But with so many programs out there, the real question is this: which ones are actually worth it? And which gives you the most value for the least investment? Let’s find out the most affordable options currently available.

What is a Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa is special, and the “golden” might’ve hinted at it.

It offers, in exchange for a qualified investment (which can be in the form of real estate, government funds, or investing in a local business), residency to foreign investors and their families within its borders.

They are provided the legal right to live within the country along with access to healthcare, education, and even visa-free travel to certain regions.

It is simultaneously a major lifestyle shift for those looking for one, and often a smart financial move too.

You’d also want to learn about the Golden Visa vs Golden Passport head-on and its differences.

Golden Visa vs Citizenship by Investment (Key Difference)

Here’s something that garners quite a bit of confusion: what’s the difference between a Golden Visa and Citizenship by Investment?

It isn’t difficult to see why, since both involve investing money and getting to stay within a country in return.

With a Golden Visa, you’re offered residency and thus the right to live, work, and study. After a few years, you can even become eligible to apply for citizenship.

A Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, on the other hand, skips the queue (the residency stage) and goes directly to investment in exchange for citizenship.

These are often processed within a few months. Such programs are mostly available in smaller countries such as Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia.

Why People Get a Golden Visa (Top Benefits)

The benefits of a Golden Visa and why so many wealthy individuals opt for it may just seem obvious now, but let’s list them out nonetheless, so it becomes easier to understand why they’re in such high demand.

Freedom of Movement

For many people, this is perhaps the biggest draw: the freedom to travel. If you get the Golden Visa for countries such as Greece, Portugal, and Malta.

Their residency comes with visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Zone, i.e., easy access to nearly 30 European countries. As one might expect, this is a tremendous advantage for business and leisure.

Family Inclusion

Golden Visas are designed for families as much as individuals. Most programs allow you to include your spouse, children, and even dependent parents in a single application.

It becomes a multi-generational advantage that benefits your loved ones now and gives your children future security and options.

Lifestyle and Safety

The world is more connected than ever, giving people access to lifestyle and safety options that were unimaginable just a generation ago.

It is now possible to find out about a country, its culture, its politics, its economy and its seasons, and move there because it just fits your lifestyle desires better.

Many who apply for a Golden Visa do so to fulfil their desire to live somewhere better for them, be it in terms of more sunshine, cleanliness, advanced healthcare, standards of living, and so on.

Investment Growth

Although the main appeal is residency, the investment itself can be rewarding.

Real estate programs in places like Greece, Cyprus, or Hungary can produce solid rental income while the property increases in value.

Many investors find that their Golden Visa investment pays for itself over time.

Tax Efficiency

Taxes can, at times, eat into your earnings, resulting in a situation wherein you cannot use your own earned capital for your own benefit, be it investing, spending for leisure, or saving.

Naturally, residency within a country that offers favorable regimes for investors, such as exemptions on foreign income, reduced rates for residents, or special non-domicile programs, makes it easier to make the best out of your resources.

Flexibility

Everybody desires freedom, and residency programs, traditionally, have often been restrictive in certain areas, like mandating a stay inside a country’s borders.

However, Golden Visa programs, most of them, are quite friendly toward the global citizen lifestyle and don’t require you to live full-time in a country.

So, you can maintain your global lifestyle, manage work and investments from anywhere, all the while retaining your residency rights. This also takes away the stress that comes from forced relocation.

2026's Cheapest Golden Visa & Residency Programs

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at the most accessible, low-investment, and valuable programs available to investors in 2026.

Greece Golden Visa (from €250,000)

Greece remains its spot as a majority pick, being the most affordable gateway into getting EU residency with just €250,000 in property investment required.

The residency is for yourself and your family.

Not only does Greece offer a fantastic lifestyle, but the Greek real estate market has been performing strongly, with average rental yields between 4% and 8% annually, so it’s also an income-generating investment. 

Malta's Permanent Residency Program (from €375,000)

Malta is beautiful, has political stability, excellent healthcare, and is primarily English-speaking.

You can qualify by merely leasing or purchasing property, or contributing to the economy through one of Europe’s safest and most established programs.

Cyprus Golden Visa (from €300,000)

A country situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, the trifecta, making it an extremely geographically advantageous position.

It’s clear to see why investors are flocking toward it.

Its beautiful scenery, high standards of living, a very lucrative property market, and investor-friendly incentives, paired with permanent program processing times of only a few months, make it a top choice.

Türkiye - Citizenship by Investment (from $400,000)

Turkey is a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, and this geographical blessing has been one of the contributing reasons behind its success.

Turkey’s program is appealing enough just based on that, but the fact that it grants full citizenship, not just residency, makes it even better.

By purchasing property worth at least $400,000, investors can secure a Turkish passport within three to six months.

Hungary - Residency by Investment (from €250,000)

Hungary’s renewed program provides permanent residency through real estate or investment funds.

It’s one of the most affordable EU options and offers Schengen access with minimal residence requirements. 

Latvia - Residency by Investment (from €60,000-€250,000)

Latvia’s program is one of Europe’s most cost-effective.

You can invest in a local business or property and receive residency in just a few months.

Dominica - Citizenship by Investment (from $200,000)

Dominica is a beautiful island country with English as its primary language and a passport that provides visa-free travel to over 140 countries.

It doesn’t require you to live there if you don’t want to. Moreover, it is one of the more affordable options.

In fact, it’s one of the cheapest citizenship by investment countries.

UAE Golden Visa (from AED 2 million)

The UAE, up front, can seem expensive compared to other options on this list.

However, their thriving business environment, uber-luxurious lifestyle, and no income tax make it a hotspot for entrepreneurs and investors.

Its Golden Visa provides 10-year renewable residency for property investors.

Most Affordable Golden Visas Comparison

Common Eligibility Rules

Of course, the nitty-gritty of each program differs from each other, but most countries share a common checklist of requirements.

Typically, what you need is the following:

• A clean criminal record verified through background checks.
  
  
• Proof that your investment funds come from legal and transparent sources.
  
  
• Health insurance that covers you and your dependents.
  
  
• A minimum age of 18 for the main applicant.
  
  
• The ability to maintain your investment for a certain period.
  
  
• Payment of application and due diligence fees.

Many programs also require a short visit for biometric registration, but not full-time residence.

Make It Easier With Expert Support from Investment Visa

Applying for a Golden Visa can be complex based on how you go about it.

In order to make it a smooth process, you need to understand the nitty-gritties of the program that you’ll eventually apply for.

You have to deal with all the moving parts such as legal paperwork, property contracts, financial reporting, and tax planning.

Having an experienced team by your side makes sure that your investment is structured correctly from the start.

At Investment Visa, we specialize in helping investors and families secure residency or citizenship through investment, combining immigration expertise with smart property and financial planning.

We have worked with 2,000+ clients in over 50 countries, having seen the twists and turns and thus having the knowledge to keep things on track.

Choose your destination program today.

Closing Thoughts

Freedom, a lifestyle overhaul, free travel across entirely new regions, professional opportunities yet untapped, and more are all things a Golden Visa can provide for both you and your family.

Each country has its advantages and quirks in the programs offered, so it’s best to take your time and explore all the options available. With the right guidance, the process becomes a lot easier.

Whichever path you choose, treat this as a long-term investment for the future you wish to build.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get a Golden Visa?

• Currently, investing in real estate in Greece is the most affordable way of getting the Golden Visa, requiring a minimum investment of €250,000 for yourself and your family.

Which country is the easiest to get a Golden Visa?

• Greece is often considered the easiest, mainly because it has affordable requirements, fast processing times, and no need to live there full-time.
  
  
• You can maintain your residency simply by holding your qualifying investment. Türkiye gets the silver medal with its citizenship through real estate investment and minimal bureaucracy.

Who has the best Golden Visa program?

• “Best” depends on what you’re after. For overall value, Greece stands out with its low cost, EU residency benefits, and solid real estate market.
  
  
• For stability and English-speaking convenience, Malta is a favorite.
• For investors who want a passport fast, Türkiye and Dominica offer direct citizenship routes.

Which country gives the cheapest citizenship?

• The cheapest Citizenship by Investment program in 2025 is offered by Dominica. Starting at around $200,000, you can obtain full citizenship in just a few months, with visa-free access to more than 140 countries.