Golden visas have made it remarkably straightforward for foreign nationals to gain residency in some of Europe's most liveable cities. While many of these cities are located in Portugal, Spain, Malta, and the UK, some of the best places to raise children may be found outside of Golden Visa enclaves.
We've compared these cities based on safety, green spaces, walkability, investment returns, and child-friendly activities. Here's our roundup of the top 8 cities for foreign investors in Europe for 2024.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon continues to be a favourite among foreign investors. The city offers a high quality of life, with excellent weather, rich culture, and a thriving startup scene. Portugal's Golden Visa programme provides an attractive route to residency, with investment options starting from €250,000 for supporting arts and culture.
2. Madrid, Spain
Spain's capital offers up a vibrant lifestyle, world-class museums, and excellent infrastructure. The city scores well on safety and family-friendly activities. Spain's Golden Visa programme requires a minimum property investment of €500,000, offering investors and their families access to Spain's healthcare and education systems.
3. Porto, Portugal
Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, offers a more laid-back alternative to Lisbon. It's known for its stunning architecture, wine culture, and lower cost of living compared to the capital.
4. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona combines beautiful beaches with a rich cultural heritage. The city scores highly on walkability and family-friendly activities.
5. Stockholm, Sweden
While Sweden doesn't offer a Golden Visa programme, Stockholm's high quality of life makes it attractive to foreign investors. The city goes heavy on safety, green spaces, and child-friendly activities. Investors typically gain residency through work or business investment routes.
6. Rome, Italy
Rome scores highly on family-friendly activities and walkability. Italy's investor visa programme requires a minimum investment of €250,000, with options in startups, government bonds, or corporate bonds.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul offers a unique blend of European and Asian cultures. The city features excellent walkability and numerous child-friendly activities. Turkey's citizenship by investment programme, with a minimum property investment of $400,000, is one of the fastest routes to a second passport in the region.
8. Vienna, Austria
Vienna consistently ranks as one of the world's most liveable cities. It scores exceptionally well on safety, happiness, and walkability. Austria offers a residence permit for financially independent persons, with a minimum investment of €100,000. However, applicants must demonstrate basic German language skills.
How to gain residency in these highly livable European cities
Each country has its own requirements for residency or citizenship by investment:
Portugal - Choose from five investment routes starting from €250,000 under the supporting arts option
Spain - Select from six options, with property investment the most affordable, starting from €500,000
Italy - Investment options from €250,000 in various sectors
Turkey - Property investment of $400,000 for citizenship
Austria - €100,000 investment plus proof of financial independence
How we can help
At International Wealth Ventures, we specialise in guiding investors through these complex residency and citizenship programmes. Talk to us today.