Investment Threshold
Reviewed by The minimum amount of investment or contribution set by a program as a condition for obtaining resident or citizen status.
The investment threshold is the minimum amount an applicant must invest or contribute to qualify for status under a residence-, permanent-residence-, or citizenship-by-investment program. Depending on the program, this may be a non-refundable contribution to a government fund, a real estate purchase, an investment fund contribution, government bonds, or business development.
The specific size of the threshold depends on the country, the chosen participation option, and often the composition of the applicant's family, which is why a reference definition does not state figures — current amounts should always be checked on the official pages of the specific program. Different routes within the same program may have different thresholds and different sets of additional conditions.
It is important to understand that meeting the investment threshold is a necessary but not the only condition: the applicant also undergoes due-diligence checks and confirms the lawful origin of funds. The threshold is therefore only one of the parameters when comparing programs against each other.
FAQ
Do government fees and taxes count towards the investment threshold?
Usually not: the threshold is the qualifying investment itself, while state fees, due diligence charges, legal costs and transaction taxes sit on top. The full list of mandatory payments is set out in the program conditions.
Does the threshold rise if I apply with my family?
In many programs it does — either the minimum amount increases or separate charges apply for each dependent included. The mechanism varies by country and by the option chosen.
Can the threshold be met with borrowed funds or a mortgage?
As a rule programs expect the investment to come from the applicant's own funds with a documented lawful origin. Whether financing is permitted depends on the country and on the current version of the rules.
Can several assets be combined to reach the threshold?
It depends on the program: some allow a combination of properties or instruments, others require a single qualifying asset. Worth confirming before the transaction, since the structure affects whether the application is accepted.
Is there a holding period, and what if the asset falls in value?
Programs usually set a minimum holding period, and compliance with the threshold is normally assessed at the time of acquisition. Exiting early or breaching the conditions can put the granted status under review.