In 2025-26, some reforms have changed the way investors now evaluate EU residency by investment. Recent visa suspension and travel restrictions imposed especially on Caribbean passports by investment have transformed the objectives of individuals on how they choose a residency or citizenship by investment program.
European residency by investment programs remain attractive due to stricter compliance rules, strong EU oversight and visa-free access to the Schengen zone. For investors seeking stable access to Europe, understanding how the reforms can affect Schengen travel rights is very essential.
Why Schengen Access Matters for Residency Investors
The Residency by investment programs have gained tremendous popularity among international investors such as the company executives, businessmen as well as entrepreneurs. Visa-free travel to the Schengen zone is one of the principal causes of such popularity. This visa free access enables the holders to travel within member states within the Europe’s Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a time period of 180 days. Schengen Area is a group of 29 countries with some of the most popular destinations in Europe like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, thus being among the largest regions of free traveling in the world.
What Changed After Golden Visa Reforms?
Most governments in Europe enacted reformation between 2023 and 2025 to make them more compliant and in line with international standards and EU guidelines. The European Commission has on several occasions encouraged the member states to minimize risks associated with investment migration as well as to tighten their screening procedures. The reforms resulted in:
Elimination of the real estate option on the program of certain countries.
Increased minimum investment levels.
Stronger due diligence.
Increased surveillance of physical presence requirements.
It is aimed at sustaining the Schengen security, and preserving the legal economic contributions.
Portugal Golden Visa: Shift to Fund-Based Investment
The Portugal golden visa has been changed significantly in the past. On 7 October, 2023, the real estate option of the program was terminated and the government switched the program focus to the controlled investment funds and the contribution based on the business.
Nonetheless, Portugal continues to be the best golden visa scheme amongst investors and the approved residents are allowed to travel visa-free to the Schengen region. To qualify for the program, the applicants should invest in approved funds like Saad Ahsan Venture Capital Fund. The investment begins from at least €500,000 and includes a minimum stay requirement.
Greece Golden Visa: Tiered Thresholds
The Greece golden visa program is ongoing though it came up with tiered property investment thresholds that are dependent on the areas or regions in Greece. These areas include high demand areas and mid-scale areas.
Although Schengen travel is not eliminated in the Greek golden visa, the investors have to select the qualifying areas for investment carefully and meet the requirements. The program includes no stay requirements and individuals need to meet the eligibility criteria for the golden visa program.
Malta Residency by Investment: Stricter Thresholds
The Malta residency by investment program also called Malta permanent residence program (MPRP) operates under increased scrutiny at EU level. The European commission has been monitoring investment based schemes among the member states.
Investors need to differentiate between the programs that provide Maltese residency and those which provide citizenship in Malta because they have dissimilar frameworks. However, Malta continues with visa-free entry into the Schengen zone of Europe of not more than 90 days in a 180 days timeframe.
Latvia Golden Visa and Hungary Golden Visa: Revival and Reentry.
The Latvia golden visa offers a real estate investment option to international investors and the Hungary golden visa resurfaced in 2024-25 with investment fund pathways.
The investors who plan to invest in hotels over €100,000 receive residency in Latvia and the renewed residency program in Hungary enables qualifying investors to acquire long term residence permits within the Schengen framework.. These programs demonstrate that the standards were only tightened and Europe has not shut down the investment migration completely.
Latvia and Hungary both offer visa-free access to the Schengen region of Europe for up to 90 days in a 180 day period.
Does European Residency by Investment Still Guarantee Schengen Mobility?
Yes, but with conditions. The European residency by investment programs permit traveling access among the Schengen states under a limited short-stay duration. But the persons should be aware that:
Their residence should not be invalid.
They maintain the investment.
Rules of physical presence need to be followed.
Failure to meet the above requirements would also affect mobility and will lead to a non-renewal.
What Residency Investors Must Know
Following reforms in Golden Visas, the applicants ought to consider:
Long-term policy stability.
Regulatory pressure at the EU level.
Liquidity of investment and exit options.
Minimum stay requirements.
Processing timelines.
Strategic Guidance for Investors
The right EU residency by investment program cannot be selected without the knowledge of:
Renewal conditions
Family inclusion rules
Tax Implications
Ways to Permanent residency.
Investors should make sure that their residence is organized in a proper way in order to retain the Schengen travelling privileges. The authorized advisory firms like Saad Ahsan Residency and Citizenship, can guide investors through the processes of residency in Europe and mobility planning in the long-term through the approach of structured advice according to the ongoing reforms in the EU.
Conclusion
The Schengen Mobility is still among the most appealing perks of European residency by investment. However, changes in 2025-26 have transformed the way investors evaluate the programs. The program reforms do not imply less opportunities but the transition to the more transparent and regulated system.