A financially independent person residence route allows eligible non-EU nationals to live in a European country using reliable income such as pensions, rent or dividends. Greece offers a Financially Independent Person (FIP) permit, Cyprus has Category F, and Portugal’s comparable route is the D7. In 2026 they differ in income requirements, residence obligations, employment rights, Schengen travel and processing times. Cyprus has the lowest published threshold for an individual but can involve lengthy processing. Approval also depends on the quality and stability of your income, not merely meeting the published figure. Portugal expects genuine residence and its D7 permit can permit employment after approval. Greece requires substantially higher resources and residence in the country, but grants a Schengen residence permit.

This comparison uses illustrative sterling equivalents at €1.18 to £1 and explains the rules for UK applicants. Requirements and processing vary, so check the relevant authority before committing funds or relocating.

The three routes at a glance

Feature	Portugal D7	Greece FIP (type I.8)	Cyprus Category F
Minimum income, main applicant	€920 monthly; €11,040 yearly (about £9,400)	€3,500 monthly; €42,000 yearly (about £35,600)	€9,568 yearly (about £8,100)
Spouse or partner	Plus 50%, or €460 monthly	Plus 20%, or €700 monthly	Plus €4,613 annually
Each child	Plus 30%, or €276 monthly	Plus 15%, or €525 monthly	Plus €4,613 annually for each dependant
Savings and funds	Generally evidence of accessible funds alongside recurring income	Substantial savings may support eligibility; around €126,000 for three years is sometimes cited	Adequate funds and qualifying secured income from abroad
Permit	Temporary, renewable residence	Three-year permit, renewable	Immigration permit granting permanent residence
Where you must live	Genuine relocation; absence limits apply	Generally at least 183 days yearly for renewal	Do not remain outside Cyprus for two consecutive years
Schengen travel	Yes, within visitor limits	Yes, within visitor limits	No Schengen residence rights
Work in the country	Work generally possible after residence permit is issued	Local employment prohibited	Local business and employment prohibited
Citizenship	Usually ten years for non-EU nationals	Generally seven years of qualifying residence	Generally eight years or more under ordinary rules
Main risk	Actual relocation and residence-processing delays	High income threshold and physical presence	Slow processing and no Schengen access

Greece’s current €3,500 threshold, family supplements and three-year permit reflect its revised legal framework under Law 5038/2023 and subsequent rules. Older articles may quote smaller amounts or shorter permits. The quoted savings figure should not be interpreted as an unconditional right to substitute a bank balance for income; the consulate must accept the evidence. Family arrangements, document requirements and any reliance on savings should always be confirmed individually.

What does each route cost in income terms?

The three systems calculate family finances differently. For two adults and two qualifying dependent children, the indicative yearly requirements are:

Route	Family of four, annual income needed	Approximate sterling
Portugal D7	€23,184 (€1,932 monthly)	£19,650
Greece FIP	€63,000	£53,400
Cyprus Category F	€23,407 (€9,568 plus three dependants at €4,613)	£19,840

These are indicative minimums, not promises of approval. Although Cyprus has the lowest published individual threshold, Portugal’s calculated minimum is slightly lower for this particular family. Cyprus officials assess whether funds genuinely support the household, and Greece generally requires income from outside the country. Costs for rent, health cover and dependants are additional.

Where you actually have to live

The most important distinction is how much time each status expects you to spend locally.

Greece’s FIP route is intended for people actually living in the country; advisers commonly specify at least 183 days per year when renewing. That level of presence may also establish Greek tax residence, depending on individual circumstances. Investment-based residence follows different conditions, as our comparison of the Golden Visa and the FIP route explains. Keep evidence of your actual stays as well as your income, insurance and accommodation, because renewal can turn on more than your initial visa approval.

Portugal’s D7 similarly expects a genuine move, unlike investment residence routes with lighter presence obligations. Applicants normally provide suitable accommodation, sufficient passive income and evidence of accessible funds, potentially through a Portuguese account. Residence-card absence limits matter, as our guide for Portugal Golden Visa retirees illustrates when comparing the alternatives.

Cyprus Category F generally requires holders not to be absent for two consecutive years. It is outside the Schengen Area, and a Cyprus permit does not authorise unrestricted travel or residence elsewhere. British visitors normally remain subject to Schengen’s 90-days-in-180 rule, discussed alongside other options in our Cyprus permanent residency for business owners guide.

Processing, fees and the risk of delay

Cyprus Category F can involve substantial backlogs, with processing periods extending considerably beyond advertised estimates. Applicants should request a current assessment and verify documentation, healthcare and medical requirements with the authorities. Government fees can include €500 for the application and €70 for registration where applicable. Do not assume approval before arranging a move. A low published income threshold does not imply quicker approval or a lower overall cost once accommodation, medical documentation and professional assistance are included.

Portugal’s D7 begins with a national residence visa through a consulate, followed by an AIMA residence-permit process. A consular decision can take about 60 days, but appointment availability and residence-card processing may take longer. Our guides to the Portugal Golden Visa route to citizenship and the ten-year citizenship rule discuss longer-term planning. Visa and permit fees are separate and can change.

For Greece, applicants secure the appropriate national visa before applying for residence. Legal and administrative costs depend on documentation, family members, translations and insurance. Professional fees quoted in some cases range from €9,000 to €15,000, but are not mandatory government charges. Our Greece Financially Independent Person visa service describes the application support available.

Tax and your UK position

Obtaining a foreign permit does not automatically end UK tax residence. As GOV.UK explains for people living abroad, non-residents may still owe UK tax on UK-source income, subject to any treaty relief. The new UK–Portugal tax convention entered into force on 29 December 2025, applying in Portugal from 1 January 2026 and for UK income tax from 6 April 2026. Pension treatment depends on the treaty provisions and individual residence circumstances.

Greece offers eligible pensioners transferring tax residence a 7% regime on qualifying foreign income for up to 15 years. Residence permission by itself does not confer that regime or automatically determine tax residence, as our guide to Greek tax residency and the Golden Visa explains. Portugal’s former non-habitual resident regime is generally closed to new applicants and its successor targets specified activities. Cyprus non-domicile benefits depend on actual tax residence and the income received. Arrange coordinated advice before moving investments or pensions. Residence status, domestic tax-residence tests and tax-treaty residence are related but distinct; a residence card cannot by itself settle a dispute between tax authorities.

Citizenship timelines

Residence permission does not guarantee naturalisation. Under Portugal’s May 2026 nationality legislation, most non-EU applicants face a ten-year legal-residence requirement, with additional language, civic and other conditions. Greece’s ordinary route generally requires seven years of qualifying lawful residence and evidence of integration. In Cyprus, ordinary naturalisation generally requires seven years’ cumulative residence during the preceding ten years plus a further continuous twelve months, alongside Greek-language and other tests. These periods concern qualifying physical residence, not merely holding a card. Our article on residency versus citizenship by investment explains why the distinction matters.

Which route suits which UK applicant?

Your situation	Likely best fit	Why
Stable pension, genuinely relocating to Portugal	Portugal D7	Moderate income threshold and Schengen residence
Higher passive income and plans to live in Greece	Greece FIP	Three-year renewable permit and potential pension-tax regime
Income from abroad, limited travel to Cyprus, patient with delays	Cyprus Category F	Low individual income threshold and lighter presence requirement
Mainly earning through remote employment	A suitable digital nomad or work route	More appropriate work authorisation may be needed
Seeking residence through eligible investment	An investment residence route	Different capital, investment and presence requirements

Our Cyprus FIP visa guide and Cyprus country page describe the options. Our explanation of what people mean by a Cyprus Golden Visa distinguishes Category F from investment residence, while the Cyprus permanent residency guide addresses the separate €300,000 investment route.

What these visas do not give you

Neither Greek FIP nor Cyprus Category F permits ordinary local employment; Cyprus Category F also excludes carrying on a local business or profession. Portugal is different: its D7 entry qualification relies on independent income, but the resulting residence permit generally permits employment or self-employment, subject to applicable rules. Remote work while resident in Greece needs individual assessment rather than an assumed exemption. Our guide to digital nomad visas in 2026 describes alternatives. None automatically gives citizenship or residence rights in another European state. See our note on mortgage readiness when property funds a move abroad before selling assets.

If your income does not fit

If recurring income is insufficient, investment residence may be more suitable. Italy’s investor visa and our best Golden Visa options in Europe overview explore alternatives, while the Greece versus Portugal comparison examines two popular programmes. Citizenship options such as Dominica and St Lucia have separate eligibility and due-diligence requirements. Our second residency planning in 2026 guide looks at wider strategies, and our article about the Entry/Exit System for residency investors explains travel implications.

As our comparison of lawyers and consultants and explanation of what a Golden Visa solicitor does show, specialist guidance helps with documentation, taxes and timing. A London based Golden Visa solicitor can coordinate the British and overseas elements.

Frequently asked questions

What is the financially independent person visa?

It is a route for people supporting themselves through pensions, investments or other qualifying income from abroad. Greece’s FIP and Cyprus Category F use that approach; Portugal’s comparable D7 requires independent means but has different residence and work rights.

Which of the three is cheapest to qualify for?

Cyprus has the lowest published income minimum for one applicant at €9,568 annually. Portugal’s D7 starts at €920 monthly in 2026, while Greece requires €3,500 monthly. Adding dependants can change the ranking.

Do I have to live in the country?

Portugal expects genuine residence, and Greece’s FIP is generally associated with 183 days yearly. Cyprus Category F is usually maintained without an absence lasting two consecutive years. Cyprus residence does not grant Schengen residence rights.

Can I work with a financially independent person visa?

Greek FIP and Cyprus Category F prohibit local employment. Portugal’s D7 residence permit generally permits work after it is granted. Separate authorisation may be required for particular professional activities, and remote working needs case-specific advice.

Can any of these lead to citizenship?

Potentially, but not automatically. Ordinary residence requirements are generally ten years in Portugal for most non-EU nationals, seven in Greece and around eight in Cyprus, alongside language and integration requirements.

If you are comparing these routes or an investment option, Coates Global’s immigration lawyers can assess household income, family eligibility, intended residence and longer-term plans. Get in touch before transferring savings, signing accommodation contracts or making major financial commitments.