Can I get a golden visa without selling my stocks?

Yes. You can use a Lombard loan to borrow against your existing investment portfolio at 2-3% annual interest. The bank takes your stocks as collateral and gives you cash to fund the golden visa investment. Your portfolio keeps growing while you meet the programme requirements.

How much can I borrow against my portfolio for a golden visa?

Most private banks will lend 50-65% of your portfolio value. For a €500,000 golden visa, you'd need approximately €750,000-€1,000,000 in securities as collateral. Diversified portfolios of blue-chip stocks and bonds typically get the best loan-to-value ratios.

Is a Lombard loan cheaper than selling stocks for a golden visa?

Usually yes, significantly. If you have substantial capital gains, selling could trigger 20-40% in taxes. A Lombard loan costs 2-3% annually with no tax on the loan proceeds. For a $500K investment, you might pay $75K in interest over 5 years versus $150K+ in immediate capital gains taxes.

What happens if the stock market drops while I have a Lombard loan?

If your portfolio value drops significantly (typically 30-40%), the bank may issue a margin call requiring you to add collateral or reduce the loan. This is why advisors recommend borrowing only 50% of portfolio value — it provides a buffer for normal market volatility.

Which golden visa programmes work best with Lombard financing?

Programmes with real estate or regulated fund options work best: Portugal (€500K funds), Greece (€250K-€400K property), Spain (€500K property), Malta (€700K property), and Caribbean programmes ($100K-$200K). These assets can serve as additional collateral and may generate income to offset loan interest.

Which banks offer Lombard loans for golden visa financing?

Lombard loans are offered by Swiss private banks (UBS, Credit Suisse, Julius Baer, Lombard Odier), UK wealth managers, and Singapore private banks. Minimum portfolio requirements are typically $500K-$1M. Current rates range from 2.5% to 4% depending on portfolio size and composition.

Can I use crypto as collateral for a golden visa Lombard loan?

Some banks now accept Bitcoin and Ethereum as partial collateral, but with lower loan-to-value ratios (typically 30-40% vs 60% for stocks) due to higher volatility. Most Lombard facilities still prefer traditional securities like diversified ETFs and blue-chip stocks.

How to Get a Golden Visa Without Selling Your Stocks

The Bottom Line: You can fund a €250K-€500K golden visa investment by borrowing against your existing portfolio at 2-3% annual interest — instead of selling and paying 20-40% in capital gains taxes.

What Problem Do Most Golden Visa Investors Face?

You want a golden visa for tax benefits, travel freedom, or a Plan B. But you've built a strong investment portfolio over decades, and selling means:

Capital gains taxes of 20-40% depending on your country
Lost compounding — money taken out stops growing
Market timing risk — what if you sell at the bottom?
Restructuring fees — breaking up positions isn't free

For a $500,000 golden visa investment, selling could cost you $100,000-$200,000 in taxes alone. There's a better way.

How Does Lombard Loan Financing Work?

A Lombard loan lets you borrow against your portfolio without selling it. Your stocks, bonds, and funds serve as collateral. The bank gives you cash. Your investments keep growing.

How It Works

Step	What Happens
1. Pledge collateral	Transfer $600K-$1M in securities to a private bank
2. Receive loan	Bank lends you 50-65% of portfolio value
3. Make investment	Use borrowed funds for golden visa property or fund
4. Portfolio grows	Your original investments continue compounding
5. Repay flexibly	Pay interest only, or repay principal when convenient

Real Numbers: $500K Golden Visa

Approach	Cost Over 5 Years
Sell stocks	$150K capital gains tax + $180K lost growth = $330K
Lombard loan	$75K interest (3% on $500K) = $75K
You save	$255,000

The math gets even better over 10+ years as your original portfolio keeps compounding.

Which Golden Visas Work Best With Lombard Financing?

Not all programmes are equal for this strategy. The best ones let you use borrowed funds for real estate or regulated funds — assets banks will accept as additional collateral.

Best Options for Lombard Financing

Programme	Minimum	Why It Works
Portugal	€500K fund	Regulated funds accepted as collateral, zero residency
Greece	€250K-€400K property	Property generates rental income to offset interest
Spain	€500K property	Property in prime locations holds value well
Caribbean	$100K-$200K	Lowest investment = smallest loan needed
Malta	€700K property	EU citizenship in 1-3 years, property appreciates

How Do You Get Your Golden Visa Without Selling Stocks?

Week 1-2: Portfolio Assessment

Review your holdings with a private bank
Determine loan-to-value ratio (typically 50-65%)
Calculate how much you can borrow

Week 3-4: Loan Structuring

Choose interest-only or amortising repayment
Set loan term (usually 1-5 years, renewable)
Lock in rate (fixed or variable)

Week 5-8: Golden Visa Application

Use loan proceeds for investment (property, fund, or donation)
Submit application with proof of funds
Investment remains in your name

Ongoing: Portfolio Management

Your original investments keep growing
Pay interest quarterly or annually
Refinance or repay when convenient

How Does Tax Arbitrage Work With Golden Visas?

Here's why this strategy is so powerful:

California Investor Example

Portfolio: $2M in appreciated tech stocks (cost basis $400K)

If you sell $500K:	$120K federal + state capital gains tax
If you borrow $500K:	$15K annual interest (tax-deductible in some cases)
Year 1 savings:	$105,000

And your $2M portfolio keeps growing. At 7% annual returns, that's $140,000 in additional gains you would have lost by selling.

Common Questions

Won't the bank call my loan if markets drop?

Margin calls happen if your portfolio falls significantly (usually 30-40%). You'd need to add collateral or reduce the loan. This is why we recommend borrowing only 50% of portfolio value — it gives you a large buffer.

Can I use any stocks as collateral?

Most banks prefer diversified portfolios of blue-chip stocks, ETFs, and bonds. Concentrated positions in single stocks or crypto may have lower loan-to-value ratios.

What if I want to sell later anyway?

You can repay the loan anytime and sell your stocks then. There's no penalty for early repayment with most Lombard facilities.

Is this available at my current bank?

We work with global banks and will advise on the loan and investment solution.

Which Banks Offer This?

We work with private banks in Switzerland, Singapore, and the UK that specialise in Lombard facilities for international clients. Rates currently range from 2.5% to 4% depending on portfolio size and composition.

Schedule a consultation →