RIF Trust CEO Mimoun Assraoui advises clients how to invest in a coveted European Union passport. “Surprisingly Residency by Investment offers more of a route to the leading European passports than Citizenship by Investment,” he reveals.
“There are 29 countries that make up the EU Schengen Area and the 27 European Union countries. While there are overlaps, being in the Schengen Area doesn’t guarantee your EU status and vice versa. As a EU resident, you can travel freely through the Schengen Zone.”
Our CEO points out the value of the RIF Trust Passport Index. “This tool allows you to compare your birth passport with the one you want to acquire,” he explains. With a European Union passport, you can live, study, and work anywhere across the EU.”
European Union Countries
The EU started off with 6 countries as a result of the Maastrict Treaty. This was signed in 1992 and came into force a year later. It has grown to incorporate the following 27 members:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
EU Passports 27-20
The Maltese passport and Cypriot passport tie for 8th place in the RIF Trust Passport Index. With the former, travel to 122 countries without a visa, 29 with a visa on arrival, and 22 with an eVisa. The latter guarantees you entry to 121 destinations without a visa, 29 through a visa on arrival, and 26 via an eVisa.
3 European Union travel documents occupy 7th place. The Latvian passport ensuring access to 117 countries without a visa, 33 with a visa on arrival, and 27 with an eVisa.
A Romanian passport allows you to visit 117 destinations with no visa required, 33 via a visa on arrival, and 27 through an eVisa. With a Slovenian passport enter 118 countries without a visa, 32 with a visa on arrival, and 27 with an eVisa.
In 6th spot is another 3-way tie, with the Lithuanian passportfacilitating entry to 117 destinations with no visa required, 33 through a visa on arrival, and 28 via an eVisa. The Bulgarian passport ensures arrival to 116 countries without a visa, 34 with a visa on arrival, and 28 with an eVisa. An Estonian passportguarantees travel to 118 destinations minus a visa, 33 courtesy of a visa on arrival, and 27 by virtue of an eVisa.
European Passports 19-9
5th position sees 2 EU travel documents in a dead heat. The Slovak passport offers visa-free access to 118 countries, 33 with a visa on arrival, and 28 with an eVisa. With the Croatian passport, you can visit 118 destinations without a visa, 33 with a visa on arrival, and 28 through an eVisa.
In 4th place there are 2 European Union passport countries. The Czech passport secures entry to 121 destinations without a visa, 32 with a visa on arrival, and 27 via an eVisa. With the Hungarian passport, you can travel to 120 countries without a visa, 33 through a visa on arrival, and 27 with an eVisa.
3rd spot finds 6 EU passports tied. A Danish passport provides visa-free access to 126 destinations, 30 with a visa on arrival, and 26 with an eVisa.
The Finnish passport ensures entry to 126 countries with no visa required, 29 via a visa on arrival, and 26 with an eVisa. Using the Luxembourg passport, travel to 125 destinations without a visa, 30 with a visa on arrival, and 26 through an eVisa.
A Portuguese passport enables visa-free access to 124 countries, 30 via a visa on arrival, and 27 with an eVisa. With a Greek passport, enter 122 destinations without a visa, 31 with a visa on arrival, and 28 via an eVisa. The Polish passport secures visa-free entry to 121 destinations, 32 with a visa on arrival, and 28 through an eVisa.
EU Passports 8-1
Our countdown to the leading European Union passport continues by examining the countries locked in 2nd slot. A Swedish passport guarantees visa-free travel to 127 destinations, 29 via a visa on arrival, and 26 through an eVisa. The Austrian passportensures visa-free entry to 124 countries, 31 through a visa on arrival, and 27 via an eVisa.
A Belgian passport allows you to enter 126 destinations minus a visa, 29 with a visa on arrival, and 27 with an eVisa. The French passport secures your visit to 127 countries sans visa, 29 through a visa on arrival, and 26 via an eVisa. A German passport entitles you to visa-free access to 126 destinations, 30 via a visa on arrival, and 26 with an eVisa.
The Irish passport permits you to visit 121 countries without a visa, 35 through a visa on arrival, and 26 via an eVisa. An Italian passporteases travel to 126 destinations with no visa required, 30 with a visa on arrival, and 26 with an eVisa.
In joint 1st position is the Spanish passport. Using this, you can head to 126 countries without a visa. 31 are visitable through a visa on arrival and 26 via an eVisa.
How to Get a European Union Passport Through Residency and Citizenship by Investment
4 out of 27 EU passports are available through investing in a new residency or second citizenship. As you can see, a European Union passport is amongst the strongest travel documents according to our Passport Index. There is not much difference between them in terms of visa-free access but the ability to study, travel, and work throughout the EU is the biggest benefit.
The European Golden Visas are the best entry point for a EU passport. A Greek Golden Visa leads to citizenship and a passport after 7 years of residency. The Portuguese Golden Visa‘s naturalization route is even quicker, 5 years following your application residency.
The Spanish Golden Visa sees you become eligible for the number 1 European Union passport. You qualify after 10 years of residency (2 if you’re from Latin America or the Philippines). This European Residency by Investment is closing, however, and you have until the start of April 2025 to apply.
If you want to apply directly for Citizenship by Investment, there is only one European program. This is Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization. It’s more commonly known as MEIN.
Investing in a New Residency or Second Citizenship in 2025
Your next step will ensure you don’t stumble on the path to a European Union passport. Get in touch with a Residency and Citizenship by Investment specialist like RIF Trust. So, contact us now, and we’ll show you how to begin your application today without any further delay.
