The 10 Best Countries to Move to and Live in 2026: A Comprehensive Guide for Arabs

Residence and citizenship by investment programs have undergone significant changes over the past two years, making today’s options map different from what it was just a few years ago.

In this guide, we present the ten countries that currently offer active pathways for residence or citizenship in 2026, with updated figures and details, so you can make your decision based on a clear and accurate picture of what is available now.

Top 10 Countries to Relocate and Live In

1. Turkey

Turkey tops this list for an obvious reason: it is one of the few countries that grants full citizenship, not just residence, in exchange for real estate investment.

The Turkish system requires an investment of $400,000 in one or more properties, with a minimum holding period of 3 years. The investor obtains citizenship within approximately 3 to 6 months, with no requirement for actual residence or language test. Citizenship automatically includes the spouse and children under 18.

The Turkish passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 114 destinations worldwide, ranking about 50th globally according to the Henley Passport Index for 2026.

What makes Turkey particularly attractive for Gulf nationals is the geographic, cultural, and religious proximity, the presence of a large Arab community, daily direct flights from most Gulf cities, and the fact that the cost of living in Turkey is lower than its European counterparts.

You may be interested in: Buying Property in Turkey for Foreign Retirees

2. Greece

After the cancellation of the Spanish program and the restriction of the Portuguese one, Greece has become the largest and most active real estate-based residence route in the EU.

The Greek system works on a tiered basis by region since the August 2024 reforms:

• €800,000 in Athens and its suburbs, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and any island with more than 3,100 inhabitants.
• €400,000 in other Greek regions.
• €250,000 only for projects converting commercial properties to residential or renovating heritage buildings.

The residence permit is renewable every 5 years without actual residence required. Citizenship can be applied for after 7 years, provided you reside 183 days per year and pass a language test.

3. UAE

The closest and fastest option for those who do not wish to leave the region. The UAE grants a Golden Residence for 10 years (not citizenship) in exchange for a property investment of 2 million AED, equivalent to about $545,000.

A key update in 2026 is the cancellation of the requirement to pay 50% of the property value upfront, meaning mortgaged and off-plan properties are now eligible.

The tax benefits here are exceptional: no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no requirement to visit the country every six months to maintain residence, unlike other systems.

4. Cyprus

Cyprus grants lifetime permanent residence in exchange for purchasing a new property worth €300,000 plus VAT, with proof of annual income of €50,000 from outside Cyprus. An additional €15,000 is required for a spouse and €10,000 for each child.

Procedures take from two to six months via the fast-track route. A drawback is that Cyprus is not yet in the Schengen Area, and citizenship requires 8 years of actual residence.

On the other hand, Cyprus offers a Mediterranean climate, widespread use of English, a growing Arab community, and a swimming season of about eight months a year.

5. Italy

It is important to clarify that buying property alone does not qualify you for residence in Italy. The Italian program is investment-based, not real estate-based, which is a crucial difference compared to other options.

Eligible options include:

• €250,000 investment in an innovative startup.
• €500,000 in an existing Italian company.
• €2 million in government bonds.
• €1 million as a charitable donation.

The practical advantage is that preliminary approval is issued within 30 to 45 days, and the investment is only made after approval, greatly reducing risk. Actual residence in Italy is not required to maintain the permit.

6. Portugal

The Portuguese program still exists but in a different form: property purchase is no longer eligible, and only investment in an approved fund of €500,000 remains.

This option is characterized by a very flexible attendance requirement of only 7 days per year in Portugal, with the possibility to apply for citizenship later.

However, two developments should be noted: the new citizenship law effective since May 2026 increased the eligibility period for citizenship to 10 years for non-Europeans, and there are notable administrative delays in processing applications, which may take 12 to 36 months.

7. Hungary

Hungary offers one of the most affordable European options, with a 10-year renewable residence permit for guest investors, in exchange for:

• €250,000 investment in an approved real estate fund.
• Or €1 million donation to an educational institution.

Processing takes 4 to 6 months, and the cost of living in Hungary is among the lowest of all the countries listed here. However, this program does not provide a direct path to citizenship; naturalization requires many years of actual residence.

8. Malta

After the citizenship program was halted by a European court ruling, the permanent residence program (MPRP) remains available and requires:

• Mandatory government fees totaling about €99,000.
• Purchase of property worth €375,000 (or €300,000 in the south and Gozo), or rental of property worth €14,000 per year (€10,000 in those areas).
• Proof of assets worth €500,000, of which €150,000 must be liquid funds.

Permanent residence is granted from day one. Malta is an English-speaking island in the EU, but it is no longer a pathway to citizenship.

9. Mauritius

A completely different option, ideal for those seeking a quiet tropical lifestyle with exceptional tax benefits.

Mauritius grants residence in exchange for purchasing approved property worth $375,000 within designated real estate schemes. The residence remains valid as long as you own the property and includes family members, with the possibility to apply for citizenship after 7 years.

The tax benefits are notable: no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. However, registration and transfer fees for non-citizens increased from 5% to 10% as of July 2026.

10. Montenegro

The most affordable option on this list, with an interesting investment potential.

Since January 2026, foreigners can obtain a renewable one-year temporary residence permit in exchange for property with a taxable value of at least €150,000, whereas previously any property value was sufficient.

The main bet here is Montenegro’s EU accession path: the country has closed 14 out of 33 negotiation chapters as of March 2026 and aims to join by 2028. Previous experience with Croatia shows that property values rose 30% to 50% after accession.

However, citizenship is distant, requiring 10 years of residence, and dual citizenship is not allowed by law.

Which to Choose Based on Your Goal?

• Want fast and full citizenship with cultural and geographic proximity? Turkey is the clearest choice in this category.
• Looking for a European gateway through actual property purchase? Greece or Cyprus, as they are the most active real estate routes in Europe today.
• Prefer to stay in a Gulf environment with zero tax benefits? UAE via the Golden Residence.
• Want the lowest possible European cost? Hungary at €250,000, or Montenegro at €150,000 outside the EU for now.
• Looking for permanent European residence for your family in an English-speaking country? Malta.
• Want a different lifestyle with high tax benefits? Mauritius.

Programs That Have Seen Major Changes in the Past Two Years

It is useful to know the changes that have affected some well-known programs, as they explain why the available options today differ from what you may read in older sources:

• Spain: Ended the Golden Residence program under Basic Law 1/2025, effective April 3, 2025.
• Portugal: The property purchase option was removed from the program in October 2023 under Law 56/2023, while the program continued via investment funds.
• Malta: The European Court of Justice ruling on April 29, 2025, ended the citizenship by investment program, but the permanent residence program continues as is.
• Hungary: The program shifted from direct property purchase to the real estate fund route as of January 15, 2025.

These changes reflect a general European trend towards reducing direct real estate routes, giving the remaining options on this list greater value for those planning to invest now.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Countries to Relocate and Live In

What is the best country to obtain full citizenship through real estate investment in 2026?

Turkey, as it grants full citizenship in exchange for a $400,000 real estate investment within about 3 to 6 months, with no requirement for actual residence or language test, and includes the spouse and children under 18.

Does Spain still grant residence in exchange for property purchase?

No, Spain completely canceled the Golden Residence program as of April 3, 2025, and no new applications are accepted through this route.

What is the cheapest European country to obtain residence by investment?

Hungary is among the lowest-cost options within the EU at €250,000 via an approved real estate fund, while Montenegro outside the EU offers an even lower option at €150,000.

Does the UAE grant citizenship in exchange for property purchase?

No, the UAE grants a renewable 10-year Golden Residence in exchange for property worth 2 million AED, but does not grant citizenship through this route.

What is the difference between residence and citizenship in investment programs?

Residence gives you the right to live and move within the country for a renewable period, while citizenship grants you full rights as a native citizen, including a passport and voting rights. Of the ten countries on this list, only Turkey grants direct full citizenship through real estate investment.

Is it possible to obtain European citizenship in exchange for money in 2026?

This is no longer possible directly, as the European Court of Justice ended the last such program in Malta by a ruling in April 2025. The available European options today only grant residence, with a long path to citizenship through traditional naturalization.

How to Choose Your Next Destination with Imtilak Real Estate

Choosing the right destination starts with a clear and up-to-date picture of what is actually available, especially since the landscape has seen significant developments over the past two years.

At Imtilak Real Estate, we help you understand these options clearly, with special details for the Turkish route, which combines full citizenship, fast procedures, and geographic and cultural proximity to the Gulf.

To learn the details of every qualifying investment route for Turkish citizenship, you can check our complete guide on investment routes in Turkey and obtaining citizenship, or contact us directly to book a free consultation tailored to your situation and goals.