IBP Home Realty
Dubai skyline
Residency by Investment ยท Updated for 2026

Golden Visa,
Two Ways In

44 years of guiding investors through residency-by-investment โ€” today across two of the world's most sought-after Golden Visa markets, the UAE and Greece.

Which Program Fits You?

A side-by-side look at both routes โ€” talk to us to work out which suits your goals.

Feature๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช UAE๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece
Minimum investmentAED 2,000,000 (~US$545K)From โ‚ฌ250,000 (tiered by location)
Residency length10 years, renewable5 years, renewable
Travel accessUAE only29 Schengen countries
Minimum stayNoneNone
Path to citizenshipNot applicableEligible after 7 years
Personal income taxNoneApplies if tax-resident
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ชUAE Residency

Residency Through UAE Property

Invest AED 2,000,000+ in Dubai real estate โ€” a single property or a portfolio combined โ€” and secure a 10-year renewable UAE residency visa with no local sponsor required.

2026 update: mortgaged properties now qualify once your equity or the property's valuation reaches AED 2M, with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your lending bank.

AED 2M
Minimum Investment
10 Years
Visa Duration
Renewable
Visa Type
No Sponsor
Required

Eligibility Criteria

Total property value of at least AED 2,000,000 โ€” a single property, or a portfolio of properties combined
Ready or off-plan properties qualify, provided a valid Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) is in place
Mortgaged property qualifies once your equity or the property's valuation reaches AED 2M, plus a bank NOC
Joint ownership permitted if each owner's share meets the AED 2,000,000 threshold
10-year renewable residency โ€” no local sponsor or Emirati partner required
No minimum stay requirement to maintain the visa
Sponsor your spouse, children, and parents on the same 10-year term

How It Works

01

Property Selection

We identify qualifying properties matching your budget and investment goals, ready or off-plan.

02

Purchase Process

Full legal support through SPA signing, DLD registration, title deed transfer, or mortgage NOC where relevant.

03

Visa Application

We prepare and submit your Golden Visa application with all required documents to GDRFA/ICP.

04

Residency Approved

Receive your 10-year UAE Golden Visa and Emirates ID, typically within a few weeks of a complete file.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Palm Jumeirah
Dubai Marina, Dubai
Dubai Marina

Benefits of the UAE Golden Visa

10-Year Residency

Renewable visa with no minimum stay requirement.

Global Mobility

Enhanced travel and long-term stability with UAE residence status.

Business Freedom

100% business ownership without a local sponsor.

Tax-Free Living

No personal income tax on salary or investment income in the UAE.

Family Sponsorship

Sponsor spouse, children and parents under the same visa.

Documents You'll Need

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Title deed or Sale & Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the qualifying property
Bank valuation or NOC letter, if the property is mortgaged
Recent passport-size photograph (white background)
Attested marriage certificate, for a sponsored spouse
Attested birth certificates, for sponsored children or parents
Health insurance for every sponsored family member

UAE Golden Visa โ€” Frequently Asked Questions

Can a mortgaged property qualify?+

Yes. Under the 2026 rule update, a mortgaged property qualifies once your equity or the property's valuation reaches AED 2,000,000, along with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your bank confirming they consent to the application.

Do I need to live in the UAE to keep my Golden Visa?+

No. Unlike standard UAE residence visas, which can lapse after extended absence, Golden Visa holders are not required to re-enter the country within a set period to maintain their status.

Can I rent out my property?+

Yes โ€” standard long-term or short-term rental income from your qualifying property is permitted.

Does the Golden Visa lead to UAE citizenship?+

No. It is a long-term residency permit, not a path to citizenship โ€” UAE citizenship is granted only in rare, separate circumstances unrelated to property investment.

How long does approval take?+

Typically a few weeks once your file is complete, though timelines vary by emirate and current processing volumes.

More Ways to UAE Residency Through Property

The AED 2M Golden Visa above is our most popular route, but it sits between two other property-linked options โ€” a lighter-entry 2-year visa, and a route built for retirees.

No Minimum*2 Years, Renewable

2-Year Property Investor Visa

A lighter-entry route into Dubai property-linked residency. An April 2026 rule change removed the previous AED 750,000 floor for sole owners.

  • No minimum property value for sole owners (previously AED 750,000)
  • Joint owners: each co-owner's share must be at least AED 400,000
  • Property must be in Dubai, completed, and title-deed registered โ€” off-plan and DIFC properties don't qualify for this route
  • Mortgaged property accepted with a bank NOC; developer-financed property accepted with a statement of account
  • 2-year residency, renewable for as long as you retain the property
Age 55+5 Years, Renewable

Retirement Visa

For those aged 55 and above with at least 15 years of work history, who qualify through property, savings, or verified income rather than a single AED 2M purchase.

  • Aged 55+ with a minimum of 15 years' work history, in or outside the UAE
  • Property route: own UAE real estate worth AED 1,000,000+
  • Savings route: AED 1,000,000+ held in a UAE bank account
  • Income route: verified income of roughly AED 15,000โ€“20,000/month (varies by emirate) or AED 180,000+/year
  • Valid UAE health insurance required
  • 5-year residency, renewable while you continue to meet the criteria

*Sole-owner minimum removed under an April 2026 rule change; joint owners still need at least AED 400,000 per share. Our specialists will confirm which route fits your situation.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ทEU Residency

Residency Through Greek Property

Invest from โ‚ฌ250,000 in Greek real estate โ€” tiers run up to โ‚ฌ800,000 depending on property type and location โ€” and secure a 5-year renewable residency permit with access to the EU and Schengen Area.

2026 update: thresholds are now tiered by location โ€” โ‚ฌ250K only applies to restored/converted properties, with โ‚ฌ400Kโ€“โ‚ฌ800K standard elsewhere depending on the area.

See the full Greece Golden Visa guide, investment tiers & eligibility check โ†’
From โ‚ฌ250K
Minimum Investment
5 Years
Visa Duration
Renewable
Visa Type
29
Schengen Countries

Eligibility Criteria

From โ‚ฌ250,000 for restored/heritage or commercial-to-residential converted properties, anywhere in Greece
From โ‚ฌ400,000 for standard property in less densely populated regions
From โ‚ฌ800,000 for property in Athens, Thessaloniki, or larger islands
โ‚ฌ400K and โ‚ฌ800K tier properties must be at least 120 sq.m.
Minimum 5-year holding period on the qualifying investment
Can include off-plan and secondary properties
Joint ownership permitted if threshold is met collectively
5-year renewable residency permit
Sponsor spouse, children under 21, and both sets of parents
No minimum stay requirement to maintain residency
Short-term/holiday rental is restricted on qualifying properties under current rules

How It Works

01

Property Selection

We identify qualifying Greek properties matching your investment goals and tier.

02

Purchase Process

Full legal support through due diligence, contract signing, AFM/bank setup, and title transfer.

03

Visa Application

Our licensed legal partner files your application with the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

04

Residency Approved

Receive your 5-year renewable Greek Golden Visa after a short biometrics appointment in Greece.

Athens, Greece
Athens
Island Villas, Greece
Island Villas

Benefits of the Greece Golden Visa

5-Year Residency

Renewable permit with no minimum stay requirement.

EU & Schengen Access

Travel freely across 29 Schengen countries.

Mediterranean Lifestyle

Enjoy Greece's climate, culture, and quality of life.

Path to Citizenship

Eligible to apply for Greek citizenship after 7 years of residence.

Family Sponsorship

Sponsor spouse, children and parents under the same permit.

Documents You'll Need

Passport valid for at least 1 year
Property purchase contract or title deed
Proof of funds / source of funds for the investment
Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)
Health insurance valid in Greece
Greek Tax Registration Number (AFM) and Greek bank account
Attested marriage/birth certificates for sponsored family members

Greece Golden Visa โ€” Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Greece Golden Visa cost?+

The real estate route starts from โ‚ฌ250,000 for restored or converted properties, โ‚ฌ400,000 for regional properties, or โ‚ฌ800,000 for property in Athens, Thessaloniki, or larger islands โ€” plus legal fees, taxes, and government processing fees.

Do I need to live in Greece to keep my residency?+

No. There is no minimum stay requirement โ€” you can maintain your residency status while living elsewhere, as long as you keep the qualifying investment.

Can I include my family in one application?+

Yes. Your spouse, unmarried children under 21, and the parents of both you and your spouse can all be included under a single qualifying investment.

Can I rent out the property?+

Standard long-term leasing is permitted, but short-term/holiday rentals are restricted on Golden Visa qualifying properties under current regulations.

Does the Golden Visa lead to Greek citizenship?+

It can. Golden Visa holders become eligible to apply for Greek citizenship after 7 years of residence, subject to additional requirements such as language proficiency and integration criteria.

One Investment, Whole Family

Who You Can Sponsor

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช

UAE Golden Visa

  • Spouse
  • Sons up to 24, if in full-time education and dependent
  • Daughters of any age, while financially dependent
  • Parents, subject to dependency proof
  • Health insurance mandatory for every dependent
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท

Greece Golden Visa

  • Spouse or registered partner
  • Unmarried children under 21
  • Parents of both the investor and spouse
  • No additional investment required per dependent

Ready to apply for your Golden Visa?

Our specialists will guide you through every step โ€” from property selection to residency approval, in the UAE or Greece.

Regulations and thresholds are set by the respective governments and can change โ€” figures on this page reflect our understanding as of 2026 and our specialists will confirm the exact current requirements for your situation before you commit.

Smart Matching

Takes 2 minutes ยท Free ยท No obligation