How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Europe: 2026 Guide for Turkish Citizens

How to Obtain a Residence Permit in Europe: 2026 Guide for Turkish Citizens

One of the first topics researched by Turkish citizens who want to live in Europe, expand their children’s education opportunities, establish an international business, or create an alternative long-term lifestyle plan for their family is how to obtain a residence permit in Europe.

However, there is no single type of “European residence permit.”

Each European Union and Schengen country applies its own immigration legislation for foreign nationals wishing to settle in the country. Residence permits may be available on different grounds, including employment, investment, entrepreneurship, company formation, education, and family reunification.

For high-net-worth investors, residence by investment programs are particularly relevant.

In this guide, we explain the main routes to obtaining residence in Europe from an investor’s perspective and the key criteria to consider when choosing the right country.

What Is a European Residence Permit?

A residence permit is a legal status that allows a foreign national to live in a specific country under certain conditions.

Residence permits may fall into different categories, including:

• Temporary residence;
• Multi-year residence;
• Investor residence;
• Employment-based residence;
• Entrepreneur residence;
• Family reunification; and
• Permanent residence.

Holding a residence card does not mean that the individual is a citizen of that country.

What Are the Main Ways to Obtain Residence in Europe?

1. Residence by Investment

Residence by investment is based on directing a certain amount of capital into the country’s economy.

The qualifying investment may take the form of:

• Real estate;
• Investment funds;
• Company equity;
• Startup investment;
• Direct economic investment; or
• Government bonds.

2. Business Formation and Entrepreneurship

Different residence categories may be available for entrepreneurs who want to establish genuine commercial activity in Europe.

Depending on the country and program, factors such as the following may be important:

• Business plan;
• Capital;
• Economic contribution;
• Professional experience; and
• Job creation.

3. Residence Through Employment

A person who receives a qualifying job offer from an employer in Europe may become eligible for both work and residence rights.

There are also dedicated schemes for highly qualified professionals, such as the EU Blue Card.

4. Education

Students admitted to a university or qualifying educational program may apply for a student residence permit.

However, the long-term rights attached to a student residence permit are not necessarily the same as those offered under an investor residence program.

5. Family Reunification

Individuals whose spouse or certain family members are legally resident in Europe may be eligible to obtain residence through family reunification.

How Do You Obtain Residence in Europe Through Investment?

The general process for investor residence programs usually involves the following steps:

1. Identify the appropriate country and program.
2. Assess the investor’s eligibility and source of funds.
3. Complete local tax and banking procedures.
4. Make or formally commit to the qualifying investment.
5. Document the investment.
6. Submit residence applications for the main investor and eligible family members.
7. Complete biometric appointments and other official procedures.
8. Receive the residence card.
9. Monitor the investment and renewal requirements.

However, in some programs, the visa and residence process may begin before the investment is completed, based on a formal investment commitment.

For example, under the Italy Investor Visa system, the applicant first obtains the Nulla Osta and visa, while the qualifying investment is completed after entering Italy within the period prescribed by law. The official framework requires the applicant to apply for a two-year residence permit within eight days of entering Italy and to complete the investment within three months.

Can You Obtain Residence in Europe by Buying Property?

In some countries, yes, but this is not a general rule across Europe.

This is an important distinction.

Greece

Real estate investments that meet the applicable price, use, and property requirements may qualify as the basis for a Golden Visa application.

Portugal

Foreign nationals may purchase real estate in Portugal, but real estate investment is no longer an eligible investment activity under the ARI/Golden Visa program.

Obtaining European Residence Through Investment Funds

Portugal accepts qualifying non-real-estate collective investment vehicles as one of its Golden Visa investment options.

The minimum qualifying fund investment is €500,000.

An eligible fund must generally:

• Be established under Portuguese law;
• Have a minimum maturity of five years;
• Allocate a specified proportion of its investments to companies headquartered in Portugal; and
• Not constitute direct or indirect real estate investment.

Investment funds may provide the advantage of professional portfolio management. However, they also involve capital, market, and liquidity risk.

Obtaining Residence by Establishing or Investing in a Company

This route may be more relevant for active business owners and entrepreneurs.

France

Under the direct economic investment category, key requirements include:

• A minimum investment of €300,000;
• Personally managing the company receiving the investment or holding at least 30% ownership in that company; and
• Creating new jobs or preserving existing employment within four years.

Italy

A minimum investment of €500,000 in an Italian company is one of the qualifying routes under the Investor Visa program.

Latvia

In Latvia, investment in company equity is one of the legal grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit. However, the investment threshold must be assessed together with the economic size and characteristics of the company.

For this reason, especially in Latvia, statements such as “residence for €50,000” may be misleading unless the company structure and all other legal requirements are taken into account.

How Much Money Is Required to Obtain Residence in Europe?

There is no single figure.

As of 2026, examples of investment approaches include:

These figures represent only the minimum investment thresholds.

The total budget may also include:

• Taxes;
• Government fees;
• Legal fees;
• Fund-related costs;
• Transaction costs;
• Family application fees; and
• Residence permit renewal fees.

Can You Travel Within the Schengen Area with a European Residence Permit?

A valid residence card issued by a Schengen country provides significant advantages for short-term travel to other Schengen countries.

However, a residence permit does not automatically provide the right to settle permanently anywhere in Europe.

For this reason:

“Travel within the Schengen Area” should not be confused with “the right to live and work throughout the EU.”

Can You Work with a European Residence Permit?

This depends on the residence category.

A work visa is naturally issued for employment purposes, while some investor residence permits may provide more limited employment rights.

For example, under Portugal’s ARI regime, investors have the right to reside and work in Portugal.

France’s economic investor residence category is based on genuine economic activity.

Greece’s real estate-based Golden Visa, on the other hand, is subject to different limitations regarding employment.

For investors planning to relocate with their family, the spouse’s right to work should therefore be reviewed separately.

Can Family Members Be Included in a European Residence Application?

In many investor residence programs, yes.

However, the rules regarding:

• Definition of a spouse;
• Age of children;
• Student status of adult children;
• Financial dependency; and
• Eligibility of parents

vary by country.

For this reason, a family with a 12-year-old child and a family with a 20-year-old university student may need to assess the same residence program differently.

How Does European Residence Affect Children’s Education?

Children of residence permit holders may gain access to the education system of the relevant country.

However, a residence card does not automatically guarantee:

• Admission to any private school;
• Free university education; or
• Local tuition fees at universities throughout Europe.

Admission and tuition rules should be reviewed separately for each educational institution.

Can European Residence Lead to Citizenship?

Some residence categories may form part of a long-term legal pathway to citizenship.

However, citizenship is not automatic.

A country may require:

• Genuine residence;
• A specified number of years;
• Language proficiency;
• Tax ties;
• Integration into society; and
• A clean criminal record.

Instead of asking:

“How many years do I need to keep my residence card before I receive a passport?”

investors should ask:

“In addition to holding a residence permit, what conditions must I meet to qualify for citizenship?”

Which European Residence Program May Be More Suitable for You?

If You Want to Continue Living in Turkey

Programs with low or no minimum physical presence requirements may become more relevant.

If You Prefer Physical Real Estate

Greece may be worth considering.

If You Prefer Financial Investments

Portugal’s investment fund route may be more suitable.

If You Want to Establish an Active Business in Europe

Programs based on genuine economic activity, such as the French economic investor route, may stand out.

If You Are Comfortable with Startup Risk

Italy’s innovative startup investment category may be considered.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a European Residence Program

1. Do I want to relocate to Europe immediately?
2. How much time can I spend in the country each year?
3. Do I prefer real estate, investment funds, or a business investment?
4. How much capital can I commit for the medium to long term?
5. What is my tolerance for potential capital loss?
6. Does my spouse need the right to work?
7. What are my children’s ages and education plans?
8. Is my primary objective residence, permanent residence, or citizenship?
9. When do I expect to exit the investment?
10. Have I analysed the tax implications of the program?

Comparing European Residence Programs with Vesta Global

At Vesta Global, we begin the country selection process with the investor profile rather than with the minimum investment amount.

We compare different countries based on your:

• Budget;
• Investment preferences;
• Family structure;
• Plans for living in Europe; and
• Long-term objectives.

The aim is not simply to obtain a residence card, but to ensure that the investment and residence status support the same long-term strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Turkish citizens obtain residence in Europe?

Yes. Turkish citizens may apply if they qualify under an appropriate legal category and meet the requirements of the relevant country.

Does buying a property in Europe automatically provide residence?

No. Real estate ownership and residence rights are two separate legal matters, and the rules vary by country.

What is the minimum investment required for European residence?

There is no single minimum amount. The required investment depends on the country and the specific program.

Can I live anywhere in Europe with a residence card?

No. The right to travel within the Schengen Area is not the same as the right to reside permanently in another European country.

Does a residence permit automatically become citizenship?

No. A residence permit may form part of a pathway to citizenship if the relevant requirements are met, but there is no automatic conversion.

Legal Disclaimer

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised legal, tax, or investment advice.