Global Business Service Agency: legal services for business

A residence permit in Europe is an opportunity to secure assets through investments in business or real estate, developed economic and social infrastructure, freedom of movement in the Eurozone countries, guarantor of protection by the state, as well as a new standard of living for non-residents and family members. However, what are the most common reasons for obtaining a residence permit in European countries available to foreigners in 2018?

How to get a residence permit in Europe?

• Business migration;
• Residence permit for investment;
• Family reunification or migration on national roots;
• Residence permit for pensioners;
• Education in universities;
• Labor migration.

Business migration to European countries

The basis for obtaining a residence permit in Eurozone is the opening of a representative office, branch, subsidiary or new business in European countries. Moreover, participation in the capital of joint stock companies and corporations is also a reason for filing a tie-in to receive a residence permit.

Features of business migration:

• Being within the state borders not less than 6 months in a year;
• The obtained permit is valid for no more than 1 year, and then the extension for 2 years is possible;
• Both the beneficiaries and the founders or the governing members should take an active part in the development of the enterprise;
• Mandatory payment of a fixed amount of taxes (without debts);
• In some jurisdictions, the creation of 3-10 jobs for the local population is mandatory;
• Members of the family may also receive a residence permit (but for them it is necessary to obtain a visa of category "D").

The most common and advantageous in terms of legislation jurisdiction for the registration of business migration:

• Hungary;
• Spain;
• Greece;
• Portugal;
• Switzerland;
• United Kingdom;
• Austria.

Residence permit in Europe for investments

Residence permit in the Eurozone countries can be obtained by investing in real estate, government bonds, development of priority sectors of the economy, investment in the cultural and scientific environment of the country in the amount of €45 000 to 1 000 000 pounds sterling.

Peculiarities of obtaining a residence permit for investments:

• There are no restrictions on the period of mandatory stay in the country (for most jurisdictions);
• The residence permit is issued for a period from 3 to 5;
• There is no need to enter the country several times for the registration of documents for the whole family;
• Change of legislative norms does not cancel the already received status of residence permit;
• In addition to the spouse and minor children, in some states the residence permit may be given to parents, grandparents and even relatives of the spouse;
• All investments are made only after approval of the application.

The most common way to obtain a residence permit is to buy real estate. The most advantageous jurisdictions for investment:

• Spain;
• Latvia;
• Lithuania;
• Czech Republic;
• Bulgaria;
• Greece;
• Cyprus;
• Andorra;
• Turkey;
• Portugal;
• Dominican Republic;
• Panama.

Residence permit through family reunification or national origin

A residence permit in the EU can be obtained through marriage with a citizen of the country, through guardianship or relationship of the first line with a citizen of the country, as well as on national-cultural origin.

In the case of kinship of the first line, usually, the migration service does not have questions, and the residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year. In the case of marriage, the residence permit is issued for a period of 2 years with regular confirmation of the status of real marriage, and thereafter for 3 years.

According to the national and cultural basis, the residence permit is considered longer than ordinary applications-on average, about 3 months. In some countries, in addition to confirmation through the provision of a copy of the birth certificate and passport, it is still necessary to take a DNA test for national genetic origin and interview at the embassy (preferably in the state language).

Residence permit in Europe for pensioners

A number of countries have opened a program of residence permit (and then citizenship) for pensioners to attract wealthy non-residents. The essence of it is that the foreigners of pension return, who receive pension payments in the country of residence, can expect to receive a residence permit in case if they own sufficient capital for a full-fledged life in the jurisdiction. To do this, the pensioner must confirm the fact that the account has an amount equivalent to 12 minimum pensions in the country, as well as a permanent residence. At the same time, non-residents of pension return are not allowed to work in the country of residence permit.

The most loyal jurisdictions for the registration of a residence permit according to the pension criterion:

• Czech Republic;
• Spain;
• Lithuania;
• Hungary;
• Bulgaria;
• Portugal;
• Austria;
• Italy.

Residence permit in Europe for students

Residence permit for students is available in almost any jurisdiction of Europe. However, depending on the state, the requirements may vary. In some cases, the residence permit is not issued to students completing their studies in the last courses, or undergoing training in absentia. In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as England, the student is also required to have an open bank account and proof of a permanent place of registration.

The most popular states for registration of student residence permit:

• Poland;
• Slovakia;
• Germany;
• Austria;
• Spain.

Labor migration to European countries

There is a program for obtaining residence permits for workers in local companies in many jurisdictions. Moreover, in some countries, like Germany, there is a so-called "blue card", on which priority highly specialized personnel even without a valid employment contract can get a residence permit. The main issue of the residence permit is the presence of a labor visa, a valid employment contract, confirmation of the payment of taxes and the existence of a permanent residence in the country. Nevertheless, a number of jurisdictions have introduced additional conditions: a valid account in a bank with a balance equivalent to 12 minimum HR in the country, confirmation of the fact of employment at least 1 year in the company, confirmation of the fact of the vacancy only after the refusal of work in the firm from the local population.

In most cases, the main criterion of refusal to issue a residence permit in the Eurozone countries is incorrect registration of the package of documents and non-compliance with the conditions for issuing permits. Specialists in migration issues of GBS Agency will help you to issue a complete package of documents and meet all the conditions for obtaining a residence permit in the desired jurisdiction. Ask for advice right now, and we will provide you with comprehensive information on the standards of obtaining a residence permit in a country of interest.