Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Romanian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence (including the Blue Card)
• Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers
• Business / investor routes
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

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.

Saint Lucia routes:

• Citizenship by Investment (CBI) via fund contribution or approved real-estate investment
• Standard work permits
• Family routes

Cyprus residency routes:

• Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
• Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

SRL (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation involves notary and trade registry. Microcompany tax regime may apply for small businesses with eligible activities.

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.

Domestic companies and IBCs are common in international structures.

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cross-border structures.

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

Banking is selective. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions through current partners.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Family reunification is supported. International schools (English, French, German) are concentrated in Bucharest, Cluj, and Timișoara.

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

CBI can include qualifying dependents.

Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Romania:

• Tax residency triggers
• Microcompany regime eligibility
• Processing variations between counties
• Schengen entry / exit rules now apply

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 Saint Lucia:

• Programme parameters change
• Due diligence has tightened
• Reputational and revocation risks if information is misrepresented

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

• Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
• Banking timelines longer than expected
• Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
• Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny

Typical Romanian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Basis for residence
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Romanian.

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 CBI documents:

• Passport
• Due diligence questionnaires
• Source-of-funds evidence (extensive)
• Family certificates with apostille and translation

Typical document pack for Cyprus residency:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of income / investment
• Health insurance valid in Cyprus
• Accommodation evidence
• Education certificates (for relevant routes)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.