Immigration

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Qualifying investments: Foreign investors may own an entity and are freely entitled to invest in the following sectors and create jobs:Metal industry, Service sector, Real estate, Textile, Oil and Energy, Electronics, Tourism, Research & Innovations and others. Foreign investors may also freely hold real estate.

BULGARIA

Residence €537,000
Golden Visa €1,090,000

Procedure: You become a permanent resident in 6-9 months from submission. You will have to make two trips to a Bulgarian Consulate in your home country, and two trips to Bulgaria during the process. After your file has been prepared, you will sign it at a Bulgarian consulate, and then transfer the investment amount. Once your investment certificate is issued, you visit the Consulate a second time to apply for a D-type visa. With the visa granted, you make your first trip to Bulgaria to submit your permanent residency application. Finally, you make your second trip to Bulgarian to pick up your PR card. Once the main applicant has obtained his or her PR, family members can also submit their application. Each applicant will be required to make two trips to Bulgaria. 

Financial requirements: You will be asked to deposit BGN 1 million (appr. EUR 512,000) in a Governmental Bond Portfolio for 5 years. At the end of this period, the full amount will be returned to you (without interest). Your investment is fully guaranteed by the Bulgarian government. It is also possible to finance the required amount through a European bank. A processing fee of EUR 25,000 applies for couples, with EUR 2,500 payable for each child under 18.

CZECHIA

Czech Business Investor Visa
€100,000

Golden Residency €2,850,000

Highlights:  The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is located in the center of Europe, and is a full member of the EU and the Schengen zone. The country boasts amazing natural beauty with pristine lakes, mountains and rivers. The world-famous historical center of its capital city, Prague, has been the backdrop of countless movies.

Advantages:  Natural persons and companies are both eligible to apply for an investment visa. In case the applicant is a company, up to 5 executive directors are eligible for investment residence permits. Passive shareholders are also available for investment visas lasting for up to 2 years. Processing times are extremely short: investors can obtain their residence permit within 30 to 45 days of submitting all required documentation. Another advantage of the Czech investor golden residency is that applicants are not required to travel to the Czech Republic to file their application – they can do so at the Czech consulate of the country of their current residence. Applicants who already reside in the Czech Republic and wish to change their residence permit can submit their applications directly to the Ministry of Interior. Those wishing to obtain permanent settlement in Czechia can do so after 5 years of continuous residence, while Czech citizenship can be obtained after 10 years of living in the country.

Procedure: :  There are 3 requirements to be fulfilled for a successful application: (1). create at least 20 full-time jobs (for EU citizens) for the duration of the residency; (2). make an investment of at least CZK 75 million (cca. EUR 2,850,000). Up to 60% of the investment can be provided in other assets: real estate, know-how or physical equipment; (3). a business plan has to accompany the application. Naturally, we are able to assist you putting together a business plan and an application that has the best chances for getting approved, so you can hold your EU residence permit in your hands in just 30-45 days. Contact us for more information today!

ESTONIA

Business Investment
€100,000

Golden Residency €1,000,000

Highlights: Estonia, country in northeastern Europe, the northernmost of the three Baltic states. Estonia’s area includes some 1,500 islands and islets; the two largest of these islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, are off mainland Estonia’s west coast. The Estonian economy has been cited as one of the most liberal in Europe; it has a balanced national budget, flat-rate income tax, and very few customs tariffs. Estonia’s major trading partners are Finland, Sweden, Germany, Russia, and Latvia. Principal exports include machinery and equipment, timber, textiles, metal and metal products, and processed foodstuffs.

Procedure: Establish a new Estonian company or existing one and create jobs, i.e. as foreign direct investment in free trade zones. €1 million or more qualifies Investors for permanent residence.

GREECE

Highlights: Greece, home of one of the oldest civilizations in Europe, is rich with cultural artifacts and historical sights, and has a booming tourism industry. The country is also a full member of the EU and the Schengen zone, so residents can enjoy fully free movement within the Schengen zone and free trade within the EU. You can acquire fast-track residency in Greece by purchasing real estate, which you can rent out to tourists and visitors to Greece. The residency-by-investment program is extremely fast and uncomplicated, and you can include your family members in the application. You do not have to physically reside in Greece once you receive your RP. All in all, this program represents great value for money.

Procedure:You can submit your application at a Greek embassy, or directly to the Immigration Department in Greece. You need to document the purchase of real estate for at least EUR 250,000 in Greece, or, if the purchase has not been made yet, present an Engagement Agreement and proof of sufficient funds.

Timeline and Validity: The process is extremely fast: you will receive your permit within 1-1.5 months. The RP is granted for 5 years, and can be extended for another 5.

HUNGARY

Highlights: Hungary is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets: it has low living costs, excellent public education, virtually no violent street crime, inexpensive real estate, great moderate climate, 9% corporate tax, and lots of little-known perks like countless thermal baths all around the country and one of the world’s most beautiful capital cities, Budapest. With the real estate residency program exclusively available from us, you and your family members can get Schengen residency within a matter of months, and also get a slice of one of the most dynamically evolving real estate markets in the European Union.

Procedure: The minimum investment amount is EUR 200,000, which suffices for buying 2 apartments in Budapest. As the property market in Budapest is growing 15% annually, the profitability of the investment is practically guaranteed.

Fees and Taxes: Additionally, you will be required to pay EUR 20,000 for program fees and a 4% property tax after buying the apartments.

Family: Once your residence permit based on your real estate investment is granted, your closest family members including your spouse and dependent children can get their permits on the grounds of family unification.

LATVIA

Business Capital Investment €50,000

Real estate/ Gov't bonds/ Deposit

Highlights:  Latvia, a small Baltic country with a full EU and Schengen zone membership, offers an uncomplicated investment residency program for yourself and your family. You will have visa-free access to all 26 countries of the Schengen zone, access to state education and health care in Latvia, and the right to live and work there. There is no physical residency requirement, however, and you can enter and leave the country as many times as you like.

Procedure:
- €50,000 business capital investment + €10,000 state fee + €20,000 processing fee
- €250,000 in real estate + 5% state fee
- €200,000 in business investment in a Latvian company
- €300,000 bank deposit in a Latvian bank.

Validity: You will be awarded a 5-year temporary residence permit, which you can extend without additional investment. You do not need to physically live in Latvia, the only requirements are that you have a registered address and spend at least 1 day per year there. After 10 years of legally residing in the country, you will be eligible for citizenship.

Summary: There are three options for obtaining investment residency in Latvia. First, you can buy real estate in Latvia for at least EUR 250,000. The second option is an interest-free government bond, also with a minimum requirement of EUR 250,000. Finally, you can invest in a bank bond for a minimum of EUR 280,000, and receive interest on your investment. All investments have to be retained for a 5-year period. A government fee of EUR 25,000 is payable for the government bond and bank bond options.

LITHUANIA

Highlights: Lithuania is a small Baltic EU member state bordering Poland, Latvia and Belarus. The countries has free movement of labour, capital, and trade among EU member states. Lithuania attracts foreign investors because of its low tax, skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure and rule of law. The currency is EUR and Lithuanian is the national language. Lithuania has setup 2 free trade zones (FTZ) and businesses setup there are exempt from corporate taxation for its first six years, tax on dividends and real estate tax. Lithuania is also member of Schengen acquis. There are over 5,000 foreign capital companies operating in Lithuania.

Procedure: According to the current Lithuanian immigration law, non-EU citizens can receive a Lithuanian residence permit in exchange for investment if they meet all of the below-mentioned six requirements, namely:
- The investor should run a Lithuanian company for at least 6 months before applying for a residence permit;
- The Lithuanian company should employ at least 3 Lithuanian residents and pay their social security contributions. The average amount of a monthly social security contribution in Lithuania is approximately 160 EUR for one person;
- Investing a share capital of 28,000 EUR into the Lithuanian company;
- At least 14,000 EUR of the share capital should be investor’s own capital;
- The investor should have a leading position in the Lithuanian company;
- The investor is requested to prove having a place of residence (an apartment or a house) in Lithuania that meets hygienic requirements (e.g., minimum 7 m2 for each person who is declared to live in that place).

Extended residence permit: If a foreign person invests more than 260.000 EUR into a company in Lithuania and employs at least 5 Lithuanian residents, he/she can receive an initial residence permit for 3 years. Such a residence permit can be extended every 3 years.

MOLDOVA

Highlights: Moldova lies in Eastern Europe. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with its economy relying heavily on agriculture. Two-thirds of Moldovans are of Romanian descent, and the two countries share a common cultural heritage. Today the states of the former Soviet Union remain important markets for Moldova, whose main trading partners are Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Belarus, as well as Germany and Italy. In 2014 Moldova concluded an association agreement with the European Union that strengthened economic and political ties with the EU. Foodstuffs, beverages (notably wine), and tobacco products make up the bulk of Moldova’s exports, followed by apparel and agricultural goods. It is developing a viable free-market economy, which leaves plenty of space for business opportunities. However, the investment climate is not the most favorable, and corporate tax is 18%.

Procedures: With its mere 3-month application procedure, the Moldovan investment citizenship program is one of the fastest programs. Before the application, you (and all your family members applying together with you) will be required to undergo a strict due diligence process, and make a non-refundabble contribution ot the Public Investment Fund of Moldova. Once you are found eligible, you can apply for Moldovan citizenship – you and your family members will have exactly the same rights as all other citizens of Moldova. The program cost is made up of several elements, and in total depends of the number of applicants. For a single applicant, the minimum investment is EUR 146,300; for a family of 5, it will still cost less than EUR 250,000. This makes it one of the most economical citizenship programs in Europe.

POLAND

Highlights: Poland is a full EU member state and also part of Schengen zone. Poland is one of the most attractive locations for foreign investments. Poland has surplus number of engineers, economists and IT specialists with good knowledge of English. Poland has the highest number of workers in the EU employed on temporary contracts. The Polish government offers investors various forms of state aid and 14 special economic zones with tax breaks. According to an Ernst & Young report, Poland ranks 7th in the world in terms of investment attractiveness. Polish law stipulates the principle of freedom of business activity.

Family: You can apply together with all your closest family members. This means not only your spouse and underage children, but all dependent children under 29, and also your dependent parents above 55.

ROMANIA

Highlights: Romania has developing middle income economy predominantly based on services, and is a producer and net exporter of machines and electric energy. Bucharest, the capital city, is one of the largest financial and industrial centers in Eastern Europe. On 1 January 2007 Romania entered the EU and Romania Leu is the national currency. The country economy has experienced good growth and seeks foreign direct investments in the country.

Economic activities for long stay visa: Business or commercial activities through a new or existing Romanian company and create 10 permanent jobs in sectors such as real estate, manufacturing, production, agriculture, Information Technology, Chemicals, metals, energy, automotive sectors.

SERBIA

Highlights: Serbia is a land locked country connecting central and south eastern Europe. Serbia was a home to the biggest Greenfield projects in South East Europe and has highly capable human capital and customs free access to 15% of the world market. Serbia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU enabling exports of all products originating from Serbia without customs and other fees. Serbia is open to foreign direct investment, as the Government is offering financial and tax incentives to companies willing to invest in the country. The national currency is Serbian dinar (RSD) and Belgrade is the capital. Serbia has 15% corporate tax rate.

Preconditions: Desired business investment, creation of jobs and entrepreneurial activities in the following key sectors: Automotive, BPO outsourcing, Energy, Oil & Gas, Food & Agriculture, Textile, Wood or Services.

SLOVENIA

Highlights: Slovenia is a developed Central European country, member of EU, OECD and signatory of the Schengen Agreement. The country has highly educated workforce, well-developed infrastructure, and a major transport hub. Foreign investors are attracted by Slovenia’s strategic position at the heart of Europe, its excellent transport and ITC infrastructure, its value chains, industry clusters and centres of excellence. Ljubljana is the capital and largest city and euro is the currency.

SLOVAKIA

Highlights: Slovakia is a high income economy in Central Europe. Slovakia joined the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone on 1 January 2009 and also a Schengen zone member. The country adopted the euro at the beginning of 2009 and the capital Bratislava is a major financial center. Cheap and skilled labor, a 19% flat tax rate for both businesses and individuals, no dividend taxes, a weak labor code, and a favorable geographical location are Slovakia’s main advantages for foreign investors. Slovakia is slowly becoming one of the world leaders in the automotive industry.

Preconditions: Foreign investors can apply for a temporary residence permit, which is valid for one year. It takes about 90 days to receive. To renew the residence permit, a company must have a profit in the minimum required amount. The minimum required net income is 12,500 euro per year. Permanent residency is normally possible after 5 years of residence; citizenship is possible after 10 years of legal residence. In some cases, if an applicant invests a significant amount in priority sectors of the economy they can apply for permanent residence and then citizenship sooner than the 5-10 year wait time.