Introduction: Choosing the Right EU Golden Visa in a Changing Landscape

Europe continues to offer attractive migration pathways for global investors, families, and entrepreneurs. Among these, EU residency by investment—often called “golden visas”—remains one of the most effective ways to access the European lifestyle, business environment, and long-term citizenship benefits. But in 2025, the landscape looks different than it did just a few years ago.

Portugal, once the gold standard for golden visas, has removed real estate and bank deposit options from its eligibility criteria. Malta, long known for its fast-track citizenship program, faces growing EU scrutiny over its approach. Meanwhile, Greece is doubling down on property investment, with tiered thresholds depending on location. For investors trying to make sense of the market, a clear EU golden visa comparison—especially between Portugal vs Greece golden visa programs and Malta’s evolving structure—is more important than ever.