The Most Expensive Golden Visa's

A luxury property portfolio can span continents, a yacht can move with the seasons, and a private jet crosses borders in hours. For many globally oriented families, geography has long served as a diversification strategy. However, residency is increasingly becoming a part of this portfolio.

Residency-by-investment programs, known as ‘golden visas’, which offer the right to reside in a country in exchange for a qualifying financial investment, have become central in global mobility discussions. These programs provide access to some of the world’s most desirable locations, from the Mediterranean coast to the financial centers of Asia. Despite increased political scrutiny, demand remains strong.

What are golden visas?

Essentially, golden visas allow applicants to gain residency rights through investment rather than employment, family sponsorship, or entrepreneurship.

Requirements vary widely. Some programs require investments in government-approved funds, others focus on business investment, while some are tied to real estate. In return, successful applicants receive residency rights and, in some cases, a path to citizenship.

It is important not to confuse these with golden passports, which provide citizenship directly or through an accelerated process. Residency and citizenship are distinct; one grants the right to reside in a country, while the other confers nationality.

Why are they popular?

The reasons for seeking golden visas are as varied as the destinations offered. For some, residency is about flexibility; for others, it is about access to education, healthcare, lifestyle, or favorable tax regimes.

“Individuals from politically unstable regions often seek a second citizenship and a passport for travel in the event of political issues in their home countries,” says Matt Ingham, partner at Payne Hicks Beach, specializing in immigration law. “It is essentially viewed as an insurance product and a ‘Plan B.’”

Demand has notably shifted over the past five years. Ingham highlights sustained interest in Portugal, Italy, and Greece, particularly among applicants from the Gulf region, while Monaco increasingly attracts younger entrepreneurs and families alongside its traditional affluent residents.

What countries have golden visas, and which are the most expensive?

SingaporeRegarding investment thresholds, Singapore stands at the top of the market. The Global Investor Programme requires a minimum investment of S$10m (approx. $7.8m) into a new or existing business, or S$25m (approx. $19.6m) in one of the GIP-approved funds.

It is among the most expensive residency-by-investment routes available, but the allure extends beyond the financial aspect. Political stability, world-class infrastructure, a sophisticated financial ecosystem, and its role as Asia’s business gateway make Singapore one of the most coveted addresses in the region.

New ZealandIn February 2026, New Zealand eased its golden visa policies, lowering the eligibility threshold and introducing new investment categories for its Active Investor Plus Visa. However, the new criteria remain among the most expensive globally, offering a Growth Category: NZ$5m (approx. $2.9m) over three years in high-risk investments, or a Balanced Category of NZ$10m (approx. $5.8m) over five years, allowing a mix of property, bonds, and shares. 

MonacoWhile the Principality does not have a formal golden visa program, residency remains among the most exclusive options. Applicants typically need to demonstrate substantial assets, including depositing a minimum of €500,000 (approx. $580,460) in a Monaco bank account, and secure accommodation within the Principality, where property prices are among the highest in the world.

When asked which golden visa he would choose, “if cost were no object,” Ingham says, “Monaco – for the tax benefits, location, climate, security, discretion, and efficient application process.”

SwitzerlandLike Monaco, Switzerland‘s appeal lies more in a structured residency framework than a formal visa scheme. For non-EU nationals, residency can be obtained through lump-sum taxation arrangements, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. 

There is also the Swiss entrepreneurial investor scheme, where an individual agrees to a predetermined annual tax, usually starting at around CHF 200,000 (approx. $252,300), but can escalate to CHF 600,000 (approx. $756,800) per year, depending on the canton, although this arrangement prohibits employment. Alternatively, the Swiss Entrepreneurial Investor Scheme requires individuals to establish a new company or invest capital in an existing Swiss business, with a minimum investment requirement typically starting at CHF 1m (approx. $1.3m).

MauritiusIn May 2026, the Indian Ocean island nation announced it would offer 100 golden visas annually to applicants investing at least $1m in sectors such as financial technology, global treasury, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy.

Which golden visas are the most accessible?

Among European Union options, Portugal and Italy remain prominent. Portugal’s Golden Visa now requires a minimum €500,000 (approx. $580,400) investment into qualifying funds following the elimination of the property route, while Italy’s Investor Visa ranges from €250,000 (approx. $290,170) invested in innovative startups to €2m (approx. $2.3m) in government bonds.

While neither is inexpensive, both offer significant value: access to Europe and the Schengen Area, alongside attractive lifestyles, strong infrastructure, and established legal frameworks.

At the more accessible end of the spectrum is Greece, whose residency-by-investment program remains one of Europe’s most popular entry points. Investment thresholds start at €250,000 (approx. $290,170) for certain redevelopment and commercial-to-residential conversion projects, increasing to €400,000 (approx. $464,300) across much of the country and €800,000 (approx. $928,500) in desirable locations such as Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Elsewhere, Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs continue to attract interest by offering passports rather than residency permits. In Dominica, citizenship can be obtained through a government contribution starting at around $200,000 for a single applicant, while Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St Kitts and Nevis offer similar routes at comparable thresholds.

However, headline figures only reveal part of the story. “One potential hidden cost is the tax implications of residence in multiple countries,” says Ingham. Banking requirements, compliance checks, legal fees, and accommodation obligations can significantly increase the true cost of an application.