Economic uncertainty, political division, and shifting global power dynamics are fueling an unprecedented exodus of the wealthy—especially from the United States. But where do they go? A new global index reveals the top destinations for those seeking security, stability, and freedom beyond their home borders.

More than ever, high net worth individuals are seeking alternative residence and citizenship options to secure their financial futures and personal freedoms. The trend is known as «investment migration».

For many, investment migration is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, a consultancy specializing in the field, explains that securing alternative residence and citizenship is now a key pillar of contingency planning for the wealthy, many of whom are pursuing global diversification: «The more jurisdictions a family can access, the lower its exposure to country-specific, regional, and global volatility, and the more secure it will be over the long term.»

Global Diversification

Christian H. Kälin, an international immigration and citizenship law expert and Chairman of Henley & Partners, adds: «For investors, alternative residence and citizenship is a unique investment that enables them to be as globally diversified as their wealth portfolios.»

Data from Henley & Partners reveals an astonishing surge in demand from US nationals, who accounted for 23 percent of all applications processed in 2024. This marks a staggering 1,000 percent increase compared to 2019. The UK has also seen record-breaking interest, with a 57 percent rise in applications from British citizens in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Record-Breaking Numbers

A record-breaking 142,000 high-net-worth individuals are projected to migrate in 2025.

But where are they going? Henley & Partners' newly released Global Citizenship Program Index 2025 and Global Residence Program Index 2025 reveal the top destinations for those looking to move abroad through a citizenship or residence program respectively.

Some standout findings include:

  • Austria and Malta score highest for visa-free access in the Global Citizenship Program Index.
  • Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Australia lead in the residence index due to no upfront investment requirements.
  • Monaco and the UAE top the rankings for favorable tax regimes.
  • Hungary and Costa Rica are newcomers in the Top 10 residence programs, reflecting shifting investor preferences.

For the 10th consecutive year, Malta has secured first place in the Global Citizenship Program Index, scoring 76 out of 100. The Mediterranean nation’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations offers a fast-track route to European citizenship through economic contributions and a required residence period of 12 to 36 months.

Newcomer: Nauru

Austria follows in second place (75 points), while Grenada (69 points) and Antigua and Barbuda (67 points) round out the top ranks. A notable newcomer, Nauru, enters the index in fifth place, promoting its citizenship as a means to finance climate resilience projects in the South Pacific.

When it comes to residence seekers, Greece claims the No. 1 ranking in the Global Residence Program Index, scoring 73 out of 100 points. With its relatively low investment threshold and access to the Schengen Area, Greece’s Golden Visa Program has overtaken Portugal, which had dominated the ranking for nearly a decade.

Residence: Greece First, Switzerland Second

Switzerland follows in second place (72 points), while Portugal, Italy, and the UK are tied for third (all scoring 70 points).

Other notable destinations include Australia, Canada, and Spain (tied at 69 points) and the United Arab Emirates (68 points), which has aggressively expanded its golden visa initiative to attract top-tier investors and entrepreneurs.

Over 100 Global Options

The two 2025 reports evaluate 40 of the world’s most relevant residence and citizenship by investment programs, selected from over 100 global options.

Independent experts assess each program based on ten key factors, including reputation, visa-free access, tax implications, investment requirements, and processing efficiency.