Top 10 Easiest Country to Get Residency: Portugal, Mexico, and More

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Obtaining a second passport can be one of the most rewarding ways to unlock new opportunities. While some nations make the process more challenging, the easiest country to get residency offers simplified and more accessible pathways.

Several European countries like Portugal, Malta, and Greece are known for offering relatively easy pathways to residency. Whether through naturalization, marriage, or investments, these nations allow foreigners to gain residence permits with minimal hassle

What Is the Easiest Country to Get Residency?

Both Global Citizen Solutions and Immigrant Invest have compiled their updated list for 2025, highlighting the easiest country to get residency. Continue reading to explore the top countries where residency is easier than you might think.

1. Portugal

Among remote workers, entrepreneurs, and investors alike, Portugal is widely regarded as the best country to get residency. One of the most popular options is the D7 Visa, designed for those with monthly passive income above Portugal’s minimum wage of €870.

To qualify, applicants must show proof of financial means and spend at least 183 days per year in the country.

If you're a remote worker, Portugal also offers a Digital Nomad Visa, an initiative tailored to non-EU and non-EEA citizens. Without investment requirements, applicants only need to prove a monthly income of at least €3,480 and secure long-term accommodation in the country. 

Meanwhile, the Golden Visa remains a premium choice for wealthy individuals seeking a fresh start in Europe. Although real estate is no longer a qualifying investment, the program still offers several routes to residency.

These include investing in venture capital funds, supporting scientific research or cultural projects, or starting a business that creates local jobs, either 10 jobs for Portuguese citizens or at least 5 jobs in smaller ventures. 

2. Mexico

With a relatively affordable living, Mexico is often cited as another easiest country to get residency. Through Temporary Resident Visa, foreigners can reside in the country for a period longer than 180 days and less than 4 years, with yearly renewals required. To qualify, applicants must show a minimum monthly income of around $3,100 USD or €47,500 in savings. 

Before this permit expires, holders have the opportunity to transition to a Permanent Resident Visa, which grants indefinite stay in Mexico. For those looking to skip the temporary stage, Mexico also offers direct permanent residency, though it typically requires higher financial qualifications.

3. Malta

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta beckons those craving coastal lifestyle. To grant long-term residency, you can apply for the Residency by Investment Program, or also known as Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP). With a minimum investment of  €350,000 for property purchase or €12,000 annual rental, holders are granted not only the chance to enjoy Malta’s island vibes but also visa-free travel to over 180 destinations and access to 29 Schengen countries.

Another way to establish your residency in Malta is through the Nomad Residence Permit. Applicants working remotely for a foreign-registered employer must earn a monthly income of at least €3,500 to be eligible for this visa.

4. Belize

Belize offers a Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) for retirees from the US, commonwealth countries, and the UE looking to reside in this Caribbean gem. The requirement is simple, requiring applicants to show as little as $2,000 per month in guaranteed income, along with a 30-consecutive-day stay in Belize per year. For this reason, Belize remains a longstanding favorite among the best countries to retire.

5. Hungary

Ranked as one of the cheapest golden visa countries in Europe, Hungary provides a clear and cost-effective path to residency. Its Golden Visa program, known as the Guest Investor Program, offers two qualification routes: a €250,000 investment or a €1,000,000 donation to a public-interest trust.

If you’re not a retiree, Hungary offers alternative pathways through business residency and the digital nomad visa. To qualify for business residency, applicants must establish a company in Hungary with a minimum authorized capital of €7,700. For the digital nomad visa, applicants must work remotely for a non-Hungarian company and earn a minimum monthly income of €3,000.

6. Antigua and Barbuda

This twin-island nation in the Caribbean is frequently cited as the easiest country to get residency. Its Tax Residency Program is designed for individuals who earn at least $100,000 annually and are willing to pay a $20,000 annual tax. This residency is valid indefinitely.

For remote workers, the more suitable option is the Nomad Digital Residence Program. This permit allows qualified applicants to reside for up to two years, provided they earn a minimum of $50,000 per year. 

If either of these residency options seems too complex or restrictive, you can apply directly for citizenship. There are four investment routes available: a non-refundable contribution of $230,000, a real estate purchase of $300,000, a university donation of $260,000, or a business investment of $400,000.

7. Greece

Home to a wide expat community, Greece offers residency through real estate investment, with entry starting at just $250,000. Once granted, the residency permit is valid for five years and is renewable.

However, Immigrant Invest highlights recent changes to Greece’s residence permit rules. Under the new regulations, applicants can only purchase one newly built property of at least 120 square meters. This means studio flats or smaller homes no longer qualify for the Golden Visa program.

8. Spain

Though issued for a relatively short period of just two years, Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa remains one of the easiest options for non-EU citizens seeking residency without working in the country. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate a minimum annual income of $25,560, which can come from various sources such as investments, annuities, and other streams. Fortunately, permanent residency becomes available after holding this visa for five years.

9. Cyprus

Cyprus has long been a favored destination among investors thanks to its Permanent Residency by Investment program. The most common route is through property investment of at least €300,000. The country also offers a Digital Nomad Visa, which can potentially lead to citizenship after seven years of residence. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of annual income of at least €50,000.

10. Panama

Panama offers some of the most accessible residency options in the Americas, especially through its Panama residency by investment. To qualify, applicants must invest at least €300,000 in real estate, bank deposits, or other approved financial assets.

Another popular route is the Friendly Nations Visa, available to citizens of over 39 countries, including Australia, Canada, and much of Europe. This visa offers three application pathways: employment, real estate investment, or placing a $200,000 fixed-term deposit in a Panamanian bank.

From Portugal’s passive income-friendly visas to Belize’s laid-back retirement options, the opportunity to live abroad legally and comfortably has never been more accessible in these easiest countries to get residency. If you’re looking for more tempting options, discover the top 10 countries that pay you to move there.

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