Golden visa at $500k: which countries actually offer this route in 2026

Searching "golden visa 500k"? Here's an honest comparison of what's actually available at that investment level right now — since several popular routes have changed in the last two years.

Portugal: €500,000 investment fund route

Portugal's Golden Visa still exists, but not as a real estate program anymore — real estate purchases stopped qualifying in October 2023. The current route at this price point is a minimum €500,000 investment in a qualifying investment fund, alongside a lower €250,000 cultural donation option. This is the closest direct match to a "500k golden visa" still operating today.

Why real estate golden visas are shrinking

Portugal isn't alone — several European countries have tightened or ended property-based residency-by-investment routes in response to housing affordability concerns. Always confirm a program's current eligible investment types before assuming property still qualifies anywhere.

Other investment tiers worth comparing

• Greece: Golden Residency Visa starting around €250,000, a lower entry point than Portugal's fund route
• Turkey: Citizenship by investment starting around $400,000 in real estate — a route where property still qualifies
• Canada: Start-Up Visa program from roughly CAD 110,000, a very different (business-driven, not passive-investment) pathway to permanent residence

Talk to a consultant before committing

Investment migration rules change frequently and vary by nationality. A consultation before choosing a program avoids the common mistake of budgeting around outdated eligibility rules.

Explore the Portugal Golden Visa