Golden & Investment Visas for Americans (2026)
Investment routes trade money for time and flexibility: higher upfront cost, but low physical-presence requirements and fast processing. Portugal's Golden Visa dropped real estate in 2023, so the qualifying routes now run through funds and other approved options. Compare the real minimums below.
At a glance
| Visa | Minimum / criteria | Processing | Path to PR | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal Golden | €500k fund / cultural — real estate excluded since 2023 | 6-12 months | 5 years | €500k investment + ~€10k fees |
| 🇮🇹 Italy Investor | €500k Italian co / €2M bonds / €1M philanthropy | 30-90 days | 5 years | €500k+ investment + €500 visa |
| ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Hungary Investor | €250k real estate fund / €1M property | 1-3 months | 10yr Guest Investor residence | €250k+ investment + ~€100k fees |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina Investor | ARS-denominated business investment | 3-6 months | 2 years | Investment + ~$500 |
Thresholds reflect 2025–2026 rules and change often. Verify current figures at each official source before applying.
Each visa in detail
🇵🇹 Golden Visa — Portugal
Income: €500k fund / cultural — real estate excluded since 2023 · Processing: 6-12 months · Cost: €500k investment + ~€10k fees
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 5 years
Pros
- Only 7 days/yr presence required
- Family included
- Citizenship in 5yr
Trade-offs
- Real estate option killed Oct 2023
- Long AIMA processing
- Large capital lockup
🇮🇹 Investor Visa — Italy
Income: €500k Italian co / €2M bonds / €1M philanthropy · Processing: 30-90 days · Cost: €500k+ investment + €500 visa
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 10 years
Pros
- No physical presence required
- Fast Nulla Osta
- Family included
Trade-offs
- High capital lockup 2yr min
- Italian tax residency triggers
- Approval not guaranteed
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Guest Investor Programme — Hungary
Income: €250k real estate fund / €1M property · Processing: 1-3 months · Cost: €250k+ investment + ~€100k fees
Path to PR: 10yr Guest Investor residence · Citizenship: 8 years
Pros
- Long 10yr residence card
- Family included
- Schengen access
Trade-offs
- Relaunched 2024 — process new
- Large capital lockup
- Investment options limited
🇦🇷 Investor Visa — Argentina
Income: ARS-denominated business investment · Processing: 3-6 months · Cost: Investment + ~$500
Path to PR: 2 years · Citizenship: 2 years from PR
Pros
- Work in own business
- Fast naturalization (2y)
- Mercosur passport
Trade-offs
- Investment must hold in ARS (inflation)
- Business plan scrutinized
- Argentine bureaucracy
Not sure which one fits?
GoThere's visa matcher takes your income, timeline, and goals and ranks every route for you, then tracks the checklist for the one you pick.
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