Under new conditions, those investing not less than €250,000 in national property funds or €500,000 into real estate will be able to apply for a renewable residency permit for a period of 10 years. In addition, it is planned to be provided for those who will invest minimally €1 million in the so-called public trusts. They were created by Hungarian government in order to ensure university activities.
It's worth mentioning that the former program was closed in 2017 amid a corruption scandal. At that time, a residence permit, along with the opportunity to freely move around the EU were provided for the purchase of government bonds amounting to €300,000. This resulted in an immigrant growth coming from Russia and China. Ultimately, the program was closed after a wave of media publications.
The decision on the new program is expected in early or mid-December. It is unclear when it will come into force, whether directly after it's been adopted, or later. Obviously, the government will need time to develop new legal parameters.
Portugal has approved a major citizenship law reform, significantly tightening the rules. Key changes include increased residency requirements (up to 10 years), mandatory language and culture tests, and stricter rules for children born to foreign parents.
A new draft law in Romania proposes a Residency by Investment program, granting non-EU citizens a renewable 5-year residence permit. The program requires a €400,000 minimum investment in bonds, real estate, funds, or shares.
For those planning to open a company or relocate to Cyprus, it is important to understand how the tax system works and what benefits it can provide.
