Die 14 einfachsten und günstigsten Zweitwohnsitze in der EU

We have a friend, Tim.

He’s originally from the United Kingdom but had just completed his PhD in the Netherlands. While there, he met his girlfriend of two years, who is originally from Taiwan. On her residence card, she is registered as a member of the family of a European Union (EU) citizen.

Bei ihrer Rückkehr in das Vereinigte Königreich wurden beide am Flughafen festgehalten und verhört.

Airport customs claimed that they could no longer come to the UK and stay there if they were together.

Of course, as anyone would do in this situation, they freaked out and left. They both went to Portugal, where they got a second residence in just a matter of days.

It was remarkably easy and took less than ten minutes. 

Officially, to get a residence permit in Portugal, it was enough to declare under oath that they had enough money to live there. 

When Tim told the desk clerk that he had enough money to live in the country without working there, she looked at him suspiciously and asked to see his bank account. 

Er hatte genug Geld.

Und einfach so wurden ihnen der nicht gewöhnlicher Aufenthaltzugeteilt.

The total cost was €30. It was €15 for an EU citizen, then another €15 for a family member with a residence card.

As nationalist groups take hold in many countries in Europe, they are making it harder to get second residencies in the EU – especially in countries in Central Europe – but don’t let that discourage you. 

As you can see from the list of countries below, it is still possible to get a second residence in many European countries.

While some are more difficult to get than others, here are the 14 easiest and cheapest second residencies in the EU that you can get as a non-EU resident.

Easy Second Residence Countries in Europe

Belgien

While the timeline toward citizenship has increased in recent years, the cost of obtaining a residence permit in Belgium has gone down. 

The country now requires less paid-up capital in a new venture and has changed rules regarding the minimum salary required for those seeking residence.

You can obtain residence in Belgium by starting a small business. Another option is to make a significant investment in a Belgian company or by self-employment.

Als Nicht-EU-Bürger ist es am besten, zunächst ein Visum für einen langfristigen Aufenthalt zu beantragen und dann den belgischen Aufenthalt zu beantragen. Langfristig wird es einfacher sein, eine Daueraufenthaltsgenehmigung zu erhalten, nachdem man mit einem Visum in Belgien gelebt hat. 

Since Belgium is in the EU and the Schengen zone, a Belgian resident can travel in the region visa-free.

Belgien ist auch eines der besten Länder, die einen europäischen Reisepass anbieten. Nach etwa fünf Jahren legalen Aufenthalts können Sie einen Reisepass beantragen und im Grunde überall visumfrei reisen.

If you decide not to go the business route or opt for the long-stay visa, the Belgian residence permit is actually one of the more expensive programs out of all the EU countries. 

If you want to obtain a European residence permit here, it is easiest if you are an investor, entrepreneur or self-employed.

Malta

Hier sind die Investitionsmöglichkeiten des Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP):

• Property Purchase – For the purchase option, the minimum purchase value should be €300,000 in the south of Malta and €350,000 for the rest of the island.
• Rent a Property – For renting the minimum amount should be €10,000 if in the south of Malta and €12,000 for the rest.

In both cases, you need to hold the property for five years.

You will spend a minimum of €300,000 (plus fees) for Malta’s EU residence permit. It takes from six to nine months to process all information through the MPRP.

Fees include a non-refundable administrative fee of €40,000, a Government contribution of €68,000 if purchasing a property or €98,000 if leasing a property, and a mandatory charity donation of €2,000.

Your other option is to go through the Global Residence Programme.

But hurry because Malta’s golden visa program is under pressure to close, and other European programs will soon follow. If such programs interest you, it’s imperative you get in touch with us today to discuss your options before it’s too late.

Portugal

The Portugal Golden Visa was significantly amended recently, with the biggest change being the closure of the property investment option.

However, the Golden Visa program remains open, and the application process period will now count towards the five-year requirement for citizenship, starting from the date of application.

Despite the loss of the property investment route, attractive alternatives are still available, such as company creation, donations to research and investments in venture capital and private equity funds.

Additionally, the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime has been replaced with the new NHR 2.0.

Outside of the entrepreneur route, there are also various capital contribution options, including:

• €500,000 – Venture Capital/Private Equity Fund
• €500,000 – Donation to Research Activities 
• €250,000 – Donation to Arts 

After five years, you will be a permanent resident. Then, after one year of permanent residence, you may apply for citizenship. 

Spanien

Spain currently offers a Golden Visa Program for non-EU citizens to get residence.

If you have €500,000 to invest in a real estate property in Spain, you can get this European residence permit for your entire family.

You will need to renew your second residence every two years, and after five years, it’s possible to gain permanent residence in Spain. After ten years, you can apply for citizenship.

It’s not necessary to live in Spain in order to retain and renew this second residence. And if you want to avoid paying Spain’s high taxes, don’t plan on spending more than six months a year there.

Note: At the time of writing in mid-2024, Spain’s government announced its intention to potentially phase out the real estate investment pathway in the future. However, no formal action has been taken yet and applications are still being processed. 

If you’re considering the Golden Visa through real estate investment, it’s advisable to stay informed about potential changes or to contact us today to discuss your options before you lose your real estate opportunity for good.

Bulgarien

Mit einer bulgarischen Aufenthaltsgenehmigung haben Sie alle Rechte eines bulgarischen Staatsbürgers mit Ausnahme des Wahlrechts. Außerdem können Sie ohne Visum so oft ein- und ausreisen, wie Sie möchten.

Bulgaria cancelled its fast-track to citizenship option in 2022, so the best way to become a permanent resident of Bulgaria is to get a long-term stay permit, which is valid for one year and can be renewed each year after that.

As of March 31, 2024, thanks to the country’s accession to the Schengen area, the Bulgarian residence permit is now one of the most desirable EU Golden Visas and an easier path to full EU citizenship.

Zypern

Die beste Möglichkeit, einen Wohnsitz in Zypern zu erhalten, ist der Kauf einer Immobilie im Wert von mindestens 300.000 €. Außerdem müssen Sie nachweisen, dass Sie ein Mindestkapital von 30.000 € aus dem Ausland bei einer zyprischen Bank eingezahlt haben. Außerdem müssen Sie den Ursprung Ihres Jahreseinkommens nachweisen können.

You can also invest €300,000 in share capital either in a newly registered company or in an existing company registered in the Republic of Cyprus. 

Depending on which investment route you take, you may have to provide evidence of accommodation, either a contract or sale or proof of rental payments.

Citizenship is possible after seven years but requires five years of residence in Cyprus. 

Österreich

Bei der Beantragung eines Aufenthaltstitels in Österreich können Sie in zwei Kategorien eingeteilt werden: entweder als Person mit unabhängigen Mitteln oder als Führungskraft in Schlüsselpositionen.

Wenn Sie sich als Person mit unabhängigen Mitteln bewerben, müssen Sie ausreichende finanzielle Mittel nachweisen, einen ständigen Wohnsitz in Österreich haben, Deutschkenntnisse auf A1-Niveau nachweisen und eine Vollkaskoversicherung abschließen.

Es scheint eine einfache Liste zu sein, und das ist sie auch, aber es gibt ein paar zusätzliche Kriterien innerhalb dieser Qualifikationen.

Your documentation of sufficient funds must show liquid assets at your disposal of about €40,000. These assets must be shown in a statement of an account from an Austrian or major international bank.

To apply for residence as a key manager, you must be appointed as a manager of an Austrian-based company and make a minimum salary of €2,500 per month. It takes about three months for this route of application to be processed.

Sobald Sie einen Wohnsitz haben, ist das Verlängerungsverfahren sehr einfach.

After about five years of temporary residence in the country, you can earn permanent residence. If you want, you can apply for Austrian citizenship after ten years of permanent residence. Austrian residence gives you visa-free access to all Schengen States.

Die Kosten für eine Aufenthaltsgenehmigung belaufen sich auf etwa 120 € pro Erwachsenem und 75 € pro Kind, zuzüglich des Nachweises der finanziellen Mittel und des monatlichen Gehalts. Es kann bis zu drei Monate dauern, bis die Genehmigung erteilt wird.

Griechenland

Der Erwerb eines Wohnsitzes in Griechenland ist einfach: Sie müssen lediglich eine Immobilie im Wert von 250.000 € pro Familie erwerben. Sie werden vom ersten Tag an einen Wohnsitz haben.

Sobald Sie Ihre Immobilie erworben haben, müssen Sie nicht in Griechenland bleiben, um Ihren Wohnsitz zu erhalten. Verlängern Sie Ihren Aufenthalt einfach alle fünf Jahre, um dauerhaft in Griechenland zu bleiben.

Nach sieben Jahren Aufenthalt können Sie die Staatsbürgerschaft erhalten. Mit dem Aufenthalt in Griechenland ist auch die visumfreie Einreise in die Schengen-Zoneverbunden. Dies ist einer der günstigsten und einfachsten Zweitwohnsitze in der EU, wenn es um den Aufenthalt durch Investitionen geht.

However, if you want to apply, the time to do so is now. One by one, Europe’s golden visa programs are closing, and because of this, obtaining EU citizenship will soon become far more difficult.

So, don’t waste any more time; get in touch with us today to discuss your options today because we guarantee those options will be narrower tomorrow.

Lettland

Früher war Lettland eine viel billigere und einfachere Option. Wenn man nicht an Tuberkulose erkrankt war und ausreichend begründen konnte, warum man in Lettland leben wollte, brauchte man früher nur Bearbeitungsgebühren von mindestens 300 € zu zahlen.

Leider ist die lettische Regierung dazu übergegangen, den gleichen Weg wie der Rest Europas einzuschlagen, da es schwieriger geworden ist, Zweitwohnsitze in der EU zu bekommen. Es ist immer noch kein schlechtes Geschäft, aber es ist komplizierter als früher.

The Lettland residence program now mirrors more of the Golden Visa programs that you’ll find in other places in Europe. 

If you invest €250,000 in property anywhere in Latvia or deposit €280,000 in a type of bank deposit, they will give you a five-year residence permit.

Once you have that permit, you don’t need to stay in the country to maintain it. You can simply come and go as you please and renew the permit every five years. 

The thing to keep in mind here is that if you aren’t spending time in the country, you won’t be able to turn that residence into citizenship.

Insgesamt belaufen sich die staatlichen Gebühren auf etwa 12.000 bis 25.000 Euro.

There are a few restrictions to be mindful of as well. For example, if you’re looking to buy property in the Latvian capital of Riga, you’re going to be limited to one property. So you’re going to be buying something relatively nice and relatively big that won’t be that liquid.

Aber wenn Ihnen die Idee gefällt, den Sommer über in Nordeuropa zu leben, könnte das eine gute Option für Sie sein.

Since 2022, Russians and Belarusians have been excluded from the Latvia Golden Visa program. 

Five Additional European Residence Permits

Now, if your goal is merely to live in Europe for the charm and other lifestyle benefits, you do not necessarily need to get residence in the high-tax countries of the EU. 

You can still get a European residence permit without opting for one of the available second residencies in the EU.

Wie?

Well, not all of Europe is part of the EU.

In fact, many of the non-EU countries in Europe are some of our favourites here at Nomad Capitalist, not just for their residence programs but for their business friendliness, low taxes and investment opportunities.

Wenn Sie also die Wachstums- und Investitionschancen in diesen aufstrebenden Märkten nutzen und gleichzeitig die Geschichte und den Charme Europas ohne die Bürokratie und die hohen Steuern der EU genießen möchten, sollten Sie in Erwägung ziehen, Ihren Schwerpunkt von den Wohnsitzen in der EU auf die Zweitwohnsitzprogramme im übrigen Europa zu verlagern.

Here are our top five recommendations.

Montenegro

We like Montenegro a lot, and what’s interesting about many of the non-EU Balkans countries is that most of them have a very similar program for getting a second residence.

In Montenegro, you can buy just about any property and use that to get a residence. They aren’t really picky about what property you buy. It can be just about anything bigger than 12 square meters. 

Despite the lax standard on the property you have to purchase, Montenegro is beginning to crack down and become stricter about this path to residence.  

Da Leute aus bestimmten Nationalitäten das System missbrauchen und 16 oder mehr Personen in einer Wohnung unterbringen, werden sie sich genauer vergewissern, dass es nur Sie und Ihre Familie sind. Die Beamten werden auch verlangen, dass Sie zumindest einen Teil des Jahres dort wohnen.

Montenegro ist ein großartiges Land, das sehr steuerfreundlich ist und daher eine gute Option für eine europäische Aufenthaltsgenehmigung sein könnte.

The one downside is that, unlike some of the other options on this list, buying property this way won’t allow you to eventually get citizenship. 

Albania

Similar to and right next door to Montenegro, Albania is a great option for residence, especially for US persons. 

It has the same program as Montenegro but with a very different feel to the country. There are plenty of different opportunities for you to invest in real estate, especially because Albania is one of the cheapest places in Europe to buy real estate.

It is most definitely the cheapest place anywhere for coastal property. We’re talking €800-€2,000 per meter right on the seaside promenade in some places.

Like Montenegro, they will definitely check on you to make sure you’re living at the property for at least part of the year. 

If you’re a US citizen, however, they don’t worry about you very much. Americans get a few advantages when it comes to the Albanian residence program.

Serbia

Das serbische Programm ist ein Spiegelbild von Montenegro und Albanien, aber das Problem hier ist, dass die Wohnsitzauflage im Lande strenger überwacht wird.

But it’s essentially the same deal: buy a property, then get residence through that purchase.

The difference is that Serbian officials will come and knock on your door to check if you’re there. If you’re thinking of buying a small fixer-upper in the countryside for €6,000, you will need to be ready to spend a lot of time there.

Aber wenn Sie bereit sind, die Zeit zu investieren und dafür zu sorgen, dass Sie bei der Inspektion Ihrer Immobilie anwesend sind, kann dies eine gute Option sein. Es ist ein freundliches Land mit relativ günstigen Steuersätzen.

Armenien

Armenia is a country that we have been talking about more at Nomad Capitalist. From their stable and profitable currency to their citizenship-by-descent program, there are many good things happening in Armenia at the moment.

Now, you can debate whether Armenia (and, by extension, Georgia) is actually a part of Europe or whether they’re actually in Asia, but Armenia has somewhat of a European feel to it. Still, the culture will have a different feel to it than somewhere like Portugal.

Es gibt mehrere Möglichkeiten, eine Aufenthaltsgenehmigung in Armenien zu erhalten. 

There is a business immigration option where you start up a business and hire someone local. However, the country is a little strict on this kind of immigration. 

They want to make sure that your business actually works. You can’t just set it up and walk away, but it doesn’t have to be a large company or a large part of your company.

There are other options where you can get residence through investment in real estate or bonds. We’ve put together strategies where you can invest in a kind of real estate arbitrage. 

You buy and rent out some real estate, make a little money, and then get a European residence permit.

Georgien

We’ve talked about Georgia quite a bit, especially for banking. Georgia requires an investment of US$100,000 for its real estate residence program for a temporary residence permit.

A foreign citizen can also become a permanent resident by investing at least US$300,000 in purchasing non-agricultural land, apartments, commercial areas or other Georgian-based businesses. 

Und wenn Sie eine dauerhafte Aufenthaltsgenehmigung anstreben, müssen Sie mehr tun als das. 

Der Umzug hierher kam, weil Georgien ein ziemlich liberales Land war, was seine Einwanderungspolitik anging. Leider wurde diese Politik ausgenutzt, wodurch die Anforderungen an den Wohnsitz gestiegen sind. 

Dasselbe gilt für die Anforderungen an die Staatsbürgerschaft.

Davon abgesehen sind die Steuern auf Immobilien wirklich niedrig und es ist ein unglaublich unkomplizierter Ort, um Geschäfte zu machen. Je nach Ihrer Situation könnte dies eine gute Option für Ihren Zweitwohnsitz sein.

Easiest and Cheapest Second Residencies in the EU: FAQs

European Residence Permit – Are There Cheaper Options?

Wie Sie wahrscheinlich sehen können, sind die Konditionen einfach und erschwinglich, wenn es um Zweitwohnsitze in der EU geht.

But a couple of questions arise at this point:

• Are these programs the most affordable ones in Europe? – Yes.
• Are they the easiest and most affordable residence programs in the world? – No.

A good example is Cambodia. Practically anyone qualifies. Anyone who arrives on a visa-on-arrival or a travel visa can then convert that visa into a one-year Cambodian business visa for less than US$300.

From there, you can take your visa to a fixer; they will take your passport and visa to an immigration office and will get you a one-year visa. That visa is renewable every year as long as you pay that small fee.

Damit erhalten Sie das Recht, in Kambodscha zu leben und zu arbeiten. Sie können dann einen zweiten Wohnsitz begründen.

Dieses Geschäftsvisum führt nicht zu einer Staatsbürgerschaft und einem Reisepass, aber es ist sehr einfach und eignet sich für einen zweiten Wohnsitz, an dem Sie leben und Bindungen aufbauen können.

This program is so easy and cheap that you could get it simply because it’s fun. When you are building your Nomad Capitalist lifestyle offshore, getting a couple of wins under your belt is important.

If you’re not ready to get one of the available second residencies in Europe by putting US$300,000 in a bank account, you could ease your way into planting the second residence flag by doing something simpler in a place like Cambodia first.

It’s also an interesting option to have another place where you could potentially live, at least part-time. If you are a perpetual traveller and you are looking to establish some bases, Europe is certainly one option. 

However, if you are looking for something a little more frontier with some opportunities to do business or invest, Cambodia would be a great base to set up in Asia.

Cambodia needs your couple hundred bucks, and they are willing to do what it takes to bring investors and business people into the country.

You won’t find that as much or to the same degree in Europe. Even the non-EU programs still expect a large real estate investment and substantial fees. So, while it’s nice to keep ‘affordable’ European residence programs on your radar, don’t think that they are your only option.

We help people create holistic offshore plans every day, and we would love to help you get started.

If you would like help finding the right residence program for you – whether it is one of the second residencies in the EU or elsewhere – feel free to reach out to our team.