Families don’t choose an EU residency-by-investment (RBI) programme just for a permit. They choose it for what that permit unlocks: a safer “Plan B”, smoother travel, an EU lifestyle base, schooling options, and more control over where the family can spend time.

The practical reality is that Greece, Hungary, and Malta solve different problems. Greece is usually chosen for lifestyle and property-led residency. Hungary is often about long validity and flexibility under a newer investor framework. Malta is typically selected for families who want a permanent residence-style outcome anchored by property and contributions.

For a wider view of how these routes sit together, Coates Global’s programme guides are a good starting point: Residency and Citizenship by Investment, Residency by Investment Programmes, and Comparing Residency & Citizenship Programmes.

What most families are really trying to achieve

Before comparing countries, it helps to name the goal. Most families fall into 1 (or a mix) of these buckets:

• Lifestyle base: a place to spend part of the year with good climate, healthcare access, and easy travel
• Mobility and optionality: residency security without heavy stay requirements
• A “permanent” feeling: less renewal stress and clearer long-term settlement
• A family-first structure: straightforward spouse/children inclusion and predictable costs
• Investment clarity: knowing exactly what qualifies and keeping proof simple

Coates Global’s approach is to match the programme to the goal first, then structure the file like a legal case (eligibility, evidence, and compliance sequencing).

The “why Greece” fit

Greece tends to suit families who want an EU lifestyle anchor and like the idea of a real estate purchase supporting the residency.

The key programme mechanics (in plain English)

• Greece’s real-estate Golden Visa thresholds increased and now sit between €400,000 and €800,000 depending on region, with transitional provisions in certain circumstances. 
• Greece’s Golden Visa residence permit is commonly issued for 5 years and renewable as long as the qualifying investment is maintained. 
• Practical rules around the real estate route have tightened (for example, minimum size conditions in certain tiers are frequently referenced in programme guidance). 

Pros for families

• Strong “use it” lifestyle value if the family will actually spend time there
• A clear, tangible asset (property) rather than a paper investment
• Relatively easy to explain to family members: buy qualifying property, keep it, renew

Cons to consider

• Thresholds and rule details can be location-specific and have changed recently 
• Property transactions create their own legal workload (title checks, taxes, compliance on usage)
• If the family wants a “hands-off” solution, property management can become a second job

Hungary: best for long validity and a newer investor framework

The “why Hungary” fit

Hungary’s guest investor route can appeal to families who want long permit validity and prefer an investment structure that isn’t centred on buying a home.

The key programme mechanics

Hungary’s National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing sets out the “guest investor” residence permit framework, including qualifying investments such as:

• €250,000 investment fund share in a real estate fund registered by the Hungarian National Bank, or
• €1,000,000 donation to a qualifying higher education institution for specified purposes 

Pros for families

• Long validity can reduce “renewal fatigue” compared with shorter-cycle permits 
• Investment options can be cleaner to document than a property chain (depending on route) 
• Often attractive for families who want flexibility and don’t need a sunny lifestyle base

Cons to consider

• As with any newer framework, the process can feel more procedural and timing-sensitive
• The family still needs a well-built evidence file (source of funds, investment proof, consistent documents)

Malta: best for families who want a permanent-residence style outcome

The “why Malta” fit

Malta is often selected by families who want something that feels more permanent and structured, with clear property requirements and government contributions.

The key programme mechanics

Under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), common published requirements include:

• either purchase property (e.g., €375,000 minimum) or lease (e.g., €14,000 per year) for a minimum period, plus
• government contributions and related programme requirements 

Coates Global’s related pages: Malta and Malta Permanent Residence Programme.

Pros for families

• A “settled” feel: permanent-residence positioning is often the emotional driver
• English-speaking environment can be a practical plus for many families
• Strong structure for applicants who value predictable compliance steps 

Cons to consider

• Cost isn’t just property: contributions and admin layers need to be budgeted
• The programme is rules-driven, so document precision matters

A quick “best fit” guide by family goal

If the goal is a lifestyle base the family will use

Greece usually wins: it’s built for families who want to spend time there and like the idea of property supporting residency. 

If the goal is long validity and flexibility

Hungary often fits best, particularly where the family wants a long-duration permit and a more investment-structure-driven route. 

If the goal is a “permanent” residency feel

Malta’s MPRP is commonly the better match, especially for families who want long-term residence positioning supported by property and contributions. 

Questions that decide the answer in 10 minutes

A good adviser will ask these before recommending a country:

1. Will the family actually spend time in the country, or is this mainly a “Plan B”?
2. Does the family prefer property (tangible asset) or fund/contribution (cleaner execution)?
3. Is the priority minimum renewals, or minimum hassle?
4. What does “success” look like in 5 years: lifestyle base, long-term residence, or onward citizenship planning?
5. How simple is the family’s source-of-funds story (single salary vs business/capital events)?

If the answers point in different directions, many families start with a structured comparison call and then narrow to 2 routes.

For broader context, some families also compare these with routes like Portugal’s post-reform investment pathways (see Portugal, Portugal investment funds, and the Portugal donation option) or Italy’s investor framework (see Italy Investor Visa).

The right programme is the one that matches the family’s real-world goal and keeps legal risk low: clean eligibility, defensible evidence, and an investment route that can be proven easily.

Coates Global can run a family-focused comparison across Greece, Hungary, and Malta, and recommend a clear “best fit” route with a documented checklist and timeline plan. To start, visit Contact Coates Global or explore the programme library via Countries and Services.

Ready to take the next step towards EU residency or citizenship? Speak to Coates Global today for clear, compliant guidance tailored to your goals. Whether you need a portugal golden visa solicitor, a hungary golden visa solicitor, an italy investor visa consultant, or a malta citizenship by investment solicitor, we’ll help you understand eligibility, costs, timeframes, and documentation—so you can move forward with confidence. Book a consultation and get a clear plan from day 1.