RBI
Residence by Investment
Programs under which a foreigner receives residence in exchange for an investment. Unlike CBI, it grants the right of residence (without a passport for now), which can lead to citizenship in 5-10 years.
- What it is
- A residence permit in exchange for an investment — real estate, a fund, a deposit or a business
- Where it applies
- Greece, Portugal, the UAE, Malta and other countries
- Cost
- From €150,000 (Malta permanent residence) and €250,000 (Greece) to €500,000+ (funds)
- Duration
- Processing from a few weeks to 2-3 months
- Can you prepare
- Yes: choose a country for your goal and assemble a source-of-funds file
In plain words
RBI (residence by investment) means obtaining a residence permit in exchange for an investment. You put money into a country’s real estate, a fund or a business and receive the right to live there legally. A passport is not given straight away: RBI opens the door to the country, and citizenship comes later, through naturalisation.
The main difference from CBI: there you are a citizen at once, here you are a resident for now. Residence usually leads to a passport after 5-10 years of permanent residence and passing exams. In return, RBI is often cheaper than the entry ticket to citizenship and opens what for many matters more than a passport right now — the right to live, receive medical care and educate children in the chosen country, and in the EU to travel freely in the Schengen area as well.
There are many formats: European Golden Visas (Greece, Portugal), UAE residence, programmes in South-East Asia. Entry thresholds vary — from real estate investments to deposits and government bond purchases. Processing is usually shorter than for citizenship: weeks or a couple of months.
Why people choose RBI
What RBI gives
- Principal applicant
- Spouse and children
- Sometimes parents
- Real estate
- Investment funds
- Deposit or government bonds
- The right to live in the country
- Schengen (in the EU)
- Minimal presence
- Path to permanent residence
- Path to citizenship
- Tax planning
How to obtain RBI
- 01Choosing the country and option
- 02Due diligence check
- 03Investment
- 04Filing the application
- 05Receiving the residence card
What you need to know
- RBI gives residence, not a passport: citizenship comes later, through naturalisation
- Minimal presence is usually enough to keep the residence permit
- Future citizenship requires years of actual residence
- The property usually has to be held for the whole term of the status
- Conditions and thresholds change: programmes are sometimes closed (Spain in 2025)
What RBI costs: thresholds by programme
- Malta (MPRP)from €150,000Permanent residence through renting or buying property plus a government contribution. Schengen, but not citizenship.
- Greece (Golden Visa)from €250,000Real estate. The threshold is higher in Athens, Thessaloniki and the popular islands.
- Portugalfrom €500,000Investment funds. The property purchase option has been closed since 2023.
- UAE (Golden Visa)from AED 2,000,000About $545,000 in real estate — a 10-year visa. No personal income tax.
Thresholds depend on the country and the type of investment. On top come government fees, legal support and property taxes. We calculate the exact budget for the chosen programme and family composition.
Timelines
- Processing time
- From a few weeks to 2-3 months
- Who issues it
- The country’s migration service
- Residence to keep the permit
- Usually minimal (a few days a year)
- Residence for citizenship
- Actual, 5-10 years for naturalisation
Common mistakes
- Confusing RBI with citizenship and expecting a passport “straight away”
- Buying property without checking the title and eligibility for the programme
- Expecting to work in another EU country on this permit — Schengen gives travel only
- Not counting the actual residence requirement if the goal is a future passport
- Delaying the application: thresholds rise and programmes close
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We help you choose between RBI and citizenship according to your real goal: some need status in a particular country right now, others a passport for the future. We will select the programme, calculate the full cost including the family, and take you through the investment and filing without surprises.
View programs →Frequently asked questions
01 /What is the difference between RBI and CBI, in plain words?
CBI gives a passport straight away; RBI first gives a residence permit, and citizenship follows years of residence. RBI is about living in the country; CBI is about the passport as such.
02 /Will a residence permit lead to citizenship?
Usually yes, but not automatically. You need to actually live in the country for the required period (most often 5-10 years), pass a language test and apply for naturalisation. Each country has its own rules.
03 /Do you have to live in the country under an RBI programme?
To keep the residence permit itself, minimal presence or one visit a year is usually enough. Future citizenship, however, will require permanent residence.
04 /Is a Golden Visa a form of RBI?
Yes. Golden Visa is the popular name for European and Middle Eastern RBI programmes. The mechanics are the same: a residence permit for an investment in real estate, a fund or a deposit.
05 /Which country has the lowest threshold?
Among the well-known programmes: Malta permanent residence (MPRP) from €150,000 and the Greek Golden Visa from €250,000. But the programmes differ in conditions and rights, so compare them on more than price.
06 /Can you work on RBI?
In the country that issued the permit — as a rule, yes. But in the Schengen area it gives travel only: the status does not allow you to work in other EU countries.
07 /Will the residence permit be withdrawn if the property is sold?
While the programme status is in force, the property usually has to be held — it is the basis of the status. We check the conditions of each programme in advance.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Choose an RBI programme for your goal?
We will tell you which programme suits your goal — Schengen, taxes or a passport for the future — and take you through the investment and filing end to end.