Residency By Investment Migration: A Smart Path to Tax Optimization, Global Mobility, and Business Growth

In times of political crisis or uncertainty, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) consider moving to a different country to provide themselves and their families with a safe and secure environment. According to a report of 2025, the residency by investment programs saw remarkable growth in the first quarter of 2025, with a 64% surge in golden visa applications compared to the same period in 2024. This demonstrates the rising demand for residency by investment migration in today’s ever-changing world. 

Residency by Investment Migration and its Global Relevance

Skilled and future-oriented people continuously seek opportunities to improve and grow, whether this growth is in terms of their lifestyle, business, or travel mobility. Residency by investment migration or golden visa programs provide the global investors with these opportunities. The golden visa programs require significant financial investment from people; the investment can be in real estate, business, or a contribution to government bonds or funds. In exchange for the investment, residency by investment provides investors with residency permits that allow them to live and work in the respective countries. Among all residency by investment programs, European RBI programs are the most popular for attracting non-EU investors, including Portugal golden visa and the Latvia golden visa. 

How Do Residency by Investment Programs Reduce Tax Burdens?

The high-net-worth individuals facing high taxes in their home countries, especially the UK citizens who are victims of changes made in the UK non-domicile tax regime, continuously seek opportunities to relocate to countries with favorable tax policies. During the UK wealth exodus, US instability, and financial pressure on citizens of countries like Scotland, the residency by investment migration programs of countries with low taxes, such as Malta, Greece, UAE, and Portugal golden visa, emerged as a fresh breeze to these individuals. 

UK and US Citizens Choosing Tax-Friendly Portugal Golden Visa

The majority of the affluent individuals from the US and UK are choosing Portugal as the optimum choice for getting rid of high taxes. According to a report from AIMA Portugal, the number of US investors has reached 567 from 216, which shows a 162.5% surge. Additionally, UK citizens came in third place for the overall nationality in Portugal investors, with over 234 applications. The major reason behind people choosing Portugal is its Portugal NHR 2.0 scheme, which includes a flat 20% tax rate on foreigners’ driving income from employment or self-employment in Portugal. 

Global Mobility Through Residency by Investment Migration

The major advantage of some residency programs of countries like Latvia, Portugal, Hungary, and Greece is that they provide their investors with visa-free access across the EU Schengen area. With this visa-free access opportunity, the investors of RBI programs get travel mobility, which allows them to move to Schengen countries without waiting for the completion of visa processes. This saves their time and makes it easier for them to travel. 

Business Expansion Opportunity with Residency by Investment Migration

Global investors, especially entrepreneurs and businessmen, need seamless global mobility in their lives to grow their business in European markets and to improve their lifestyle. Majorly, the visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen area provides these investors with the opportunity to explore and understand well-established European markets, which is beneficial for them to expand their brands on a global scale and represent their organizations globally. Moreover, this improves their chances of building global partnerships and networks with people who share the same interests and goals. Additionally, some businessmen need to attend international meetings, exhibitions, and events for their professional growth. Residency programs provide them with easier travel opportunities. 

Top Countries Offering Residency by Investment Programs

The top countries that offer residency by investment programs to people, and sometimes citizenship and permanent residency, are:

• Portugal Golden Visa
• Greece Golden Visa
• Malta Residency Program
• Latvia Golden Visa
• Hungary Golden Visa 
• UAE Golden Visa

Who Should Consider Residency by Investment Migration?

In the modern competitive era, a great number of people are considering residency programs as the best choice for a prosperous future for themselves and their families. Those who have not yet considered should also plan to invest in golden visa programs, as these programs are especially beneficial for the following people.  

 

• High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs), including billionaires, centimillionaires, and millionaires.
• Startup founders or Business owners.
• Families seeking lifestyle opportunities like education, healthcare, and safety.
• Digital nomads and global citizens. 

Conclusion

Residency by investment migration programs are attractive for rich individuals seeking opportunities to enhance their investment portfolio or a secure future for themselves and their families. The golden visa programs provide them with a perfect Plan B during times of political or financial instability. Moreover, the residency programs of various countries not just provide residency permits to their investors but also visa-free access to many countries, tax benefits, and business opportunities, making it a global choice for people in 2025.