Deep Dive · Updated 30 July 2026
Which countries still sell residency? Where should you move if you're still earning? And what happened to Portugal's NHR? Every claim below is verified against official government sources — the links are in the table.
Residency-by-investment programmes that remain active for non-EU nationals. Spain closed its investor visa; Portugal ended real-estate routes but kept fund investment.
Fund must have 60%+ invested in Portuguese-headquartered companies. Application via Portal ARI.
SEF/AIMA official page ↗Three-tier location-based system. The €250K tier now applies only to commercial-to-residential conversions and listed heritage buildings.
Enterprise Greece ↗Option A requires a real estate fund share registered with the Hungarian National Bank. Visa valid 6 months; permit application within 30 days of entry.
OIF.gov.hu ↗S.L. 217.26 — four components: property investment, government contribution, NGO donation, and administrative fee. Applications through licensed agents only.
Residency Malta Agency ↗Permanent residence route via property purchase remains open. The citizenship-by-investment (passport) programme was terminated in November 2020.
Cyprus Ministry of Interior ↗Spain's golden visa for property investment was suspended in April 2025. Existing permit holders can still renew.
Several EU countries offer preferential tax treatment to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. Every programme below is verified against official tax authority sources as of July 2026.
IFICI targets professionals in specified high-value sectors (tech, R&D, senior management). You must not have been Portuguese tax-resident in the prior 5 years. Unlike the old NHR, pension income generally does not qualify.
Portal das Financas ↗Originally for posted executives and athletes, now also covers digital nomad visa holders. Must not have been Spanish tax-resident in the prior 5 of 10 years. Foreign-source income (except employment) is generally exempt.
Agencia Tributaria ↗Article 5B: 7% flat on all foreign-source income for pensioners, 15 years. Article 5A: separate HNW regime — €100,000 annual lump-sum tax substitutes for tax on foreign income.
AADE (Greek tax authority) ↗7% pensioner flat tax extended from 5 to 9 years in April 2026, for municipalities under 30,000 in southern regions. HNW lump-sum raised from €200K to €300K/year in January 2026.
Agenzia delle Entrate ↗Non-domiciled residents pay 0% Special Defence Contribution on dividends, interest, and rental income for 17 years. From January 2026, dual tax residency is permitted under the 60-day rule.
Cyprus Tax Department ↗Bulgaria's 10% is not a special regime — it is the standard rate for all personal income, the lowest in the EU. In effect since 2008. Residents are taxed on worldwide income. Bank deposit interest in EU/EEA is non-taxable.
Bulgarian Ministry of Finance ↗Estonia taxes corporate profits only when distributed. Retained and reinvested earnings face 0% tax. Dividends to non-residents carry no withholding tax. Combined with e-Residency, ideal for entrepreneurs reinvesting into growth.
Invest in Estonia (govt agency) ↗Non-domiciled residents are taxed on a remittance basis: foreign income brought into Malta at 15% (€15K annual minimum), income kept outside Malta is not taxed. Foreign capital gains are exempt even if remitted.
Commissioner for Revenue, Malta ↗If you're 50-65, still earning, and want to relocate within Europe — here's how the numbers compare on employment or self-employment income.
On all employment and self-employment income. EU's lowest rate.
Non-dom: 0% on dividends, interest, gains for 17 years. Salary taxed at standard rates.
Beckham Law: 24% on Spanish income up to €600K for 6 years.
IFICI: 20% for qualifying professionals in designated sectors for 10 years.
0% corporate tax on reinvested profits. Personal income at 22%.
Non-dom: 15% on foreign income brought to Malta. 0% on unremitted.
Important: Tax residency is complex and depends on your specific circumstances — citizenship, existing treaty obligations, source of income, and the type of work you do. The figures above are simplified illustrations. Always take professional tax advice before making a move. Social security contributions are not included in the tax calculations above.
| Country | Regime | Rate | Duration | Best for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Flat tax (standard) | 10% | Permanent | Salaried workers | minfin.bg |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | Non-dom (SDC exemption) | 0% div/int | 17 years | Investors | tax.gov.cy |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | 0% retained profits | 0% corp | Permanent | Entrepreneurs | investinestonia.com |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | Art 5B (pensioner) | 7% | 15 years | Retirees | aade.gr |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 7% pensioner / €300K HNW | 7% | 9 years | Retirees, UHNW | agenziaentrate.gov.it |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | Remittance basis (non-dom) | 15% remitted | Ongoing | Remote workers | cfr.gov.mt |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | IFICI (replaced NHR) | 20% | 10 years | Tech/R&D workers | portaldasfinancas.gov.pt |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Beckham Law (Art 93) | 24% | 6 years | Posted workers, nomads | agenciatributaria.gob.es |
All rates and durations verified from official government sources linked in the table. Last verified: July 2026.
Tax rules change. Golden visa thresholds move. We track it from official sources so you don't have to.
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