Getting a European Residency Visa              Which Country? - The Easiest Options?

Choosing which European Residency Programme is right for you may be one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. With an ever increasing number of countries offering you a route to Europe and the answer to your dreams, how can you really decipher which programme is best for you?

As mentioned in my most recent article: there are two major areas for consideration:
● The true value of the residency visa 
● The cost and ease of obtaining the residency visa permit

Last week we looked at the key points to consider when reviewing the true value and benefits of the countries’ specific offerings. Today we discuss the major points of consideration when you review the cost and ease of obtaining the various Residency Visas that are on the market.

1. The level of Investment
The residency programmes typically require an investment of €250,000 to €600,000 in real estate. It appears to be pretty straight forward decision with the least expensive option being the best? Well what if the least expensive option requires you to invest in a Country or market where the economy is broken and the market is in decline. Would that be a good decision? Does this investment cover the whole family or does it require further funds to include all family members?

2. Investment Asset Class 
Most of the programmes require an investment in Real Estate it is therefore fundamentally important to understand the countries’ economies and real estate markets.  Some residency programmes also require non-returnable “gifts” to the government  and investment in government bonds in addition to the investment in real estate

3. Speed How long does the Residency application really take? The various options claim between 8 and 16 weeks for the residency approval, however when does the clock start ticking on that time? With some programmes it is taking more than 12 weeks just to get an initial appointment and only then can the application process start.


Do they have enough resources to process the demand of applications? Not always: one of the most popular options claims 90 days for the process, however in reality it had a backlog of two years. This resulted in applicants outstaying their visitor’s visa period and having to return home without a Residency Visa

4. How simple and straight forward is the application process
Most of the programmes claim that their offering is straight forward, however is that really the case? 

What are the residency requirements that you need consider?
 
- The residency requirement when making your initial application

- The ongoing residency requirements to maintain the residency 
- The residency requirements to make the temporary visa permanent: 

Only one country provides a Permanent Visa from day One. Others require five years of continual living in that country before you can apply for a Permanent Residency, whilst others do not even have an option to make the temporary visa permanent

What are the interview and language test requirements?
Can you apply for the residency visa remotely?
What are the biometrics requirements?  

5. Track record and likelihood of success 
When you are making a life changing decision for you and your family you really want the assurance of knowing that you have a strong chance of being successful with your residency application. Can you imagine the stress of going through the whole process, spending thousands on fees and building the expectation of your family only to end up with your application being declined?  Some of the new programmes have no or little track record. It is therefore important from the start to be extremely confident of the outcome of your residency application and the chances of fulfilling your dreams



In my next article I will be looking at the various residency options and how they match up to these major considerations, so stay tuned and find which programmed meets them ALL!!

In the meantime if you would like any further information or assistance with European Residency Visas then feel free to contact me  on +447771716434 or  derek@europeancitizenships.com