Europe Immigration 2025: Best Countries & Investment Options

Introduction

The global political and economic landscape underwent significant changes in 2025. Trade war-driven economic isolationism and right-wing anti-immigration policies have heightened immigration uncertainty. With the increasing difficulty of immigrating to the four mainstream countries (the US, Australia, and China), European investment immigration has emerged as a top choice in 2025 due to its relatively low thresholds. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of European investment immigration processes.

Portugal: The First Choice

Reasons for Being the First Choice

Among the European countries still open to immigration, Portugal is our top pick for two main reasons: the country's comprehensive strength and its friendly attitude towards immigrants.

Comprehensive Strength of Portugal

• Economic Aspect: In 2024, Portugal's GDP per capita was $290,000, as per IMF data. Despite having a population of around 10 million and not being a large country in Europe, it has a strong standing. Thanks to its glorious past during the great maritime era, it ranks among the best in Europe, second only to some Western and Northern European nations.

• Natural Environment: Portugal enjoys a pleasant climate with mild summers and not overly cold winters. The beautiful sunsets and European castle scenery make it one of the most attractive countries in Europe in terms of the natural environment.

• Language and Culture: Portugal has the highest English popularity among non-English-speaking countries in Europe. Even if you don't speak Portuguese, you can communicate fluently in English.

• Cost Advantage: Portugal offers a relatively low-cost living environment. Its prices are significantly lower than those in Western and Northern Europe and also more affordable than in Spain.

Friendly Immigration Policy

• Gold Visa Program: Portugal is one of the few European countries with a gold visa. The basic requirements are to invest 500,000 euros in a Portugal - designated fund (refundable after six years) or directly donate 200,000 euros to a government-designed public welfare project.

• Family - Friendly: The gold visa allows for family reunification, enabling a family of three generations to be included in the same application. Visa holders can enjoy free medical care and education in Portugal, as well as the right to work and start a business. Their rights are almost on par with permanent residents.

• Residence Requirements: The gold visa needs to be renewed every two years, with a residence requirement of 14 days every two years.

• Path to Citizenship: After five years of submitting the application, applicants can apply for Portuguese citizenship. This means they can work, study, and live in Europe with a Portuguese passport, making Portugal the lowest - entry - level country in the European Union.

Challenges

• Long Processing Time: The efficiency of the Portugal Immigration Bureau is relatively low in Europe. Based on experience, it usually takes one to two years to obtain a gold visa from the local government. Families immigrating mainly for children's education should plan in advance.

• Investment Risks: If choosing the 500,000 - euro fund investment option, although the Portuguese government has strict supervision over the designated funds, it is still a commercial investment. There is uncertainty about the profit after six years of investment, and even capital loss is possible. However, the 200,000 - euro donation option has no such risk.

Hungary

Economic Background

In 2024, Hungary's GDP per capita was $238,000 (IMF data). It is an old-fashioned European country with extensive trade relations with China. It was the first European country to sign the Belt and Road Initiative, and there is a significant Chinese immigrant community in Hungary.

Investment Immigration Policy

• Similar to Portugal: Hungary's investment immigration policy is similar to Portugal's, requiring investment in a designated fund. However, the investment amount is lower, at only 250,000 euros. Hungary also offers a one-time donation option, but the donation amount is 1 million euros, much higher than Portugal's 200,000 euros, so fewer people choose this option.

• Fast Processing: Hungary's investment immigration review speed is very fast, and it follows a "first review, then invest" model. The low investment amount, small risk, and fast processing are its biggest advantages.

• Residence and Welfare: After the investment immigration is approved, the applicant can obtain a long-term residence permit, similar to Portugal's. Visa holders can work, enjoy local welfare, and it also allows for a family of three generations.

Entry Policy

• Strict Requirements: Hungary's entry policy is not as friendly as Portugal's. To apply for permanent residence, the applicant needs to stay in Hungary for three consecutive years, with no more than 90 days of absence each year. After obtaining permanent residence, an additional eight years of residence are required to apply for citizenship. In total, 11 consecutive years of residence are needed to obtain European Union nationality, which is a relatively long time.

Suitable for Short-Term Goals

Hungary is best suited for families planning to send their children abroad for short-term study in the near future due to its small investment, fast processing time, and low risk.

Ireland

Economic and Social Advantages

Ireland is the richest country in Europe currently open to immigration. In 2024, its GDP per capita was over $10.3 million, one of the highest in the world. According to EECD data, between 2014 and 2024, Ireland's GDP growth reached 70%, making it the fastest-growing and most dynamic economy in the European Union. With its excellent welfare and education system and the same treatment as British citizens, Irish immigration is one of the most popular and highly regarded in all European immigration projects.

Project Closure and Exceptions

• Closure: Due to its popularity, with a 410% increase in applications in 2022 compared to 2021, Ireland's investment immigration plan (IIP) officially closed on February 15, 2023.

• Remaining Projects: However, the Irish Immigration Bureau has stipulated that existing projects not yet completed by some investors can continue to recruit the remaining amount without time limitations. Some projects with a very small number of available slots are still on the market.

Requirements and Benefits

• Donation Requirement: The basic requirement is to donate 400,000 euros to a designated public service project in Ireland. This is a non-refundable donation.

• Residence and Rights: Donors can obtain a long-term detention visa in Ireland. Investors can work, study, and do business in Ireland and enjoy local education, medical care, and social welfare.

• Living Requirements: The living requirement for a long-term residence visa in Ireland is very low, only requiring one login per natural year. The visa is renewed every two years for the first five years and every five years from the second five-year period.

• Path to Citizenship: After holding a long-term detention visa and living in Ireland for five years, applicants can become Irish citizens without a language or citizen exam.

• Advantages of Irish Citizenship: Irish citizens enjoy almost the same treatment as British citizens, including the right to work, study, live, and enjoy welfare in the UK, and even participate in UK elections. Obtaining an Irish passport is almost equivalent to immigrating to the UK, and as a member of the European Union, Ireland offers great convenience within the European region.

Greece

Economic Situation and Popularity

Greece has always been a popular European destination. In 2024, its GDP per capita was $24,000. One of the biggest selling points of Greek immigration has long been the option to buy a house to immigrate.

Policy Changes

• Tightening of Policy: In 2024, European investment and immigration policies underwent major adjustments. Portugal, Spain, and Hungary canceled their house - buying projects. Greece is currently the only mainstream European country where immigration can be achieved through buying a house. However, the house - buying policy in Greece has been gradually tightened. On September 1, 2024, the purchase amount threshold was officially increased from 250,000 euros to 400,000 euros or 800,000 euros. Most areas require an 800,000 - euro purchase, with only a few remote areas at 400,000 euros, significantly increasing the cost of Greek immigration.

• Remaining Options: Some 250,000 - euro houses still meet the requirements, such as apartments that need to be remodeled, but these houses are generally less valuable than ordinary apartments.

Residence and Entry

• Conditional Permanent Residence: After buying a house, applicants can obtain a conditional permanent residence in Greece. This type of residence does not allow local work and only partial access to local welfare. However, children can study in public schools for free. The conditional permanent residence can be extended every five years as long as the house is not sold.

• Path to Citizenship: After living in Greece for seven years, with at least 183 days of residence per year, applicants can apply for Greek citizenship through a Greek language exam and a common entry exam.

• Family Limitations: Although Greece allows applications with parents and underage children (a family of three), children will lose their permanent residence after reaching the age of 21.

Malta

Economic and Language Situation

Malta is a popular country in European investment immigration. It is a small island country in the Mediterranean with a population of only 540,000 but a relatively high GDP of $440,000. English is one of Malta's official languages, and it is the only European country other than Britain and Ireland with English as an official language.

Investment Immigration Project

• Permanent Residence Project: Malta's permanent residence qualifications can be obtained through purchasing or renting a house, along with a donation. Purchasing a house requires buying a property worth 375,000 euros and donating 30,000 euros. Renting a house requires renting a property with an annual rent of 140,000 euros and donating 60,000 euros. While maintaining permanent residence, the house cannot be sold or rented. The total cost of the Malta permanent residence project is about 480,000 euros if choosing the purchase option.

• Direct Purchase and Entry: Malta also has a direct purchase and entry project, but the total cost is over 1 million euros.

• Unique Advantage: Malta has a four-generation immigration policy, allowing not only children and parents but also grandparents to be included in the application.

Residence and Entry

• No Immigration Quota: One of the advantages of Malta is that there is no immigration quota. As long as you have a property, you can remain a Malta resident even if you don't live in Malta for a long time.

• Path to Citizenship: After obtaining a resident identity and living in Malta for five years (with at least 183 days of residence per year), applicants can apply for citizenship.

Cyprus

Economic and Geographical Features

Cyprus is also a Mediterranean island country, but it has a relatively large land area and a population of 1.2 million. In 2024, its GDP per capita was $370,000. Cyprus offers an immigration project through buying a house.

Investment and Residence

• House - Buying Requirement: Buying a house worth 300,000 euros can obtain a permanent residence, similar to Greece's conditional permanent residence, which does not allow work.

• Path to Citizenship: After seven years of living in Cyprus with no more than 90 days of absence per year, applicants can apply for citizenship through a long-term examination.

Comparison with Malta

• Malta's Advantages: Malta has a higher GDP, English as an official language, and permanent residents can work. The entry time is relatively short, only five years, but the total cost is relatively high, close to 500,000 euros for purchasing and donating.

• Cyprus's Advantages: Cyprus is much cheaper, with a 300,000 - euro house - buying option. However, its permanent residence does not allow work, and the entry time requires seven years.

Conclusion

In summary, different European investment immigration projects have their own characteristics. If the goal is to obtain European nationality in the future, Portugal is the best choice with its five-year path to citizenship. For those seeking a relatively low-cost immigration option, Portugal's 250,000 - euro fund investment is cost-effective. If you aim for high-quality immigration or have plans to go to the UK in the future, Ireland's 400,000 - euro donation project (with limited availability) is an option. For those interested in immigrating through buying a house, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus each have their pros and cons. We will continue to provide the latest European immigration information and detailed analysis. If you have any questions, please contact our consultants directly.