in The judgment is the teacherThis week, the European Union banned the so -called gold passports programs, which allowed the wealthy foreigners to pay in exchange for the miracle citizenship, which was common among the wealthy Americans looking for an increasing exit strategy of them Political fraught The country of the country. But investment immigration experts say there is Options outside Europe For high networks worth individuals Looking for a plan b.
In many countries in Europe closes its doorsNew Zealand opens, enthusiastic about capitalist investments from wealthy foreigners, and helps the government’s hopes to reduce the last financial pain.
Earlier this year, the country of the island announced that it would work Relax restrictions On active Investor In addition to the visa program in an attempt Attract more investors. Changes include removal of English language requirements, expanding qualified investments, and reducing the time that investors must stay in the country.
The changes, which were broadcast on April 1, are already paying great attention, according to Green Pastures New Zeland, which provide immigration and naturalization services. Due to its distant location, natural beauty, and tax benefits – the country does not have capital gains, real estate, or wealth on wealth – long ago, he appealed to the wealthy Americans, Especially those in Silicon Valley.
Individuals are generally required to invest somewhere between $ 2.5 to $ 5 million, and to stay in New Zealand for a specific number of days. They must also keep their investments for a certain number of years to qualify. Dominic Jones, the administrative director of green pastures in New Zealand, says about 40 % of inquiries to the most green pastures came from American investors, many of whom are citing political uncertainty as a catalyst.
“This visa is of great value for New Zealand. We are a small country. This means that we are a shortcut in capital, a fiscal cup, and also human capital.” luck Earlier this year. “Attracting very successful and wealthy people to a place like New Zealand has a lot of positive flow on the effects.”
European countries rethink gold residence programs
The European Union Supreme Court’s decision this week stems to ban golden passport programs from only one member state, Malta, as it presented a quick path to citizenship through investment (Bulgaria and Cyprus have offered a similar path before, but it got rid of its programs independently). But many countries, including Greece, Ireland and Portugal and Spain Investment residence, which wealthy foreigners often, can An investigation through the purchase of residential properties.
Although residency does not come with all the privileges of citizenship, it allows the wealthy foreign citizens to reach the country where they bought their property throughout the European Union, and it was common among the elites who enjoyed travel -free of obstacles, as well as retirees searching for green pastures outside the United States
But the citizenship offered for sale also attracted criminal elements, and anti -corruption organizations have found, and European government leaders say that wealthy investors who buy real estate in major cities contributed to the housing costs that revolve around the sky and which make the local population.
As such, many countries end or significantly reduce their programs. Spain ended the golden visa program on April 3, while Ireland and T.It is the Netherlands I have already done so and Greece Plans to tighten restrictions. In 2023, Portugal canceled real estate as a qualified investment for residency.
Meanwhile, Hungary brought back the golden visa program last year. At the beginning of 2025, it also canceled the option of real estate investment.
Citizenship by investment programs is more rare than residence, and Malta was considered the “gold standard”, according to Henley & Partners, a global consultant investment company in immigration. Outside Europe, GrenadaAntigua, Barbuda and Dominica are common destinations for the second citizen.
This story was originally shown on Fortune.com
