Europe’s Top Domiciliary Investment Programmes

Europe is home to some of the most sought-after residency programmes in the world. These programmes offer a range of benefits, including visa-free travel, access to quality healthcare and education, and attractive tax incentives. Portugal, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, among others, offer some of the most attractive residency programmes in Europe. Let's explore the top programmes and their highlights.

Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Programme: A Haven for Investors and Their Families

Ranked number one in the Global Residence Programme Index, the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Programme has consistently proven to be an attractive option for domicile investors. This programme offers a five-year residence permit to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment. 

Portugal, a member of the EU, offers a stable political and economic environment, excellent healthcare, and a high quality of life. Investors can choose from several investment avenues, including real estate acquisition, capital transfer, and business creation.

One of the key benefits of the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Programme is the option to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence. This provides investors with long-term security and the opportunity to become citizens of an EU member state.

Austria’s Private Residence Programme: A Wealth of Options for the Ultra-Wealthy

The Austria Private Residence Programme, ranked second in the Global Residence Programme Index, offers a range of residence permits for financially independent individuals. Known for its stability and high quality of life, Austria attracts high-net-worth individuals seeking a safe and prosperous environment.

Investors can choose from 10 different types of residence permits, depending on their employment status and qualifications. Austria welcomes financially independent individuals who can demonstrate sufficient resources and meet specific criteria: the Highly Skilled Category, for highly qualified individuals and special executives, and the Austria Private Residence Programme, for financially independent individuals.

Austrian residence permits provide access to the country’s excellent healthcare, education, and infrastructure. After a period of legal residence, investors may also apply for Austrian citizenship.

Italy Investor Visa Programme: Attractive Options for High-Net-Worth Families

Italy’s Investor Visa Programme, also ranked second in the Global Residence Programme Index, offers high-net-worth individuals the opportunity to obtain residency in one of Europe’s most culturally rich countries. Investors can choose from three qualifying investment options: government bonds, corporate bonds, equity, or non-refundable donations to projects of public interest.

Italian residency provides access to quality healthcare, education, and a high standard of living. Investors may also benefit from special tax regimes that provide favourable tax treatment for foreign income.

After a period of initial residency, investors may apply for permanent residency and eventually Italian citizenship. Italy’s central location in the Mediterranean makes it an ideal base for individuals seeking access to Europe and beyond.

Switzerland Residence Programme: An Excellent Business Environment for Corporations and Entrepreneurs

Ranked third in the Global Residence Programme Index, the Swiss Residence Programme offers non-EU or non-European Free Trade Association nationals the opportunity to obtain a residence permit. Known for its political and economic stability, Switzerland attracts companies, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking a business-friendly environment.

The programme requires financially independent individuals to pay a minimum annual net tax, depending on the applicant and the canton of residence. This tax-based residence permit allows investors to take advantage of Switzerland’s exceptional infrastructure, secure banking system, and high quality of life.

Swiss residency provides access to the country’s renowned healthcare, education, and international networking opportunities. Investors also have the option of applying for Swiss citizenship after a period of legal residence.

Learn More about Wealth Management

Following our exploration of sovereign wealth fund (SWF) governance frameworks in our previous article, this second piece on the SWF-UHNWI connection examines how the investment strategies of these massive state-owned vehicles offer valuable principles that UHNWIs can adapt to their own wealth management approaches.
Securing diversified wealth is a never-ending process. In this process, market and economic forces are among the most widely discussed and analysed factors when it comes to future-proofing portfolios.
On 3 February 2025, US President Trump signed an executive order to formulate a plan for creating a federal-level sovereign wealth fund (SWF). This initiative will obviously have implications for global markets, but it also invites UHNWIs to consider what can be learned through observing these massive state-owned investment vehicles in general. In many ways, SWFs' objectives mirror those of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families - both are focused on growing and preserving wealth across generations while balancing risk and opportunity. Starting with this piece on SWF governance, over the coming weeks we will explore the striking parallels between sovereign
Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) often prefer to keep a low profile. Yet in today’s digital era, discretion alone no longer suffices. Cybercriminals now target family offices—the specialized entities managing the wealth and affairs of the world’s wealthiest families.
These days, digitalisation is transforming the entire financial industry. What does that mean for professionals in the business of managing assets on behalf of wealthy and ultra-wealthy individuals? This article examines the importance of modern digital solutions for private bankers and independent asset managers in assisting them to deliver exceptional client service.
According to current statistics, your wealthiest clients are likely to have a rather uniform personal profile. According to research from Wealth-X, the global population of ultra-high net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) is 89% male, with an average age of 65. In the near future, however, the population of wealth owners will include more women, Great Wealth Transfer recipients, and affluent earners having just crossed the high net worth threshold. This article outlines what you should know to best position yourself to serve tomorrow’s digital-native investors.
As a wealth manager, do your clients take your advice entirely at face value? If not, they probably have good reasons. After all, they most likely became wealthy by thinking analytically. You should not expect them to stop that analysis just because you are providing the answers. Fortunately, their difficult questions can hold immense value for both you and them. A sophisticated digital wealth platform can help you extract and unlock that value.
Most modern wealth managers have plenty of financial data of multiple types from multiple sources. The key question is: what are they going to do with it? Properly visualising the data is one of the most valuable steps for distilling meaningful insights from it – and ultimately driving superior returns for their clients. Here is why.

Insights On Wealth Management And More.

Delivered To Your Inbox.
Left Menu Icon