Residency by Investment (RBI)

Residence by investment is a formal legal pathway granting residency status — with eventual naturalization eligibility — in exchange for significant capital investment, typically real estate or business investment. RBI programs differ from temporary visas in that they provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship; they differ from citizenship-by-investment in that they do not grant immediate citizenship.

Major RBI programs globally include Portugal (Golden Visa, from EUR 500,000), Spain (Non-Lucrative Visa and investor routes), Greece (Golden Visa from EUR 250,000), Malta (residency programs), UAE (Golden Visa for investors and exceptional talent), and various Caribbean and Latin American programs with lower capital thresholds.

For internationally mobile investors seeking stable long-term residency with eventual citizenship optionality, RBI programs typically provide better institutional legitimacy and lower reputational risk than direct citizenship-by-investment pathways. Processing timelines generally range from 3 to 18 months depending on jurisdiction and route. The choice of RBI jurisdiction should reflect your tax planning goals, physical presence requirements, and intended citizenship timeline.