Wealthy Brits Back a UK Golden Visa as Chancellor Weighs New Investor Route

Six in 10 UK investors (60%) in La Vida’s 2026 UK investor survey said the UK should introduce a Golden Visa program to attract investment.

The findings come as Chancellor John Healey is reported to be considering a new residence route for wealthy foreign investors, ahead of his first Budget on 28 October.

For the UK investors we speak to, the idea is long overdue. Many are already securing residency in countries that compete hard for global wealth, and they would like to see Britain do the same.

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

“We had one and when we removed it a large number left,” said another respondent.

Support Strongest Among Investors Abroad

Support for a UK Golden Visa rose to 73% among respondents living outside the UK, compared with 56% of those living in the UK.

Almost two thirds of Conservative voters (64%) backed the idea, and support reached 73% among respondents worth between £1 million and £5 million.

It’s telling that the strongest support comes from British investors who already live abroad. They have seen first-hand how other countries attract wealth, and they understand what the UK is missing.

”I believe a UK golden visa could be highly beneficial for the UK economy right now, said Paul Williams, CEO of La Vida. There is a big opportunity to generate valuable revenue and channel it into much needed projects and a growing deficit.”

The Case Against

Respondents who opposed a UK Golden Visa mostly questioned whether the country could attract investors under current conditions, rather than objecting to the idea itself.

“I don’t think the UK has the right landscape for this currently,” said one respondent.

“The UK needs to drive growth by changing its approach to capital appreciation and simply reward people that invest in the economy,” said another respondent.

Chancellor Weighs a New Investor Route

Healey became Chancellor on 20 July, the day Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. He is reported to be considering a route that would resemble the Tier 1 (Investor) visa the Home Office closed in 2022.

The idea isn’t new to this government. In May, the Office for Investment, a unit based in Downing Street, shared proposals with wealth advisers for an invite-only route requiring at least £5 million, with property excluded. Peter Kyle, then Business Secretary, championed the plan, but the Treasury and Home Office were not convinced at the time.

“A UK investor visa would be welcome to attract more wealth into the economy,” said Williams. “But I think there are more fundamentals to address first. When the bath is emptying fast, maybe think about putting the plug back in first, before turning the tap.”

Two proposed designs show how a new route could work.

Why the UK Closed the Tier 1 Visa

The Home Office closed the Tier 1 (Investor) visa to new applicants in February 2022, following a review of the route it ordered in 2018.

The government concluded that the route’s economic benefit to the UK was limited, because most investment went into passive, low-risk assets rather than productive businesses. It also wanted stronger checks on applicants.

Investors already on the old route must apply for settlement before a deadline in February 2028.

Any new UK route is likely to look very different, with a focus on productive investment and more rigorous vetting from the outset. The Labour government was considering adopting a scheme that was “by invite only”.

“If it means extended due diligence, then it’s what every well-run program already undertakes in other countries, and the UK government can learn from that,” said Williams.

Golden Visas Across Europe

Golden Visa programs bring more than the initial investment. They attract entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals who often go on to invest further, start companies, pay taxes and hire locally.

Recent analysis by La Vida showed that countries in Europe that ran Golden Visa programs outperformed the rest of the EU on economic growth. Between 2017 and 2025, Malta, Portugal, Greece and Spain all grew faster than the eurozone average, according to Eurostat data.

Portugal, Greece, Malta and Hungary all run residency by investment programs open to UK investors. The Portugal Golden Visa offers residency through a €500,000 fund investment and requires a stay of just seven days a year.

The Greece Golden Visa starts at €250,000 for qualifying conversion and restoration projects, rising to €400,000 in most regions and €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and the larger islands.

Malta’s economy grew by 53% over the period, five times the eurozone’s 10%. Portugal grew by 18% and Greece by 16%. Golden Visa programs were one factor among several, alongside tourism and EU recovery funds, but the investors they attracted have kept contributing to those economies year after year.

The Caribbean tells a similar story. Governments across the region have channelled Citizenship by Investment funds into national development. Dominica used them to help build hurricane-resilient homes after Hurricane Maria in 2017, and St Kitts and Nevis directs contributions towards its Sustainable Island State agenda.

Who Took Part

La Vida invited more than 5,000 investors from its database to take part in the survey, which ran between 29 September and 8 October 2026. Every invitee has proactively enquired with La Vida about residency or citizenship by investment over the last decade.

Of those who responded, 91% hold UK citizenship and 93% reported a net worth above £1 million.

Planning a Golden Visa From the UK

UK investors clearly see the value of a Golden Visa program, and many aren’t waiting for Westminster to decide. They’re already securing residency in countries that offer one.

Programs in Portugal, Greece, Malta and Hungary give investors and their families residency in Europe and a dependable Plan B, each with its own requirements and timelines.

Our advisers are always happy to talk through what might suit your circumstances, with no obligation.