Updated
GL-P-02
Glossary · Statuses, passports, travel
Permanent residence - an indefinite right to live in a country, not yet citizenship
The indefinite right to live in a country. The difference from a residence permit is that there is no need to renew it. An easier path to citizenship. Examples: Cyprus permanent residence (from EUR 300K), Malta permanent residence (MPRP, about EUR 170K). Not yet citizenship, but already very close.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- A permanent residence permit — an indefinite right to live in the country
- Difference from a residence permit
- No need to renew every 1-2 years
- Cost
- About €170,000 (Malta MPRP, with a lease) and from €300,000 (Cyprus)
- Does it give a passport
- No: abroad you travel on your existing passport
- Can you prepare
- Yes: work out whether you need PR or a passport straight away, and calculate the budget
02 / In plain words
What Permanent residence means
Permanent residence (PR) is a permanent residence permit — an indefinite right to live in the country. The main difference from an ordinary residence permit is that it does not need to be renewed every year or two. You live, work and use local infrastructure on an equal footing with citizens in almost everything except the passport and, as a rule, the right to vote.
PR is the “almost home” status: one step remains to citizenship, and the path to it is noticeably shorter than from the starting position. At the same time, PR does not replace a passport — abroad you still travel on your existing one, not on a document of the country of residence.
PR can be obtained as the next step after several years on a residence permit or directly under an investment programme. Examples of direct investment PR: Cyprus - a property purchase from €300,000; Malta (the MPRP programme) - about €170,000 with a leased home. Malta PR gives Schengen travel, Cyprus PR does not: Cyprus is not in Schengen. Neither gives the right to work throughout the EU.
A case from practice
An investor obtains Cypriot PR by buying property for about €300,000 plus VAT. The status is indefinite — there is no need to renew the card every year, and the family lives calmly on the island. If they wish, after several years of permanent residence they can move on towards Cypriot citizenship.
Why people get PR
- An indefinite status without annual renewals
- Life in the country on equal terms with citizens (except the passport)
- Schengen travel with PR from a Schengen country
- A short path to citizenship
- Education and healthcare for the family
- A second home in Europe
03 / What it covers
What PR gives
Who receives it
- Principal applicant
- Spouse and children
- Sometimes parents
Rights
- Living in the country indefinitely
- Schengen (if the country is in it)
- Equal access to infrastructure
What it does not give
- Passports
- Usually the right to vote
- Work throughout the EU
Outlook
- A short path to citizenship
- A stable status
- A basis for relocating the family
04 / How it works
How to get permanent residence
Choosing the country and option
Country and route for your goal.
Due diligence
Checks on the family and source of funds.
Investment (real estate/contribution)
Purchase, lease or contribution under the programme rules.
Filing the application
Family documents to the migration service.
Indefinite PR status
A PR card; the status does not need renewing.
05 / Cost and timelines
What PR costs: thresholds by country
01Malta (MPRP)
about €170,000
Fees and contribution of €99,000 plus rent from €14,000 a year for 5 years or a purchase from €375,000. Schengen, but not citizenship.
02Cyprus
from ~€300,000
A property purchase (plus VAT). An indefinite status for the family and, over time, a path to Cypriot citizenship.
Thresholds depend on the country and the option. On top come government fees, legal support and property taxes. Both options give the right to live in the country, only Malta PR gives Schengen travel, and only citizenship allows you to work throughout the EU. We calculate the exact budget for your family composition.
Timelines
- Status
- Indefinite — no annual renewal required
- Who issues it
- The country’s migration service
- Residence
- The rules vary: some require minimal presence, others actual residence
- To citizenship
- Usually several years of permanent residence
06 / Key facts
What you need to know
01What it is
An indefinite status
Unlike a residence permit, it is not renewed every 1-2 years.
02What it does not give
A passport or a vote
You travel abroad on your existing passport; PR does not give the right to work across the EU.
03Malta (MPRP)
About €170,000
Fees and contribution of €99,000 plus rent from €14,000 a year for 5 years or a purchase from €375,000. Malta is in Schengen.
04Cyprus
From €300,000
A property purchase plus VAT. Cyprus is not in Schengen, so its PR gives no Schengen travel.
Common mistakes
Expecting a passport from PR
If you need a passport right away, choose a citizenship programme.
Counting on Schengen with Cyprus PR
For Schengen travel, look at PR in a Schengen country such as Malta.
Counting on working across the EU
Only EU citizenship gives the right to work across the EU.
Counting only the investment
Add fees, taxes and the requirements for keeping the status.
07 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Be clear about what you need: a quick indefinite status through PR or a passport straight away — the choice of programme depends on it. Then calculate the full budget (investment, fees, property taxes), check the requirements for keeping the status and prepare documents on the origin of funds. Then PR is obtained without unnecessary detours.
What we do for you. We help you understand what you really need — a quick indefinite status through PR or a passport straight away — and choose a programme for your budget and family. We support the property deal, the check and the filing so that you get PR without unnecessary detours.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
08 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. PR gives an indefinite right to live in the country but no passport and usually no right to vote. You travel abroad on your existing passport. Citizenship is a separate next step.
No. Investment PR gives the right to live in that country, Malta PR also gives Schengen travel, and only EU citizenship gives the right to work throughout the European Union.
The rules vary: in some places entering once every few years is enough, in others actual presence is required. We always check the conditions for keeping the status for the specific programme in advance.
A residence permit is temporary and must be renewed every 1-2 years. PR is indefinite and needs no renewal. A residence permit is usually the first step; PR is the next, closer to citizenship.
Yes, as a rule. From PR to citizenship is usually one step — several years of permanent residence and naturalisation. The exact requirements depend on the country.
Yes. The investment programmes of Cyprus and Malta (MPRP) give PR directly, bypassing years on an ordinary residence permit.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
