Which programme is right for me?
Depends on what you want. EU access: Greece, Cyprus. Lowest threshold: Greece Zone C at €250K (heritage/conversion route). Zero stay flexibility: Greece, UAE. Path to citizenship: Greece (7 yrs), Cyprus (5-7 yrs), Portugal (5 yrs but property route closed). Tax-free rental income: UAE, Oman (until 2028), Greece if Non-Dom. Lowest entry for full programme: Cyprus PR at €300K with permanent status.
Why did Portugal and Spain close?
Both governments cited domestic housing affordability concerns. Portugal closed the residential property route in October 2023 (capital/funds routes remain). Spain shut its programme entirely in April 2025. Greece kept its programme but tripled the threshold for prime locations from €250K to €800K in August 2024 — a similar mitigation that didn't require closure. Existing visa holders in all programmes were unaffected by the changes.
Can I combine programmes?
Yes — many investors hold multiple residency permits. UAE Golden Visa + Greek Golden Visa is the most common combination among ROYA clients (Gulf access + EU access). Cyprus + UAE is another popular pairing. There's no legal barrier to holding multiple residency permits, though tax residency status and reporting obligations need careful structuring with cross-border counsel.
What's the difference between residency and citizenship?
Residency lets you live legally in a country and (if EU) travel within Schengen. Citizenship gives you a passport and unconditional right of abode plus voting rights. None of the programmes above are citizenship-by-investment — they're residency, with citizenship typically available after 5-15 years of legal residency plus language/integration requirements. Maltese, Caribbean (St Kitts, Dominica, etc.), Vanuatu, and Turkey programmes offer faster citizenship — none through European real estate.
How long does the application take?
UAE Golden Visa: 4-6 weeks after property registration. Greek Golden Visa: 60-90 days from complete file. Cyprus PR: ~3-6 months. Oman investor residency: typically 1-2 months after property registration. All can usually be done with limited or no in-person presence, using power of attorney for routine steps. Roya International coordinates with vetted local counsel in each market.
What about UK residency through investment?
The UK closed its Tier 1 Investor Visa in February 2022. There is no current UK residency-by-investment programme. UK property purchase by foreign nationals is unrestricted but does not grant residency. Long-term routes to UK residence require employment, family relationship, or other qualifying status.
Will Greece raise its thresholds again?
Possibly. The Greek government has signaled openness to further reforms — particularly closing the €250K Zone C route or extending the 120 sqm minimum to it. Recent reforms (March 2024 → August 2024) introduced grace periods that allowed earlier-rate applications. Anyone considering Greece should expect future changes and plan accordingly. Roya monitors policy and notifies clients when actionable changes are announced.
What does Roya International actually do for my application?
We handle the full process end-to-end: (1) advisory call to determine which programme matches your goals, (2) curated property shortlist within the qualifying threshold, (3) introduction to vetted local lawyers, notaries, and tax advisors in your chosen market, (4) coordination of property purchase + reservation/SPA review, (5) Golden Visa / residency application submission and follow-up, (6) post-purchase support including rental management and resale advisory. We work on transparent fee schedules — no hidden commissions.