Ahead of the Autumn Budget, interest in Golden Visa is booming
The latest analysis from international property consultancy, Astons, the international property consultancy, reveals a dramatic rise in global interest surrounding Golden Visas and residency-by-investment programmes, with online search activity surging by as much as 378% over the past year, fuelled by an explosion of interest in the past three months alone. This all comes ahead of the UK's upcoming Autumn Budget, which is widely expected to bring higher wealth taxes - such capital gains and inheritance tax - and perhaps even further tightening of non-dom regulations,
Aston's analysis of Google search interest scores* for search terms related to Golden Visas reveals that interest in 'Investment Visa' has boomed by 377.8% in the past year (Oct 24-Oct 25). This has been driven by growth of 324.2% in the past three months alone.
'Residency by Investment' has seen a 238.3% uptick in search interest over the past 12 months, while 'Citizenship by Investment' has seen growth of 206.4%.
Meanwhile, interest in 'Golden Visa' has increased by 93.5%.
As for specific Golden Visa nations, Italy has seen the biggest annual increase of 388.9%, helped by a 181% average increase in the past three months.
However, the biggest three-month increase has been seen for 'Greece Golden Visa', rising by an incredible 304.7%, contributing to overall annual growth of 257.1%.
Interest also remains strong for 'Portugal Golden Visa' which has boomed by 189.8% in the past 12 months.
Suzanna Uzakova, Senior Consultant for Residency and Citizenship Programmes at Astons, commented:
"This immense surge in Golden Visa interest demonstrates just how much thought the world's NHWIs are giving to migration as a strategic financial safeguard, as well as a lifestyle choice
When the world's leading economies are facing such uncertainty, Golden Visas are increasingly recognised as powerful avenues towards securing financial and societal freedom, stability, and opportunity.
And it's this search for opportunity that is particularly driving interest in Greek Golden Visas.
In Greece, the minimum investment required for a Golden Visa starts at just €250,000, so long as it is invested in commercial real estate that is then converted to residential, making it one of the most accessible RBI routes in Europe. For many of the world's wealthiest people, Greece offers an ideal combination of free access to the EU, real estate investment potential in a market that is performing incredibly well, and a relaxed pace of life that contrasts sharply with the hustle-bustle environments of the UK or US.
Additionally, Greece's Non-Dom regime offers major tax advantages. Instead of being subject to standard progressive income tax rates, up to 45% in Greece, eligible individuals can opt to pay a flat annual tax of just €100,000, regardless of the source or amount of their global income.
With the UK preparing for another Autumn Budget that is likely to see additional taxes for the wealthiest people, we fully expect more and more HNWIs to start exploring emigration options, looking for new places to settle that are more empathetic to their aspirations and ambitions."
