Introduction: When Freedom Means Flexibility

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For global investors and internationally mobile families, the ideal golden visa isn’t just about access—it’s about freedom. In 2025, with the landscape of investor residency programs shifting across Europe and the Caribbean, one key question dominates client conversations:

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Which golden visa gives me the most flexibility—especially around time spent in the country?

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For some, that flexibility is about business travel. For others, it’s the ability to retain global tax residency or continue managing operations across multiple markets. In this guide, we compare golden visa programs by minimum stay requirements and explain how recent reforms—especially in countries like Portugal—have changed the game.

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Portugal Golden Visa 2025: Still Low, But Now Scrutinized

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For years, Portugal’s golden visa was synonymous with minimal commitment: just seven days per year of physical presence. But as of 2025, the policy remains technically intact—with critical caveats.

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The Official Requirement:

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• Maintain a minimum of 7 days per year in Portugal to renew residency.
  
  

What’s Changed:

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• Citizenship eligibility now increasingly depends on demonstrated integration: tax ties, property or lease agreements, a Portuguese bank account, and evidence of learning the language.
  
• Immigration authorities have grown stricter with applicants who are “technically compliant” but lack substantive ties.
  
  

Still flexible, but now best suited to investors willing to engage moderately with Portugal over five years.

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Read more in our updated Portugal Golden Visa Guide

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Greece: Ultra-Light Residency, Real Estate-Friendly

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Greece continues to offer one of the most hands-off golden visa programs in Europe, particularly for real estate investors.

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• Minimum stay: Zero. No physical presence required to maintain residency.
  
• Residency is granted for five years, renewable indefinitely as long as the qualifying property is held.
  
• There is no requirement to become a tax resident or even open a local bank account, unless one chooses to.
  
  

Citizenship, however, remains a separate matter—requiring seven years of continuous physical residence and integration, including Greek language proficiency.

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Ideal for investors seeking permanent EU residency without lifestyle relocation.

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Italy: Lifestyle-Driven, Light-Touch for Residency

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Italy’s Investor Visa for Italy (IVI) is not as relaxed as Greece’s but is still manageable for globally mobile families.

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• No hard minimum stay for maintaining residency, though occasional presence is encouraged.
  
• Residency is initially valid for two years, renewable for three more.
  
• Full access to healthcare, education, and the right to live in Italy from day one.
  
  

To qualify for permanent residency or citizenship, however, physical presence becomes more critical. Citizenship takes 10 years, and the path is best suited to families who want to truly integrate and relocate over time.

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Excellent for families wanting a soft landing in Europe with longer-term ambitions.

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Caribbean Citizenship Programs: No Stay, No Strings

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If your priority is citizenship without ever relocating, the Caribbean remains unmatched.

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• Programs in St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, and others offer citizenship within 4–6 months.
  
• There is no requirement to visit the country—either before or after approval.
  
• These passports offer visa-free travel to 140+ countries and are often used as geopolitical or mobility hedges.
  
  

However, these are not residency programs—they are direct citizenship-by-investment schemes, with little to no integration or lifestyle obligations.

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Perfect for families who want the benefits of a second passport—quietly and efficiently.

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To compare timelines and rights, visit our full Golden Visa Comparison

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