Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Living Abroad with US Social Security Benefits

For American retirees, the single most critical guarantee is the continued payment of Social Security benefits. This income represents not only financial support but also stability. As of 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that around 760,000 Americans collect benefits while living abroad, with annual payouts exceeding $7.5 billion. This underscores that migration is […]

July 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Beyond Europe: Is Latin America Becoming Investment Migration’s Next Frontier?

For much of the past decade, the geography of investment migration was relatively clear. Europe dominated the conversation. Portugal, Malta, Greece, and Spain shaped how investors thought about residency, citizenship, and global mobility planning. Caribbean citizenship programs offered alternative pathways, but the industry’s center of gravity remained firmly European. That picture may be starting to […]

July 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Why Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece Are Winning America’s New Expat Exodus

For decades, the United States was the default destination for global talent. It offered career acceleration, higher salaries, world-class universities, and a powerful promise of upward mobility. That promise has not disappeared. But for many expats living in the US, it is being recalculated. The question is no longer simply whether America offers opportunity. It […]

July 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

From Relocation Plans to Golden Visas: Behind the Growing Number of Americans Leaving the US

Golden Visas are increasingly being used as a planning tool by Americans seeking greater international mobility before making any permanent relocation decision. Leaving the US is rarely an immediate step, as it requires housing, taxes, financial planning, and family planning, all of which can take months or even years. Against this backdrop, internal Get Golden […]

June 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

The Kindergarten Exit: Why Some LGBTQ+ Families Start Planning to Leave the US

A notable group has begun to emerge among LGBTQ+ households exploring international mobility: parents whose children have not yet started school. Over the past two years, inquiries involving families with pre-school-age children increased by 41%. Yet what stood out was not the volume itself, but the timing. A significant share of these families began exploring […]

June 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

The Motivations Behind American Retirement Migration

The post-2020 period marked a profound shift in how Americans perceive retirement. The pandemic revealed not only the fragility of the healthcare system but also the limitations of individual mobility. Even wealthy Americans with summer homes in Europe or private jets experienced the shock of closed borders. For many, the idea of relying on a […]

June 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

LGBTQ+ Americans Redefining Home Abroad: Legal Security, and the Future of Mobility

Most reports about migration close with a recommendation. This one closes with an observation. The Americans whose inquiries we tracked over a twenty-month period are no longer asking what they should do. They have already made that decision. The remaining question is what that decision means, and how it should be interpreted. First, it means […]

June 2026 Read more

Case Story

The New American Expat: Remote Workers Leaving the US for Healthcare Stability

American remote workers are increasingly looking abroad for healthcare stability, family security, and more predictable public systems.

June 2026 Read more

Case Story

LGBTQ+ Americans Abroad: Why Kevin Left the US for Spain

Kevin’s move to Spain shows why some LGBTQ+ Americans are seeking safety, visibility, and the freedom to live openly abroad.

June 2026 Read more

Case Story

Americans Leaving the US? Why Nancy Built a Portugal Golden Visa Plan B Story

Nancy’s story shows why some Americans are turning to Portugal as a Plan B for political uncertainty, retirement security, and long-term peace of mind.

June 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Pride Month 2026: LGBTQ+ Americans Are Quietly Building “Plan B” Residency Strategies

As Pride Month approaches, another quieter trend is emerging behind the public debate around LGBTQ+ rights in the United States: LGBTQ+ Americans are no longer only discussing their rights, they are increasingly researching alternative futures abroad. According to Get Golden Visa’s upcoming whitepaper Leaving to Belong: The Silent Migration of LGBTQ+ Americans, interest in “Plan […]

June 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Why Greece Is Emerging as an International School Destination in 2026?

For many years, investment decisions were primarily driven by financial returns, portfolio diversification, and opportunity. Today, however, priorities are clearly shifting. The decision no longer starts only with “Where should I invest?” but increasingly broader life questions:  “Where should my child study?” “Where can my family feel secure?” “What if my Plan B needs to […]

May 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Best Countries for Americans to Retire Abroad in 2026: Costs, Visas, and Mobility in 2026

The sharp rise in living costs in the US has become one of the strongest drivers of retirement migration. For retirees who rely solely on Social Security income, building a retirement lifestyle within the US is nearly impossible. The average Social Security check of $1,976 barely covers basic needs domestically but can provide a comfortable […]

May 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

H-1B Professionals Are No Longer Chasing “Freedom” — They’re Modeling Risk

One of the clearest behavioral shifts emerging from our whitepaper Measuring the Pressure: The Migration Stress Index of Expat Life in the US is this: For many H-1B professionals in 2025, Europe is no longer being evaluated as a lifestyle destination. It is being evaluated as a risk-management structure. According to Migration Stress Index (MSI) […]

May 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Global Mobility Trends 2026: From “Plan B” to a Portfolio of Plans

A significant, yet quiet, shift is occurring in the behavior of high-net-worth investors managing their assets through Citizenship and Residency by Investment. For years, the narrative centered on the “Plan B” concept: a second residency, an alternative passport, or an exit strategy to be activated only when necessary. Since last year, we have seen this […]

April 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

American Retirees Moving to Italy in Growing Numbers, Data Shows

Based on the most recent data from the US Social Security Administration (SSA), approximately 15,465 American retirees currently receive their Social Security benefits while living in Italy. This highlights a significant shift in the “Americans Moving Abroad trend”, underscoring that it is not only families and younger professionals who leave the US for better opportunities, […]

April 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Leaving the US: Why Expats Are Moving Abroad (New Migration Stress Index Data)

For decades, the United States was where talent accelerated and futures expanded. Today, that assumption is being recalculated. What appears as individual relocation decisions is increasingly forming a collective pattern: foreign expats living in the US are quietly preparing contingency plans. Political volatility.  Visa fragility.  Rising healthcare exposure.  Long-term cost unpredictability. Advisors working directly with […]

March 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal Golden Visa Funds Outlook 2026: Investor Behaviour & Market Trends

Following the strong engagement and constructive discussions generated by the Portugal Golden Visa Funds Outlook 2024-2025, we are pleased to present this year’s edition of the report. This analysis is based on insights gathered from 27 fund managers, legal advisors, and industry participants active in the Portugal Golden Visa ecosystem. If 2024 marked a period […]

March 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Why More American Retirees Are Moving Abroad? Real Stories Behind the Trend

For decades, retirement in America followed a familiar script. You worked, you waited, and at a certain age, you stopped. Where you would live, how you would access healthcare, and what your cost of living would look like were often afterthoughts. That script no longer works. By 2027, more than 4.1 million Americans will turn […]

March 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

The UK’s ETA Move Reflects Why Second Residency Is No Longer Optional

To date, travelers from privileged countries have enjoyed visa-free entry to the United Kingdom for short stays of up to six months. However, as of February 25, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, introduced for citizens of 85 countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, has been made mandatory as stated on the official […]

February 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Leaving to Belong: Why LGBTQ+ Americans Are Silently Getting Ready to Moving Out of The US

In the US, a subtle but significant shift in migration is taking place. LGBTQ+ people are taking the lead in this movement as more Americans think about living abroad. The increasing uncertainty of access to fundamental rights is the driving force, not just the political environment. For LGBTQ+ Americans, economic opportunity and lifestyle choices are […]

February 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal’s 2026 Presidential Election: What it Means for Golden Visa Holders?

Over the past several months, Portugal has witnessed important political and regulatory developments that may impact foreign investors. With the election of a new president, this shift appears to be gaining momentum, while introducing a key question: What does it mean for Portugal Golden Visa holders? On February 8, the socialist António José Seguro became […]

February 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

The US Dollar Weakening: American Investors Shift Portfolios Toward Global Mobility

The recent decline of the US dollar has become a widely discussed topic across global markets. Yet viewing this development purely through a macroeconomic lens misses the real story. On the ground, we are witnessing a clear behavioral shift among American investors. The key question is no longer “What will happen to the dollar?”The real […]

January 2026 Read more

Industry Insights

Portuguese Citizenship Law Change (May 2026): What’s Next & What They May Mean

Following several months of legislative debate and constitutional review,  the President formally signed it on May 3, 2026. The law includes revisions to the Portuguese Nationality Law that may affect Portugal Golden Visa holders seeking Portuguese citizenship through naturalization: Extending the general citizenship eligibility period from 5 years to 10 years for most applicants (7 […]

October 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Retirement Without Borders: Why More US Retirees Are Moving Abroad

A visible transformation is taking place in US society. Leaving the US is no longer just the choice of a small minority seeking tropical beaches or digital nomads looking for flexibility. From the middle class to higher income groups, an increasingly broad segment is treating retirement abroad as a strategic exit plan. The retirement segment […]

September 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Caribbean Citizenship By Investment 2.0: From Quick Passports to Lasting Value

For years, Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI) programs have been among the fastest, most affordable, and least demanding routes to a second passport. However, the proposed 30-day residency requirement has the potential to fundamentally reshape how these programs are positioned in the global mobility market. Under the new rule, investors granted citizenship would be required […]

August 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Investor Demand Remains Strong Despite the Citizenship Law Debate: Portugal Golden Visa Leads the Way

As policymakers debate proposed changes to Portugal’s citizenship law, investor demand is still strong, rather than stepping back. At Get Golden Visa, we’ve seen an unexpected investor demand in inquiries for the Portugal Golden Visa program, positioning this summer to be a strong season for the program, even in the face of potential citizenship law […]

July 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

From the American Dream to an Alternative Reality: Americans Leaving The US After LA Protests

Once the symbol of opportunity for millions around the world, the American Dream is now being redefined by Americans themselves. Especially in the aftermath of the protests and social unrest that erupted in Los Angeles in June 2025, the idea of living abroad has gained unprecedented attention among US citizens. Rising living costs, growing feelings […]

June 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal’s New Golden Visa Era: Tax Incentives & Non Habitual Residency Integration

The Portuguese government is preparing to make the Portugal Investment Visa program, one of Europe’s most sought-after residence-by-investment schemes, even more attractive to investors. Following a 72% increase in approvals last year, the government announced it is considering several potential tax incentives to further enhance the program’s appeal. In an interview with Bloomberg, Minister of […]

June 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

New-Generation Investment Reflexes in Portugal Golden Visa Funds

For many years, Portugal’s Golden Visa was positioned as a fast and low-risk pathway to passport access. However, with the post-2023 regulations that removed the real estate option, the “rules of the game” changed. Following the 2023 reforms, the investor profile shifted from traditional investment preferences to strategic capital positioning. As a result, today’s investor […]

May 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal’s Immigration Shift in Focus: Insights from AIMA Reports

The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is accelerating its revision process to address the backlog of 450,000 immigration files. Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, explained the details of this revision effort, referencing data from AIMA’s interim report on the foreign population in Portugal. According to Amaro, the number of immigrants […]

April 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Is the Spain Golden Visa Program Ending: What’s Next for Investors?

Spain will end the residency option through real estate investment in its Golden Visa Program. This program, available to foreign investors since 2013, will conclude on April 3, 2025. Spain’s Golden Visa program is undergoing changes. It’s been a vital Plan B for wealthy investors seeking residency and citizenship in Europe. This topic is very […]

March 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Trump Gold Card Visa: 70.000 Sign-Ups But What’s Next?

On February 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a new investment migration initiative: the “Trump Gold Card.” Promising US residency and a pathway to citizenship with a minimum investment of $5 million, the program is positioned as an alternative to the existing EB-5 investor visa. Calling the EB-5 program “nonsense and fraud,” Trump also signaled […]

March 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal Golden Visa Funds Outlook 2024-2025: Insights on Trends and Challenges

We are pleased to share with you the Portugal Golden Visa Funds Outlook 2025: Key Trends, Challenges, and Insights from Industry Leaders.  In 2024, one of the highlights was the rise of fund investment options as the primary route for Portuguese residency. That became a crucial point for the Portugal Golden Visa program. Real estate […]

February 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Latest Updates on Portugal Golden Visa: New Measures to Address The Pending Applications

The Applicants of the Portugal Golden Visa got an update on their applications that were pending Golden Visa applications under review by AIMA (Portugal’s Immigration Office). They realized that their status changed to awaiting submission from under review.  AIMA directly communicated with the Golden Visa applicants to inform them that the Golden Visa application process […]

January 2025 Read more

Industry Insights

Spain’s Congress Votes to Suspend the Spain Golden Visa Program

The Congress of Deputies in Spain voted in favor of ending Spain’s Golden Visa program, which has been providing permits to foreign investors who aim to obtain residency by investment in Spain. The result of the voting marks an important change regarding Spain’s immigration policy. The proposal for ending Spain’s Golden Visa program passed with […]

December 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

UK Non-Dom Rules: Understanding the Changes and the Implications

The UK government has announced significant changes to non-doms’ taxation, effective April 6, 2025. These changes include a transition from the existing remittance-based system to a residence-based exam. Under the new framework: UK Non-Dom Overview  The status of non-domiciled (non-dom) taxpayers in the UK has been a topic of significant discussion because of the changes […]

November 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Final Judgement on the Road for Malta’s CBI Program: Positive Notes from the Advocate General

Malta’s Golden Passport program became a topic of debate. The European Commission looked further into the EU rules on citizenship, stating that it is required to prove a genuine link or prior genuine link to obtain European citizenship.  However, the commission’s arguments could not get the approval of the Advocate General. Though, there is another […]

October 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Portuguese Citizenship by Marriage: Easier with Online Platform

Portugal’s Nationality Law provides multiple routes to citizenship, one of which is Portuguese citizenship by marriage. By choosing this nationality route and obtaining Portuguese citizenship by marriage, Portuguese nationals who have foreign spouses can also become citizens. As seen by this law, Portugal places a high importance on family and national unity. In addition to […]

October 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal Breaks Records: 1 Million+ Foreign Residents in 2023

2023 has been a landmark year for foreign residency permits and Portuguese Golden Visa applications. According to the recent report released by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum) in September 2024, we can understand that Portugal keeps becoming a magnet for foreign residents and investors. Based on the recent numbers shared by the Portuguese […]

September 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Are Americans Renouncing their Citizenship?

The political environment in the United States is changing, and many individuals share concerns about their future. These concerns include some disagreements with the policies’ possible directions, including immigration, climate change, abortion, or LGBTQ+ rights. Tax obligations are among the concerns raised. Also, there are US citizens who aspire to move abroad or have a […]

July 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Streamlining the Portugal Golden Visa: Will Portugal’s Action Plan Impact Processing Times?

On October 29, 2023, Portugal’s immigration agency moved SEF to AIMA Portugal. The intention was to reduce the waiting time for applications because the new immigration office, AIMA, would be more capable of processing them in the expected period. Although the AIMA has yet to satisfy expectations, there is finally hope for optimizing the process, […]

June 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal Announces New Housing Measures

The Portuguese government announced a new housing strategy under the “Mais Habitação” initiative. This new plan includes 30 specific steps and aims to address Portugal’s housing shortage issues. The program is created by focusing on a strategy to increase Portugal’s housing supply. Eventually, the goal is to improve public housing options and to maintain the […]

June 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Climate Change Migration: Mitigating Risk Through Investment

In our recent report, we investigate a key trend, as we did in our 2021 research, “The Great American Exodus.” Through The Climate Change Migration report, we seek to understand the motivations of an increasing number of Americans seeking a second passport abroad. As we research, we find that a desire for a better lifestyle, […]

May 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

Get a Look Ahead: 2024 | Portugal’s Golden Visa Funds in a Post-Real Estate Era

We launched our comprehensive report, “Get a Look Ahead: 2024 | Portugal’s Golden Visa Funds in a Post-Real Estate Era,” offering a unique window into the transformative changes in Portugal’s Golden Visa program, especially following the pivotal shift away from real estate investments. A Game-Changing Update in Investment Migration Recent developments have dramatically altered the […]

January 2024 Read more

Industry Insights

UK Inflation Remained at 4.6% in October 2023: The Concern Regarding the Economy Continues

According to the latest Office for National Statistics data, the UK’s inflation remained at 4.6% in October 2023. It showed a decrease of 6.7% compared to September. Despite the decline in the main rate in the UK, the impact of this decrease is relatively insignificant. Britain’s inflation rate is higher than that of the United […]

December 2023 Read more

Industry Insights

Portugal Golden Visa: Shifting Paths, Not Closing the Chapter

Just when it appeared that the Portugal Golden Visa program was on the brink of extinction, it has instead staged an unexpected turnback. Earlier this year, the threat of termination was imminent. However, as of July 2023, tables have turned, hinting the program will be altered, but is kept alive for a new era. Instead […]

July 2023 Read more

Industry Insights

The Golden Visa Controversy: Exploring the Criticisms and Consequences

Golden visas have become a hotly debated topic in recent years as countries around the globe seek to attract wealthy investors with the promise of citizenship or residency in exchange for a significant investment.  Proponents argue that these programs stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and attract valuable human capital. However, critics are quick to point […]

March 2023 Read more

Industry Insights

D7 Visa as an Alternative to Golden Visa in Portugal

Living in Portugal has long been a dream for many, and the Golden Visa program has helped make this dream a reality by offering a route to residency and citizenship for those willing to invest in the country.  Through the program, investors have been able to enjoy all the benefits of living in Portugal, from […]

March 2023 Read more

Industry Insights

End of Portugal’s Golden Visa: A Pyrrhic Victory for Housing Reform

Portugal’s Golden Visa program is currently facing a major challenge. The Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has announced his intention to close the program, sending shockwaves throughout the country and beyond. While the closure is aimed at combating rising home prices, many have criticized the decision, arguing that it will harm the country’s economy in […]

February 2023 Read more

Industry Insights

Property for Golden Visa in Greece: Four Factors To Consider Before Choosing

Whether you’re looking for an investment or a place to live, Greece’s real estate market has a variety of housing options to suit your needs. The country offers a wide range of options, from residential apartments in Athens to luxury villas on famous Greek islands. One other reason why Greece real estate market is attractive […]

December 2022 Read more