Money

Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) — €4,500 investment in Dutch business (sole trader / BV), 2 years (renewable indefinitely) validity, Box 1 progressive 36.97-49.5%; 30% ruling possible for highly-skilled.

Norway Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) Permit — NOK 35,719/month (~€3,100) — tracks Norwegian minimum wage, 2 years (renewable) validity, Progressive 22-39.6%; Norway is high-tax.

Lithuania Self-Employed Residence Permit — Average Lithuanian wage proof ~€2,114/month, 1 year (renewable), PR after 5 years validity, 15% flat tax (sole trader option) or 20% personal income.

Slovenia Single Permit for Self-Employed — No fixed minimum — must show viable business plan + ~€10,000 reserves, 1 year (renewable, 5 years to PR) validity, Progressive 16-50% (highest bracket), 4% normalized lump-sum option for small business.

Slovakia Trade Licence (Živnosť) residence permit — Minimum living wage ~€292/month + bank reserves €5,840, 2 years (renewable), PR after 5 years validity, 15% flat tax (on profits up to €100K).

Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa for Freelancers — No explicit threshold — bank balance ~€7,200 minimum + monthly income proof, 6-12 months extendable to 5-year PR track validity, 10% flat income tax (EU’s lowest).

Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) — €7,500/year + €500/dependent (Malta) OR €100,000 capital + €40,000/year, indefinite (annual residence permit renewals) validity, 15% flat tax on foreign income remitted to Malta (€7,500/year minimum tax).

Cyprus Pink Slip (Category F) retirement visa — €9,568/year (~€800/month) + €4,613 per dependent, 1 year (renewable annually, PR after 5 years) validity, 60% non-domiciled regime — first €19,500 tax-free, no tax on foreign dividends/interest for 17 years.

Retire in Greece — FIP visa, 50% tax reduction first 7 years, Athens + islands compared. Lowest-cost EU retirement.

Retire in Italy — Elective Residence visa, €32K/year income, Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia compared. Real retiree cost data.

Retire in UAE 2026 — Golden Visa for retirees, Dubai vs Abu Dhabi, healthcare, real monthly costs.