Does France have a ‘golden visa’ for ‘buying’ nationality?

Several European Union countries still operate so-called ‘Golden Visa’ schemes that enable people to obtain nationality or the right to live in the country, despite calls to abolish the system.

France does not have its own golden visa programme. 

However, it is affected by the rules of other countries that do offer one, because the visas also grant the right to travel within the EU Schengen Area - of which France is part - without another visa or travel permission.

Golden Visas grant anyone eligible who can invest over a certain amount of money (usually into property) the right to live, and sometimes work, in the country in which they have invested. 

This means that non-EU or EEA citizens, such as British citizens, can apply for a Golden Visa, and then use it to travel without limits in the EU Schengen Area.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Golden Visa, you must:

• Have a clean criminal record (e.g. no criminal convictions)

• Not be an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen

• Invest the required amount in the country (usually property but also an investment fund, charity, company set-up, or other eligible method).

European rules

Each country offering a golden visa has different rules on how long people need to stay in the country per year in order to qualify for it, as well as whether the visa will eventually open the path to citizenship, and the tax implications for visa holders.

This Golden Visa specialist website (not part of or associated with Connexion France) includes information on:

• The exact threshold required to invest 

• The different amounts needed for different investment options

• The investment options available (e.g. companies, property, venture capital, charity)

• The minimum residence requirements per year

• The tax implications for holders

• The average wait times per application

• The future residence and citizenship rules conferred by the Golden Visa.

Countries with Golden Visas

EU countries that still operate a Golden Visa programme are:

• Greece

• Malta

• Spain

• Portugal

• Italy

Golden Visas at a glance: Investment threshold, and rights