Retirement And Golden Visas: Trending Destinations For Americans Abroad
It's no secret that more Americans are exploring life beyond U.S. borders, with online searches surging for digital nomad visas, golden visas, and retirement visas. According to Global Citizen Solutions, a consultancy specializing in residency and citizenship by investment, this trend is accelerating: five years ago, Americans represented just one-fifth of their clients; today, they make up almost half.
A new report by GCS shows that interest in Europe's golden visa programs is particularly strong. Applications for Portugal's golden visa from Americans rose eightfold between 2020 and 2023, surpassing Chinese investors for the first time. Irish passports have also seen a 60% spike in 2025, and Americans are making record numbers of requests for British citizenship.
Based on Global Citizen Solutions' data, five destinations are currently trending among Americans seeking new lives abroad: Portugal —because it has EU access, a favorable tax scheme, and is seen to have a high quality of life. Investment ranges from $291,000 to $581,000.
—because it has EU access, a favorable tax scheme, and is seen to have a high quality of life. Investment ranges from $291,000 to $581,000. Greece —again, for its EU access, where a golden visa for renovated homes would cost $291,000.
—again, for its EU access, where a golden visa for renovated homes would cost $291,000. Caribbean nations —because they are often the fastest route to passports.
—because they are often the fastest route to passports. Panama —because the Pensionado Visa requires a $1,000 per month income requirement.
—because the Pensionado Visa requires a $1,000 per month income requirement. Costa Rica—because of its high quality of life for under $2,000 per month.
Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, says that "Golden Visa programmes remain accessible across several EU countries with property investment thresholds that cater to a range of budgets."
The appeal of moving abroad isn't just about visas and new addresses. Travel itself may be a powerful defense against aging. A 2024 study by Edith Cowan University in Australia found that positive travel experiences boost both physical and mental health by exposing individuals to new environments and encouraging social and physical engagement. As study author Fangli Hu noted, 'tourism isn't just about leisure and recreation, but it could also contribute to people's physical and mental health.'
The Washington Post reported at the time that the study, published in Science Daily, found "how positive travel experiences help maintain the human body's low entropy or gradual decline."
Wellness tourism is capitalizing on these benefits. Nine hours, for example, is a Japanese hotel chain that studies guests' sleep via an in-pod camera, microphone, and body sensor. 'We wanted a business that could withstand market crashes, even if tourism failed,' Yasuyuki Watanabe, a director at Hotel Nine Hours, told Bloomberg. It plans to expand and open 10 in Europe and 30 across North America by the end of 2030. So, Where Is The Best Place For Americans To Retire?
Recent data from the Global Retirement Report 2025 evaluated 44 global destinations that offer retirement visas. That's to say, visas for individuals seeking to retire on a passive income or utilize non-lucrative visas. Collecting data across 20 indicators and six indices, the author, Global Citizen Solutions, names these countries as the top ten: Portugal, Mauritius, Spain, Uruguay, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Latvia, and Chile.
Likewise, many of these countries are on CNTraveler's list of 10 Countries Where Americans Can Retire Abroad. These countries—Thailand, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Colombia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Panama, and Costa Rica—stand out for retirees because the visa process is often straightforward; it sometimes only requires proof of stable income or pension.
Many of these places offer pleasant climates, rich cultures, thriving communities, but crucially, they also offer affordable living costs and a high quality of life. Countries like Portugal and Spain offer safety and great infrastructure, while countries like Costa Rica and Panama are renowned for their natural beauty.
Four out of the five trending countries for Americans to find golden visas are on both of these retirement lists—Portugal, Greece, Panama, and Costa Rica, proving that these places are the most sought after right now, for Americans of any age. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Here's How Retirement Visas For U.S. Expats Compare, Based On New Data By Alex Ledsom Forbes 10 Countries With Golden Visa Programs For Americans By Alex Ledsom Forbes This French Region Is Offering €1 Houses By Alex Ledsom
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