Most Attractive Global Investment Migration Programs for 2025

Henley & Partners, the global leader in residence and citizenship by investment, has released its 2025 Investment Migration Programs report, highlighting the continued dominance of European programs. The report features the Global Citizenship Program Index and the Global Residence Program Index, ranking the world’s most attractive investment migration programs based on a comprehensive evaluation by independent experts. The indexes consider factors such as reputation, quality of life, visa-free travel, processing efficiency, compliance, and investment requirements, among others. The 2025 edition marks a significant milestone, with Malta retaining its top position in the Global Citizenship Program Index for the tenth consecutive year and Greece ascending to the top spot in the Global Residence Program Index for the first time. The report also reveals a surge in applications from US and UK citizens, underscoring the growing global interest in investment migration as a diversification and risk mitigation strategy.

Malta’s success in the Global Citizenship Program Index is attributed to its robust program, designed by Henley & Partners in 2013, which grants citizenship to individuals and their families who contribute to the country’s economic development. Following Malta closely is Austria, maintaining its second-place ranking. Caribbean nations also feature prominently, with Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda securing the third and fourth positions, respectively. Nauru, a newcomer to the index, joins St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia in the fifth position, highlighting the appeal of these Small Island Developing States (SIDS) for citizenship by investment. Nauru’s program offers not only global mobility advantages but also contributes to climate resilience initiatives in the South Pacific. Dominica, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, North Macedonia, Vanuatu, and Cambodia round out the remaining ranks, showcasing the global diversity of citizenship programs.

Greece’s rise to the top of the Global Residence Program Index reflects the increasing popularity of its golden visa program. Portugal, a long-time leader in the index, now shares the third position with Italy and the UK. Switzerland secures the second position with its program combining private residence with tax benefits. Australia, Canada, and the UAE also feature in the top five, highlighting their efforts to attract high-skilled individuals and entrepreneurs through innovative visa programs. The index welcomes two new entrants – Hungary and Costa Rica – both offering attractive residence by investment options. Other notable programs include those of Luxembourg, Singapore, Jersey, Panama, Malta, New Zealand, Monaco, the USA, Hong Kong, Latvia, South Korea, Cyprus, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mauritius.

The report highlights key performance indicators within the indexes. Nauru boasts the most favorable investment requirements in the citizenship index, while Australia, Hong Kong, and Switzerland lead the residence index due to the absence of upfront investment requirements. Several countries score perfectly on physical visit requirements for citizenship programs and processing time for residence programs. Monaco and the UAE receive top marks for tax benefits in the residence index, while European Union countries excel in visa-free travel access. These insights provide valuable benchmarks for investors seeking optimal program features.

The 2025 Investment Migration Programs report underscores the evolving landscape of investment migration and its increasing relevance in an era of global volatility. Henley & Partners emphasizes the importance of robust comparative tools like these indexes for both investors and governments. Acquiring alternative residence or citizenship is viewed as a crucial diversification strategy, mitigating jurisdictional risk and providing access to global opportunities. The report highlights the growing trend of geopolitical arbitrage, where investors seek to leverage differences in legal, economic, and political conditions across countries. This strategic approach allows for wealth preservation and optimization of lifestyle outcomes.

The report also acknowledges the record-breaking trend of wealth migration, with a projected 142,000 high-net-worth individuals expected to relocate in 2025. This surge in wealth migration further emphasizes the demand for alternative residence and citizenship options. Henley & Partners, with its extensive experience and expertise, plays a key role in assisting individuals and families navigate the complexities of investment migration. The firm’s global network of offices and team of professionals provide tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of investors seeking global mobility and security. The 2025 report, along with other tools like the Henley Ultimate Portfolio, empower investors to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data and analysis, ensuring the future-proofing of their wealth and legacy.