Why an LGBTQ+ Family Is Planning a Future in Portugal: Two Fathers’ Future Planning for Their Sons
Melvin and Trevor's story explores why some LGBTQ+ Americans are keeping their options open for their families.
Latest data, trends, and analysis on investment migration worldwide.
By Global Mobility Insights

Melvin and Trevor's story explores why some LGBTQ+ Americans are keeping their options open for their families.
For most Americans, retirement planning begins with familiar questions: How much is enough? Where should we live? What will healthcare cost? For a growing cohort of LGBTQ+ Americans, another question is entering the conversation: Will the legal protections our lives depend on today still work the same way twenty or thirty years from now? That […]
For years, the question wasn’t whether investors should buy in Dubai. It was whether they could afford to wait. A market defined by rising prices, strong rental yields and relentless international demand rewarded decisiveness. Waiting often meant paying more. Acting quickly became part of the investment thesis itself. Today, that conversation is changing. Dubai is […]
Retirement migration is no longer about spontaneous decisions under cost pressures. Plan A (60+ current retirees) and Plan B (45-60 future retirees) are shaping distinct strategies, choosing countries, and planning for the long term. The American Retirement Exodus highlights how these two groups, though different in timing, are converging on similar goals. The Great American […]

For years, Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs were largely compared through a familiar set of variables: investment thresholds, processing times, family eligibility, and visa-free access. Those factors still matter. But another is becoming increasingly important: how resilient a program is under international scrutiny. St. Kitts and Nevis’ transition to biometric passports should be viewed in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
American remote workers are increasingly looking abroad for healthcare stability, family security, and more predictable public systems.
Kevin’s move to Spain shows why some LGBTQ+ Americans are seeking safety, visibility, and the freedom to live openly abroad.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join our newsletter for exclusive insights, policy updates, and analysis.
Get Golden Visa is an independent residency and citizenship advisory firm. We do not provide investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to make any investment. All program investments are made at the sole discretion and risk of the client.