Residency by Investment in 2026: Complete Global Guide
Residency by investment (RBI) is experiencing record demand in 2026. Driven by a post-pandemic reassessment of where people want to live and work, a wave of new tax policies in Western countries, and growing geopolitical uncertainty, high-net-worth individuals and digital nomads alike are actively seeking legal residency in alternative jurisdictions.
From the UAE's zero-tax Golden Visa to Portugal's pathway to EU citizenship, from Greece's affordable property-based residency to Thailand's long-stay lifestyle visas — the global RBI market has never been more competitive or more varied. This guide gives you a clear, data-driven overview of the best programs available in 2026, sorted by continent, cost, tax profile, and lifestyle.
What is Residency by Investment?
Residency by investment is a legal mechanism that allows foreign nationals to obtain a residency permit — the right to live, and in some cases work, in a country — in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution. Unlike citizenship, residency does not grant you a new passport or full political rights, but it does give you the legal right to reside in the country and, in most cases, access its healthcare, banking, and infrastructure.
Key distinction from citizenship: Residency is a right to live in a country. Citizenship is membership of a country. Some RBI programs offer a path to citizenship after a qualifying period; others do not.
Types of qualifying investment:
- Real estate purchase — buying qualifying property above a minimum threshold (Greece, UAE)
- Investment fund contribution — investing in approved regulated funds (Portugal Golden Visa post-2023)
- Business investment — creating jobs or investing in a local company
- Flat fee / long-stay visa — paying a programme fee with income or asset requirements (Thailand Privilege, Thailand LTR)
Key benefits of residency by investment:
- Tax optimization — move to a 0% or low-tax jurisdiction legally
- Lifestyle upgrade — access to safe, affordable, or desirable countries
- Global mobility — additional travel rights and regional access
- Path to citizenship — in select programs (Portugal, Greece)
- Safety and stability — residency in a politically stable country
Key Criteria for Choosing a Program
Before comparing specific programs, it helps to know which factors matter most to you. Use this framework to evaluate your priorities:
- Minimum investment amount — programs range from ~$14,000 (Thailand Privilege) to €800,000+ (Greece Zone A)
- Tax profile — some jurisdictions offer 0% income tax (UAE), others offer special expatriate regimes (Portugal NHR, Spain Beckham Law)
- Safety and political stability — check the Global Peace Index for objective rankings
- Cost of living — referenced against Numbeo; Bangkok is 40-50% cheaper than Dubai
- Path to citizenship — Portugal offers EU citizenship in 5 years; UAE has no standard citizenship pathway
- Physical presence requirements — Portugal only requires 7 days/year; Thailand requires 180 days to be tax resident
Top Residency Programs — Middle East
🇦🇪 UAE Golden Visa
The UAE Golden Visa is the flagship RBI program of the Middle East and one of the most sought-after globally, primarily due to its zero-tax environment and world-class infrastructure.
- 5-year visa: AED 750,000 (~$204,000) in qualifying real estate
- 10-year visa: AED 2,000,000 (~$545,000) in real estate, or qualifying investor/entrepreneur/talent categories
- Income tax: 0%
- Capital gains tax: 0%
- Inheritance tax: 0%
- VAT: 5% | Corporate tax: 9% (freezone entities: 0%)
- Safety: Dubai ranks in the ~40s on the Global Peace Index — safe, low crime, excellent infrastructure
- Cost of living: High — comparable to London or Paris; offset significantly by 0% income tax
- Path to citizenship: No standard citizenship pathway; exceptional naturalization exists by royal decree only
⭐ Best for: Entrepreneurs, investors, and remote high-earners seeking a tax-free base with world-class infrastructure.
Top Residency Programs — Europe
🇵🇹 Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal's Golden Visa remains one of the most popular pathways to EU residency and citizenship. Note: since October 2023, real estate is no longer a qualifying investment route. Investment funds (€500,000+) are now the primary route.
- Minimum investment: €500,000 in qualifying investment fund
- Tax regime: NHR 2.0 (IFICI) — 20% flat tax on Portuguese-source income; exemptions apply on many foreign income categories. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.
- Path to citizenship: 5 years — only 7 days per year physical presence required (one of the lowest globally)
- Safety: Global Peace Index rank ~5 — one of the safest countries in the world
- Cost of living: Moderate — Lisbon is increasingly expensive; Algarve, Porto, and interior regions remain very affordable
⭐ Best for: EU citizenship seekers, remote workers, retirees, and anyone wanting the path to a powerful EU passport with minimal presence requirements.
🇬🇷 Greece Golden Visa
Greece offers one of Europe's most accessible property-based golden visas, with a tiered system based on location:
- Zone A (Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini): €800,000 minimum property purchase
- Zone B (rest of Greece): €400,000 minimum property purchase
- Tax: No income tax obligation if you are non-resident; a 7% flat tax regime exists for foreign pensioners relocating to Greece
- Path to citizenship: 7 years of residency
- Safety: GPI rank ~60s — generally safe, EU member state
- Cost of living: Low to moderate — significantly cheaper than Western Europe; island properties offer strong rental income potential
⭐ Best for: EU residency seekers, property investors, retirees, and those seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle at a more accessible price point than Portugal's fund route.
🇪🇸 Spain Golden Visa
⚠️ Important 2025/2026 Update: The Spanish government announced its intention to abolish the real estate golden visa route for non-EU investors in 2024. Verify the current status of this program directly with official Spanish government sources before proceeding in 2026.
Alternatives for Spain:
- Digital Nomad Visa: For remote workers earning €2,646+/month — access to EU residence with Beckham Law tax benefits
- Beckham Law (Ley Beckham): 24% flat income tax rate for the first 6 years for qualifying new tax residents — extremely attractive for high earners
⭐ Best for: Lifestyle seekers wanting EU access, digital nomads, and high earners who can leverage Beckham Law for significant tax savings.
Top Residency Programs — Asia Pacific
🇹🇭 Thailand Privilege Visa (formerly Thailand Elite) & LTR Visa
Thailand offers two distinct long-stay residency routes, making it the most accessible destination globally by cost of entry:
Thailand Privilege Visa:
- From THB 500,000 (~$14,000) for a 5-year multiple-entry visa
- Extended options available up to 20 years
- Lifestyle-focused: concierge services, airport fast track, hospital assistance
Thailand LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident Visa — BOI):
- 10-year renewable visa for qualifying categories:
- Wealthy Global Citizens: $1M+ in assets and $80k+/year passive income
- Wealthy Pensioners: $80k+/year pension income (or $40k+ with health insurance + property)
- Work-from-Thailand Professionals: Employed by foreign company, $80k+/year income
- Highly-Skilled Professionals: Working in target industries in Thailand
⚠️ Important 2024 Tax Rule Change: Since January 2024, Thailand taxes foreign-sourced income brought into Thailand if you are a tax resident (180+ days per year). This is a major change from prior years. Consult a Thai tax advisor before structuring your finances around Thailand residency.
- Cost of living: Very low — Bangkok is 40-50% cheaper than Dubai; Chiang Mai even more affordable
- Safety: Moderate; politically stable for daily life despite periodic political events
⭐ Best for: Digital nomads, retirees, lifestyle seekers, and those seeking the most affordable long-stay option globally.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Top RBI Programs 2026
| Country | Min Investment | Tax on Foreign Income | Path to Citizenship | GPI Rank (approx.) | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 UAE | AED 750k (~$204k) | 0% — tax-free | No standard path | ~40s | High |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | €500k (fund) | NHR 2.0 — exemptions apply | 5 years (7 days/yr) | ~5 | Moderate |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | €400k–€800k (property) | No tax if non-resident | 7 years | ~60s | Low–Moderate |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Verify 2026 status | Beckham Law: 24% flat | 10 years | ~30s | Moderate |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand (Privilege) | THB 500k (~$14k) | Taxable if resident 180+ days | No standard path | ~90s | Very Low |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand (LTR) | $80k+/yr income or $1M assets | WFT exemption on foreign income | No standard path | ~90s | Very Low |
How to Choose the Right Residency Program
The right program depends entirely on your priorities. Here is a simple decision framework:
- Priority: 0% tax → UAE Golden Visa
- Priority: EU citizenship path → Portugal Golden Visa (5 years, lowest presence)
- Priority: EU residency on a budget → Greece Golden Visa Zone B (€400k)
- Priority: Lowest cost entry → Thailand Privilege (~$14k)
- Priority: Lifestyle + beach → Thailand, Portugal (Algarve), Greece
- Priority: Business hub + infrastructure → UAE (Dubai)
Not sure which program fits your goals? Take the 5-question Program Finder quiz for personalized recommendations based on your budget, timeline, lifestyle, and tax situation.
Important Disclaimer
Residency by investment programs change frequently. Thresholds, qualifying investment types, tax regimes, and citizenship timelines are all subject to government policy changes. The Spain Golden Visa real estate route is one recent example of a program that was substantially modified.
Always verify current requirements directly with the official government source of the relevant country, and consult a qualified immigration attorney and licensed tax advisor before making any investment or residency decision. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, financial, or tax advice.