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Statistics indicate that the number of people wishing to emigrate is not decreasing year by year. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of people who left their homeland is estimated to be in the millions. However, these figures cannot be considered accurate. Why? Simply because Rosstat does not count as emigrants those who live abroad de facto. Additionally, not everyone is willing to publicize their departure from the country.
The UN provides alternative statistics, showing that about 11 million compatriots live abroad. The main category of applicants for permanent residence in a foreign country consists of individuals with higher education.
Best Countries to Move to in 2024
The desire for a more prosperous life, access to quality education and healthcare, as well as the search for better conditions for entrepreneurial activities, are the main reasons why people decide to move abroad. One of the popular immigration destinations remains the EU. However, in most cases, legal residence in the countries of the Old World can be provided to relocants only through repatriation and naturalization programs.
In modern conditions, even these opportunities may be limited. Below is a table of the countries most preferred in terms of immigration.
Initially, the country's authorities issue a residence permit to the relocant, and after 3 years of continuous residence in Hungary, they have the right to apply for permanent residence with an indefinite term (this rule does not apply to digital nomads and students).
Citizenship is granted after 8 years of continuous residence (3 years with a permanent residency status and 5 years with a permanent settlement status). Becoming a citizen of Hungary is possible within 3 months if you utilize the repatriation program.
Status of the issued document: passport.
The passport is issued to holders of a permanent resident card. Relocants with a residence permit can apply documents for permanent residence after 5 years of residence in Greece.
A residence permit is issued to employed workers, students, investors, and individuals wishing to reunite with their families. Citizenship through naturalization is granted after 7 years of residence in the country. For stateless persons and refugees, this period is reduced to 5 years.
Status of the issued document: passport.
The status of a resident is granted after 5 years of continuous residence in the country. Additionally, the relocatee will have to pass a language proficiency exam (German, French, or Dutch – to chooose from, with a qualification level of no less than A2).
It is also necessary to confirm the fact of social integration (training courses, employment contract) and contribution to the development of the national economy (tax declaration or a statement that the applicant has worked for at least 468 days over a period of 5 years).
Status of the issued document: passport.
The authorities of the country issue passports to applicants who have lived in the Netherlands for at least 5 years.
The mandatory requirement for a relocant is the absence of a criminal record and proficiency in the Dutch language (qualification level - at least A2).
Status of the issued document: passport.
The residence requirement for those who want to obtain a "French" passport is 5 years. Knowledge of the national language at the B1 level, a permanent source of income, and timely payment of taxes are mandatory requirements for applicants for citizenship.
Applicants who have served in a foreign legion can obtain their passport expedited (document issued within 3 years), as well as those who have made a significant contribution to science, economics, or sports (resident status processed within 2 years).
Status of the issued document: passport.
In order to obtain the status of a resident, it is necessary to have lived in the country for 5 years. No criminal record, no tax debts, no knowledge of the Portuguese language are mandatory requirements for applicants for citizenship.
If there are family ties, the period of registration of the resident status is reduced to 2 years.
Status of the issued document: passport.
European migration legislation is not limited to standard residency programs. In recent years, more and more countries have offered flexible solutions for professionals who want to combine work and travel. Here is a list of countries offering visa programs for digital nomads in Europe that are relevant to Russians, a number of which in the future allow them to apply for permanent residence.
A special program for remote employees and freelancers that allows you to temporarily reside in the country without working for local employers. It is based on a long-term national visa type D (Schengen) and allows you to stay in the Republic for up to 1 year and transfer your family.
You can find out all the procedures for applying for a Croatian Digital Nomad Visa on the page completely dedicated to this program.
The status of the issued document: residence permit card.
Learn more about all the ways to obtain a Croatian residence permit.
The program, introduced by the Spanish government in 2023, allows foreign citizens to legally reside in the Kingdom and work remotely. A residence permit of this type is intended for professionals and freelancers working in foreign companies or as self-employed. Gives the right to live up to 3 years with the possibility of extension. Allows you to transfer your family with you. Detailed conditions for obtaining a residence permit based on a digital nomad visa.
The status of the issued document: residence permit card.
We also recommend that you study all the ways to obtain a residence permit in Spain.
MThe permit grants freelancers, self-employed and remote workers the right to legally reside and work in the Republic. The visa was introduced in December 2021 and since its release, it has become one of the most popular among digital nomads. It is valid for 2 years with the possibility of extension for a similar period. Freelancers are exempt from paying income taxes.
The conditions for obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa require compliance with certain requirements, including the minimum income level.
The status of the issued document: type D visa or residence permit card.
Detailed information about the methods of obtaining a Montenegrin residence permit.
The program was launched in 2024. The permit is based on a national visa of category D, which allows you to obtain a residence permit for up to 1 year with the possibility of extension for a similar period. The applicant must confirm income from remote work of at least 2,700euros per month or savings of 30,000 euros.
The advantages of the Digital Nomad visa in Italy are the opportunity to transfer a family and apply for citizenship in the future. This makes the program one of the most attractive in Europe.
The status of the issued document: residence permit card.
The new program, launched in 2004, is aimed at active freelancers and specialists working remotely. The initiative aims to attract digital nomads by offering opportunities for comfortable living and working in the country. The permit is valid for 12 months with the possibility of extension for a similar period.
It is available for people aged 21 to 55 years old with an income of $3,000 per month or $36,000 per year. It is important to confirm higher education and provide an agreement with a foreign company.
The status of the issued document: residence permit card.
Learn more about the types of residence permits in Turkey.
Legal Ways
Every country provides individual conditions for obtaining citizenship. However, there are universal methods that Russian citizens can use to claim residency status in another country. These include:
- Naturalization
- Repatriation
- Marriage to a foreigner
- "Right of soil"
- Investment in the national economy
Citizenship in Europe through marriage
Marriage to a foreigner from the EU allows the relocant to apply for citizenship of a European country. But the documents for the resident status can be submitted after a certain period of time after the marriage registration. Migration services are obliged to make sure that the spouses really have a joint household, and their legalized relationship is not fictitious. They check the hobbies, mutual interests of the spouses, their awareness of each other's biography. Read more about the possibility of acquiring a second citizenship through marriage here.
Citizenship of the EU through DNA test
This opportunity is legislatively guaranteed for all Eurozone countries starting from July 1, 2022. Russians will need to documentarily confirm the existence of family ties within the Old World (it's sufficient for a DNA test to show at least 20% gene similarity).
For example, authorities in Cyprus and Denmark issue passports "by descent" only if there are first-generation relatives (parents). In Bulgaria and Germany, passports are issued if the applicant proves blood relation to "close" relatives up to the third generation (great-grandparents). Details on acquiring citizenship based on ancestry can be found here.
Citizenship by roots
A relocatee must prove the presence of ethnic roots in the country to which they plan to immigrate. In matters of obtaining citizenship on the mentioned basis, a DNA test can be considered as additional evidence of family ties abroad. However, laboratory analysis alone will not be sufficient, alternative documents will be required for obtaining citizenship by repatriation:
- Archival certificates and extracts;
- Baptismal certificates;
- Household books;
- Marriage certificates (paternity establishment, adoption, name change, etc.).
When intending to obtain a passport in the EU, it is necessary to remember the restrictions on the degree of kinship mentioned in the previous section.
Citizenship by investment
Foreign states are ready to issue passports in a simplified format to those who plan to invest personal capital in the national economy or federal-level projects. However, in modern conditions, the number of such offers from Old World countries for Russian investors has decreased. Below is a table of countries where investment programs for compatriots are in effect.
Citizenship is granted after 5 years of residence on the island. The amount of investment required is 300,000 euros. The money can be invested in real estate, investment funds, or your own business project.
Status of the issued document: passport.
Citizenship is granted after 5 years of residence on the island. The amount of investment required is 300,000 euros. The money can be invested in real estate, investment funds, or your own business project.
Status of the issued document: passport.
Citizenship is granted on the condition of investing in local business structures (€200,000). An alternative option is to invest funds in one's own company with at least 10 employees (€400,000).
Status of the issued document: passport.
Resident status is granted to those who are ready to make a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (from $100,000). An alternative option is to invest at least $200,000 in real estate.
Status of the issued document: passport.
Citizenship is granted on the condition of investing $100,000 in government projects (healthcare, education, energy, etc.). Alternative options include purchasing real estate (minimum transaction amount is $200,000) or government company securities (amounting to $300,000).
Status of the issued document: passport.
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