Tax, Politics, and Cost of Living Top UK Concerns Driving Golden Visa Demand in 2026

Taxation is the top concern for 82.6% of UK investors considering a second residency or citizenship, according to La Vida’s 2026 UK Investment Migration Survey.

The findings reflect what La Vida’s Consultants hear from UK clients every week, and they show how carefully British investors are planning their next move.

La Vida surveyed UK citizens and residents between 29 September and 8 October 2026 to find what is driving their interest in Golden Visa and Citizenship by Investment programs. The survey follows La Vida’s 2025 UK Investment Migration Survey, published in November 2025.

Who Took Part

La Vida invited more than 5,000 investors from its database to take part in the survey.

Every invitee has proactively enquired with La Vida about residency or citizenship by investment over the last decade, so the results reflect people actively exploring their options rather than a random sample. This gives the findings more credibility than a randomly sampled, third-party commissioned survey.

Of those who responded, 91% hold UK citizenship and 76% live in the UK.

More than half of respondents reported a net worth above £5 million, and 93% reported more than £1 million, up from 91.4% in 2025. Respondents had an estimated average net worth of around £9 million.

Taxation Tops List of Concerns

Taxation led the concerns for a second year, ahead of political concerns at 56.5% and cost of living at 52.2%.

Crime and security fell to fourth place at 37%, down from 59.3% in 2025.

Immigration concerned 32.6% of respondents, healthcare 21.7% and education 10.9%.

“I am unhappy about taxation but my real concern is that I cannot live within the EU any more and would like the freedom to live, trade and work within Europe,” said one respondent.

“We seem to have lost our way as a country politically, financially and culturally,” said another.

In our experience, tax is often a key factor for our UK clients, but it’s rarely the only reason. Most investors describe a mix of concerns that together make a second residency feel like the sensible next step.

Wealth Tax Is the Biggest Tax Fear

Over a quarter of respondents (26%) said a wealth tax would make them consider leaving the UK.

Income tax followed at 22%, ahead of inheritance tax at 20%, with capital gains tax and property tax both at 15%.

“Current tax levels and inheritance tax are a complete disincentive to living in the UK,” said one respondent.

“Taxation in the UK is no longer a joke, but death by 1,000 knives, and I have worked too hard all my life to give it away to incompetent government,” said another respondent.

A UK wealth tax remains a possibility rather than a confirmed policy, but the prospect alone is influencing how wealthy individuals plan for the future. With the UK already imposing a significant tax burden on high earners and business owners, some investors are looking towards European countries offering more favourable tax arrangements for new residents, including Italy’s flat tax and Greece’s non-dom regime.

Tax residency usually depends on where you physically spend your time, not where you hold a visa or passport. In the UK, it is decided by the Statutory Residence Test, so this is an area where tailored advice matters.

Plan B Is the Top Goal

A Plan B or backup option was the most common goal, named by 60.9% of respondents.

Tax reduction followed at 58.7%, ahead of visa-free travel at 54.3% and relocation at 52.2%.

“Visa-free travel and work is a main concern for myself and my family,” said one respondent.

This is a common theme with our clients. Most aren’t planning to leave immediately. They want the option secured so their family has options if circumstances change. Many residency programs require little time in the country, making them a practical insurance policy rather than a commitment to move. If you’re looking for a backup rather than a move, you’re not alone

Portugal Tops List of Destinations

Portugal was the clear winner, with 73.8% of respondents naming it among their top two choices, up from 50.6% in 2025.

Italy came second at 26.2%, followed by Greece at 19% and the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs at 16.7%.

The United States took 11.9% of respondents, ahead of Malta at 7.1% and New Zealand and Panama at 4.8% each.

Portugal’s popularity holds up despite real changes to its Golden Visa, including the removal of the property investment route in 2023. Investors now qualify through investment funds and other routes. For UK investors, the draw is EU residency, a familiar lifestyle and a long-standing British community.

Brexit a Major Factor

Brexit is a major factor for 63% of respondents and a minor factor for a further 17%.

La Vida asked about Brexit for the first time this year, after a summer of longer queues for British travellers under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System.

“Brexit is the one and only reason why I would have an interest in a second residency,” said one respondent.

“My main factor is due to Brexit as it has limited both myself and my family from living and working across the EU despite already owning a home in Spain since 2007,” said another respondent.

“I don’t regret voting for Brexit but it has rather scuppered an easy move to Portugal,” said a third.

For many British investors, an EU Golden Visa is the most direct way to restore what Brexit took away. It brings the right to live in an EU country without the 90/180-day limit British visitors now face, and to travel freely within the Schengen Area.

Half of Respondents Undecided

Half of respondents (50%) said they did not know who they would vote for in a general election held today.

The Conservatives led the remaining respondents with 23.9%, ahead of Reform UK at 15.2%, the Liberal Democrats at 8.7% and Labour at 4.3%.

Whoever forms the next government, the investors we speak to want the same thing, which is certainty for their families and their wealth.

Support for a UK Golden Visa

60% of respondents said the UK should introduce a Golden Visa program to attract investment.

The Home Office closed the UK’s Tier 1 (Investor) visa to new applicants in February 2022.

However, both the previous Conservative government and the current Labour government have indicated that they could reintroduce a Golden Vida in some form.

With Prime Minister Andy Burnham looking to draw further investment to the country, the proposal is likely to gain further support heading into this year’s Budget and into 2027.

Notably, wealthy Brits back the idea.  “Why not if wealthy individuals want to locate here. If it benefits the UK it could be a good thing,” said one respondent.

“I don’t think the UK has the right landscape for this currently,” said a respondent who opposed the idea.

We think its a telling result. The same investors considering a move abroad would like to see the UK compete for global wealth rather than step away from it.

Planning a Second Residency From the UK

In our view, this year’s results show that UK investors are not acting out of panic. They are planning carefully. Tax is the starting point, but the real motivation is freedom: the right to live, work and travel in Europe again, and the security of knowing their family has options.

If you are weighing up a second residency or citizenship, whether as a Plan B or a future move, you are in good company.

Golden Visa and Citizenship by Investment programs in Portugal, Greece, the Caribbean and beyond offer UK families a range of options, each with its own requirements and timelines.

Our expert advisers are always happy to talk through what might suit your circumstances, with no obligation. Please get in touch for a free consultation to discuss your options.