Relocation Abroad: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Wealthy

Once your goals are defined, you can proceed to choose a specific country. It’s important to consider that a “portfolio of jurisdictions” is not just a collection of passports, but a well-thought-out strategy that takes into account your personal and financial interests.

Key Factors for Evaluating Countries for Relocation:

• Political and Economic Stability: The long-term development prospects of the country.
• Tax System: Presence of income, capital gains, and inheritance taxes, as well as the possibility of obtaining non-resident tax status or utilizing special tax regimes (e.g., Non-Dom).
• Immigration Legislation: Ease of obtaining residency (temporary or permanent) or citizenship, and residency requirements.
• Education and Healthcare Systems: Accessibility and quality of services.
• Infrastructure: Transportation accessibility, level of urban development, quality of life.
• Cultural Environment and Language: The degree of comfort for you and your family.

2. Obtaining Residency or Citizenship by Investment

For wealthy individuals, one of the most effective paths for wealthy emigration is obtaining residency or citizenship through investment. This allows you to gain status in another country in exchange for a contribution to its economy. There are two main types of such programs:

2.1. RBI (Residency by Investment)

RBI programs grant temporary residency, which can be extended and eventually lead to permanent residency or citizenship. These are suitable for those planning global mobility, business activities, or tax planning. Residency requirements, which can be minimal or full, must be met.

Popular Residency by Investment Programs (as of 2026):

• Greece (“Golden Visa”): Real estate investment from €250,000. Processing time for residency is from 4 months. Does not require continuous residency, allows residency for the entire family, including parents. Grants visa-free entry to the Schengen Area. Allows application for citizenship after 7 years of residency. Available to Russian and Belarusian citizens with a second (non-sanctioned) passport,.
• Cyprus (Permanent Residency by Investment): Investment in new property from €300,000. Processing time for permanent residency is from 8 months. Indefinite status, does not require continuous residency (sufficient to visit the country once every 2 years). Allows owning a business in Cyprus but not working as an employee. Provides access to the European financial system and tax benefits (including the Non-Dom regime). Citizenship application possible after 8 years. Available to Russian and Belarusian citizens,.
• UAE: Various residency by investment programs, for example, through property purchase or business establishment.

It is important to note that in recent years, the European Union has been tightening immigration legislation. Some popular programs, such as the “golden visas” of Spain and Latvia, have been closed, and the Portuguese residency program has become significantly more complex.

2.2. CBI (Citizenship by Investment)

CBI programs allow direct acquisition of a country’s passport, without lengthy residency. They do not require relocation and are geared towards global mobility and obtaining a second passport.

Popular Citizenship by Investment Programs (as of 2026):

• Turkey: Real estate investment from $400,000 (with 3 years of ownership). Processing time for citizenship is 9–12 months. A G20 country passport, opens the path to a US E-2 investor visa,.
• Vanuatu: From $130,000. Processing time for citizenship is 2–3 months. Considered one of the fastest passports in the world.
• São Tomé and Príncipe: From $90,000. Processing time for citizenship is 4–5 months.

Caribbean programs (Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis) remain closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens as of July 2026.

2.3. Due Diligence for Investors

The most important stage of any investment program is due diligence. The government thoroughly verifies the source of the applicant’s funds, their financial history, absence of legal issues, and risks to the country’s reputation. This check can take 3 to 6 months and is conducted by government agencies, often with the involvement of independent agencies.

During the check, the following are analyzed:

• Bank statements for 6–12 months.
• Tax declarations for 3–5 years.
• Documents confirming sources of income (employment contracts, entrepreneurial activity data).
• Documents on ownership of real estate and other assets.</li]
• Statements for investment accounts and portfolios.
• Asset purchase and sale agreements.
• Documents on gifts or inheritance (if applicable).
• Financial statements of the business and audited company accounts (if necessary).

3. Financial Planning and Tax Residency Abroad

Relocation abroad for high-net-worth individuals is inextricably linked to issues of financial and tax planning. Obtaining residency or citizenship does not automatically change tax residency abroad. Criteria for determining tax residency usually include actual presence in the country (183 days or more), center of vital interests, and permanent dwelling.

Key Aspects of Financial Planning for an International Move:

• Tax Burden Optimization: Studying the tax laws of the new country, as well as international agreements on avoiding double taxation. The possibility of using Non-Dom status (e.g., in Cyprus) or other preferential regimes.
• Opening Bank Accounts: Procedures for opening accounts in the new jurisdiction and transferring funds. Note that under the automatic exchange of information (CRS), foreign banks transmit account data.
• Asset Management: Reviewing the structure of asset ownership, possible creation of trusts or foundations for capital protection and efficient management.
• Investments: Exploring investment opportunities in the new country, portfolio diversification.
• Notification of Second Citizenship/Residency: Russian citizens are obliged to notify of the presence of a second citizenship or residency, as well as of CFCs (controlled foreign companies).

4. Organizing Your International Move and Settling In

After obtaining the necessary statuses, the stage of direct moving overseas and settling into the new location begins.

Key Steps for a Comfortable Life Abroad:

• Finding Housing: Renting or purchasing real estate. If you obtained residency by investment in real estate, this issue is already resolved. Consider ongoing property maintenance costs (utilities, management company, annual taxes).
• Children’s Education: Enrolling in schools or kindergartens.
• Medical Care: Obtaining health insurance. The cost of insurance, for example, in Greece, is approximately €180–600 per year per person.
• Transportation: Obtaining a driver’s license, purchasing a car.
• Language and Culture: Learning the local language, adapting to cultural peculiarities.
• Socialization: Making new acquaintances, joining clubs of interest, participating in local life.

5. Legal Support and Assistance for Your International Move

The process of relocation abroad involves a large number of legal and bureaucratic procedures. Having experienced lawyers and consultants at every stage is a guarantee of success.

IKRA experts can assist you with the following:

• Choosing the optimal residency by investment or citizenship by investment program.
• Preparation and submission of documents, including due diligence.
• Legal support for real estate and investment transactions.
• Tax consulting and optimization, obtaining tax residency abroad.
• Opening bank accounts and asset management.
• Assistance with adapting to the new location: from finding housing to enrolling children in schools.

Conclusion

Relocation abroad for high-net-worth individuals is a complex but, with the right approach, highly beneficial process. It opens up new horizons for business development, family security, access to quality education, and an improved quality of life. A comprehensive approach, including meticulous international move planning, selecting the right jurisdiction, and professional legal support, will allow you to successfully achieve your goals and enjoy all the benefits of living abroad.

FAQ

What are Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment?

Residency by Investment (RBI) is the process of obtaining the right to reside in a country in exchange for a contribution to its economy, such as purchasing real estate or investing in a business. Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is the direct acquisition of a country’s passport, without lengthy residency, also through investment. RBI grants the right of residence and often a path to citizenship in the future, while CBI provides a lifelong passport with the possibility of inheritance, expanding opportunities for living abroad and global mobility.

Which Residency by Investment programs are currently available for Russian and Belarusian citizens?

As of 2026, the Greek Residency by Investment (“Golden Visa”) program is available for Russian and Belarusian citizens with a second (non-sanctioned) passport, as well as Cyprus Permanent Residency. Some EU programs have been closed or tightened, making the choice of jurisdiction particularly important for global mobility.

Which Citizenship by Investment programs are currently available for Russian and Belarusian citizens?

As of 2026, Citizenship by Investment programs in Turkey, Vanuatu, and São Tomé and Príncipe are available for Russian and Belarusian citizens. Caribbean citizenship programs remain closed to Russian and Belarusian citizens, limiting the options for obtaining a second passport and moving overseas.

What is Due Diligence and why is it necessary?

Due diligence is a mandatory stage for all investment programs, during which the government thoroughly verifies the source of the applicant’s funds, their financial history, absence of legal issues, and risks to the country’s reputation. It is necessary to ensure the country’s security and prevent the use of programs for illegal purposes, guaranteeing transparency in the process of wealthy emigration.

Does tax residency automatically change upon obtaining residency or citizenship?

No, obtaining residency or citizenship does not automatically change tax residency abroad. Tax residency is determined by criteria such as the actual time spent in the country (usually 183 days), the center of vital interests, and the presence of a permanent dwelling. It is important to conduct separate tax planning to optimize your tax burden and avoid double taxation during your relocation abroad.

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