THE GOLDEN VISA: HOW CAN ONE ACCESS THE EU AND FOR WHAT PRICE?

The offer of a golden visa, also known as a residence by investment (RBI) programme, is a way for EU member states to attract foreign investment, yet there are also economic, political and security risks, which is why EU institutions are critical of the practice. This study compares the costs of all the RBI regimes in the EU-27 and categorizes their models. Since 2018, when the European parliament published an extensive study of the issue, some countries have limited or abolished their programmes. However, despite the pressure, RBI programmes are still offered by 14 EU countries as of 2023. The text outlines the current conditions for obtaining a golden visa in the EU and identifies the countries with the lowest investment requirements. With the exception of Cyprus, all of the options are from countries in the Schengen area, which highlights the risks associated with free movement of investors.