Residency and Citizenship by Investment 2026 — Global Comparison | Merkaz HaNekasim
"Residency/Citizenship by investment" pathways are among the most common reasons for investing in real estate abroad — but the conditions vary greatly from country to country, and there is often significant confusion between "residency" and "citizenship."
Comparison Table
| Country | Pathway | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Residency (Golden Visa) | Citizenship possible after additional years |
| Spain | Residency (Golden Visa) | Residency pathway only |
| Greece | Residency (Golden Visa) | Popular residency pathway among Israelis |
| Cyprus | Permanent Residency | No direct citizenship pathway through real estate |
| Malta | Citizenship possible (under strict and expensive conditions) | One of the most expensive pathways in the world |
| Montenegro | Residency | Candidate for European Union |
| Azerbaijan | Temporary Residency → Permanent Residency | Citizenship requires an additional 5 separate years of permanent residency — not an automatic result of purchase. No dual citizenship. |
| United Arab Emirates | Golden Visa (Residency) | Significantly high entry threshold (about $545,000+) |
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Chat with us on WhatsAppThe Most Important Point in the Table
In all the countries on the list — including Azerbaijan — purchasing real estate alone does not grant immediate citizenship. In most cases, it is a residency pathway, and in some, it is possible to obtain citizenship after additional years (and sometimes significant additional conditions). Full details on Azerbaijan specifically in the residency by real estate guide.
The Next Step
Merkaz HaNekasim assists Israeli investors in real estate investments abroad — including in Azerbaijan. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and together we will build an investment plan that suits you perfectly.
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