# Cheapest Golden Visa in Europe 2026 for UAE Residents, Ranked by Cost Source: https://visadoctor.ae/cheapest-european-golden-visa-uae-residents-2026/ Last updated: 2026-11-07 Publisher: Visa Doctor FZC, licensed visa documentation agency in Dubai (SPC Free Zone licence 4417571.01) Written and reviewed by the **Visa Doctor documentation team** · Dubai · Last verified 5 November 2026. [Compare all six European residency routes](/permanent-residency-golden-visa/). **Quick answer:** In November 2026 the cheapest European golden visa with Schengen access is Latvia, from about $67,100 through your own Latvian company, but that company must pay at least about $44,700 in Latvian taxes every year. For an investment you keep without running a business, Greece, Hungary and Italy all start at about $279,500. Malta needs the least money upfront for permanent residence, about $110,700 in government payments plus a rented home, but none of that is refundable. “Cheapest” depends on what you count. Some routes ask for a large investment that you keep and can sell later. Others ask for a smaller amount that you never get back, or for a business that keeps paying tax. This guide ranks the European residence routes that are open to UAE residents in 2026 and give a residence card in a Schengen country, so you can travel across the Schengen Area without a visa. ## The cheapest routes, ranked by entry cost Route | Lowest entry | What you keep | Yearly condition | [Latvia](/latvia-residence-permit-by-investment/) | About $67,100 | Shares in your company | Company pays at least about $44,700 in taxes | [Malta](/malta-permanent-residence/) | About $110,700 plus a home | Nothing if you rent | Keep the home and assets | [Greece](/greece-golden-visa/) | About $279,500 | The property | Keep the property | [Hungary](/hungary-guest-investor-residence-permit/) | About $279,500 | Fund units | Hold them for 5 years | [Italy](/italy-investor-visa/) | About $279,500 | Startup shares | Keep the investment | [Portugal](/portugal-golden-visa/) | About $559,000 | Fund units | Short stays in Portugal | All amounts are set in euros by law and converted at the ECB rate of 3 November 2026, so the dollar figure moves with the exchange rate. ## Latvia: cheapest, but only for business owners Since 15 September 2026 Latvia only offers residence through a company. You put at least EUR 50,000 (about $55,900) into a qualifying Latvian company and pay EUR 10,000 (about $11,200) to the state. The permit lasts up to 2 years with no minimum stay, but the company must pay at least EUR 40,000 in Latvian taxes every year. It suits someone who will actually trade from Latvia. Read the [full Latvia guide](/latvia-residence-permit-by-investment/). ## Malta: least money upfront for permanent residence Malta gives permanent residence from day one. Government payments are about $110,700 for a couple with children under 18, plus rent from about $15,700 a year, and you must show assets of at least about $559,000. The payments are not refundable. Read the [Malta guide](/malta-permanent-residence/). ## Greece, Hungary and Italy: the cheapest routes where you keep the money - **Greece:** property from about $279,500 for a converted or listed building, 5 year permit, parents included. A higher transfer tax for non EU buyers is planned from 2027. [Greece guide](/greece-golden-visa/). - **Hungary:** about $279,500 in a Hungarian real estate fund for 5 years, permit up to 10 years. The new government may review it. [Hungary guide](/hungary-guest-investor-residence-permit/). - **Italy:** about $279,500 in an Italian startup, clearance within 30 days. [Italy guide](/italy-investor-visa/). ## Routes that look cheap but do not fit - **Latvia property:** closed to new applicants on 15 September 2026. - **Spain:** the golden visa closed on 3 April 2025. - **Cyprus:** permanent residence from EUR 300,000, but Cyprus is not yet in the Schengen Area, so the card gives no Schengen travel. - **Montenegro and Serbia:** low entry costs, but neither is in the Schengen Area. ## Which one is right for you - **You only travel to Europe a few times a year:** a Schengen visa is far cheaper than any golden visa. We prepare those from Dubai every day. - **You run or plan a real business:** Latvia is the lowest entry. - **You want an asset you own:** Greece. - **You want permanent residence:** Malta, if your nationality is accepted. - **You want a passport:** no golden visa gives one quickly. See our [second passport guide](/second-passport-citizenship-by-investment/) and [the cheapest citizenship by investment programmes in 2026](/cheapest-citizenship-by-investment-2026/). ## How Visa Doctor helps We compare the routes honestly, check your eligibility and documents and, if you decide to proceed, help you reach an independent lawyer or, where required, a licensed agent who files the application. Visa Doctor FZC is a UAE registered immigration services company (trade licence 4417571.01, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone) and is not a government authorised agent for any programme. We give our fee in writing before you pay anything. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the cheapest golden visa in Europe in 2026? For Schengen access, Latvia is the lowest entry at about $67,100 through your own Latvian company, provided the company pays at least about $44,700 in Latvian taxes each year. Without running a business, Greece, Hungary and Italy start at about $279,500. ### Can I still get Latvian residence by buying property? No. The property and bank deposit routes closed to new applicants on 15 September 2026. ### Which cheap golden visa includes parents? Greece includes the parents of both spouses under one investment. Malta also includes dependent parents and grandparents for an extra fee. ### Which golden visa is permanent from the start? Malta. The others are renewable residence permits. ### Do cheap golden visas let me travel in Europe? Every route on our list gives a residence card from a Schengen country, which lets you visit the other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180. ### Is the cheapest option always the best? No. Count the money you do not get back, the yearly conditions and the political risk, not just the entry price. ## Sources and last check Checked on 5 November 2026. Sources: the [Latvian Immigration Law of 20 August 2026](https://likumi.lv/ta/id/370622); [Residency Malta](https://residencymalta.gov.mt/legal-framework-mprp-2/); the [Greek government procedures portal](https://en.mitos.gov.gr/); the [Hungarian immigration authority](https://oif.gov.hu/tajekoztatok/vendegbefektetoi-tartozkodasi-engedely); the [Investor Visa for Italy platform](https://investorvisa.mise.gov.it/); and the ECB euro reference rate. This is general information, not legal or investment advice.