Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Greek residency routes:

• Golden Visa - property investment (thresholds vary by region, recently raised)
• Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers
• Financially Independent Person (FIP) - passive-income individuals
• Employment routes

Each route has different residency-day and renewal requirements.

Bulgarian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Business / self-employment routes
• Retirement / pensioner residency
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Common UAE residency routes:

• Investor / property routes via business ownership or qualifying real estate
• Employment-based residency through a mainland or free-zone company (most common)
• Freelance and remote-work permits where eligible
• Golden Visa for qualifying investors, specialists, and outstanding talents
• Dependant sponsorship for spouse, children, and in some cases parents

Quotas, thresholds, and route definitions are revised frequently and vary by emirate.

Panama residency routes:

• Friendly Nations Visa - now requires economic tie (employment, real estate, or investment)
• Qualified Investor Visa - qualifying investment thresholds
• Pensionado / Retiree Visa - qualifying pension income
• Family routes

IKE (Private Company), EPE (LLC), and AE (Joint Stock Company) are common structures. Greek tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the non-dom regime may apply to eligible high-net-worth relocators.

OOD (LLC) and EOOD (single-shareholder LLC) are common structures. Formation is well-documented. Corporate tax is at a flat rate; VAT registration depends on activity.

Mainland LLCs allow trade across the UAE and government contracts; free-zone companies (DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, ADGM, DIFC, and others) suit international service businesses; offshore companies are limited to holding structures. Bordercase coordinates with licensed corporate-services partners in each free zone and mainland.

Panamanian corporations (SA) and Private Interest Foundations are widely used. Beneficial ownership reporting, CRS / FATCA compliance, and substance discussions have become material; planning must reflect current standards.

Personal banking for residents is well established; corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard structures.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Source-of-funds documentation matters for non-standard cases. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

Personal and corporate accounts in the UAE require thorough KYC, substance evidence, and clear source of funds. Bordercase prepares the documentation pack and introduces vetted banks and EMIs; final approval is the bank's discretion.

Panamanian banking has tightened KYC and source-of-funds requirements. Non-resident applications take time; Bordercase coordinates introductions through current banking partners.

Family reunification is supported on most routes. Schools (public, private, international, English-language) are available in major cities.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.

Dependants - spouse, children, and in some cases parents - can be sponsored under most residency permits. Schooling, dependent insurance, and Emirates ID processes typically follow the main applicant's residency.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. International schools (English-language and Spanish) are available in Panama City.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Greece:

• Property due diligence - especially older buildings
• Tax residency triggers
• Non-dom regime conditions
• Registration timing across municipalities
• Some routes do not permit employment in Greece without additional permits

Risks Bordercase watches for in Bulgaria:

• Tax residency triggers
• VAT classification on cross-border services
• Processing variations between regions
• Euro adoption is in progress - operational planning needed

Risks Bordercase watches for in UAE cases:

• Bank account rejection - unclear source of funds, complex ownership, certain industries
• Free-zone choice misaligned with the actual business activity
• Substance requirements underestimated (real office, real operations)
• Past visa rejections in any country must be disclosed and prepared for
• Restricted nationalities for certain banking partners

Risks Bordercase watches for in Panama:

• Reputational / de-banking risks for poorly structured offshore-only setups
• Tax residency analysis for clients with other obligations (CRS / FATCA)
• Processing delays at Migration
• UBO reporting is now active

Typical Greek residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of income / assets
• Health insurance valid in Greece
• Accommodation evidence (deed, lease)
• AFM (tax number)

Apostille and certified Greek translation where required.

Typical Bulgarian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Basis for residence (employment, business, etc.)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Bulgarian.

Typical document pack for UAE residency:

• Passport copies (6+ months valid)
• Recent biometric photos
• Education / qualification certificates (attested)
• Business plan (for investor / free-zone routes)
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Bank statements (6-12 months)
• Existing company documents where applicable
• Medical examination + Emirates ID enrolment after entry

Documents from abroad typically require notarisation and legalisation (UAE attestation chain).

Typical Panama documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of economic tie (employment letter, property deed, or investment evidence)
• Proof of address
• Marriage / birth certificates for family

All documents apostilled and translated where required.