Golden Visa Comparison 2026 | Portugal · Italy · Greece · Hungary · Panama · São Tomé

Not all Golden Visas are the same — and the differences are bigger than most people realize. In this video, Susana and Nikita from The Golden Portugal compare 6 investment residency and citizenship programs side by side: Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Panama, and São Tomé & Príncipe. We cover investment amounts, exit strategy, processing time, minimum stay requirements, citizenship path, family eligibility, and the key catches most advisors don't mention upfront. Here's a quick snapshot of what each program offers: 🇵🇹 PORTUGAL — €500k fund investment or €200k–€250k donation. 100% remote until biometrics. Only 2 weeks every 2 years required. No age cap on children after PR. Parents of both the main applicant and spouse are eligible. EU passport path without relocation. A2 language test. Exit investment at year 5. 🇬🇷 GREECE — Real estate investment from €250k up to €800k depending on the region. Zero minimum stay (one entry per 5-year permit). No work rights included. Citizenship requires 6 years 2 months of actual residency within 7 years. B1 Greek language test. Children cap at 21, bridge to 24 in certain cases. 🇭🇺 HUNGARY — Fund investment only, 2 approved funds. Fast processing: 2–3 months. 10-year permit, renewable once (maximum 20 years). No stay requirement. Citizenship requires near full-time residency for 8 years + B2 Hungarian. Children must be under 18 at application and renewal. 🇮🇹 ITALY — Investment range €250k–€2M across different categories. Flat tax of €300k/year on foreign income — attractive for ultra-high earners. No minimum stay. Property rental or purchase also required. Citizenship at 10 years. Children must be under 18. Parents very difficult to include. 🇵🇦 PANAMA — $300k USD real estate investment. Permanent residency in approximately 2 months. Zero tax on foreign income. 1 visit every 2 years. Citizenship after 5 years. Children up to age 25. Spanish language test required. Panamanian passport includes EU visa-free travel. 🇸🇹 SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE — Donation program from €90k. Approval-first model: you get approved before you donate — no risk of rejection. Passport in 2–3 months. No visit required. Children up to 30, parents and grandparents over 55 eligible. Accepts Russian and Belarusian nationals. CPLP member — potential pathway to accelerate Portuguese citizenship. The verdict: 4 clear winners. Portugal ranks #1 for EU passport without relocation. Panama #2 for speed and tax efficiency. São Tomé #3 for families and fast citizenship. Greece #4 for those who want European real estate with minimal stay. 🕐 TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Investment exit strategy 00:57 Portugal Golden Visa 04:40 Greece Golden Visa 07:41 Hungary Golden Visa 09:35 Italy Investor Visa 11:26 Panama Investor Visa 13:07 São Tomé citizenship by donation 15:18 Golden Visa comparison — EU passport, minimum stay, processing time 16:19 Golden Visa family rules — children age limits 17:33 Best Golden Visa program 2025 — ranked — The Golden Portugal has guided 800+ families through the Portugal Golden Visa process with a 100% approval rate since 2020. We also advise on alternative programs when Portugal isn't the right fit. 📅 Book a free consultation: https://www.thegoldenportugal.com/boo... #GoldenVisa #PortugalGoldenVisa #GoldenVisaComparison