Brazil and Greece offer distinct residency-by-investment models

Investment-based residency programs in Brazil and Greece are attracting interest through different financial models.

Brazil’s Visa de Residência Permanente por Investimento (VIPER) requires a minimum real estate investment of R$1,000,000, though this amount decreases by 30% in the North and Northeast regions. The program initially provides four years of residency, which can lead to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. A significant advantage of the Brazilian program is the provision of visa-free travel and residency rights across Mercosur countries, including Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Venezuela.

In Greece, the Golden Visa is increasingly viewed as a tool for portfolio diversification. Unlike many European programs that require non-refundable donations or government fees, the Greek framework involves deploying capital into assets with potential for financial return, such as yielding property, market-performing funds, or equity stakes. This allows investors to treat the qualifying investment as a performing asset rather than a sunk cost for securing residency status.