Physical residency is the new requirement for almost every resident or applicant seeking citizenship through investment. 

Until 2025, you could purchase citizenship without even visiting a country; this approach worked very well in Caribbean countries with citizenship-by-investment programs, as well as in Vanuatu. 

However, the US and the EU compelled Caribbean states to require applicants to establish "genuine links" to the country. 

"Genuine link" means to stay in your new home country and adapt a little bit before becoming a citizen. In the Caribbean nations of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica (a Commonwealth realm), Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Lucia, a different approach has been adopted. According to the proposal awaiting adoption, the new citizens will have five years to spend a month there.

In Europe, there is no active citizenship-by-investment program; therefore, investors often utilise residency-by-investment programs, which can lead to citizenship.

Interestingly, the best schemes do not oblige you to spend time in the country of your residence to maintain your resident status. 

How many years are needed as a resident to become a citizen in the EU countries with Golden Visas?

Portugal

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: seven days in the first year and 14 days every 2 years.
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: 5 years, but plans are in place to increase the waiting period to 10 years. 
  
  

Greece

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: no physical presence requirement
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: 183+ days/year for seven years.
  
  

Cyprus

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: No physical residency requirement.
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: seven years with 12 months of presence. 
  
  

Hungary

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: No physical residence is required, but a registered address is required.
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: eight years. 
  
  

Latvia

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: one visit per year.
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: four years, more than 183 days per year, until permanent residency, and then five more years until citizenship.
  
  

Italy

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: No physical residence required.
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: ten years of continuous residency. 
  
  

Belgium

• Requirement to maintain your resident status: No physical residence required.
• Years as a resident until qualifying for citizenship: 180 days+ for five years. 

Do you plan to become a resident or citizen of the EU in the future? Please feel free to ask for a consultation here. Discus Holdings Ltd's experts are waiting for a message! 

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