Europe is a place of wonder. The incredible diversity and endless opportunities have attracted people for centuries. But, what are the easiest ways to get EU residency? Here are 18 different ways that you can use to use to get residency in Europe. We’ll also look at the easiest country to get permanent residency in Europe without investment. The 27 European Union members welcome professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, students, retirees, and many more. Having something to contribute is much more important than where you come from. For millions, EU residency is achievable. And a European residence permit is often a pathway to EU citizenship and an EU passport.
- The easiest way to get permanent residency in Europe
- The easiest ways to get EU residency (for those without EU family)
- EU Income-Based Visas
- EU Residency by Investment
- EU Start-up residency visas
- Estonia Digital Nomad Visa
- European Student Visas
- The SCHENGEN area and SCHENGEN Visa
- Are you excited about EU Residency?
The easiest way to get permanent residency in Europe
The simplest way to move to the EU is through your family. And, the easiest country to get PR in Europe will be one you have a family link to.
Many EU countries offer a direct and simple ancestry path to residency and citizenship, stretching back to your grandparents and beyond. Check out the Easiest country to get citizenship in Europe to see if you qualify.
You may also be eligible for permanent residency in the EU if your spouse or partner is an EU resident. Children and other relatives (including parents and parents-in-law) can also use family ties to get permanent residence in many EU countries.
Don’t despair if your family doesn’t open the door for you. Here are 18 other ways that you might use to move to the EU. And most of them can lead to EU permanent residency.
Interested in countries outside the EU? See our article Easiest Countries to Move To; we cover the easiest countries in the world to get residency with income, the easiest countries in the world to get a work permit, and the easiest countries in the world to get permanent residency for retirees.
The easiest ways to get EU residency (for those without EU family)
EU Income-Based Visas
Does your business allow you to work from anywhere? Do you have a steady income from existing investments or a pension? You may qualify for an Income Visa. For these EU residence permits, you need to show you can support yourself while living in the country. This means showing income or savings and having qualifying health insurance.
This immigration pathway works well for retirees and can be the easiest retirement visa in Europe.
Below are some examples of EU countries that offer these residency programs.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
To qualify for the non-lucrative visa for Spain, you must prove that you can support your self while living in Spain.
The income you show should come from passive income sources such as investments, rental income, or pensions. If you have an income source, this is also an easy EU retirement visa.
You must show an income that is four times the IPREM, Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples for this residence permit. In 2020, this is approximately €30,000 for the applicant and around another €6,000 for each dependent.
We’ve written a detailed article on Spain’s Non-lucrative Visa with all the information you’ll need to know. This includes how to apply, detailed financial requirements, fees, and much more.
As we’ve said, you can’t use this residence program if you declare an income from working. However, some digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers use this program to live in Spain without declaring their income.
Portugal Passive Income Visa
The Portugal passive income visa (D7) has main two requirements.
- You must be based in Portugal for at least eight months per year.
- You can show enough income to support yourself. The income needs to be passive, from sources such as rental income, dividends, investment income or a pension.
Our partner believes that €20,000 of annual income should be sufficient to prove that you can support yourself.
There are some great benefits to this. You have full rights to work in Portugal. So, you could:
- Freelance for clients inside and outside of Portugal.
- Run a location-independent business as a digital nomad.
- Be a remote worker for a company outside of Portugal.
- Get a job in Portugal.
- Open your own business in Portugal.
You can work in Portugal and could be eligible for some pretty great taxation rates. If you apply for non-habitual residency (NHR), you don’t pay tax on income from outside Portugal for ten years.
Although you can work, the D7 is one of the easiest retirement visas in Europe. It is also a pathway to Portuguese citizenship.
Our detailed article on the Portugal passive income D7 Visa has everything you need to know. We cover how to apply, fees, financial requirements, and much more.
Cyprus Income-Based Visa
Like all income visas, the Cyprus Income-Based Visa is easy to get for those who can show a steady income.
At present, the amount is around €9,500 (CY£5,600) for a single applicant and €4,500 (CY£2,700) for each dependent.
Austria Residency by Independent Means
Austria also has an income visa that does not allow you to work. This income should be regular and must continue for the length of the visa.
Income sources can include:
- Austrian or foreign pensions.
- Profits from enterprises abroad.
- Income from assets, savings or company shares.
At the moment, the monthly income is least twice the amount of the standard rates of the General Social Insurance Act (ASVG) for 2021. This amount would be:
- €1,000 for a single person.
- €1578 for married couples or partnerships.
- An additional €154 for each child.
You’ll need a certificate of good character from your local police station, health insurance, and accommodation.
Finally, you must speak German to an A1 level or have at least a three-year tertiary education.
Ireland Person of Independent Means
Ireland’s income visa has a higher income requirement than some mainland European countries.
The threshold income for the Ireland Person of Independent Means (Stamp 0) residence permit is €50,000 per year. And, you’ll also need a lump sum in savings to cover emergencies. The savings amount varies depending on where you are in Ireland, as cost-of-living rates vary. However, plan on needing to show at least €100,000 in savings during the application process.
You can’t work in Ireland on a Stamp 0 residence permit.
Read more about other Income-Based Visas around the world and how to qualify.
EU Residency by Investment
Are you looking for a way to invest some of your hard-earned money in the strong economies of Europe? You could get an impressive return on your investment, as well as residency or citizenship. European residency by investment (RBI) programs are some of the best-run and most transparent globally.
Here are some of the most attractive European investment visa programs.
Portugal Residency by investment
Invest between €350,000 and €500,000 in real estate (depending on the building’s age and location). This residence permit is a part of Portugal’s famous Golden Visa program. With low residency requirements and a five-year qualification, this is one of the best ways to get permanent residency in Europe.
Have a read of our Portugal Golden Visa Guide for more information
Spain Golden Visa
Purchase real estate in Spain worth more than €500,000, and you’ll be eligible for a Spanish residence permit. There are no restrictions on the real estate investment location, and you can use the investment to generate rental income. You can also use the property as your primary residence.
Please visit our Spain Golden Visa Guide for more information.
Bulgaria Investor Program
This investment visa has two tiers of investment into a Bulgaria Government Bond program for five years. At the end of the five years, you can withdraw the entire amount from the fund.
- €512,000 will get you a permanent residence status and a five-year path to citizenship.
- €1.024,000 reduces your time to EU citizenship and passport to just two years.
The administrative process for the Bulgaria Investor Program requires using a registered agent.
Latvia Residency by Investment Program
Latvia’s residency by investment program has a €50,000 minimum investment requirement. There are three main investment options:
- Invest at least €50,000 in a small company of fewer than 50 employees and with a company turnover of less than €10 million.
- Buy €250,000 or more of Latvian government bonds.
- Purchase pre-approved real estate worth at least €250,000.
Any of these options allow you to apply for Latvian residency. And, the visa is a pathway to Latvia permanent residency and citizenship.
Please read our Latvia investment visa page for more information.
Malta Residency by Investment
Malta’s residency by investment program is one of the oldest in Europe.
Invest a minimum of €220,000 in real estate, and you can get a residency visa. For some investment areas and developments, the minimum is a €275,000 real estate purchase.
There are additional conditions and fees associated with this visa.
Please read our Malta Investment Visa page for more information.
Greece Residency by Investment
Invest more than €250,000 in real estate. You can rent out this property after the purchase is complete. Your spouse and all dependent children are also eligible for residency under this visa.
Please see our Greece Residency by Investment Page for more information.
Cyprus Residency by investment
Invest more than €300,000 in approved real estate. This program targets new build properties, and you can rent out your purchase if that suits you. The Cyprus application process is usually very efficient.
Please read our Cyprus Residency by Investment Page for more information.
Italy Investment Visa
There are several options for investment residence in Italy. But, the business options for the Investor Visa for Italy are often overlooked. And, the Italian government recently lowered the investment amounts.
You can invest €500,000 into a private limited company. Or, for innovative Italian start-ups, the amount drops to €250,000.
After five years, you can get European permanent residency, and after ten years, EU citizenship is yours.
For information on other investment visas, please have a look at our Investment Visa Page. The article also has additional information on the best Citizenship by Investment programs in Europe and around the world.
EU Start-up residency visas
Are you on fire with an entrepreneurial spirit? Do you have a fantastic idea for a business? EU countries are looking for you to make a difference in their economies. They’ll offer you residency (and lots of support) to bring your ideas to life in their country. Here are some examples.
Sweden
Sweden offers residency to those who are planning to run or invest in a business. You must be able to show you have the required skills and experience to run the company. Additionally, you must show sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
Austria
Austria offers a Red-White-Red residency card to qualifying start-up founders. The program has a sliding points scale with several factors assessed. Funding, capital, innovation, and membership of accelerators or incubators are all considered in the assessment.
France
A French Tech Visa is available to people with an economically viable innovative start-up project. The “Passeport Talent” (“Talent Passport”) is targeted at start-up founders, investors, and employees. You’ll also need to show you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents. France also has Business Investor and Selected Companies programs that offer accelerated residency.
For more information, see our article on Startup Visas around the world.
Estonia Digital Nomad Visa
Estonia has a residence permit targeted at Digital Nomads. You’ll need to show that you have a location-independent income of at least €3,500 per month before tax. Your clients also need to be from outside of Estonia.
This visa is perfect for:
- Digital nomads.
- Freelancers.
- Remote workers employed by non-Estonian companies.
The visa is valid for a year and costs €80 for a short-stay (Type C), or €100 for a long-stay (Type D) and you can apply online. Estonia’s digital nation program means you can apply online for many Estonia residence permits and visas.
Speak to our immigration partner in Estonia to find out if this is the best visa route for you or if there is an easier one. You can book in for a 30-minute consultation where they will understand your situation, make a recommendation on the visa pathway and outline the steps for you to take.
European Student Visas
Many countries in Europe offer excellent student visa programs. Some of the world’s finest educational institutions welcome international students. And, many EU countries provide a post-study work visa that allows you to stay on after your studies to find work. These visas are an excellent pathway to permanent residency and EU citizenship.
Top EU and EEA Student Visa programs
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
Please see our article on Student Visas here for all the details you need to choose.
The SCHENGEN area and SCHENGEN Visa
Twenty-five countries are full signatories of the SCHENGEN treaty. These countries have special immigration agreements with each other.
The SCHENGEN visa is for short-term visits to the region of less than 90-days. Any member country can issue the visa, and you can then travel freely around any of the member states.
If you have a residence permit or permanent residence status from a SCHENGEN member state, you still have some rights. In general, you can travel (without working) within the region for up to 90 days without needing a visa or permit.
However, your rights to live and work only apply to the country that issued your residency/work permit. So, if you have a Spanish autonomo work permit, you could not move to live and work in Germany.
The SCHENGEN states are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Are you excited about EU Residency?
The European Union is home to 450 million people and has a GDP of around €20 trillion. Happily, EU ancestry or a lucky birth are not the only ways to be a part of this unique project. We hope this article gives you what you need to come and join us.
If you want to become a European citizen with an EU passport, check out the Easiest EU Citizenship in our detailed article.
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Very interesting indeed and worth giving it a try.
Thanks Mpho. Let us know if you need help from one of our lawyers
I need your help by visa
HI Narinael – which visas are of interest to you? All the best, Alastair
Hi great article my wife is a Dutch citizen I am Australian I have a 5 year visa from the Netherlands with 31/2 yrs remaining we have just spent a year living and work in Rotterdam but we had to return to Australia due to financial reasons with corona hitting hard I am now worried that I will loose my visa is there a way of obtaining permanent residency or dual citizenship in an Eu country that would then allow me to live back in the Netherlands with my wife of 28yrs
Hi Shane. You likely can live and work in the EU as long as you are with your wife. As a spouse, you have that right. Once you’re in the EU, there are numerous pathways to PR, citizenship and a passport. Checkout or article on Living in Europe for more details.
How did you obtain 5 yrs visa with 31/2 yrs remaining for Amsterdam / Netherlands?
Good morning, I am based in Nigeria with the aspiration of moving abroad with my family, I am a freelancer and I need to commend that these are great eye opener to is at the back of the world, my question is, the countries embassies in Nigeria, will they actually grant Africans these privileges or it is limited within the EU continent
HI Emmanuel. Most countries have no official restricted lists of nations who can apply for visas and residency. Having said that, some consulates and embassies are notorious for slow service and limited support. If possible using a quality immigration lawyer based in the country you choose will give you the best opportunity to be approved. They’ll know the best pathway and how to handle any blocks in the application process. All the best, Alastair
I would like to give it a try
Hi Peter. These are some great options. Have a look at our individual European Union country pages for even more options for EU visas, permits, residency, and citizenships.
Hi Alastair,
I am indian resident and did my M.S. in UK.Now I am looking for job in UK or Europe.However I am facing issue as I do not have Visa.
Please could you help me regarding this?
HI Chandra – Our Live in Europee article is a great place to start your research. Good luck with your travels.
very interesting. Does Ireland residency permit require to reside in the country for a certain period of time every year? Please contact me.
Hi Mike. Generally to get Ireland permanent residency you will need to legally live in Ireland for 5 years. Time outside of Ireland will not count towards your residence requirement. There are different visa classes that have shortened or waived residence requirements. Please contact us here if you have additional questions.
Its been long time i m living in france and last 2 years i m working ,i have 1 year work permit wich is renewable.i m married and i fulfill all the requirements to bring my wife but still they r making problems for nothing. Is there anyway i can bring my wife another European country or can i move another European country and get the visa for my wife same time?
Hi Suhan, That is quite hard to answer not knowing your personal situation. I suggest you read this blog https://wherecani.live/explore-options/live-in-europe-visa-options/ to see if you qualify for any of the visas listed.
Other than investment do PhD holders have a pathway?
I have a PhD in forest sciences from the University of Melbourne.
Hi there, there are many pathways for skilled professionals. Have a look at this page for links to opportunities in the EU and globally. https://wherecani.live/explore-options/moving-abroad-on-skilled-migration-visa/
I want to move so badly to Europe but applying daily and not getting any positive feedback breaks my heart.
I’m even considering the start up business as I have started something in my country
Don’t give up. There are many ways to move to Europe. Checkout our article on visas for startup founders and entrepreneurs – there may be something that works for you!
Very interesting. Is there any options to obtain a retirement visa in Swissland?
Best
Hi Vivienne. Switzerland does have a retirement visa category. Please see our Switzerland Visa page for more information. Also, see our blog on the Pros and Cons of Retiring Abroad.
All the steps are just amazing. I am much impressed by it. Thanks for sharing such a nice content. Impressive ….
as a non EU citizenship, which best way to get permanent residency in Europe county and which country easiest specially for IRAQI nationality, is it possible open company in Belgium and have brother working Doctor in Belgium can help to get residency permit for me and my family?
HI Faridon – check out our Europe Visa options page and our Belgium immigration country page. THere will be some ideas there that you can explore. These include the option of opening a business in Belgium, although there is a minimum investment required.
Thank you for this interesting article! As a fiercely anti-Brexit UK/US citizen who previously planned to move to Italy, I now wonder how it’s possible to move to Italy (or another EU country) for residency but ultimately for citizenship? I do freelance work on development projects in lower-income countries, so I travel often. I fear that would be a problem for a ‘time spent in country’ requirement, and also that although residency might be possible, citizenship is a far different matter….
Hi Jennifer, Yes it depends on how what you mean by “travels a lot”. There is normally an amount of time per annum that you need to be resident in a country to keep your visa. HAve you read our article on Visas for Freelancers in Europe? This might be of some help to you. Here it is https://wherecani.live/blog/view/digital-nomads-the-self-employed-and-visas-in-europe/.
All the best
He im Sameer from Iraq, i have compay for travel tourism and i thinking to open branch at UK what offer can i get it there? and can i get resident at uk when i open my branch there ?
I am a Nigerian and currently living and working in UAE for 2 yrs. I am married and expecting a child. I am a medical laboratory technologist.
I would like to move to any EU country or Australia or even America on either visit or residency.
What are my options.
I suggest you read through the visa section for the country pages that you are interested in to see which visas you could be eligible for.
https://wherecani.live/explore/
Regards
Hello
thanks for your information.
do you know any legal and formal lawyer to do the Cyprus income-based visa?
i am iranian.
best
I am afraid that we don’t have a lawyer that can help you for this visa at this time. Please check back in the future.
Regards
Baltic states are covered, except for Lithuania. Can you please, comment?
Please check out our Lithuania Page for more information on this country https://wherecani.live/country/lt/
I’ve always been fascinated with passive income visa. I’m interested with Portugal , but I’ve always wondered do passive income be associated with accumulating interest from local banks back in home country.
So for example, to prove your income, you simply show your local bank statement , the interest accrued through the fixed deposit programme.
Example:
Let’s base on the €20000 per year requirement. Bank’s interest rate at 0.4% per year.
Monies in bank= €53,000
Monthly interest = €1,666
HI Charibert. The passive income visa just relies on you being able to show a steady income that will continue into the future. Fixed-deposit Interest paid by a bank is indeed a form of investment income that would be acceptable. Unfortunately, you’ll need a larger principal sum or a higher interest rate. 0.4% x €53,000 is €212, so this is short of the required amount.
Passive Income Visas are a great opportunity for many. The idea is that you can generate enough money to cover your daily cost-of-living in your new country and are unlikely to become a burden to the state.
I work in a reputable company and I think my status meets some programs need like Spain Non Lucrative Visa, Portugal and Austria passive income visas. there is only one concern since i am working in my country I can’t leave the work for too long time so do i need to live there a specific amount of days/year? if the question then what is the need for the residency ? i need the residency for visa free access to Europe and it is also good for my CV and career enhancement.
what would be the best program to suit my request which might not be one of the above mentioned programs.
The residency requirement for a non-lucrative visa in Spain requires you to stay a minimum of 183 days a year.
Portugal’s Passive Income Visa requirement is that you are not outside Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months or 8 non-consecutive months during the validity of the passive income visa.
Some of the Residency by Investement programs in Europe have no residency requirements, please feel free to explore those from the link.
can you advice me, Im from Slovenia, my fionce is from Puerto Rico. What to do, to both have EU and USA passport and to be able to work on both sides?
I read about Spain passport for him, but what if he have a wife from EU, will that help too?
Being married to an EU citizen gives you the right to live and work with your spouse in any EU country. If you want an EU citizenship for your partner, it needs to be the same citizenship as yours (so, you’d need to both live in Slovenia for at least one year, and be legally married for two years).
Otherwise, with your EU passport, there are many pathways to EU residency and a passport. Check out some ideas in our Live in Europe article.
Very informative article. Do Poland also give Temporary Residency Permit to Retirees from Non-EU countries.
Hi Tasnim. Yes, Poland does have a visa that would work for retirees from non-EU countries. The D class visa lets you stay for one year, and is renewable. You’ll need to show you can support yourself without working in Poland.
My daughter has a German passport but lives here in the States. Can I use her passport to gain residency in Germany even though she has no intention of living in Germany? She is a minor, and her mother and I just got divorced.
HI Kobi. In general for family reunification, the applicant must be living in the country of citizenship. This means that you would not be able to access residency unless your daughter was resident in Germany. Here’s guidance from a German Government website: “reunification of families is limited to the spouse (or registered partner) and joint minor children or for minors living in Germany, their parents.”
My wife and I are US citizens and are interested in non-lucrative or passive income visas in Spain, Portugal or Ireland. I am retired and have a pension that would meet the monthly income requirements as specified in these programs. My wife is still employed, but works remotely and can do so anywhere. Will her employment be an issue in applying for these visas? Also, she has employer-provided health insurance that covers us abroad – would that suffice for the required health insurance?
Hi Don. Portugal’s passive income visa (D7) is the most flexible of these three options. You wife can indeed work remotely under the visa conditions. Spain’s non-lucrative visa is a little more tricky. As long as you can clearly meet the income requirements without your wife’s salary you’d be in a more secure position. But, application results for remote workers have been mixed, and the legislation does not specify the eligibility of remote work. If you have a strong case that your income covers all expenses that would help. Ireland’s stamp 0 visa is clearer. You’re not allowed to carry out any work.
The healthcare question is one that you’d need to speak directly to an immigration lawyer about. They’ll be able to assess the individual policy suitability for your application. All the best with your journey.
Very interesting and great source of info.!
After reading through various articles and comments here, I am still trying to understand remote working in another country. Is it possible to apply for a Long-stay visa in France, move to France, buy a home and continue to work for a US company as normal? Then basically renew your long-stay visa each year until you get on citizenship track?
In theory, yes. But, you’ll need to find a viable immigration option that fits your circumstances. Check out our France country page for some ideas. France’s naturalization period is four years in most cases, after which you can apply for citizenship. And, sign up for our newsletter as we’ll be releasing a set of articles on remote work options around the world in the coming weeks.
I want to purchase a property for £100,000 and would live off pension of £600. I can’t see where I could live in the sun under the present visa/citizen rules! Any suggestions?
Hi Robin. Argentina’s Rentista Visa and Mauritius Premium Travel Visa should both be options available to you.
Hi there,
My girlfriend is a French citizen and I am a UK citizen. We would like to live in Italy where my parents have residency (not citizenship)
Are you able to tell me what benefits I would gain if my girlfriend and I were married?
All the best,
Richard
Hi Richard. In general, an EU citizen has the right to live and work in any EU country. And, in Italy, the spouse of the EU citizen has the right to live and work in Italy if their spouse is living there.
I left Nigeria (native country) to Germany due to lack of employment with a 2 months Schengen visa. My visa has not expired and I do not ever want to go back to Nigeria until I obtain a residency in Europe, work and earn money. Pls what may play as my best options? I want to succeed.
Hi Ken. Your #1 priority is to not overstay your SCHENGEN visa – doing that will count against future visa applications. EU residency is possible in many ways – you’ll need to explore the resources on the site to find the best visa or residence permit in Europe for your situation. All the best Alastair
Hi Alastair,
Thank you for this very informative article! I’m an Australian-American citizen who applied for the Spanish autonomo visa in February and I’m just holding my breath here in London waiting for it to be approved! Apparently it usually takes only a couple months but this is dragging on. My UK working holiday visa expires in a few months so in case the autonomo visa isn’t approved in time, I’m looking at other options in EU. Do you happen to know if there are any Schengen countries where you can apply for the temporary residence permit from WITHIN the country instead of from the country you have residence in? I’m getting nervous because I can’t go back to Australia since they’re not letting citizens back out!
Thank you in advance,
Chelsea Joy
Hi Chelsea. Yup, visa processing times are slow in many places at present, including Spain. A European Student Visa may be an option, depending on your plans and finances while you wait? There are also excellent remote work visa options at present if you can find work that you can do from home. Alternatively, head to our country explorer and see the range of visas in countries you are interested in. Good luck, Alastair
Hi
How can i get a visa for Sweden. I do work online from home and can be done anywhere in the world. I am married to a Swedish resident. Just for now they deny me a spouses visa.
Any help will be greatly appreciated