12 Golden Visa Offering Countries for the Whole Families in 2025
Have you ever dreamt of giving your family a brighter future, filled with new experiences and opportunities? Imagine a life with visa-free travel, access to top-tier education, and a secure environment. Well, that dream could be closer than you think!
A growing number of countries are offering Golden Visa programs, a fantastic pathway for families to gain residency or even citizenship by making a significant investment. Think of it as an investment in your family’s future, opening doors to a world of possibilities!
What Exactly is a Golden Visa?
It’s a residency-by-investment program that allows individuals and their families to obtain residency permits in exchange for a substantial economic contribution to the host country. This contribution typically comes in the form of real estate purchases, business investments, or government bonds.
Why is it great for families?
The beauty of Golden Visas lies in their inclusivity. Many programs extend benefits to the entire family, including spouses, children, and sometimes even parents and grandparents! This means everyone can enjoy the perks of a new home, together.
Where can you go?
The world is your oyster! Countries across the globe are rolling out the red carpet for investor families. Here are a few exciting options:
- Sun-soaked Mediterranean escapes: Portugal, Spain, and Greece offer stunning landscapes, rich cultures, and the freedom to travel throughout the Schengen Area. Imagine raising your children surrounded by ancient history and breathtaking beaches!
- Island paradises: Malta and Cyprus boast idyllic island living, with EU access, favorable tax environments, and a relaxed pace of life.
- Dynamic hubs of innovation: The UAE provides a vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle with excellent business opportunities and a strategic location for global travel.
- North American havens: Canada and Australia offer world-class education, healthcare, and a high quality of life, making them ideal for families seeking stability and opportunity.
- Exotic Caribbean gems: St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda provide a taste of paradise with visa-free travel to over 150 countries.
Now lets take a deep look at all your options where you can obtain a full family golden visa in 2025:
1# Portugal
- Benefits: Full family residency, visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, and the possibility of citizenship after five years.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, children (dependent or studying), and parents (if financially dependent).
- Investment Options: Real estate (€280,000–€500,000), venture capital funds, or job creation investments.
- Apply: https://www2.gov.pt/en/servicos/agendar-atendimento-no-servico-de-estrangeiros-e-fronteiras-sef-.
2# Spain (Investor Visa – Cancelling on April 3, 2025)
- Benefits: Residency for the entire family with access to Schengen Area travel and eventual citizenship after 10 years.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, minor children, and financially dependent adult children or parents.
- Investment Options: Real estate (€500,000), business, or government bonds.
- Apply: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visado-de-inversor.aspx
3# Greece
- Benefits: Full family residency with Schengen Area access and no minimum stay requirements for renewal.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, children under 21, and parents of both the investor and spouse.
- Investment Options: Real estate (€250,000 minimum) or investment in Greek businesses.
- Apply: https://migration.gov.gr/en/golden-visa/.
4# Malta
- Benefits: Residency or citizenship with access to EU countries and tax advantages.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, dependent children, and parents or grandparents (if financially dependent).
- Investment Options: Real estate (€300,000+), donation to the government, and bonds.
- Apply: https://residencymalta.gov.mt/the-mprp-programme/.
5# Italy
- Benefits: Residency for families, Schengen travel, and access to education and healthcare.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, children, and dependent parents.
- Investment Options: Investments in government bonds, Italian companies, or innovation start-ups (€250,000–€500,000).
- Apply: https://investorvisa.mise.gov.it/index.php/en/.
6# United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Benefits: Long-term residency, including 5- or 10-year visas for the family.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, children (typically under 18 or up to 25 if studying).
- Investment Options: Real estate (AED 2 million+), business setup, or public investments.
- Apply: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa.
7# Cyprus
- Benefits: Permanent residency for families with eligibility for citizenship after seven years.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, children under 25, and financially dependent parents.
- Investment Options: Real estate (€300,000+) or business investments.
- Apply: https://www.mip.gov.cy/dmmip/md.nsf/immigrationpfi_en/immigrationpfi_en?OpenDocument.
8# Turkey
- Benefits: Citizenship for families within a few months, with visa-free travel to selected countries.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse and children under 18.
- Investment Options: Real estate ($400,000 minimum) or business investments.
- Apply: https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/investmentguide/pages/acquiring-property-and-citizenship.aspx.
9# Caribbean Countries
(e.g., St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda)
- Benefits: Citizenship for families with visa-free travel to 150+ countries.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse, children, parents, and siblings (varies by program).
- Investment Options: Government donations ($100,000+), real estate, or business investments.
10# Canada (Quebec Immigrant Investor Program)
- Benefits: Permanent residency for the entire family and access to Canadian healthcare and education.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse and dependent children under 22.
- Investment Options: Business or government-backed investment (CA$1.2 million).
11# Australia (Significant Investor Visa)
- Benefits: Residency with a pathway to citizenship and access to healthcare and education.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse and children.
- Investment Options: Investments in designated funds (AU$2.5 million+).
- Apply: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/business-innovation-and-investment-188/significant-investor-stream.
12# New Zealand (Investor Visa)
- Benefits: Residency for families and a pathway to citizenship.
- Eligible Family Members: Spouse and children under 24.
- Investment Options: Investments in New Zealand businesses or assets (NZ$3 million+).
- Apply: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/financial-arrangements/investing-and-investment-funds/investor-categories.