Easiest Countries to Get Residency in 2026

What Makes a Country “Easy” for Residency?

Before naming destinations, it’s important to define the criteria.

Clear Legal Pathways

Residency options should be codified in law, not dependent on discretionary approvals.

Reasonable Financial Thresholds

Lower minimum income or property requirements reduce friction and rejection risk.

Renewable Permits

Easy renewal is as important as initial approval.

Family Inclusion

Spouse and children eligibility matters for long-term planning.

Digital Processes

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Online submissions and predictable timelines reduce uncertainty.

Countries With Simplified Residency Pathways in 2026

Turkey - Property-Based Residency With Clear Structure

Turkey remains one of the most accessible countries for residency due to well-defined property-based permits.

Key advantages:

• residency available through property ownership,
• renewable residence permits,
• centralised migration authority,
• straightforward documentation,
• family inclusion options.

Unlike many countries, Turkey’s residency system is not fragmented by region. The rules are national and applied consistently.

Portugal - Transparent, But More Selective

Portugal remains structured and transparent, but entry requirements have tightened.

Pros:

• clear application steps,
• centralised processing.

Cons:

• higher financial thresholds,
• longer timelines,
• reduced flexibility compared to previous years.

Portugal is predictable — but no longer “easy” for everyone.

Spain - Accessible, With Regional Complexity

Spain offers multiple residency routes, including non-lucrative options.

However:

• requirements vary by region,
• processing speed differs widely,
• documentation standards are strict.

Spain works well for applicants comfortable navigating regional bureaucracy.

United Arab Emirates - Fast, Capital-Oriented Residency

The UAE offers residency through:

• property ownership,
• business activity,
• professional status.

Processes are fast and digitalised, but:

• thresholds are higher,
• renewals are tied to asset maintenance.

This model suits professionals and investors prioritising efficiency.

Thailand - Lifestyle-Friendly, Condition-Based

Thailand offers long-stay residency options with relatively simple entry.

However:

• renewal conditions vary,
• property ownership does not always equal residency,
• eligibility depends on program type.

Thailand is approachable — but structure matters.

Residency-Friendly Property Concepts

Residency pathways often align with how property is used, not just its price:

• Completed residential units suitable for registration
• Low-maintenance apartments designed for year-round living
• Managed residences with legal address eligibility
• Homes suitable for family residency registration

Why Turkey Often Ranks Among the Easiest

Turkey’s advantage lies in one system, one process.

• single migration authority,
• centralised property registry,
• defined documentation list,
• predictable renewal logic.

For many applicants, this simplicity outweighs higher-cost or faster-but-conditional alternatives.

Additionally, Turkey allows residents to:

• live full-time,
• access healthcare,
• open bank accounts,
• and plan multi-year stays without constant reapplication stress.

Digital Nomads vs Property Owners: Different Paths, Different Ease

Some countries favour:

• digital nomads (income-based, temporary),
• others favour property owners (asset-based, renewable).

Property-based residency often proves more stable long-term, especially for families and retirees.

Comparing Residency Ease by Profile

• Property owners — Turkey, UAE
• Remote workers — Portugal, Thailand
• Entrepreneurs — UAE, Turkey
• Families — Turkey, Southern Europe (with higher thresholds)

RestProperty Residency-Focused Guidance Since 2003

Since 2003, RestProperty has assisted clients not only with buying property, but with structuring residency correctly.

Our focus is on:

• choosing property types suitable for residency registration,
• aligning ownership with immigration rules,
• and helping clients plan renewals without surprises.

While Turkey remains one of the most straightforward residency destinations through property ownership, we also support clients evaluating residency options in Dubai, Thailand, and Northern Cyprus, ensuring decisions are based on real requirements - not assumptions.

Residency should feel manageable, not uncertain.

Final Thoughts: “Easy” Means Sustainable

The easiest country to get residency in 2026 is not the one with the shortest checklist — but the one where:

• approval is predictable,
• renewals are realistic,
• and long-term life planning is possible.

For many, Turkey continues to meet these criteria quietly and consistently.

Explore Properties Suitable for Residency

Browse properties commonly used for legal residency registration:

• Residential units suitable for official address registration
• Year-round living residences with low maintenance
• Managed residential complexes designed for long-term stay