Julia Loko

As of February 2026, Greece passport holders can visit 171 countries without a visa, including all European countries. To visit the USA, Canada, and Australia, the Greeks obtain an electronic travel authorisation. The Greece Golden Visa can be the first step for foreigners to obtain a passport. This Visa is also an alternative to a Schengen one. Let’s look at the main destinations to travel visa-free if you get a Greek passport.

As of February 2026, a Maltese passport gives visa-free access to 169 countries, including the Schengen states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, and Malaysia. Get to know what countries are visa-free for Malta citizens and the conditions of entry.

A Malta residence permit allows its holders to live in the country for a year, and then it can be extended an unlimited number of times. The holder has the right to study, work, invite close relatives to live with them in Malta, and travel visa-free around the Schengen Area. Investors may also obtain a Malta permanent residence permit: it is a life-long status, and a residence card must be renewed every 5 years.

Foreign nationals can obtain two main types of visas for Malta. Those staying for fewer than 90 days apply for a Schengen C visa, while stays exceeding 90 days require a National D visa. The D visa usually allows the holder to apply for a residence permit and is often issued for purposes such as employment, study, or family reunification. Wealthy individuals may obtain residency directly, without a D visa, by investing at least €30,000 for a temporary residence permit or €169,000 for permanent residency.

The Greece Golden Visa is a state investment programme that grants a renewable 5-year residence permit to investors and their families. Residency can be obtained by investing at least €250,000 in real estate, Greek businesses, public securities, or a bank deposit. The programme offers flexible conditions — there is no requirement to live in Greece or pass a language test to maintain residency.

Malta allows same-sex marriage, adoption, and equal access to investment programs for temporary and permanent residency.  Let’s explore in detail what makes the island one of the safest and most inclusive places to live in Europe.

The monthly cost for one person in Greece is €809 without rent, while a family of four spends €2,777 per month. It is 30% lower than in the USA and 20% more affordable than in the UK. Rent prices in Greece are two to three times lower than in these countries. Find out how these sums add up from expenses on food, transportation, and leisure, and how much accommodation, education, and medical services cost in Greece.

Maltese citizens can travel to 187 countries without visas. It puts Malta citizenship in the 10 most powerful in the global passport index. Cosmopolitans have an opportunity to get Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. Learn about the conditions applicants must meet to become Maltese citizens and other benefits of the country's passport.

Investors obtain Malta citizenship by naturalisation. Firstly, they get a residence permit and then apply for citizenship after one or three years. The minimum investment amount is €690,000. Malta passport holders can travel to more than 160 countries without visas. Foreigners become full-fledged Malta citizens if they pass a strict Eligibility Test. Dual citizenship has been accepted in Malta since 2000.

According to the Annual Global Retirement Index 2024, Greece ranks 7th among the best places to retire, thanks to its natural beauty, warm climate, and peaceful way of life. It is also popular among retirees thanks to a special tax regime. Foreigners may retire to Greece through the Golden Visa and the Retirement Visa, obtaining residence permits. In 7 years, they may apply for citizenship. Learn about the residency requirements in Greece and which places are most appealing for retiring.

Malta is a coastal country that is part of the EU, the Schengen Area, and the eurozone. Digital nomads receive a special residence permit to live by the Mediterranean Sea and work remotely. You don't have to be in IT to qualify for Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit. You could be a programmer, designer, or even an entrepreneur.

Malta citizenship offers the opportunity to live, work, study, and build a European business. Besides, citizenship gives cosmopolitans a new quality of life: freedom to travel without visas and to live in a European country.  A foreigner can become a Maltese citizen by naturalisation, marriage, descent, or family reunification. The Maltese Government also attracts wealthy people willing to invest in the country’s economy with a simplified naturalisation path taking 1 or 3 years instead of the usual 5 years of permanent living on the island.

As of May 2025, investors can purchase real estate for at least €250,000 to participate in the Greece Golden Visa Program. Imagine living by the sea and traveling across the Schengen Area without a visa. That’s exactly what this path offers you and your family, along with a valuable residence permit. The properties can be rented out or sold after the residency expires or after obtaining citizenship.

The cost of living in Malta island is lower than in Austria and other West European countries. Most foreigners who move to Malta note that the average monthly expenses are about €1,600 per person.  Some of our clients recently moved to Malta. In this article, we explore prices and our clients’ experience of living on the island.

Italian citizens are fortunate to have one of the world's strongest passports, allowing them to travel visa-free to 172 countries worldwide. They can also live, work, and study in all EU member states without restrictions. Investors can embark on the path towards citizenship by applying for the Italy Golden Visa. They can get residence permit cards for themselves and their families for a minimum contribution of €250,000. In this article, we list the benefits of dual citizenship that Italy provides.

Greece’s passport is obtained by naturalisation after 7 years of living in the country.  The first step is a residence permit. Wealthy foreigners can get it by investing at least €250,000 in real estate and business options. There is no government initiative like Greece citizenship by investment, but foreigners participating in the Greece Golden Visa Program obtain the passport by naturalisation on general terms.

Thinking about living in Greece? You’ve got two main options for residency: temporary and permanent.  There’s a path for almost everyone to get a temporary residency permit in Greece — whether you want to work, launch a business, study, or simply enjoy your retirement under the Mediterranean sun. You can usually get a temporary permit within just 2 months of applying. After 5 years of living in Greece, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Another option is to support Greece’s economy and secure a 5-year residence permit, without the need to move there full-time.

The main reason wealthy people choose Malta for immigration is an opportunity to move to one of the EU countries in several months. For example, obtaining a residence permit under the Malta Global Residence Programme takes 3—4 months. In comparison, getting a residence permit in France, Germany, or the Netherlands may be much more difficult. To move to Malta, wealthy foreigners may take advantage of immigration programmes: the Malta Global Residence Programme and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. They allow obtaining a residence permit and permanent residency, respectively.

Greece allows its citizens to have dual citizenship. This means one can keep their current passport while also becoming a citizen of Greece.  3 ways are common for those who want to get a Greek passport: descent, naturalisation, and military service. To simplify the process of getting Greek citizenship, wealthy people often choose to obtain the Greece Golden Visa first. Having obtained it, they become eligible to apply for citizenship after residing in the country for 7 years.

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta can be a safe haven with its pleasant climate and high living standards. A foreigner can get Malta’s passport by investing €600,000+ and living in Malta for 3 years or investing €750,000+ and living in the country for 1 year. Let’s discuss how to get Maltese nationality, who qualifies for it, what the requirements are, and how much it costs.

Malta has permitted dual citizenship since February 10th, 2000, and it's now the norm rather than the exception. This means that Maltese citizens can keep their foreign nationality in addition to their Maltese one.  Dual citizenship of Malta is obtained by birthright, marriage, descent, special services to the state, and naturalisation. Let’s explore all the paths to determine the easiest and fastest.

A Malta passport grants the holder the right to move to Malta, reside long-term in any other EU country, and travel visa-free to 169 countries. The Maltese legislation allows applying for citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. This process significantly reduces the waiting period for a passport, allowing applicants to qualify in just 1 or 3 years instead of the standard five years of residence. Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks to determine how a Malta passport aligns with investment and immigration goals.

Greece is a popular choice among both tourists and expats: foreign residents represent around 8% of the total population of the country. And there is a good reason for such popularity. An affordable cost of living, accessible healthcare, welcoming people, and a perfect climate are just a few advantages of living in Greece. However, there are some drawbacks to moving to the Hellenic Republic as well. Let’s break down all the pros and cons of residing in Greece as an expat.

Greece has a lot to brag about: stunning views, 250 days of sun per year, and one of the healthiest diets in the world. Those who want to live by the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy the breeziness of life can apply for Greek residency. Permanent residence is a status that allows its holder to reside and work in Greece for a long period of time as opposed to a temporary residence permit, which has to be renewed every 1 or 2 years and provides fewer benefits.

If you are looking for a residency by investment program that will allow you to travel to Europe visa-free, provide tax optimisation opportunities, and the prospect of obtaining EU citizenship at a relatively low price, then the Greece Golden Visa Program might be the perfect fit for you. Here is a full list of the Greek Golden Visa advantages.

Every fifth resident in Malta is a foreigner. Expats love this country for a good reason — it boasts a mild climate, beautiful beaches, picturesque cities and an expat-friendly environment.  Above all that, it’s a relatively affordable place to live — for a comfortable life there, one needs fewer funds than for life in Germany, France, or Austria.  Learn more about the country, its history, the quality of life in Malta, and prices for everyday life.

Malta Permanent Residence Program allows wealthy foreigners to obtain a golden visa by investment. Applications are considered within 6 months. Travelling around the Schengen Area, working, studying, and living in Malta with no limits is not a complete list of benefits. However, there are some disadvantages of the Malta residency obtainment process.

In Malta, students are trained by one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is also included in the top 1,000 universities in the world according to the QS World University Ranking. At the same time, the cost of education for foreign students is two times lower than in UK universities.

Education in Maltese schools is regulated by the state: educational institutions receive accreditation from the Ministry for Education. Therefore, Maltese high school diplomas are accepted not only on the island, but also in other countries of the European Union.

Wealthy Americans have been applying for citizenship by investment more and more often, according to the statistics. They do this mainly to future-proof their lives in an era of high inflation and political unrest. One of the countries of choice for US citizens is Malta, which offers an opportunity to acquire citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment. Explore how to get a Maltese passport as an American investor.

Malta has long appealed to British citizens — and not just for the sunshine. As a former British colony, the island shares deep-rooted cultural, legal, and linguistic ties with the UK. English is an official language, driving is on the left, and many aspects of daily life feel comfortably familiar to Brits. In recent years, that appeal has only grown. Nearly 10% of Malta’s foreign population are UK nationals, and the number keeps rising. One of the main reasons is Brexit: since leaving the EU, many British citizens have started looking for ways to regain access to European rights, including the freedom to live, work, and travel across the EU. This guide explores why so many UK nationals are choosing Malta, and what it takes to obtain citizenship.

More and more Americans are considering moving to Greece. As of July 2024, US investors ranked seventh for initial permits.  Americans choose Greece for its affordable cost of living, pleasant Mediterranean climate, and laid-back lifestyle. The growing expat communities and remote work opportunities further enhance Greece's appeal for US citizens. Discover what fuels the Golden Visa’s popularity in Greece and how US citizens can apply.

In 2023, Malta ranked 3rd among countries with the largest foreign population, following Spain and Luxembourg. That year, 2,511 foreigners became Maltese citizens, according to Malta Independent. Malta attracts expats worldwide with its Mediterranean lifestyle, affordable cost of living, favorable tax regime, high safety, and diverse residency options. Learn why Malta is especially appealing to US citizens, and all about immigration opportunities.

Half of our clients are interested in starting a business abroad and choosing a proper tax jurisdiction for the company they are about to form. The Maltese tax system is appealing to investors. The conditions for entrepreneurs in Malta are among the most favourable in Europe and include numerous benefits to businesses. We discuss the advantages of living and doing business in Malta.

In Malta, investors can apply for citizenship or a permanent residence permit. These are two different procedures with their own residency requirements. In both cases, the investor’s family members can participate and obtain the status.  If the investor and their family provide reliable background information and documents, they can get Maltese passports in one year and permanent residency in six months.  Learn how to apply for a Malta passport or permanent residency and what the expenses are.

Obtaining Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment costs at least €690,000. These costs are calculated per applicant and for a period of 5 years. The costs also depend on the number of family members in the application and how quickly it is processed.

There are 36 banks in Greece: national, foreign and EU banks, which operate under a single licence. Investors and cosmopolitans open accounts in Greek banks to use money abroad, receive dividends from foreign companies, and save money. A foreigner can obtain a residence permit in Greece if they open a bank deposit of €400,000 or more. Opening a bank account in Greece as a foreign resident is possible if you come to the branch in person. A new client needs to justify the purpose of opening an account and pass the bank’s Due Diligence.

Greece has one of the most extensive and developed public insurance systems in the EU: EFKA. It is funded by social security payments and provides the residents with universal healthcare, family benefits, and life insurance compensations. Here is how different types of public and private insurance work for different categories of Greek inhabitants — from nationals to tourists, expats and investors.

Malta has an excellent healthcare system, with treatment that can be accessed via public and private facilities. The country has the lowest percentage of unmet medical examination needs in the EU according to the Health at a Glance 2022 report.

The Greek healthcare system is a mix of a National Health System, compulsory social insurance, and private healthcare. Public health care includes around 130 general and specialised hospitals, 200 primary health care centres, and 1,500 rural medical surgeries. Let’s look more closely at what Greece's health care system is like and who is eligible to use it.

Maltese medicine has a good level of service, which complies with the standards of the EU, but it costs lower than in some other EU countries such as Germany and France. At the same time, Malta’s healthcare costs are around 10% of the GDP. It’s quite a lot: in comparison, in Europe Germany has the highest costs — about 12,8%; and the lowest — Luxembourg with 5,8%. Let’s observe the Maltese healthcare system, how it works and how to get treatment if you’re a foreigner.

Malta has introduced notable changes to its Permanent Residence Programme, effective for applications submitted on or after January 1st, 2025. Investors can now obtain temporary residence at the start of the process, enjoy more flexible property rules, and benefit from reduced costs for families. Immigrant Invest has analysed and explained the key changes.

Greece plans to grant residence permits to those investing in local startups, as revealed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the 88th International Fair in Thessaloniki. The minimum investment is supposed to be €250,000.

The Greek Parliament has officially approved the new rules for obtaining the Golden Visa. Amendments to the law were published on April 5th, 2024. The main changes include raising the investment threshold, prohibiting short-term rentals, and introducing a new requirement for property size.

The average price per square meter of residential real estate in Turkey reached $675 in October 2022, and the average cost of a house was $87,736. Residential real estate increased in price by 199% year‑on‑year, while the return on investment period grew up to 19 years. The data is provided by the Turkish portal Endeksa.com.

Starting January 1st, 2022, there are new “objective values” for real estate that affect taxes when buying and owning properties in Greece. Gift tax is now levied on the amount of €800,000, and corporate tax and VAT rates have been reduced for businesses. The information about changes will be useful for Greek tax residents and those who are considering buying property in the country.

Residential property rental prices in the EU have risen by an average of 16% between 2011 and 2021. The data was published by Eurostat.

The Maltese government will send one million euros to three charities: Malta Community Chest Fund, Dar tal-Providenza and Caritas. The money will be provided by the Malta National Development Fund, or NDSF. We tell you why the fund was set up and what else the government is spending the investors' money on.

On 16 May 2021, the first written exam for those wishing to obtain Greek citizenship by naturalisation will take place. The exam tests the level of Greek language skills, knowledge of the country's history, culture, geography and system of government. We tell you about the new rules for obtaining a Greek passport.