Americans are seeking second residency opportunities that will give them flexibility and security in the future. Latest statistics show that around 20% of Americans wish to leave permanently if they could. This number rises to 40% among women aged 15 to 44.
In line with this data, inquiries about the best Golden Visa programs for Americans have increased sharply in recent years. The reasons are clear: Americans want to keep their doors open in case they need them one day. In that sense, Golden Visa programs provide that possibility.
In this guide, we compare the best golden visas for US citizens. For each country, you will see the minimum investment, whether you must live there, whether the program leads to citizenship, and what tax benefits may apply to Americans.
Which Golden Visa is Right for You?
Step 1 of 4
What is your investment budget?
Step 2 of 4
Do you plan to live in the country?
Your best-fit programs
Greece
Minimum investment: €250,000 in real estate (€400,000 or €800,000 in popular areas)
Minimum stay: None
Path to citizenship: Yes, after 7 years of actual residence
Portugal
Minimum investment: €500,000 in a qualifying investment fund (or a €250,000 cultural donation)
Minimum stay: 7 days in the first year, then 14 days every 2 years
Path to citizenship: Yes, after 10 years
Malta
Minimum investment: Buy for €375,000 or rent for €14,000 a year, plus government fees
Minimum stay: None
Path to citizenship: No
Italy
Minimum investment: €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup
Minimum stay: None
Path to citizenship: Yes, after 10 years of legal residence
Cyprus
Minimum investment: €300,000 plus VAT in a new home
Minimum stay: One visit every 2 years
Path to citizenship: Yes, after about 8 years of residence
Latvia
Minimum investment: €50,000 business investment (2-year valid card)
Minimum stay: Once a year
Path to citizenship: After about 10 years of residence
Hungary
Minimum investment: €250,000 real estate fund investment
Minimum stay: None
Path to citizenship: After about 8 years of residence
Panama
Minimum investment: $300,000 in new real estate ($500,000 for resale property)
Minimum stay: One visit every 2 years
Path to citizenship: Yes, after 5 years of residence
Costa Rica
Minimum investment: $150,000 in real estate
Minimum stay: Regular visits to renew your permit
Path to citizenship: Yes, after 7 years of residence
UAE
Minimum investment: AED 2,000,000 (about $545,000) in property
Minimum stay: None
Path to citizenship: No
New Zealand
Minimum investment: NZD $5 million to apply under the Growth Category ($2,806,950)
Minimum stay: 21 days over a 36-month period (Growth Category)
105 days over a 60-month period (Balanced Category)
Path to citizenship: 5 years of full-time residency
Best European Golden Visas for Americans
A European residence permit lets you live in one country and travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
1. Greece Golden Visa
Greece
Minimum investment
€250,000 in real estate (€400,000 or €800,000 in popular areas)
Permit validity
5 years, renewable
Minimum stay
None
Path to citizenship
Yes, after 7 years of actual residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
7% flat tax on foreign income for qualifying retirees, €100,000 flat tax option for high earners
The Greece Golden Visa is the most affordable property route into the EU, and one of the few routes that still allows you to invest in real estate. The minimum investment is €250,000 ($279,686.25) for conversion projects. There is also €800K ($894,996) for places with a population higher than 3,100, and €400K for low-density population areas.
Mainly, American property buyers prefer investing in Greek Islands for summer houses to spend their holidays, or conversion projects to get rental income.
Other investment opportunities include startup investment and capital, bonds, and deposits.
What makes this Golden Visa program easy for Americans is that it requires no residency. Once you buy the property, you only need to keep the property to renew it. In the meantime, you can rent the property long-term and earn a potential rental yield.
Retirees can also benefit from the 7% flat tax regime for up to 15 years, while investors can benefit from the Non-Dom regime, paying only €100,000 in annual flat tax for up to 15 years.
2. Portugal Golden Visa
Portugal
Minimum investment
€500,000 in a qualifying investment fund
Permit validity
2 years, then renewable for 3 years
Minimum stay
7 days in the first year, then 14 days every 2 years
Path to citizenship
Yes, after 10 years
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
Limited; the 20% regime applies only to qualifying professionals
The Portugal Golden Visa works mainly through investment funds, which require a €500,000 investment ($559,372). There is also another option, which provides Americans with one of the cheapest European Golden Visa routes: Cultural Donation. It requires a €250,000 donation to approved cultural or artistic projects, which reduces to €200,000 in low-density regions.
You only need to spend 7 days per year in Portugal to keep your permit. After 5 years, investors can get permanent residency in Portugal without maintaining their investment. At the end of 10 years from the issuance of the first residence permit, you can also get Portuguese citizenship through investment.
For those seeking tax incentives, IFICI program (New NHR) in Portugal allows eligible residents to benefit from a flat rate of 20%.
3. Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Malta
Minimum investment
Buy for €375,000 or rent for €14,000 a year, plus government fees
Permit validity
Permanent; residence card renewed every 5 years
Minimum stay
None
Path to citizenship
No
Family included
Yes, up to four generations
Tax benefit
Non-domiciled residents pay tax only on foreign income they bring into Malta
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants permanent residence from day one. It is also one of the best European countries for US citizens to obtain residency through real estate investment. There are two qualifying options: rent a property for €14,000 a year, or buy one for €375,000.
However, the cost increases with the additional government fees. For each option, you need to pay the following costs:
- A non-refundable administration fee of €60,000 to the government (€15,000 upon submission and €45,000 after Approval in Principle)
- A government contribution of €37,000
- A €2,000 donation to an approved Maltese NGO
- €7,500 for each adult dependent over 18 (no fee for the spouse or minor children)
So, the minimum investment for a property lease is €169,000, and for the property purchase option, €475,000.
4. Italy Investor Visa
Italy
Minimum investment
€250,000 in an innovative Italian startup
Permit validity
2 years, then renewable for 3 years
Minimum stay
None
Path to citizenship
Yes, after 10 years of legal residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
€300,000 flat tax on foreign income, or 7% for pensioners in small southern towns
The Italy Investor Visa mostly suits Americans who plan to relocate to Italy in the future and who want the fastest European Golden Visa program. While the program offers flexibility through its no-minimum-stay requirements, it also leaves the door open for those who want to settle permanently. If you live there full-time as an American for 10 years, you can be eligible for Italian citizenship if you meet the requirements.
The program requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup. Another preferred option is to invest €500,000 in a business. Other investment options include bond investments and philanthropic donations.
Retirees who settle in a small town in southern Italy can pay a 7% flat tax on foreign income for 10 years. Investors can also benefit from a €300,000 flat tax on foreign income.
5. Cyprus Permanent Residence
Cyprus
Minimum investment
€300,000 plus VAT in a new home
Permit validity
Permanent; no renewal needed
Minimum stay
One visit every 2 years
Path to citizenship
Yes, after about 8 years of residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
No tax on foreign dividends and interest for non-domiciled residents; no inheritance tax
Cyprus Golden Visa grants permanent residence through a single property purchase starting from €300,000. You must also show a steady foreign income of at least €50,000 a year.
Cyprus suits Americans with investment income. Non-domiciled residents pay no Cypriot tax on dividends and interest. However, it is not in the Schengen Area yet.
6. Latvia Golden Visa
Latvia
Minimum investment
€50,000 business investment (2-year valid card)
Permit validity
2 years (business route) or 5 years (fund and bond routes)
Minimum stay
Once a year
Path to citizenship
After about 10 years of residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
No
Latvia offers the cheapest Golden Visa program for US citizens. It requires only €50,000 business investment in qualifying businesses. However, with recent updates to the Latvia Golden Visa, this business route now offers only a 2-year residence permit.
Other available investment paths include €150K fund investment and €250K bond investment, which grant a 5-year residence card.
The real estate route no longer qualifies for this Investor Visa program.
7. Hungary Golden Visa
Hungary
Minimum investment
€250,000 real estate fund investment
Permit validity
10 years, renewable for another 10
Minimum stay
None
Path to citizenship
After about 8 years of residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
No
Hungary Golden Visa program grants residence in exchange for a minimum real estate fund investment of €250,000. The other option includes a €1 million non-refundable public trust donation.
The key benefit is the residency length, with no minimum stay requirement. It offers 10 years of residency, renewable for another 10 years if you keep the investment.
Golden Visas Near the US
8. Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Panama
Minimum investment
$300,000 in new real estate ($500,000 for resale property)
Permit validity
Permanent from the start
Minimum stay
One visit every 2 years
Path to citizenship
Yes, after 5 years of residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
Territorial tax: Panama does not tax foreign income
Compared to the European Golden Visa programs, Panama grants permanent residence from the start by investing a minimum of $300,000 in new Panamanian real estate. It is also one of the fastest golden visa programs for Americans, around 90 days. The country uses the US dollar, so you face no currency risk.
The main reason many Americans favor Panama Golden Visa is its tax efficiency. Panama taxes only income earned in Panama. Your US pension, dividends, and other foreign income stay outside the Panamanian tax system.
As a US citizen, you can also apply for the Friendly Nations Visa through a $200,000 property purchase.
9. Costa Rica Investor Residency
Costa Rica
Minimum investment
$150,000 in real estate
Permit validity
2 years, renewable; permanent after 3 years
Minimum stay
Regular visits to renew your permit
Path to citizenship
Yes, after 7 years of residence
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
Territorial tax: foreign income is generally not taxed
Costa Rica is one of the countries many Americans choose for healthcare, especially dental implants, cosmetic surgery, and eye care, because of its affordability and proximity to the US. It has one of the lowest investment thresholds on the Golden Visa countries list for US citizens. You start with a temporary permit and can apply for permanent residence after 3 years.
Like Panama, Costa Rica taxes mainly local income. This makes it attractive for retirees who live on US pensions.
Other Golden Visa Programs for Americans
10. UAE Golden Visa for US Citizens
UAE
Minimum investment
AED 2,000,000 (about $545,000) in property
Permit validity
10 years, renewable
Minimum stay
None
Path to citizenship
No
Family included
Yes
Tax benefit
No personal income tax
The UAE Golden Visa gives you a 10-year renewable residence permit. You can get residency by buying property in Dubai, starting at least AED 2,000,000 (about $545,000). You can combine several properties to reach the threshold.
The big difference with Dubai’s program is who the visa is for. In Europe, Golden Visas are basically about money. You buy property, invest in a fund, or make a donation, and you qualify. The UAE also has an investor route. However, it also gives the same 10-year visa to doctors, nurses, teachers, scientists, creatives, athletes, gamers, and top students. So, it is as much a talent visa as an investment one.
Plus, the UAE has no personal income tax, so you pay no local tax on top of your US tax.
11. New Zealand Golden Visa
New Zealand
Minimum investment
NZD $5 million to apply under the Growth Category ($2,806,950)
Permit validity
Resident visa; permanent after 3 years (Growth) or 5 years (Balanced)
Minimum stay
21 days over a 36-month period (Growth Category)
105 days over a 60-month period (Balanced Category)
Path to citizenship
5 years of full-time residency
Family included
Yes
Tax
No capital gains, wealth, gift, or estate taxes
Launched in 2022, the New Zealand Golden Visa program has two available routes:
- NZD $5 million to apply under the Growth Category
- NZD $10 million to apply under the Balanced Category
The program offers a path to permanent residency. If you prefer the Growth category, you can apply for permanent residency after 3 years, while the Balanced category requires 5 years.
Best Golden Visa Programs For US Citizens: Comparison Table
Country
Minimum investment
Minimum stay
Path to citizenship
Family included
Tax benefit for Americans
Greece
€250,000
None
Yes
Yes
7% flat tax on foreign pensions
Portugal
€500,000
7 days in year 1, then 14 days every 2 years
Yes
Yes
Limited for passive investors
Malta
€375,000 purchase or €14,000 yearly rent, plus fees
None
No
Yes
Foreign income taxed only if brought into Malta
Italy
€250,000
None
Yes
Yes
€300,000 flat tax or 7% for pensioners in the south
Cyprus
€300,000 + VAT
One visit every 2 years
Yes
Yes
No tax on foreign dividends and interest for non-doms
Panama
$300,000
One visit every 2 years
Yes
Yes
Foreign income not taxed
Costa Rica
$150,000
Regular visits to renew
Yes
Yes
Foreign income generally not taxed
UAE
AED 2,000,000 (about $545,000)
None
No
Yes
No personal income tax
Cheapest Golden Visas for US Citizens
- Latvia: €50,000 for business investment
- Costa Rica: $150,000 in real estate
- Panama Friendly Nations Visa: $200,000 in real estate
- Greece: €250,000 for conversion or listed-building projects
- Italy: €250,000 in an innovative startup
Golden Visas With No Minimum Stay
If you do not plan to move right away, choose a program with no stay rule:
- Greece
- Malta
- Italy
- UAE
US Tax Rules Americans Must Know Before Investing
The United States taxes its citizens on their worldwide income, wherever they live. A golden visa does not change this.
1. You Still File a US Tax Return
1. You Still File a US Tax ReturnYou report all your income to the IRS each year, including income from your new country.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets you exclude up to $132,900 of earned income in 2026, but it does not cover rent, dividends or pensions.
Tax treaties and foreign tax credits help you avoid paying tax twice.
2. Report Your Foreign Bank Accounts (FBAR)
2. Report Your Foreign Bank Accounts (FBAR)You must file an FBAR if your foreign accounts total more than $10,000 at any time in the year. Most golden visa investors open a local bank account, so this rule applies to almost everyone.
3. Report Foreign Financial Assets (Form 8938)
3. Report Foreign Financial Assets (Form 8938)Form 8938 applies above these thresholds:
| Where you live | Single filer | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| In the US | More than $50,000 at year end or $75,000 at any time | More than $100,000 at year end or $150,000 at any time |
| Abroad | More than $200,000 at year end or $300,000 at any time | More than $400,000 at year end or $600,000 at any time |
Property you own directly in your own name is not reportable on Form 8938 or FBAR. Property you hold through a foreign company is. Source: IRS comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR.
4. Watch Out for Fund Routes (PFIC Rules)
4. Watch Out for Fund Routes (PFIC Rules)Foreign investment funds often count as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) under US law. PFICs bring extra reporting on Form 8621 and can lead to higher tax on gains.
Can Americans Hold Dual Citizenship?
Yes. US law does not require you to choose one nationality, according to the US State Department. Getting a second passport does not put your US citizenship at risk.
You must, however, use your US passport to enter and leave the United States. Some countries have their own rules on dual citizenship, so you must also check the rules of your chosen country.
How to Get a Golden Visa as a US Citizen
- Start by deciding on your expectations.
- Choose a program that fits your goals. Match the right country to your budget, goals, and tax situation.
- Get tax advice. Check how the investment affects your US tax filings.
- Prepare documents. You will usually need a passport, a background check, birth and marriage certificates, and proof of funds. Most countries ask for an apostille on US documents.
- Make the investment. Buy the property, subscribe to the fund, or make the contribution.
- Submit your application. A licensed lawyer or agent usually files it for you.
- Give biometrics. Some programs need you to visit the country for fingerprints.
- Receive your permit or passport. Then keep the investment for the required period.
Please note that these are general guidelines. Each country we mentioned above has a different process to follow.
Is There a Golden Visa for the United States?
Not in the European sense. The closest options are the Trump Gold Card and the EB-5 visa.
- Trump Gold Card: created by Executive Order 14351 in September 2025. It requires a $15,000 processing fee and a $1 million gift for an individual, or $2 million for a company sponsor. It leads to permanent residence through the EB-1 and EB-2 categories.
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: $800,000 in a targeted employment area or $1,050,000 elsewhere, with job creation.
Both programs are for foreign nationals who want to move to the US. They do not apply to US citizens.
Get Golden Visa: Who We Are and How We Can Help You
Get Golden Visa is a residency and citizenship by investment consultancy. We help American investors and families compare programs and choose the route that fits their goals.
Contact the best golden visa consultants for Americans to discuss your plans. We will guide you from your first question to your new residence permit or passport.
FAQs on Golden Visas for US Citizens
What countries have golden visas for US citizens?
The main golden visas for US citizens are in Greece, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Cyprus, Panama, Costa Rica, and the UAE. All of them accept American applicants.
Which country has the easiest golden visa for Americans?
The UAE is among the fastest, with decisions in about 5 days in Dubai. Greece is among the simplest in Europe, with a property route and no minimum stay.
How much money do you need to get a golden visa?
Programs start at $150,000 in Costa Rica and €250,000 in Greece. Most European programs need €250,000 to €500,000, plus fees.
What countries can Americans move to permanently?
Malta, Cyprus, and Panama grant permanent residence from the start. Greece and the UAE issue long-term renewable permits.
Can you get a golden visa in America?
The US has no golden visa in the European sense. Foreign nationals can use the EB-5 program or the Trump Gold Card.
Can I get a green card if I invest $500,000?
No. The EB-5 minimum is $800,000 in a targeted employment area, or $1,050,000 elsewhere.
Do I have to give up my US citizenship to get a golden visa?
US law allows dual residency and citizenship. So, you do not need to give up on your US passport.
Do I pay US taxes if I live abroad on a golden visa?
US citizens report their worldwide income every year. You may also need to file an FBAR and Form 8938 for your foreign assets.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is not legal, tax or investment advice. Program rules and US tax law change often, so confirm all figures with the relevant authority and a qualified adviser before you invest.
