Top 12 best citizenship and residence by investment programs – and how much they cost

Malta’s new program has seen the EU country remain at the top of the Global Citizenship Programs Index (GCPI) – while the Austria Private Residence Program and the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program share the top spot in the Global Residence Programs Index (GRPI).

The annual publication, now in its sixth edition, provides a systematic analysis and comprehensive benchmarking of the world’s most notable investment migration programs and is the industry gold standard for this type of evaluation.

The 12 citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs and 24 residence-by-investment (RBI) programs are appraised by a panel of distinguished independent experts — including leading academic researchers, economists, expert immigration and citizenship lawyers, and other country risk and industry specialists — who consider a broad range of factors.

“It is also highly relevant to policy makers and governments wishing to manage these programs to achieve greater fiscal autonomy and economic growth.”

For the sixth consecutive year, Malta is the world’s top-ranking CBI country, with its Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process scoring 80 out of 100.

It is followed by Austria’s CBI option in 2nd place, the Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program in 3rd place, and the St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program is ranked 4th, with a score of 71.

Each scoring 75 out of 100, the Austria Private Residence Program and the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program have emerged as the world’s top RBI programs, with the Italy Residence-by-Investment Program and the Swiss Residence Program sharing 2nd place in this ranking.

The Greece Golden Visa Program is not far behind in 3rd place with a score of 72.

Source: Business Tech