Golden Visa Index Shows Demand Up Sevenfold Since 2016

Global search demand for golden visas and citizenship by investment has grown more than sevenfold in ten years, according to La Vida’s Golden Visa Index.

The index gives 2016 a baseline value of 100. By 2025, the same measure stood at 728.5.

Spear’s, the UK wealth management magazine, spoke to our Founder and Chief Executive Paul Williams about the findings and where wealthy investors are looking next.

How The Golden Visa Index Works

The Golden Visa Index tracks online search demand across residency and citizenship by investment in all the terms investors use to describe it.

It is built from advertiser data La Vida receives from Google on the number of impressions our own investor migration content receives, alongside the share those impressions make up of all impressions on the topic.

Dividing one by the other produces Google’s own estimate of the total number of searches made into golden visas, citizenship by investment and related terms.

The result is a decade-long picture of demand that doesn’t rely on a single market or a single program.

US Enquiries Are Partly Behind The Surge

A surge in US clients looking to relocate after the re-election of President Trump in 2024 is one of the biggest drivers of the increase.

The day after the election saw a 23-fold increase in traffic to our website, largely from Democrat-leaning states. That spike has settled into a sustained rise in US enquiries, which now sit at the highest level in La Vida’s history.

Our October 2025 US investor survey found 76.4% of respondents named a Plan B back-up option as a main goal, with 85.1% citing political concerns. Political concerns also ranked second among UK investors at 72.8%, behind taxation at 88.9%.

Portugal Remains The First Choice

Portugal remains the most popular residency by investment choice for both US and UK investors.

The Portugal Golden Visa requires a €500,000 subscription into a qualifying fund and carries no minimum stay requirement beyond an average of seven days a year in the country. Permanent residence is available after five years and it is possible to apply for citizenship after ten years under the rules in force since May 2026.

Portugal was also the top destination in our UK investor survey, chosen by 50.6% of respondents.

Where Wealthy Investors Are Looking Next

Greece has emerged as another destination of choice for wealthy families this year, following reports that UK hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos is relocating to the country.

The Greek Golden Visa starts at €250,000 for qualifying commercial-to-residential conversions and restoration projects, rising to €400,000 in most regions and €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and the larger islands.

Argentina is the country to watch for new programs. We expect to see a citizenship by investment program launched later this year, which would be a major economy entering the race for global wealth with a route that offers citizenship and a relatively strong passport.

Panama is enhancing its residency program, which requires a $300,000 investment in new-build real estate to benefit the economy. Panama also offers superb tax benefits for anyone choosing to reside there.

Not every program lasts. The combination of wealth and immigration means politicians can use these programs like political footballs, and Spain closed its investor residence scheme in 2025 after blaming it for the country’s housing crisis. Routes that are open today aren’t guaranteed to stay open.

Speak To Our Advisers

Demand for golden visas has grown sevenfold in a decade, US enquiries are at record levels and the range of programs is changing every year.

Whether your priority is EU residency through Portugal, Greece or Malta, a Caribbean citizenship through Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia, St Kitts or Dominica, or a Latin American base in Panama, our expert advisers can compare the programs that match your circumstances. Get in touch with La Vida today.

rel=”noopener”>You can read the full Spear’s article and interview with Paul here.

Tags: La Vida News