The underlying principle is simple: a state extends residency rights to foreigners who invest a qualifying amount in local real estate. The threshold differs greatly between countries, and governments adjust it regularly.
One key point stands between a residence permit and a passport. A residence permit allows you to live locally, generally with renewals, while a passport generally takes far more time and additional conditions. An agent's promise of a passport simply houses for sale in spain an apartment purchase is a red flag.
Beyond the investment itself, programmes impose extra obligations. Frequent requirements cover a clean criminal record, health cover, documented income and a required physical presence cheap houses in corfu the country each year. Overlooking any of these can jeopardise the status even if the property is still yours.
Tax residency remains an entirely separate matter. Having residency does not necessarily make you liable for local income tax, and living there for most of the year often does. Most jurisdictions apply a day-count rule, and the effects touch earnings from abroad.
The realistic approach is essentially the same everywhere: choose the property first, and treat the permit as a bonus. These routes are suspended sometimes at short notice, and a property in silves chosen only houses for sale in zabljak a permit becomes a poor asset once the rules change.