Approved Property
Approved property
Real estate approved by the state for a citizenship or residence by investment program. You cannot buy just any property, only one from the approved list.
- What it is
- Real estate approved by the state for a citizenship or residence programme
- Where it applies
- The real estate option in CBI and Golden Visa programmes
- Distinctive feature
- You can buy not just any property, only one from the approved list
- What to check
- The title, the developer, the property’s eligibility for the programme
- Can you prepare
- Yes: choose an approved property and check the documents
In plain words
Approved property means properties the state has permitted to be used for obtaining citizenship or residence by investment. Many programmes have a real estate option, but you cannot buy just any house or flat — only one from the officially approved list, usually specific projects by approved developers.
The point of the restriction is to control quality and legitimacy: the state makes sure the investment goes into real, vetted projects rather than dubious deals. For the applicant it is both a protection (the property has been approved) and a constraint (the choice is limited to the list, and the price is often above market because of the “programme premium”).
The key when buying is the checks: title and land registry, the developer’s reputation, the eligibility of the specific property for the programme, and the mandatory holding period (usually 3-7 years, after which the property can be sold). A mistake here is costly: an unapproved property will not give status, and getting the money back will be difficult.
Where approved property is needed
What matters about the property
- Approved only
- Approved developers
- Specific projects
- Title and land registry
- The developer’s reputation
- Eligibility for the programme
- Holding period of 3-7 years
- A sale is possible afterwards
- A programme premium on the price
- The property has been approved
- Escrow in the transaction
- The asset remains yours
How to buy an approved property
- 01Choosing from the approved list
- 02Checking the title and developer
- 03A transaction through escrow
- 04Completion and filing
- 05Status obtained
What you need to know
- Only property from the approved list qualifies
- Usually these are projects by approved developers
- The price is often above market because of the programme premium
- A holding period is mandatory — usually 3-7 years
- An unapproved property will not give status
Common mistakes
- Buying a property outside the approved list
- Not checking the title and the developer’s reputation
- Not making sure the property qualifies for the programme
- Ignoring the holding period
- Completing the transaction without escrow
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We choose a property from the approved list for your budget and goal, check the title, the developer and the programme eligibility, and complete the transaction through escrow. That way the property both gives status and remains your protected asset.
Frequently asked questions
01 /Can any property be bought?
No. Only property from the officially approved list qualifies for the programme — usually projects by approved developers. Any other property will not give status.
02 /Why is approved property more expensive?
The price often includes a “programme premium”: the property has been approved and gives a right to status. That is why the total is compared taking the future sale into account.
03 /Can the property be sold later?
Yes, after the mandatory holding period — usually 3-7 years. Until then the property is held, since it is the basis of the status.
04 /What should be checked before buying?
The title and land registry records, the developer’s reputation and that the specific property really does give a right to the programme. The transaction goes through escrow.
05 /How is real estate better than a contribution?
It costs more at entry but remains an asset that can be sold. A non-refundable contribution is cheaper but is not returned. The choice depends on the budget and goals.
06 /Who approves the properties?
The state or the programme’s authorised body. The list of approved projects and developers is published and updated.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Citizenship through real estate?
We will choose an approved property, check the title and the developer and complete the transaction through escrow — safely and end to end.