Move Abroad with Your Family

Countries, requirements and our fees

17 European Residence Routes Compared

Eligibility, timelines, costs and benefits vary by country and residency route. Click a country to see its company formation page, since most routes are tied to a business you own.

CountryFunds required (approx.)Our service feeFamily can joinDifficulty
Flag of SerbiaSerbiaNo minimum required$8,000YesEasiest
Flag of PortugalPortugalAbout $12,500 (+$6,300 spouse, +$3,800 per child)$11,400YesEasy
Flag of Czech RepublicCzech RepublicProof of income$6,800YesModerate
Flag of SlovakiaSlovakiaAbout $5,700$9,100YesModerate
Flag of HungaryHungaryAbout $8,800$10,300YesModerate
Flag of GermanyGermanyAssessed case by case$16,000YesHard
Flag of PolandPolandAbout $1,400, plus strong income$9,100YesHard
Flag of FinlandFinlandProof you can support yourself$9,100YesHard
Flag of NetherlandsNetherlandsAssessed case by case$13,700YesHard
Flag of SpainSpainProof of living funds$13,700YesModerate to hard
Flag of CroatiaCroatiaAbout $2,900$11,400YesHard
Flag of LithuaniaLithuaniaAbout $31,900$18,200YesHard
Flag of FranceFranceAbout $34,200$18,200YesHard
Flag of MaltaMaltaAbout $28,500From $11,400YesModerate
Flag of EstoniaEstoniaAbout $74,100$5,700YesHard
Flag of AustriaAustriaAround $114,000On requestYesVery hard
Flag of ItalyItalyProof of funds and income (yearly quotas)$13,700YesVery hard

About Serbia: Serbia is in Europe but is not part of the Schengen area, so a Serbian residence permit does not allow visa-free travel to Schengen countries. It is, however, the fastest and most affordable way to start living in Europe, and many of our clients use it as a first step before moving on to an EU country.

Not included: government fees, required funds or deposits, certified translations, apostilles, health insurance, flights and accommodation. We tell you these costs upfront. Visas and residence permits are decided by each country’s government, so approval can’t be guaranteed. Requirements and fees change often and figures here are estimates; your final quote is confirmed after consultation. Amounts are in US dollars and may vary with exchange rates. Residency does not automatically grant citizenship or a second passport.

Move to Europe 2026Free 5-page guide
Free guide

Move to Europe 2026: 17 Residence Routes and 18 Company Countries Compared

Funds required, our fees, difficulty, entity types, capital, timelines and tax for every country, in one PDF you can share with your family.

How it works

Five Steps to Your New Home

  1. Book a Consultation

    Tell us about your goals and family.

  2. Recommendation

    We recommend the best country and give you a written quote.

  3. Agreement

    You sign our service agreement and send your documents.

  4. Filing

    We prepare and file your applications with partner lawyers.

  5. Move

    You collect your visa and residence permit and move.

FAQ

Move Abroad Questions

Can my spouse and children join me?

Yes, in every country on this list. Some countries set extra funds per family member; Portugal, for example, asks about $6,300 for a spouse and $3,800 per child.

Which countries are in Schengen?

All of them except Serbia. A residence permit from a Schengen country allows travel across the whole Schengen area.

Does residence lead to citizenship?

Residency does not automatically grant citizenship. Each country has its own qualifying period, usually 5 years, and language or integration requirements.

Do I need a company?

Most routes are based on a business you own or self-employment, which is why each country links to its company formation page. Some countries also offer employment, study or investment routes.

How long does it take?

From a few weeks for Serbia to several months for Germany, the Netherlands and Austria. Your written quote includes a realistic timeline.