Easiest Countries to Get Permanent Residency in 2026: What to Know

For the process of relocating overseas for business, work, investment, retirement, or family reasons, you need to find a residence pathway that suits your situation. The easiest countries to get permanent residency in aren’t always those that have the cheapest or shortest application forms. There are many factors that can influence the country’s viability for you, including eligibility criteria, income, investment, documentation, physical-presence rules, and the path to long-term residence.

Countries like Spain, Portugal, Greece, the UAE, and Mauritius have introduced residence options for different types of applicants in 2026. But these programmes are not the same. Some are based on employment or financial status; others on investment, a business, professional activity, or other qualifying factors. This guide provides an overview of the options and things to consider when deciding on a residency path.

What Makes a Country Easy to Get Residency In?

The concept of an “easy” residency programme is not universally defined. The route that is well suited for an entrepreneur might not work for a salaried professional, retiree, or investor.

There are a few things you can do to make a residency easier.

• Clear eligibility rules: The rules governing immigration are clearly defined, making it easier to determine if you qualify before filing an application. It is important that the necessary papers, financial requirements, employment standards, or investment requirements are clearly documented.
• Multiple residency pathways: Countries that have multiple residence types can host various types of profiles. These can vary by country and may be employment, entrepreneurship, investment, remote working, retirement, or financially independent residence.
• Reasonable financial requirements: Not all residencies are expensive. Others are based on employment, professional qualifications, regular income, financial resources, etc.

For example, Spain’s non-lucrative residence visa requires a high level of financial resources and doesn’t give permission for employment. As per the Spanish Consulate in New Delhi, the minimum financial requirement for the main applicant is €2,400 per month and €600 per month for every family member accompanying him.

A clear long-term pathway

If a permanent residence is your goal, don’t restrict yourself to the initial residence permit. It is important to know how long it will take to achieve temporary residence and whether there is a continuous residence requirement, as well as what other conditions are required.

Spain, for example, states that foreign nationals who have been residents in Spain for five years with a temporary visa and who are legally eligible for long-term residency.

Family eligibility

Family reunification considerations may also impact the viability of a residency programme. Find out if your spouse and children can come with you and if there are any financial or documentation requirements.

Residency vs Permanent Residency vs Citizenship: What’s the Difference?

The terms residency, permanent residency, and citizenship describe different legal statuses. It is essential to know the difference when comparing the easiest countries to get permanent residency.

Status	What it generally means	Typical duration	Main purpose
Temporary Residency	Legal permission to live in a country for a defined period under a specific immigration category	Limited and usually renewable	Living, working, studying, investing, or conducting approved activities
Permanent Residency	A more stable residence status that can allow indefinite residence, subject to the country’s rules	Generally indefinite, subject to conditions	Long-term settlement without repeatedly applying for temporary residence
Citizenship	Legal membership of a country as a national	Generally permanent	Nationality, passport, and the rights associated with citizenship

The exact meaning and conditions vary by country.

In Spain, temporary residence can precede long-term residence, and the government states that foreigners with five years of continuous temporary residence can become eligible for long-term residence. Long-term residence entitles the holder to indefinite residence and work according to the applicable provisions.

The permanent residence authorisation is also granted under Portugal’s general framework after five years of temporary residence, with certain conditions such as having the means of subsistence, accommodation, tax and social security compliance, and knowledge of the Portuguese language.

Citizenship is a separate step. Holding a residence permit does not automatically make someone a citizen, and naturalisation has its own legal requirements.

Which Are the Easiest Countries to Get Permanent Residency in 2026?

It is better to consider existing programmes which offer various pathways to long-term residence, rather than just one country as the easiest.

Spain

Spain is a good choice for European residence and can be one of the pathways to long-term residency. The country provides a variety of types of residence based on the applicant’s situation. These include employment-related routes, self-employment, family-based residence, and residence without gainful activity.

For applicants using the non-lucrative residence route, Spain requires proof of sufficient and guaranteed financial resources. The route does not authorise employment, although eligible family members can also obtain residence visas. The Spanish Consulate in New Delhi requires a minimum of €2,400 per month for the primary applicant and €600 per month for each family member. When people are looking at staying in Spain for a longer period of time, the Spanish official guidance says that if the legal requirements are fulfilled, five years of continuous temporary residence will result in long-term residence.

Portugal

Portugal has residence options for different purposes, including employment, independent professional activity, and investment. Its permanent residence framework provides a clear long-term route for qualifying residents. AIMA states that applicants generally need to have held temporary residence for at least five years and provide evidence of means of subsistence, accommodation, tax and social security compliance, and basic knowledge of Portuguese.

The residence-by-investment framework of Portugal is also different from the country’s usual residence routes. It is important for applicants to find out what their specific category is as opposed to assuming all residence programmes have the same requirements.

Greece

Greece offers several types of residence permits for third-country nationals, such as employment-related, investment-related and other qualifying residence permits. It has a Golden Visa programme that grants residence permits to qualifying investors. The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum releases the documentation needed for the investor residence permit, including documents concerning the qualifying property transaction, private heaglth insurance, etc.

The investment path should be evaluated carefully, as the investment amount and property conditions may vary based on the place and structure of the investment.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE’s residence model differs from those countries that use a structure of temporary residence followed by a permanent residence. The UAE Golden Residency is a 10-year residence visa for eligible people without the need for a sponsor. The official Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security includes investors, entrepreneurs, specialists, scientists, exceptional talents, outstanding students, and others among its select list of candidates.

The official guidance currently contains a minimum property value of AED 2 million for the Golden Residency investor category for eligible real estate investors. Entrepreneur applicants have separate criteria, including requirements relating to their business or approved entrepreneurial project. This is important when comparing the easiest countries to get permanent residency: long-term UAE golden residency should not automatically be described as permanent residency. It is a renewable long-term residence status under the Golden Residency framework.

Mauritius

Mauritius offers residence and occupation permissions in various categories, such as investors, professionals, self-employed persons, and retired non-citizens. The country’s official guidelines for Permanent Residence Permits include pathways for those with Occupation Permits or Residence Permits. For example, an investor can obtain a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit following three years of holding an Investor Occupation Permit and achieving the appropriate income or turnover thresholds. 

A professional route also has specific salary and residence requirements. Mauritius can therefore be relevant to the applicant who is seeking a longer-term residence option outside of Europe, especially in light of the profile of a particular applicant and his profile corresponding to the categories of investor, professional or retirement.

Which Residency Routes Are Available in These Countries?

The route you choose can matter as much as the country itself.

Employment-Based Residency

Employment-based residency normally requires a qualifying job, employment contract, or employer sponsorship depending on the country’s immigration framework. This can be suitable for professionals who already have an employment opportunity in the destination country.

Entrepreneur or Business Residency

Entrepreneurial routes are designed for people establishing or operating a qualifying business. Requirements can include business plans, investment, company registration, job creation, revenue, professional qualifications, or approval from a government authority. The UAE, for example, has a specific Golden Residency category for entrepreneurs, with official criteria covering qualifying entrepreneurial ventures and approvals.

Investment Residency

Investment-based residence allows qualifying applicants to obtain residence by making an approved investment. The investment can take different forms depending on the country, including real estate, business activity, funds, or other approved assets. Applicants should not compare programmes only by the advertised investment figure. Government fees, taxes, professional costs, insurance, holding requirements, and renewal costs can significantly affect the total amount required.

Remote Work Residency

Some countries have introduced residence options for remote workers and internationally employed professionals. These routes generally require proof of foreign employment or business income, health insurance, accommodation, and a minimum income level. The eligibility conditions can change, so applicants should confirm the current rules with the relevant immigration authority.

Retirement or Financially Independent Residency

These routes are generally intended for people who can demonstrate stable income, pension payments, savings, or other financial resources. Spain’s non-lucrative residence route is one example of a residence category based on sufficient financial means rather than local employment. The Spanish government guidance specifically states that the route does not provide a work permit.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements and Costs?

The exact requirements depend on the residence category, but applicants should normally prepare for several areas of assessment.

1. Identity and personal documents: A valid passport and supporting civil documents are commonly required. Depending on the country, documents may need to be legalised, apostilled, translated, or certified.
2. Proof of financial resources: Applicants may need to demonstrate salary, employment income, pension income, savings, business income, or investment funds. For Spain’s 2026 non-lucrative residence visa, for example, applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for themselves and accompanying family members.
3. Health insurance: Health insurance is commonly required for residence applications. Greece’s official investor residence documentation, for example, includes private health insurance among the required documents.
4. Criminal-record documentation: Many residence applications require police or criminal-record certificates covering the applicant’s previous countries of residence.
5. Accommodation: Proof of accommodation can also form part of the application. Portugal’s permanent residence requirements include evidence relating to the applicant’s residential address.
6. Language and integration requirements: Some countries introduce language requirements at the permanent-residence stage even when the initial residence permit does not require them. 

Portugal, for example, requires proof of basic Portuguese knowledge for its general permanent residence authorisation.

Additional costs

Beyond the main visa or residence fee, applicants may need to budget for:

• Document legalisation and translation
• Health insurance
• Government residence card fees
• Professional or legal assistance
• Accommodation
• Tax and accounting services
• Investment capital, where applicable
• Renewal costs

The total cost of residency should therefore be calculated across the entire period rather than based only on the initial application fee.

How Long Does Permanent Residency Take?

The time required depends on two separate stages: processing the initial residence application and qualifying for permanent or long-term residence.

These should not be confused.

• Spain’s official guidance states that qualifying foreign nationals can become eligible for long-term residence after five years of continuous temporary residence, provided the applicable legal requirements are met.
• Portugal’s general permanent residence framework also requires at least five years of temporary residence, alongside other conditions.
• Mauritius uses a different framework for certain applicants. Its official guidelines provide a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit for qualifying investors and professionals who meet the specified criteria after at least three years under the relevant Occupation Permit.
• The UAE also differs from the conventional temporary-to-permanent model. Eligible Golden Residency applicants can receive residence for up to 10 years, but the status remains a long-term residence permit rather than conventional permanent residency.

For this reason, when comparing countries, always check both initial processing time and the time required to qualify for long-term or permanent residence.

What Should You Consider Before Choosing a Country?

The most suitable residence route depends on your personal and professional circumstances.

1. Your eligibility: Start by identifying the routes you can actually qualify for. Your nationality, age, employment, income, qualifications, business activity, investment capacity, and family situation may all affect eligibility.
2. Total cost: Look beyond the minimum investment or application fee. Include accommodation, insurance, taxes, professional fees, document costs, renewal charges, and any required investment maintenance.
3. Physical presence: If you operate an international business or travel frequently, check how much time you need to spend in the country to maintain your residence and later qualify for permanent residence.
4. Family requirements: Review the rules for spouses and children before applying. Family eligibility and financial requirements can differ by residence category.
5. Long-term objectives: If your goal is permanent residency, study the complete route before selecting your initial residence permit. A programme offering long-term residence from the outset may serve a different purpose from a country where you first obtain temporary residence and later qualify for permanent status.
6. Tax position: Immigration residence and tax residence are separate concepts. Obtaining a residence permit does not automatically determine your tax residency. Before relocating, consider how the move could affect personal income tax, business taxation, reporting obligations, and any existing tax-residency position.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Applying for PR?

• Selecting by minimum investment: Low minimum investment does not imply low total investment. Total up all the costs of the government, profession, taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
• Confusing long-term residency with citizenship: A residence permit does not automatically give citizenship. Permanent residency and citizenship are different legal statuses.
• Ignoring physical-presence rules: Some applicants apply for the initial permit but fail to consider the conditions for renewal and permanent residence.
• Relying on outdated information: Immigration rules change. Investment thresholds, eligible categories, financial requirements, and documentation can be updated by governments. Always verify the current requirements before submitting an application.
• Assuming every family member qualifies automatically: Family members may have separate documentation and eligibility conditions. Check the rules for each dependant before planning the relocation.
• Selecting a country before selecting the route: The better starting point is to identify the immigration route that fits your profile. You can then compare countries offering that route.

Conclusion

The easiest countries to get residency depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the residence route being considered. Spain and Portugal have created options to obtain temporary residence to become long-term or permanent residents; Greece has an investor option and other categories of residence. The UAE offers long-term golden residency for specific categories such as investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and more, while Mauritius has specific permanent-residence paths for investors and professionals. 

Whether you are considering relocating your business, considering a relocation, investing, or moving your family, OnDemand International can help you evaluate the options and get moving in the right direction. Its global market-entry and mobility services cover business expansion and relocation across multiple jurisdictions. Explore your international residency and expansion options with OnDemand International. Book a consultation with OnDemand International.

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