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The 5 Most Exclusive Residency Programs in Europe

Strict policies, annual quotas, and high financial demands make these residency options the hardest to secure in Europe.

Moustafa Daly
Cairo

Long-term residency in Europe is a goal pursued by millions. Investor residency programs in Portugal, Greece, and Spain are among the world’s most popular, but there are smaller and less-known programs that stand out for their exclusivity. They demand significant investments, strict regulatory compliance, and often limit availability to just a handful of annual spots.

Here are five of the most exclusive residency programs in Europe – and what makes them more difficult to access.

Monaco Carte de Séjour

City of Monaco

Monaco is a tiny sovereign city-state on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by France and close to Italy. It is not a member of the EU or the Schengen Area, but it maintains a close relationship with France, allowing its residents access to the Schengen Zone for travel.

Securing Monaco’s Carte de Séjour requires significant financial resources and proof of housing in one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive real estate markets.

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Requirements:

  • Proof of housing in Monaco, either through:
    • Renting a property (starting at approximately €3,000 per month).
    • Purchasing real estate (prices typically start at €1 million).
  • A minimum deposit of €500,000 in a Monaco bank account.
  • A clean criminal record and proof of sufficient financial means.

Path to Citizenship: Applicants must renew their initial one-year Carte de Séjour three times before qualifying for the three-year Carte de Resident Ordinaire. After ten years of residency, holders can apply for permanent residency (Carte de Privilege) and may apply for citizenship, which only the prince can grant. Dual citizenship is not allowed.

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Guernsey Investor Visa

St Peter’s Port, Guernsey

Guernsey, an island in the English Channel between England and France, is a British Crown Dependency. It is not part of the EU or the Schengen Area, but Guernsey residents benefit from close ties to the UK, including visa-free travel to the UK.

Its investor residency program has strict financial requirements and limited options for property or business investment, making it accessible only to a select group of individuals.

Requirements:

  • Deposit £1 million in a Guernsey bank account.
  • Invest £750,000 (from the deposit) in one of the following:
    • A Guernsey-registered business.
    • A property worth £750,000 or more (in addition to the one in which the applicant resides).
  • Spend at least 183 days per year in Guernsey.
  • Provide proof of financial independence and a clean criminal record.

Path to Citizenship: Residents can extend their initial two-year residency permit for three years if they maintain their investment. After five years, applicants may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in Guernsey, and after one year of staying on an ILR, they can apply for British citizenship.

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Liechtenstein Independent Means Visa

Malbun, Triesenberg, Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a landlocked microstate in the Alps, hemmed in by Switzerland to the west and Austria to the east. Although it is not an EU member, it is part of the Schengen Area, granting its residents visa-free travel across most of Europe.

The country’s independent means visa program is limited by strict annual quotas, typically set at only 100 permits per year, and rigorous requirements. The state’s notoriously high living costs also contribute to making this program highly exclusive.

Requirements:

  • Proof of substantial financial resources (authorities haven’t set formal wealth thresholds but, anecdotally, at least EUR 200,000 is required).
  • Secure approved accommodation in Liechtenstein.
  • Maintain local health insurance.
  • No local employment is permitted.
  • Physical presence of 183 days per year is required.

Path to Citizenship: Liechtenstein requires 30 years of continuous residence for naturalization, which could be reduced to ten years with local authority approval and meeting specific requirements. Applicants must fully integrate into society, demonstrate proficiency in German, and meet government discretion.

Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity

La Vella, Andorra

Andorra, a small principality high in the Pyrenees, sits between France and Spain. It is not a member of the EU or the Schengen Area, but it has agreements with both France and Spain that allow residents to enjoy facilitated travel to neighbouring countries.

The country’s pricey and highly selective residency program is quota-based and requires significant financial commitments. In 2025, authorities set the year’s quota for non-lucrative residence at only 100.

Requirements:

  • A minimum investment of €600,000, which can include:
    • A €48,500 refundable deposit with the Andorran Financial Authority (AFA).
    • Real estate, public bonds, or other approved investments.
  • Proof of annual income equivalent to 300% of Andorra’s minimum wage, plus 100% per dependent.
  • Maintain private health insurance and a clean criminal record.
  • Spend at least 90 days per year in Andorra.

Path to Citizenship: To qualify for Andorran citizenship, applicants must reside in Andorra for at least ten years as a permanent resident (which they can become after seven years as temporary residents). They must pass exams in Catalan, geography, and history. Dual citizenship is not allowed, so prospective citizens must renounce any previous citizenship within five years of naturalization.

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Jersey High-Value Residency

The harbour at St Aubin, Jersey

Jersey, the largest of the English Channel Islands, lies just off the coast of northern France and is a British Crown Dependency. Like Guernsey, it is not part of the EU or the Schengen Area, but it has close ties to the UK.

Jersey’s program is for individuals who can contribute significantly to the island’s economy through taxes and investments, with prohibitively high income and tax requirements.

Requirements:

  • A minimum annual income of £1.25 million.
  • Payment of at least £250,000 in annual income tax.
  • Purchase or rent of high-value property:
    • A minimum of £3.5 million for a house.
    • A minimum of £1.75 million for an apartment.
  • Applicants are assessed on their contributions to the local economy and their overall reputation.

Path to Citizenship: Permits are valid for one year and renewable indefinitely. After five years of continuous residency, applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and after twelve months of ILR, they may apply for citizenship.

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