Cheapest residency programs in Europe?
I'm exploring options for obtaining residency in a European country, but I'm on a tight budget. I'm looking for programs that offer the most affordable routes to residency, whether through investment, passive income, or other means. Could anyone recommend some of the cheapest residency programs available in Europe and outline their approximate costs and main requirements?
1 answer
Here are Europe's most affordable residency programs:
💰 Under €10,000:
- Netherlands DAFT (US citizens only) — €4,500 investment
- Portugal D7 Visa — ~€1,500 in fees + proof of €820/month income
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa — ~€1,000 in fees + proof of ~€2,400/month income
- Italy Elective Residency — ~€500 in fees + proof of €31,000/year income
💰 Under €50,000:
- Germany Self-Employment Visa — ~€5,000–15,000 in business setup costs
- France Talent Passport — Varies by category
- Croatia Digital Nomad — ~€500 fees + €2,540/month income
💰 Investment-Based (Under €300K):
- Greece Golden Visa — €250,000 property (cheapest EU Golden Visa!)
- Latvia Investment — €50,000 in company capital
- Hungary Guest Investor — €250,000 fund investment
Comparison Table:
| Country | Min Cost | PR Timeline | Path to Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal D7 | ~€2,000 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Spain NLV | ~€3,000 | 5 years | 10 years |
| Italy ER | ~€1,500 | 5 years | 10 years |
| Greece GV | €250,000 | 5 years | 7 years |
| DAFT (NL) | €4,500 | 5 years | 5 years |
Run a free assessment on MIGRS to find programs matching your budget.