Golden Visa Cost & Timeline Comparison (2026 Data)

Side-by-side data on the world’s leading golden-visa programs — minimum investment, route, and typical processing time — so you can benchmark cost against speed.

Leading Golden Visa Programs

Country	Minimum Investment	Typical Timeline
Portugal	€250,000–€500,000	6–9 months
Greece	€250,000–€400,000	2–4 months
Spain	€500,000	2–3 months
Malta	€150,000+ (mixed)	4–6 months
UAE	AED 2 million	2–8 weeks
USA (EB-5)	US$800,000	varies

Key Takeaways

Greece and the UAE offer some of the fastest processing among major programs.
Portugal remains a benchmark route to EU residency and eventual citizenship.
EB-5 gives a US route from an US$800,000 investment.

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Sources & Methodology

This analysis synthesises publicly reported industry data and government program figures. Key references: Henley & Partners Passport Index & Wealth Reports, Investment Migration Council (IMC), OECD, IMF and UNCTAD. Figures are industry estimates and program-published ranges, updated 2026; verify current program terms before applying.

Cite This Page

Researchers, journalists and advisers are welcome to reference this data. Suggested citation:

Global Citizenship HQ (2026). Golden Visa Cost & Timeline Comparison Data 2026. Retrieved from https://globalcitizenshiphq.com/golden-visa-cost-comparison-data/

Frequently Asked Questions

Which golden visa is fastest?

The UAE and Greece are among the fastest, with UAE approvals possible in weeks.

Which golden visa leads to EU citizenship?

Portugal is the most popular EU route with a defined path to citizenship after the qualifying period.

Turn Data Into a Decision

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