Buy European Citizenship: Your Options
This guide is for individuals seeking concrete pathways to acquire European citizenship through investment.
- Posted:
- Last updated: October 8, 2026
- By: Logan Pierce
- 7 minutes
You can acquire European citizenship through investment programmes in Malta, Austria, Turkey or Portugal, each with distinct requirements. Malta offers the fastest direct route at 12–36 months for €600,000–€750,000 plus property and donation costs1, while Austria requires €3–10 million in exceptional contributions with no fixed timeline2. Turkey provides citizenship within months for $400,000 property investment held three years3, and Portugal's Golden Visa leads to citizenship after 7–10 years of residency45. Your first step: determine your budget and timeline, then review each country's specific due diligence and residency obligations before engaging authorised agents.
What You Receive
Full EU Citizenship and Passport
You gain the legal right to live, work, and travel across all 27 EU member states without restrictions. Malta's program grants you citizenship after 12 or 36 months of residency, while Austria offers citizenship without a mandatory residency period under exceptional contribution provisions [1][2].
Visa-Free Global Travel
Your new European passport unlocks visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries worldwide. Malta and Austria passports rank among the most powerful travel documents globally, while Turkey's citizenship provides access to over 110 destinations [1][2][3].
Permanent Residency Rights
Portugal's Golden Visa pathway grants you permanent residency at year five with the right to remain indefinitely, even without maintaining your qualifying investment. You can apply for citizenship after seven years if you're an EU or CPLP national, or ten years for other nationalities [5].
Property Ownership or Rental
Malta requires you to purchase residential property worth at least £595,000 or rent for a minimum annual rent of £13,600, which you must maintain for five years from your oath of allegiance. Turkey's program requires real estate purchases of $400,000 with a three-year resale restriction [1][3].
Family Inclusion
You can include dependants in your application, though Malta charges an additional £42,500 per dependant and £8,500 in due diligence fees for each family member. Your spouse, children, and sometimes parents can obtain citizenship alongside you [1].
Business and Investment Opportunities
Austria's exceptional contribution route requires you to hold ownership or a leading function in a company that creates jobs and demonstrates high economic performance on the Austrian labour market. This pathway positions you as a significant economic contributor with direct business influence [6].
Buy European Citizenship: Your Options
- Country
- Malta
- Price
- €750,000 (12-month route) or €600,000 (36-month route) + €50,000 per dependent
- Timeframe
- 12-36 months
- Requirements
- Purchase property worth €700,000 or rent for €16,000/year; €10,000 donation to NGO; due diligence fees: €15,000 (main applicant), €10,000 (dependents)
- Restrictions
- Must maintain property for 5 years; physical presence required; connection proposal needed
- Country
- Austria
- Price
- €3 million to €10 million (estimated)
- Timeframe
- Varies
- Requirements
- Ownership or leading role in a company; significant economic contribution; job creation
- Restrictions
- No official minimum specified; criteria set by Council of Ministers
- Country
- Turkey
- Price
- $400,000 (real estate purchase)
- Timeframe
- 3-6 months
- Requirements
- Real estate must be built; investment in USD only; no agricultural or non-built properties
- Restrictions
- Resale restriction for 3 years
- Country
- Portugal
- Price
- €500,000 (previously), now 10 years residency
- Timeframe
- 10 years (7 years for EU/CPLP nationals)
- Requirements
- A2 level Portuguese; civics test; declaration of democratic principles
- Restrictions
- Old rules apply for applications filed by May 18, 2026; permanent residency after 5 years without maintaining investment
How to Obtain European Citizenship Through Investment
Choose your route and gather initial capital
You'll need to decide between Malta's 12-month route requiring €750,000 or the 36-month route at €600,000, plus €50,000 per dependent1. Austria demands €3–10 million depending on whether you donate to funds or invest directly in business2. Turkey offers the most accessible entry at $400,000 in property3. Add due diligence fees: Malta charges €15,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 per dependent1. Prepare bank statements and proof of funds before contacting an authorised agent.
Secure your property or business investment
For Malta, purchase residential property worth at least €700,000 or rent for €16,000 annually, maintaining it for five years from your oath of allegiance1. Turkey requires property valued at $400,000 minimum with a three-year resale restriction, and the property must be built—agricultural or unbuilt land no longer qualifies3. Austria expects you to hold ownership or a leading function in a company creating jobs on the Austrian labour market6. All Turkey investments must be in US dollars or equivalent foreign currency7.
Make the required donations and contributions
Malta applicants donate a minimum €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic NGO1. This sits alongside your government contribution of €600,000–€750,000 depending on residency duration1. Austria's contributions vary widely: targeted donations start at €3 million, while direct business investments may reach €7–10 million or more2. Submit proof of payment through your authorised agent.
Establish residency and physical presence
Malta requires you to be physically present and build connecting factors during your 12- or 36-month residence period; you'll submit a proposal outlining how you intend to create these connections when filing your citizenship eligibility application1. Portugal demands 10 years of legal residence for most nationals or 7 years for EU and CPLP citizens, counted from your first residence card issuance4. Golden Visa holders reach permanent residency at year 5 but need the full 7–10 years for citizenship5. Austria does not specify a residency period for exceptional contribution cases2.
Pass language and civics requirements (Portugal only)
Portugal's 2026 reform introduced Portuguese language proficiency at A2 level, a civics test covering Portuguese culture and fundamental rights, and a solemn declaration of adherence to democratic principles8. Applications filed by 18 May 2026 still qualify under the old five-year rules without these tests8. Malta and Turkey do not publish formal language requirements for their investment programmes.
Submit your citizenship application and await approval
Your authorised agent files the citizenship eligibility application with supporting documents: due diligence reports, investment proofs, residency certificates, and connection proposals. Malta processes applications within 12–36 months depending on your chosen route. Turkey typically completes reviews within 3–6 months once all documents are verified. Austria's Council of Ministers reviews each case individually with no fixed timeline6. Check application status through your agent or the relevant government portal.
Take the oath and receive your passport
Once approved, you'll take an oath of allegiance—Malta requires this before your five-year property holding period begins1. Collect your citizenship certificate and apply for your passport through the national passport office. Malta and Austria issue EU passports granting freedom of movement across the Schengen Area. Turkey provides a Turkish passport with visa-free access to over 110 countries. Verify your passport's arrival within 4–8 weeks and confirm all details match your application.
Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees
Acquiring European citizenship through investment carries specific risks and limitations. Each program has unique requirements that can change over time. For example, Malta's citizenship by investment program requires a non-refundable government contribution of €750,000 or €600,000, depending on the residency route chosen1. Ensure you understand these financial commitments, as they may not be recoverable.
Residency requirements can also be a limitation. Malta mandates physical presence and connection proposals during the residency period1. Portugal's recent reforms increased the residency requirement to 10 years for most applicants4. This means you may need to stay longer than initially expected before obtaining citizenship.
Hidden costs can be significant. Malta charges due diligence fees of €15,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 for each dependent1. Austria's investment requirements can range from €3 million to €10 million, with no official minimum specified2.
If you need to withdraw your application, policies vary by country. In Malta, contributions are non-refundable, making it crucial to ensure you meet all requirements before proceeding. Always consult with authorized agents to verify your eligibility and understand the potential for refunds or cancellations.
Before taking action, thoroughly review each program's details and consult legal experts to navigate any complexities.
FAQ
Can you buy EU citizenship directly?
You cannot purchase EU citizenship as a simple transaction, but Malta offers the most direct route through its citizenship by investment program requiring €600,000–€750,000 plus property and donation costs over 12–36 months1. Austria provides citizenship without mandatory residency under exceptional contribution provisions, though you'll need €3–10 million and meet business criteria26. Both programs involve government approval, due diligence, and specific obligations beyond payment.
Which European country is easiest to buy citizenship?
Turkey offers the most accessible citizenship by investment at $400,000 for property held three years, with processing completed within 3–6 months3. Malta provides the fastest EU citizenship route at 12–36 months for €600,000–€750,000 plus property and donation requirements1. Turkey's program requires fewer residency obligations than Malta's physical presence and connection proposal requirements1, making it simpler for applicants prioritising speed over EU membership.
How much does it cost to buy European citizenship?
Turkey requires $400,000 in property investment3, Malta demands €600,000–€750,000 government contribution plus €700,000 property purchase or €16,000 annual rent, €10,000 NGO donation, and €15,000–€25,000 due diligence fees1. Austria's exceptional contribution route costs €3–10 million depending on whether you donate to funds or invest directly in business2. Add legal and agent fees ranging from £10,000–£50,000 depending on program complexity.
Is buying citizenship legal?
Citizenship by investment programs are legal and regulated by national governments, with Malta operating under The Granting of Maltese Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations1, Austria under Section 10(6) of the Citizenship Act2, and Turkey through official regulations amended most recently in December 20233. You must work with authorised agents and government-approved channels to ensure compliance. Attempting to purchase citizenship through unofficial channels or dark web marketplaces is illegal and results in fraud charges, deportation, and loss of funds.
What is the cheapest European citizenship by investment?
Turkey offers the lowest entry point at $400,000 for real estate investment with a three-year resale restriction3, though it provides Turkish citizenship rather than EU membership. For EU citizenship, Malta's 36-month residency route at €600,000 government contribution represents the most affordable option, though you'll add €700,000 property purchase or €16,000 annual rent, €10,000 donation, and €15,000 due diligence fees1. Turkey's program previously required $1,000,000 when it launched in January 2017 before reduction to $400,000 in September 20183.
How long does it take to get citizenship by investment?
Turkey processes citizenship applications within 3–6 months once you complete the $400,000 property purchase3, while Malta requires 12 months for the €750,000 route or 36 months for the €600,000 option1. Portugal's Golden Visa leads to citizenship after 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals or 10 years for other nationalities, counted from your first residence card issuance45. Austria provides no fixed timeline, as the Council of Ministers reviews each exceptional contribution case individually6.
Cited sources
- Malta Citizenship: The Granting of Maltese Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations | Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates Malta Law Firm
- Austria Citizenship By Exceptional Contribution: Article 10
- Instructions - Your Key Türkiye
- Portugal Golden Visa: The Complete Guide (2026)
- Portugal Golden Visa to Citizenship: The Path (2026)
- Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft im besonderen Interesse der Republik
- New Rules For Acquisition Of Turkish Citizenship Through Investment - Fiscal & Monetary Policy - Turkey
- Portugal Golden Visa: The Complete 2026 Guide
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