Can EU citizens get residency in Hong Kong by buying property?

Yes. New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES): from HK$30,000,000 (about $3.82m). HK$30m net in total: at least HK$27m in permissible assets (HKSE-listed HKD/RMB equities and debt, government-guaranteed debt, CDs up to HK$3m, subordinated debt, eligible funds/REITs/ILAS, private LPF/OFC interests up to HK$10m, real estate up to HK$15m of which residential up to HK$10m and only from a single residential property of HK$30m+) plus HK$3m in the CIES Investment Portfolio run by HKIC

How long does it take?

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES): the authorities publish no processing time. The permit runs 2 years, renewable (extensions of up to 3 years each while the portfolio is maintained).

Does it lead to citizenship?

Permanent residence after 7 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.

The Residency Index2027 edition

Hong Kong residency for EU citizens.

From: $3.82m
Permit in: —
Passport in: No
Index score: 38

EU passport You can already stay 90 days without a visa; residency is for staying longer, banking and owning.

For EU citizens

What is different for EU citizens.

EU citizens can stay in another EU country for up to 3 months without registering, and can move there to live, work or retire, registering residence for longer stays.
European Union, Your Europe: Residence rights
After five years of lawful, unbroken residence in another EU country, an EU citizen automatically gains the right to live there permanently.
European Union, Your Europe: Residence rights

1 open route

The routes to living in Hong Kong.

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)

Changed38

changed 2025-09-17 (real estate cap HK$10m to HK$15m; residential single-property floor HK$50m to HK$30m); open

Minimum: HK$30,000,000 · about $3.82m
What counts: HK$30m net in total: at least HK$27m in permissible assets (HKSE-listed HKD/RMB equities and debt, government-guaranteed debt, CDs up to HK$3m, subordinated debt, eligible funds/REITs/ILAS, private LPF/OFC interests up to HK$10m, real estate up to HK$15m of which residential up to HK$10m and only from a single residential property of HK$30m+) plus HK$3m in the CIES Investment Portfolio run by HKIC
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable (extensions of up to 3 years each while the portfolio is maintained)
Time you must spend there: no minimum stated by ImmD; 7 years' continuous ordinary residence needed for PR
Path to a passport: Permanent residence after 7 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.
Family: spouse or qualifying partner and unmarried dependent children under 18
Tax: territorial: no tax on foreign-source income, no capital gains or dividend tax

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Residency rules, thresholds and fees change often, sometimes without notice. Everything here is general information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm with the official source and a licensed adviser before you act. Continental sells property; we don’t arrange visas or residency.

Short answers

What people ask.

Can EU citizens get residency in Hong Kong by buying property?: Yes. New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES): from HK$30,000,000 (about $3.82m). HK$30m net in total: at least HK$27m in permissible assets (HKSE-listed HKD/RMB equities and debt, government-guaranteed debt, CDs up to HK$3m, subordinated debt, eligible funds/REITs/ILAS, private LPF/OFC interests up to HK$10m, real estate up to HK$15m of which residential up to HK$10m and only from a single residential property of HK$30m+) plus HK$3m in the CIES Investment Portfolio run by HKIC
How long does it take?: New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES): the authorities publish no processing time. The permit runs 2 years, renewable (extensions of up to 3 years each while the portfolio is maintained).
Does it lead to citizenship?: Permanent residence after 7 years; the route itself sets no timetable for citizenship.

Read it for your passport

Hong Kong residency, passport by passport.

Visa-free stays: Hong Kong Immigration Department visit visa list. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Where we can help

Our markets, where a home can count.

We don’t sell homes in Hong Kong. These are the countries where we do, and where buying one can count towards residency.

The homes: Homes in Thailand · Homes in Malaysia · Homes in the United Arab Emirates · Homes in Saudi Arabia · Homes in Oman · Homes in Spain.