The Easiest Countries to Obtain Permanent Residence in Europe | Ranking 27 All in the European Union

The Expat August 25, 2025
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The Expat

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Helping you to discover the world, move abroad, create wealth, save on taxes, and retire early. https://www.youtube.com/@the_expat?sub_confirmation=1

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Which countries offer the easiest path to permanent residence in Europe? FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME: Grab your Expat Wealth & Lifestyle Compass ($108 value) today! Includes our 74-page guide of Affordable European Cities, our Zero-Tax countries report, and our essential expat checklist. https://bit.ly/ExpatWealthLifestyleCompass Join us here before this offer ends! This data-driven analysis reveals shocking differences between European residency requirements that could save you years of effort and thousands in fees. From Belgium's surprising top ranking with no language requirements to Denmark's crushing 8-year wait, we expose the real barriers facing expats seeking EU permanent residence. Learn why one country demands just €8,000 annual income while others require over €50,000 plus massive investments. Our ranking considers three critical factors: residency duration requirements, language proficiency demands, and financial thresholds. If you're researching the cheapest permanent residency in Europe or looking for the easiest EU residency options, this video provides the complete picture. Key highlights include: * Countries with zero language tests for European residence permit applications * Lowest income thresholds for EU permanent residence permit eligibility * Hidden changes in the permanent residency Europe 2025 requirements * Fast-track options vs. traditional 5-year pathways Stop wasting time on outdated information about obtaining permanent residency in Europe. This comprehensive guide to EU countries for permanent residency will help you choose the right path based on your specific situation, budget, and language abilities. Videos mentioned: The Easiest Countries in Europe to Obtain Citizenship https://youtu.be/YAiFogJDgxI?si=hiYi2uUveDUs3QP9 European Citizenship by Descent - Ranking 27 EU Countries from Hardest to Easiest https://youtu.be/PH909fk_DnQ?si=K65IflBjUbL1uFLj The Low-Tax Island of Your Dreams (they want YOU) https://youtu.be/h7teyi_M3j4?si=5ESf7l8Vj8fnu5zY If You Hate Taxes, Consider Retirement in Greece https://youtu.be/5o2aWfaRq-M?si=PRCJUfYpr7b7SSZj 💡Subscribe to @the_expat. I upload new episodes every week! This video is based on this article: https://expatriateconsultancy.com/permanent-residence-in-europe/ Subscribe to our channel (it is free)! Planning to move abroad? Read one of these 3 📚books BEFORE: 📚 1 - https://amzn.to/3UkgWUn 📚 2 - https://amzn.to/3U6gacp 📚 3 - https://amzn.to/441oWwJ ➡️X: https://x.com/an_expatriate ➡️Podcast "The Expatriate": https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-expatriate--5406772 🚨 QUESTION - Which country or city would you like us to talk about? 🔴 *** ABOUT THE CHANNEL *** From ten years living as an expatriate in the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe, to facts from reliable sources. Straightforward, no-nonsense guides for every expat. Some of the links posted and mentioned may be affiliate links, meaning that the author will have a commission for any transaction. 💡 TOPICS IN THIS VIDEO 💡 cheapest permanent residency in europe, easiest eu residency, eu countries for permanent residency, eu permanent residence, eu permanent residence permit, eu residency, europe residency, european residence permit, european residency, how to get permanent residency in europe, how to get pr in europe, permanent residence europe, permanent residence in europe, permanent residency europe 2025, permanent residency in europe #residencyvisa #immigration #livingabroad 🔎 EXCERPT 🔎 The European permanent residency game has completely changed, and most people are playing by outdated rules. Countries that were once welcoming have introduced strict new language and culture tests, while others have quietly become much more accessible. I’ve helped hundreds of expats move to Europe and researched all 27 EU countries for this definitive ranking. What did I find? Shocking. One country offers permanent residency with just €8,000 a year in income. Another? Over €50,000 plus huge investments—just to qualify. The language requirements are equally extreme - some countries test you in languages most people can't even pronounce. If you're serious about obtaining permanent residency in Europe, this ranking will save you years of wasted effort. The Criteria The first factor considered in this ranking is the length of continuous legal residence required. This ranges from just 3 years in Hungary to a crushing 8 years in Denmark. The second factor is language proficiency requirements. Some countries have no language test at all. Others demand proficiency in languages you've probably never heard of. The third factor is financial stability requirements. These range from €8,000 annually in one country to over €50,000 in places like Malta. And remember: I am talking about PERMANENT residency, which is often what you have after years living in a country under temporary residency.

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