alternate Option: Greek Golden Visa | €111k–€500k initial CBI; €250k–€800k Greek Golden Visa | Citizenship 2–6 months; 5 yr renewable Greek residence | Eligible after 7 years of residency | Spouse, dependent children, and parents | Complicated route but allows access to EU |
FAQs
Can Russians Still Get a Golden Visa in 2026?
Yes, Russian nationals can still access a number of residency- and citizenship-by-investment programs in 2026. Availability varies by country and applications are assessed individually.
How much does a Golden Visa cost?
Investment thresholds range from €130,000 to €1,000,000, depending on the country and investment route.
What are the Most Effective Routes?
The optimal choice depends on priorities such as speed, prestige, taxation, or access to Europe.
The fastest pathways include Vanuatu and Turkey for immediate citizenship and Panama and Cyprus for immediate residence.
Options with attractive tax structures include the UAE and Hungary, which both offer low income tax rates.
Options that provide EU residence and Schengen Area travel include Hungary, Portugal, and Cyprus, though an alternate strategy involving first gaining rapid citizenship in a country such as Turkiye allows applicants to then access a wide range of EU residency-by-investment schemes.
What are the Key Benefits of Golden Visas for Russian Citizens?
Golden Visas can provide long-term residency security, family inclusion, increased global mobility, access to healthcare and education, lifestyle flexibility, and, in some cases, tax planning advantages.
Does Professional Immigration Investment Advice Matter?
Given heightened scrutiny and frequent regulatory changes, expert guidance is often essential for Russian applicants to navigate compliance, banking, investment structuring, and long-term planning.
Investment Visa understands the particular situation facing Russian investors today and we offer a personalized start-to-finish support service to help you confidently achieve your residency, citizenship, and investment goals.
