country. Plus,if you hold dual citizenship â or have resident status in one and citizenship in another â it is possible that you will have to pay taxes to two countries. One way around this tax trap,according to some experts,is leaving your ‘second home’ country regularly and reapplying for a tourist visa.
However,that is not without its own issues,and raises the issue of whether you are permitted to work in your new foreign country.
Needless to say,you just have to talk with lawyers,tax advisors (and sometimes other experts) in both locations before making a final choice.
So,if you are interested in a developed country,the five listed below are ones in which establishing permanent residency is fairly easy.
Belgium
Living in Belgium for five years on the trot whilst also being a Swiss national or citizen of an EU/EEA country,will automatically grant you permanent resident status. If you aren’t a citizen of one of those countries,you will have to apply to be a resident. The advantages of this is that it gives you the many of the privileges and rights of a Belgian citizen,such as voting,open access to employment,social programs (including welfare) as well as education.
Becoming a citizen also adds the ability to leave the country for more than two years at a time,but the requirements for citizenship are much more rigorous.
Brazil
The great beauty and climate of this nation makes it a good option for lots of people,though the cost of living is greater than you might expect and the high crime rate is another thing that may make you consider again. Getting permanent residency if you are over 60 years old is easy if you have a verifiable income of $2,000 per month for the retiree and up to two dependents. Additional dependents require another $1,000 per month. If you plan to invest $50,000 or more in a business or real estate,you should apply for an Investor’s Visa.
Becoming a citizen of Brazil is harder,unless you marry a Brazilian citizen. Otherwise you have to have resided in the country continuously for 10 to 15 years. However foreign spouses may apply after one year of permanent residency.
France
If you like the idea of living in France this another great choice. You can establish permanent residency or apply for citizenship just by living in the country for 5 continuous years. Permanent residency has to be renewed after 10 years,this also allowing you the right to education,healthcare and worker’s rights at jobs. You will not be able to vote though. Obtaining citizenship also makes you a citizen of the EU,with its many benefits.
Panama
This country was ranked the world’s greatest retirement place for 2019 by International Living.
It has an easy immigration system,a good climate and a reasonable cost of living,all of which make Panama an attractive option. All you have to do is request access to the Pensioned Tourist Program and prove you have at least $1,000 or more per couple per month coming in from an approved source. You do not get a Panamanian passport on this visa,but you do get to establish permanent residency.
If you’re not old enough for retirement and you are a citizen of one of 50 “friendly” countries â which include many EU countries,Canada and the US â then you can request a Panama’s “Friendly Nations” Visa. This visa was created to attract a useful workers to Panama. However,you have to establish a company within the country or have a job offer from a company in Panama.
Panama also welcomes those who have the money to put into deforestation programs. Citizenship is however a little more difficult to get,often only being obtained after five continuous years of residency (three years for foreign spouses of Panamanian citizens).
Singapore
Singapore is one of the easiest countries in the World to establish permanent residency. The ways in are to apply for an employment pass,be the spouse or child of a Singapore citizen,or just plan to make an investment in the nation. Becoming a citizen of the country is also reasonably simple,the criteria being that you just have to be a permanent resident of Singapore for two or more years.
To sum up
The rules of every country normally mean that a permanent residency visa will solve most of the day-to-day issues any expat faces. However,taking the next step of becoming a citizen of another country,especially if it means renouncing your own,rather than taking on dual nationality â is a very big step,with lots of implications for yourself and for your family.
You have to bear in mind that even if your own country permits dual nationality,your new home country may not,so full detailed advice and research is a must.
Please see - for more information.