Russian intelligence agencies are using “golden visa” programs in EU countries to infiltrate their agents into Europe. These schemes allow Russians to gain residence or citizenship in exchange for significant investments, creating channels for hybrid operations and cyber-espionage, according to the Robert Lansing Institute.
RLI reports that the rising number of Schengen visas and residence permits issued to Russians poses a long-term threat to a united Europe, as individuals sympathetic to the Russian regime can exploit these programs under commercial cover.
Estonia’s Interior Minister, Igo Taro, emphasized at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council the need for joint action to mitigate such risks. He proposed stricter rules for issuing Schengen visas and residence permits, along with standardized information sharing between member states about potential threats from Russian citizens. This, he argued, would restrict the free movement of individuals useful to Putin’s regime and reduce risks of subversive activity in Europe.
Golden visa programs also allow Russians to legalize capital and circumvent sanctions. Certain jurisdictions, including Italy, Spain, and Cyprus, are used by Russian intelligence to place covert agents, including illegal operatives. Since 2014, Cyprus has issued around 8,478 golden visas to Russians; Portugal registered 431 primary Russian applicants over ten years; Spain issued over 1,100 visas. In 2024, Portugal received €450.6 million from Russian investors under its golden visa program, which was resumed for Russians and Belarusians after a pause due to the war in Ukraine.
RLI warns that demand for golden visas has grown since 2014, linked to Russian intelligence efforts to maintain channels for deploying agents to the EU. European governments’ drive to attract foreign investment has inadvertently facilitated Russian spy penetration, increasing risks to the EU’s security and defense sector. New European Commission recommendations, expected by the end of 2025, will tighten criteria for Russian citizens and may restrict their participation in investment programs.
In summary, golden visa programs—originally designed to attract investment—have become a tool for Russian intelligence, opening a pathway for Moscow’s agents into EU countries and creating long-term threats to the security of the European continent.
