EU Citizenship: Cheap, fast, and easy?

Note (2026): Malta’s former Citizenship by Investment program has been replaced by the Citizenship by Merit framework.

March 2019:What's the cheapest, fastest, easiest EU Citizenship by Investment Program?

As previously discussed in our blog post ”What is the best immigration by investment program?" there is no one-size-fits-all program. What is "best" for you is a program that fits your unique requirements for geography, time to passport, and budget.

For the purpose of giving you a quick comparison here are the most popular citizenship investment programs in the EU. For more detail on any of these options please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

COUNTRY: BULGARIA
Minimum Investment? € 512,000 / € 1,024,000 for fast track option (financing upon request)
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical Residence Required? No
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? 5 years / 18 months for fast track option

COUNTRY: CYPRUS
Minimum Investment? € 2,0 Million
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical Residence Required? No
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? 3-6 months

COUNTRY: GREECE
Minimum Investment? € 250,000
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical Residence Required? No
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? Residency Visa Only. May apply for citizenship after 7 years.

COUNTRY: MALTA
Minimum Investment? € 120,000 (permanent residency), € 800,000 (citizenship) plus property
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical Residence Required? Minimal
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? Residency: 3-4 months, Citizenship: 6-18 months.

COUNTRY: MONACO
Minimum Investment? varies
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical Residence Required? varies
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? Residency Visa Only. May apply for citizenship after 10 years.

COUNTRY: PORTUGAL
Minimum Investment? € 350,000
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children
Physical Residence Required? Yes
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? Residency Visa Only. May apply for citizenship after 6 years.

COUNTRY: SPAIN
Minimum Investment? € 500,000
Dependents Included? Spouse + Children
Physical Residence Required? Yes
EU Citizenship & Passport Processing? Residency Visa Only. May apply for citizenship after 10 years.

Take the Quiz: Malta (EU) Residency or Citizenship. Which one is right for me?

Find out if you qualify for Malta permanent residency or Malta citizenship, including an EU passport / dual citizenship status.

Program Interest

Permanent Residency: Non‑EU nationals who obtain permanent residence in Malta under the MPRP program are granted the right to live, work, study, or retire in Malta. The program requires a minimum investment from €99,000, in addition to either purchasing or renting property, along with applicable professional and legal fees.

Citizenship: Malta citizenship under the Malta Citizenship by Merit framework grants the right to live, work, study, or retire in Malta, along with access to public healthcare and education. It also provides an EU passport, allowing holders to live and work in any EU member state, not just Malta. Eligible applicants typically include individuals with exceptional achievements in science, technology, or innovation; those distinguished in culture, the arts, or sports; business leaders and entrepreneurs whose ventures create employment in Malta; and philanthropic or humanitarian figures whose work and contributions demonstrates a broader international impact.

I am interested in:

Eligibility Screening

Do you have a criminal record?

Are you a Politically Exposed Person (PEP)?

Are you a citizen of one of the currently prohibited countries (Afghanistan, Belarus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela)?

Contact Information

Because residency and citizenship frameworks can evolve over time please contact us to speak with an advisor or to receive a preliminary quotation. The information provided in this blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice.

MALTA INFORMATION CENTER

Everything you need to know about Malta citizenship, residency, and real estate.

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Click here for the Malta citizenship by merit framework. Click here for the Malta residency programs.

To start the application process online please register here.

For a detailed cost estimate or to schedule a confidential consultation please use our contact form.

EU Citizenship: Cheap, fast, and easy?

Take the Quiz: Malta (EU) Residency or Citizenship. Which one is right for me?

Find out if you qualify for Malta permanent residency or Malta citizenship, including an EU passport / dual citizenship status.

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