Far-seeing people invest in European citizenship for different reasons. It is often for the freedom to travel the world without visas and bureaucratic hurdles. Others want to expand their business beyond existing areas of presence, optimise taxes and deal with European banks without any issues. Another common reason for applying for European residence or citizenship is to move there. In this article, we will talk about choosing the right place in Europe for relocation.
Apart from such advantages of European countries as tax benefits, pro-business environment and visa-free travel to many countries, there are more down-to-earth pluses that attract foreigners to Europe.
Always remember that your choice will determine where your family will spend a big part of their lives. Therefore, start by choosing a country based on everyone’s interests and needs and then narrow it down to a certain town or city. There are many European cities that are convenient for life, business, work, education and leisure.
The following documents give rights to live, study and work in a European country:
Western Europe is a popular destination among foreign nationals, especially from developing countries. Therefore, governments have been tightening screws and making it harder to immigrate to Europe.
Before we give you a list of European countries that welcome foreign investors, we will disperse a common misconception. A long-term visa or a residence permit granted to you in return for your investment allow visa-free access to all EU states and Schengen zone. However, neither a residence permit nor a golden visa give right to live in another country. The maximum number of days you can spend outside the country of your residence is 90 days in each 6 months; this is not bad, but not enough to find a job or start a business.
And now here is a list of European countries where you can get residence and benefit from all the advantages they offer to foreign investors.
Beneficial tax regime for new tax residents for the first 10 years
Affordable real estate
Visa-free travel in EU and Schengen zone
Tax benefits
One of the most affordable investment programs
Low cost of living
Favourable business environment
Renowned universities
Right to live, work or do business in the UK
World-class education
Recoverable investment
While the first investor visa is easier to get, with little requirements to foreign applicants, naturalisation requires permanent residents to speak the language fluently and prove their knowledge of local customs and history of the country. But permanent residence or EU passport give you right to live, work, do business or study full-time in a university anywhere in the European Union.
Good news is that you can get a European passport without the initial applications for a residence permit and permanent residence. This route might be very handy for those who:
Fortunately, there are two jurisdictions in Europe where the authorities are prepared to:
You can get a Malta passport in 1 year. Minimum amount of money that you must have available is €1,150,000 where €650,000 is a non-refundable contribution to a state fund and the remaining amount goes to buy a property in Malta and government securities.
It will take 6 months to obtain a Cyprus passport by investing at least €2,150,000 into the country by one of the four available ways. Non-refundable amounts are €150,000 donations and €500,000 purchase of a property that will have to remain your home for life.
If the investment in Malta or Cyprus seems too much to you, we can offer you to invest in a small Balkan country. A Montenegrin passport gives access to 117 countries including almost all European states. Though they are not yet part of the European Union, their accession is in the pipeline for the next couple of years.
Once they join the EU, the investment amount will increase significantly. At the moment, it takes six months to become citizen of Montenegro and €350,000 including non-recoverable €100,000 donation to a public fund. The remaining money can be returned in a few years and potentially with a gain due to growing housing market.
We will finish with an overview of European cities and opportunities they offer to migrants after relocation.
Wealthy people
Talented entrepreneurs
One of the world financial hubs
Excellent environment for running a business
High living standards
World renowned higher education
International entrepreneurs
Students of tourism and medicine
Wealthy retired people
Centre of international business
All-year-round resort with mild climate
European standards of living
Entrepreneurs
People looking for a comfortable place to live
Business and investment opportunities
Great city with friendly people
Accessible healthcare
Cultural and architectural heritage
Good food
Mild climate and beautiful nature
Optimists
Investors in real estate
Candidate to accession to the EU
Growing property market
European standards
Breath-taking nature
As you can see all 7 cities have their own advantages and opportunities. No matter what you want to achieve and what you are looking for, there will be a place for everyone, a place to suit your needs and budget.
Even if you dream of moving to a country with more stringent immigration laws, our experts in Imperial & Legal will offer you a customised solution. Qualified specialists will help you make a choice, prepare all required documents for obtaining a residence permit or European citizenship. If needed, they can also organise your relocation, open and support your business in Europe and offer tax solutions.
People often tend to learn about living in Europe from their own personal experience or beautiful stories told by their acquaintances who have immigrated to the EU (and these stories are often far more inspiring and positive than the reality). If you have found a place you would like to live in as a permanent resident, a place that satisfies all your needs, a good idea might be to take several weeks off and visit this place personally using a short-term visa.
When you are in the country, remember to avoid typical touristic places and routes.Rent a flat in a district you are considering to live in and try to live like locals: go to the same shops, use the same gas stations or public transport and eat in the same cafes as locals do. Keep comparing the European level of comfort and safety with the one back at home. Find out more about the district you live in: where hospital is located, where you can rent an office at a cheaper price, how many schools and nurseries are close to your future home.
Surprisingly, some aspects of living in Europe might be somewhat disappointing. For instance, in some countries the Internet speed might be worse than in your home town. In some shops there might be no options of contactless payments with your mobile phone. However, all the advantages of living in Europe as a rule outweigh such small disadvantages.
The best way-out for a wealthy candidate is to invest in the citizenship of the Republic of Malta. Foreign investors with animpeccable business reputation can invest 1,250,000 EUR or more in the economy of Malta and become proud holders of an EU passport in a year.
Since Malta is a member of the European Union, its citizens can live in any EU country without any restrictions. With a passport of Malta, you will be able to live and work as long as you wish in any country of the European Union, even the ones that do not welcome new immigrants.
It depends on your plans after relocation and the investment option you choose to acquire temporary residence in Portugal.
If you plan to set up your business, Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, as well as Porto, Cascais, Braga and Coimbra would be especially attractive. These cities are also good if comfort of life is your top priority. In this respect, Sintra and several smaller towns can also be added to the list. However, if you look for a property at cheaper prices, such places that are extremely popular among tourists are not the best option. Instead, you might like to consider Viseu, the industrial centre, or Gondomar that is located close to Porto, the “second capital” of the country.
To find out more about Portuguese cities and towns for relocation and purchase of real estate, we recommend contacting our immigration advisors.
If you plan to relocate to the UK, you might be interested in more accessible British visas (as compared to Tier 1 Investor visa). If your profession is in demand in Great Britain and your command of English allows you to fulfil all the tasks required from you, you can apply for a skilled worker visa. Both experienced entrepreneurs and those having creative ideas for their new business can apply for business visas: Start-up and Innovator.
As a rule, after having lived in the country for 3 – 5 years, you would have the right to apply for an indefinite leave to remin in Great Britain (with the exception of the Start-up visa that does not give the opportunity of getting ILR in the UK). Later, you will be able to make the next step and apply for British citizenship.
With the help of Imperial & Legal specialists, you will quickly get the documents necessary to enter the UK and will relocate to the new country with your family.
We will work with you to find a customised solution for your immigration, second citizenship, business, tax and other needs.
Visas to the UK
Residence by investment
European passport
Second passport by investment
Caribbean passport
Tax solutions