Key Highlights
The highest-priced golden visas in 2025 are truly staggering, as Malta requires EU citizenship to be priced at 6.2M. These investment migration programs are a source of ultra-high net worth individuals to gain a second citizenship, visa-free travel, and tax benefits through a large financial investment.
Understanding Golden Visa Programs
Citizenship by investment (CBI/RBI) or golden visa programs are programs that enable financially endowed people to gain residency or citizenship by making substantial financial investments. These programs normally entail buying real estate, government bonds, business, or direct gifts to national development funds.
The programs are not only beneficial to the countries resonating with the economic development, as countries make a lot of money, but also to investors who enjoy global mobility, tax benefits, and the security of their families. The processing time will take between 2 and 3 months to process Caribbean programs and 12-36 months to process more complicated European schemes.
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The Top Most Expensive Golden Visas
Here are the top most expensive golden visas:
Malta Permanent Residence Programme - $6.2 Million
Malta tops the list with its Permanent Residence Programme, requiring approximately $6.2 million in total investment. The program provides full EU citizenship, granting access to European healthcare, education systems, and voting rights.
Successful applicants receive visa-free travel to over 190 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and all Schengen states. Malta imposes no wealth, inheritance, or gift taxes on foreign income, making it attractive for international investors.
The investment structure includes a €750,000 contribution to the National Development Fund, €700,000 in real estate investment, and a €10,000 charitable donation. Processing takes 12-36 months, with residency requirements of 12-36 months before citizenship eligibility.
Cyprus Citizenship by Investment - $2.5 Million
Cyprus offers EU citizenship through investments starting at $2.5 million in real estate, government bonds, or business ventures. Citizens gain access to over 170 countries visa-free, European healthcare, education, and significant tax incentives.
The program includes spouses and dependent children under 18 at no additional cost. Processing typically requires 6-12 months, making it one of the more efficient high-value programs.
Turkey Citizenship by Investment - $400,000
Turkey's program requires a minimum $400,000 investment in real estate or $500,000 in government bonds, bank deposits, or business ventures. The investment must be held for a minimum of three years.
Turkish citizenship grants visa-free access to 111 countries and includes spouses and children under 18. The process typically takes 3-6 months, making it among the fastest high-value programs.
Jordan Citizenship by Investment - $400,000
Jordan requires a minimum $400,000 contribution to economic development funds or approved projects. Processing takes 6-12 months, offering full citizenship with access to 50+ visa-free destinations.
The program extends to spouses, parents, and children, providing comprehensive family coverage. Jordan offers tax exemptions on foreign income for new citizens.
|
Country |
Minimum Investment |
Processing Time |
Visa-Free Countries |
Family Inclusion |
|
Malta |
$6.2 million |
12-36 months |
190+ |
Spouse, children |
|
Cyprus |
$2.5 million |
6-12 months |
170+ |
Spouse, children under 18 |
|
Turkey |
$400,000 |
3-6 months |
111 |
Spouse, children under 18 |
|
Jordan |
$400,000 |
6-12 months |
50+ |
Spouse, children, parents |
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Caribbean Golden Visa Programs
Here is Caribbean Golden Visa Program 2025:
St. Kitts and Nevis - $250,000
St. Kitts and Nevis requires a $250,000 non-refundable donation to the Sustainable Growth Fund. Processing takes 4-6 months, granting visa-free travel to over 150 countries including the UK and Schengen Area.
The program allows inclusion of spouses, children under 30, and dependent parents. It's one of the world's oldest citizenship by investment programs, established in 1984.
Grenada Citizenship Program - $235,000
Grenada offers citizenship through a $235,000 donation to the National Transformation Fund or $270,000 real estate investment. Citizens gain access to 148 visa-free countries and eligibility for the US E-2 investor visa.​
Processing typically takes 6-9 months, with no residency requirements. The program includes comprehensive family coverage, including siblings.
Dominica Economic Diversification Fund - $200,000
Dominica provides the most affordable citizenship option at $200,000 for individuals or $250,000 for families. Citizens access 135+ visa-free countries with processing completed in 2-3 months.​
The program has operated since 1993, establishing strong credibility in the investment migration sector. No residency requirements or language tests are required.
|
Program Features |
Malta |
Cyprus |
Turkey |
Caribbean Average |
|
EU Citizenship |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Tax Benefits |
Yes |
Yes |
Limited |
Yes |
|
Business Access |
EU Market |
EU Market |
Regional |
Limited |
|
Education Access |
EU Universities |
EU Universities |
Turkish System |
Limited |
Investment Types and Requirements
Real estate is considered to be a qualifying investment in most programs; the minimum holding period in most of these programs is 3-5 years. The properties should also be government-approved developments or meet certain requirements.​ The benefit of real estate investments is that one can gain capital appreciation besides meeting his/her residency needs. Nonetheless, the investors should take into consideration the conditions in the market, the limitations on liquidity, and the cost of maintenance.​
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Processing Times and Requirements
The processing times depend greatly upon the complexity of a program and the due diligence requirements. The Caribbean programs normally take 2-6 months to process applications, whereas the European programs take 6-36 months to process.​ Every program does extensive background checks, where clean criminal records, evidence of source of funds, and health certifications are needed. There are programs where short-term residency or physical presence is needed when applying.
Conclusion
The majority of the costliest golden visas in 2025 is a reflection of a new but dynamic pattern of investment migration in which the rich would spend millions to enjoy better mobility all over the globe, tax incentives, and obtain rights to citizenship. The market is experiencing substantial changes as the classic European powerhouses such as Spain fully ended their programs in April 2025, and Malta continues to charge the high-end prices of $6.2 million to give up citizenship to the EU.​ For official Malta citizenship requirements and application procedures, visit the Community Malta Agency at komunita.gov.mt, which processes all Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) applications under the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations. To know more about the golden visa, visit TerraTern now!
