The future of an investment residence permit: what awaits the market in 2025

The need for States to attract capital remains high, and investors continue to seek stable financial systems and freedom of movement. However, new trends are beginning to appear on the market: moods are changing, and with them the conditions of investment programs.

What changes are taking place?

Countries with a well-established investment attraction system feel confident, but pressure from the European Union and the desire of politicians to gain the support of local voters force them to reconsider their approach. Increasingly, residence permit and citizenship programs are becoming more complicated or curtailed, especially amid the recovery of global economies.

Unless global economic shocks occur in the near future or there is an urgent need for capital inflows, the availability of such programs in Europe will gradually decrease.

How has the market developed in recent years?

The same scenario was observed almost everywhere:

• stable operation of the program;
• surge in applications before the expected reforms;
• subsequent decline in interest due to an increase in the minimum investment threshold or more complicated procedures.

The most obvious examples are Greece, Portugal and Spain, where the changes have already seriously affected the market dynamics.

What will happen to Greece in 2025?

Despite the general tightening trend, Greece is likely to remain attractive to investors. The updated residence permit scheme is gradually stabilizing: the necessary base of successful cases will be formed, and the government, according to current signals, does not plan to abandon the development of the program.

Greece is still one of the most affordable countries in Europe for buying real estate in order to obtain a residence permit, even despite restrictions for Russian citizens.

It is important to note that even when the rules change, applicants usually receive a residence permit without critical delays or errors in the review process. The queue for processing applications is long, but with professional preparation of documents, the procedure takes place within the standard time frame.

What investment opportunities are open?

Even after the reforms and the increase in the minimum investment requirements (from 250,000 euros), attractive options remain:

• investments in commercial real estate adapted for residential;
• participation in projects for the renovation of historical buildings.

These areas make it possible not only to meet the new conditions of the program, but also to obtain promising assets in rapidly developing areas.