Updated
GL-A-07
Glossary · Real estate
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.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- 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
02 / In plain words
What Approved Property means
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.
A case from practice
An investor chooses property for citizenship through the real estate option. The property is from the approved list of an approved developer. They check the title, complete the transaction through escrow and hold the property for the mandatory holding period. After that the property can be sold, while the citizenship remains.
Where approved property is needed
- Citizenship by investment through real estate
- A Golden Visa for buying a property
- When keeping an asset matters
- An investment that can be sold
- Rental and income from the property
- Combining status and investment
03 / What it covers
What matters about the property
List
- Approved only
- Approved developers
- Specific projects
Check
- Title and land registry
- The developer’s reputation
- Eligibility for the programme
Conditions
- Holding period of 3-7 years
- A sale is possible afterwards
- A programme premium on the price
Protection
- The property has been approved
- Escrow in the transaction
- The asset remains yours
04 / How it works
How to buy an approved property
Choosing from the approved list
Checking the title and developer
A transaction through escrow
Completion and filing
Status obtained
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
Only property from the approved list qualifies
02
Usually these are projects by approved developers
03
The price is often above market because of the programme premium
04
A holding period is mandatory — usually 3-7 years
05
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
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Choose a property from the officially approved list and check in advance its title and land registry records, the developer’s reputation and the eligibility of the specific property for the programme. The transaction goes through escrow, with the money released after ownership is registered. Then the property both gives status and remains a protected asset.
What we do for you. 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.
Igor VentsHead of real estate, Title Deed and property checks
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. Only property from the officially approved list qualifies for the programme — usually projects by approved developers. Any other property will not give status.
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.
Yes, after the mandatory holding period — usually 3-7 years. Until then the property is held, since it is the basis of the status.
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.
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.
The state or the programme’s authorised body. The list of approved projects and developers is published and updated.
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