EU Citizenship by Investment 2020. A program comparison.

Note (2026): Malta’s former Citizenship by Investment program has been replaced by the Citizenship by Merit framework.

What are the most popular immigration by investment options leading to citizenship in the European Union in 2020?

Answer: The following is a brief overview of some of the most popular programs in the EU (in alphabetical order).

Please note that most programs require the investor to remain in residency status before being allowed to file an application for citizenship. Some residency requirements are as short as 12 months (1 year) while others are as long as 5, or 7, or even 10 years.

BULGARIA (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? Standard Track: € 512,000. Fast Track option: € 1,024,000 (financing available).
Dependents included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical residence required? No
Time till citizenship/passport? Standard Track: 5 years. Fast Track option: 18 months.

CYPRUS (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? € 300,000
Dependents included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical residence required? 180+ days
Time till citizenship/passport? May apply for citizenship after 7 years.

GREECE (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? € 250,000
Dependents included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical residence required? 180+ days
Time till citizenship/passport? May apply for citizenship after 7 years.

MALTA (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? € 600,000 (36 months) or 750,000 (12 months) plus fees, plus philanthropic donation, plus property
Dependents included? Spouse + Children + Parents + Grandparents
Physical residence required? Limited
Time till citizenship/passport? 12 or 36 months

MONACO (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? varies
Dependents included? Spouse + Children + Parents
Physical residence required? varies
Time till citizenship/passport? May apply for citizenship after 10 years.

PORTUGAL (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? € 350,000
Dependents included? Spouse + Children
Physical residence required? Yes
Time till citizenship/passport? May apply for citizenship after 5 years.

SPAIN (EU) Citizenship
Minimum investment? € 500,000
Dependents included? Spouse + Children
Physical residence required? Yes
Time till citizenship/passport? 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.

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

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

EU Citizenship by Investment 2020. A program comparison.

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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