More than 60 countries now offer ways to get residency or citizenship through investment. For wealthy individuals looking for better travel options or business opportunities, knowing the difference between golden passports and golden visas matters.
Both need serious money upfront, but what investors get is completely different. So, today we will be exploring what golden visas and golden passports are and what are the main differences between the two.
Golden passport vs Golden visa: What are they?
Golden visas let people live in another country if they invest enough money there. Usually this means buying property, investing in a business, or putting money into government bonds. Investors get temporary residency that often comes with very light requirements – Families can come along, and holders can often travel freely within certain regions.
The catch is that: a golden visa doesn’t make anyone a citizen right away. After holding it for several years, many countries let holders apply for permanent residency. For actual citizenship, most will need to live there for five to ten years first.
Golden passports, on the other hand, are different. Investors get citizenship immediately, no waiting around. These programs let people skip the whole residency fiasco entirely – invest, complete the paperwork, and just like that – instant citizenship with a passport. The price tag varies wildly. According to several investment migration industry reports, Vanuatu charges around $130,000, while European countries like Austria and Malta can cost several million euros. Once someone’s in, they have the same rights as someone born there: voting, government protection when traveling, and access to healthcare and social programs.
Popular golden visa countries include Greece, Portugal, Malta, and Italy. They’re attractive because they’re stable and offer a good quality of life. As per the Greek Ministry of Migration, Greece recently raised its minimum property investment to €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and other high-demand areas, though some regions still accept €250,000. Five Caribbean nations (St Kitts, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, and St Lucia) agreed to charge at least $200,000 for their citizenship programs starting July 2024, responding to pressure from the US and European Union as reported by Bloomberg.
Golden passport vs Golden visa: Which one do you need?
The right choice depends on individual circumstances: how fast someone needs it, whether their home country allows dual citizenship, how much they can spend, and what they want long-term.
Golden passports work best for those wanting citizenship now without relocating. Countries like Austria and Saint Kitts hand out passports without requiring people to actually live there. This is perfect for business professionals who fly internationally all the time, families wanting better schools and healthcare immediately, or anyone with a weak passport needing better travel access. The price is higher, but the benefits are instant and there’s no moving requirement.
But there’s a downside. These programs have been under fire lately. According to the UK Home Office, the country shut down its program in 2022. Cyprus ended its program in 2020 and Spain officially cancelled its golden visa program in April 2025. Critics say they’re risky and can be used for money laundering, so expect tighter rules and background checks going forward.
Golden visas take longer but cost less upfront. They’re good for those who see residency as a stepping stone to citizenship down the road. Many people keep their original passport while enjoying residency rights somewhere else. This matters a lot for citizens of India, Saudi Arabia, or China – countries that don’t allow dual citizenship. A golden visa lets people have both without giving up their original nationality.
Families are another consideration. Both programs usually cover spouses, kids, and sometimes parents or siblings. Golden passports make everyone a citizen immediately. With golden visas, each family member has to qualify for citizenship separately when the time comes.
