TL;DR
- Italy investors may work as employees or self-employed, and Article 30 family permit holders may work and study.
- Portugal ARI holders and their family can live, work, and study.
- Greece’s investor card does not grant employment access; shareholder, CEO, or board activity is distinct from employment.
- Malta MPRP does not itself grant work rights. A separate employment licence is required.
Investor and spouse rights are not the same everywhere
The answer depends on the country, the person on the file, and the job. National residence plus Schengen travel does not create a French or German work permit.
Each row links the controlling official FAQ or statute used for the conclusion.
| Country | Investor | Spouse or family | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Yes: employee or self-employed | Yes: work and study after family permit | Official source |
| Portugal | Yes: live, work, study | Yes: live, work, study | Official source |
| Greece | No employment; shareholder, CEO, or board activity is distinct | Live and study; no open labour-market promise | Official source |
| Malta | No automatic work right; separate licence | Same separate-licence rule | Official source |
Where the published wording is clear
Italy's family page points to Article 30 of the Immigration Act for employed work, self-employment, and study by family permit holders. Portugal's family page states that dependants can live, work, and study.
US EB-5 becomes full work-authorising permanent residence once the green card is held. Eligible in-US applicants using concurrent filing may receive an employment authorisation document while the adjustment remains pending.
Greece’s single permit is a different product
Law 5275/2026 concerns the worker and single-permit framework. It does not turn the investor residence card into an open work permit. Investor-card holders may be shareholders, chief executives, or board members without that activity becoming employment access.
Malta MPRP grants permanent residence in Malta plus Schengen travel for 90 days in 180. It does not itself grant work rights; the normal employment-licence process applies.
Spouse paycheck traps by country
Households often buy for the spouse's local job, not the investor's title. Italy Article 30 family permits can work as employees or self-employed once issued. Portugal ARI family wording allows live, work, and study. Greece does not open the labour market on the investor card. Malta MPRP needs a separate employment licence under FAQ Q87.
Remote work for a foreign employer is still a national analysis. Schengen travel for 90 days in 180 is not a French or German work permit. Confirm the job, the permit holder, and the host-state rule before resigning.
| Scenario | Italy | Portugal | Greece | Malta MPRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse wants local employer job | Usually yes after family permit (Art. 30) | Yes under family live/work/study | Do not assume open labour market | Separate employment licence |
| Investor wants employee job | Yes per Investor Visa FAQ §C | Yes live/work/study | No employment access on investor card | Separate licence |
| Investor as shareholder / CEO | Compatible with investor status | Compatible with ARI business activity framing | Allowed as distinct from employment | Still not an automatic work right |
| Remote foreign employer only | National analysis | National analysis | National analysis; not EU-wide | Licence question still local |
| EU-wide freedom to take any job | No | No | No | No |
When NOT to buy for work rights
Skip Greece if the purchase thesis is "my spouse starts a local payroll job next month." The investor card is a residence product with study and family rules, not an open work permit. Shareholder or board roles are not a workaround that creates employment access.
Skip Malta MPRP if you need automatic work authorisation on day one of the certificate. Residency Malta FAQ Q87 is explicit: the residence certificate does not itself grant a work right. Prefer Italy or Portugal when a published work-and-study family rule is the real product, then confirm the exact role with local counsel.
| If the real need is… | Prefer first | Avoid as work thesis |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse local job + clear statute/FAQ | Italy Art. 30; Portugal family | Greece investor card; raw MPRP certificate |
| Investor employee flexibility | Italy FAQ §C; Portugal ARI | Greece employment |
| Parked card, no local job | Greece / Malta presence rules | Buying Greece "for work" |
| US paycheck / EAD story | EB-5 / concurrent filing analysis | Any EU Golden Visa as US work permit |
| Work in France/Germany on GR/PT card | None of these alone | Assuming Schengen = labour market |
Insider tip
If a local paycheck for the spouse is the real purchase, Italy's Article 30 wording and Portugal's family wording provide the clearest starting points. Confirm the exact job before resigning.
Is this route right for your facts?
The checker applies the published ranges and named limits in this article. It does not quote fees or predict a government decision.
Can the spouse work?
Italy's Article 30 family wording covers employed work, self-employment, and study once the family permit is issued.
Frequently asked
Can you work on a Golden Visa?
It depends on the country, the permit holder, and the job. Use the country table and obtain local confirmation where a gap is named.
Can my spouse work in Italy?
Article 30 family permit holders can work as employees or self-employed and can study.
Can dependants work in Portugal?
Portugal ARI dependants can live, work, and study.
Can a Greece Golden Visa investor take employment?
No. The investor card does not grant employment access. Shareholder, chief-executive, or board activity is treated separately from employment.
Can an MPRP holder work in Malta?
MPRP residence does not itself grant a work right. Residency Malta FAQ Q87 directs holders through the normal employment-licence process.
Can a Golden Visa holder work anywhere in the EU?
No. National residence and Schengen travel do not create EU-wide employment rights.
Does EB-5 allow work?
Yes. A US green card authorises work, and some eligible concurrent filers may receive an EAD while adjustment is pending.
Can a Greece Golden Visa holder be CEO of their Greek company?
Shareholder, chief-executive, or board activity is treated as distinct from employment access on the investor card. That distinction is not the same as an open right to take any local job.
Does Malta’s permanent residence certificate let me start work immediately?
No. MPRP FAQ Q87 states the residence certificate does not itself grant a work right. Use Malta’s normal employment-licence process.
Is Italy’s investor still barred from employment?
No. The official Investor Visa FAQ section C states there are no legal restrictions on the investor’s employment status; the holder may be an employee or self-employed.
Sources
Not legal advice. Last review September 2026. Confirm personal eligibility, fees, and timing before acting.