Latest news with #GlobalCitizenSolutions
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Retirement And Golden Visas: Trending Destinations For Americans Abroad
Milos Island, Greece—this destination is trending for golden visas and ranks highly for retirees. getty 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
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Tops African Retirement Destinations
Rabat — Morocco has earned recognition as one of the world's recommended retirement destinations, according to the Global Retirement Report 2025. Published by Global Citizen Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in investment immigration advice, the comprehensive study ranks the North African country in 24th place out of 44 countries evaluated. Notably, Morocco achieved an overall score of 81.51 points in Global Citizen Solutions' assessment. Morocco shines among African destinations Morocco further ranked in the top five African destinations for retirees, ahead of Cape Verde, South Africa, South Africa, Zambia, and Namibia. The country stood out for its straightforward entry procedures, with processing times of approximately two months. Applicants need only demonstrate a monthly income of $1,000 to qualify for a retirement visa. It also offers a path to citizenship after five years of residence, though dual nationality faces certain restrictions. This timeframe appeals to retirees who want long-term security in their new home country. Mixed performance across categories The report indicated that while Morocco excels in several areas, it faces challenges in others. The country ranks 37th out of 44 nations for international mobility and access to full citizenship rights. However, Morocco compensates for these weaknesses with strong performances in other crucial areas. The North African country achieves impressive rankings in economics (7th place), quality of life (16th place), and integration (24th place). These solid scores demonstrate its ability to provide a comfortable and affordable lifestyle for foreign retirees. Also, Moroccan retirement programs allow families to stay together. The visa covers spouses and minor children, making the country an attractive option for retirees who want to bring their loved ones along. This family inclusion policy helps Morocco appeal to retirees seeking the right balance between affordability, comfort, and simplified procedures. Citizenship challenges remain The report notes that several countries, including Morocco, Indonesia, and the Philippines, maintain significant restrictions on citizenship access through retirement or passive income visas. These limitations often involve strict conditions, extended residency requirements, and complex administrative procedures. Despite these challenges, Morocco's combination of affordable living costs, favorable tax policies, and welcoming atmosphere continues to attract international retirees looking for their next chapter abroad. Tags: MoroccoretirementRetirement destinationretirement in Morocco
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘I moved to the US for a better salary, and pay just 10pc tax'
The American dream is still luring thousands of British workers across the Atlantic every year, in the hope of finding the success they lack in the UK. Between 2022 and 2024, America was the most popular destination for British expats, surpassing countries like Australia and the UAE, according to the US census. There are approximately 700,000 British citizens living in the US, spread across the country – with some 120,000 British born residents living in New York, 35,000 in Los Angeles and 15,000 in Washington DC. One of the main draws, as Patricia Casaburi, chief executive of migration consultancy Global Citizen Solutions, points out, is that the US offers significant professional and academic opportunities for British workers – particularly in finance, technology, medicine and the arts. 'Salaries average 40pc to 50pc higher than in the UK, and while healthcare concerns previously deterred some, NHS challenges have made this less of an issue – as well as the fact that US healthcare is often paid by the employer,' says Casaburi. The firm she runs helps people find the best residency or citizenship to diversify their investments. But there are downsides, as the British expats working state-side tell us. Some states, particularly New York and California, have 'hideous' taxes that eat into your higher salary, and of course there's healthcare insurance to factor in. Plus, there have recently been hints from President Donald Trump that inflated taxes for the rich could be on their way. 'Despite hideous taxes, I'm never moving back' Peter, a surgical device start-up co-founder who has been living in the US since 1999, considers himself more American than British. Bearing citizenship and a slight transatlantic twang, the 70-year-old doesn't miss his mother country at all. He first began visiting in the 1980s for business, but it was meeting his wife-to-be on a flight to Denver in 1997 that redirected his path across the pond for good. 'I was coming out of my second marriage, and not looking for any form of relationship, but after several hours of talking, we knew it was right,' he says. After getting married and spending some time in Britain together, the couple moved to Washington DC, then San Diego and eventually settled in New York City in 2009. As an entrepreneur, Peter earns three to four times what he would in the UK, while his wife, a broadcast journalist, earns eight to 10 times more. This tracks with current data – according to the American compensation data firm Payscale, the average annual salary in New York is $93,000 (£70,000), compared to London, where it is £46,000 ($61,121). In a Northern city like Manchester or Leeds, it's more like £34,000 ($45,173). Peter and his wife rent an apartment in a quiet part of Manhattan by the river, and own a beach house in Jersey Shore, but 'hideous' triple taxes are by far the most expensive aspect of life in New York. They pay a combination of federal, state and city tax, which equates to around 49pc of the couple's combined gross income – although, he notes, it's not as bad as in California. 'I'm fine with the high tax in principle here, but it's definitely the reason so many people leave New York – there are tons of US states where we could be paying considerably less,' he says, adding that his business is based in San Antonio, Texas, which provides some tax relief. Although Peter now gets health insurance through his wife's employer, they were stung when the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare) was introduced in 2010. As co-owners of a business, the policy pushed the pair's health insurance costs up by 90pc, to around $2,000 each a month. When they employed an assistant, the overall insurance dropped to $1,100 for all three, per month. 'I feel privileged to get good spousal coverage now,' says Peter. His wife's job is likely to keep them in New York City for the foreseeable, but even if she were to leave, he'd never move back to the UK. 'In my view, Britons are always glass half empty – people have their lot in life and settle for it,' he says. 'They want to retire as soon as they can because they hate their job and have a state cushion.' He finds people in America to be more ambitious and happy to continue working beyond retirement age. Launching a start-up as a septuagenarian, for example, has been viewed as completely normal behaviour by his peers, while in the UK, he believes he'd be an anomaly. 'Americans wear their salary like a badge of honour' Katy McQuade, now 59, moved to the US from London in 1990, and agrees that one of the biggest differences is the drive to be successful and 'make your mark' – although it took her a while to get used to the characteristic braggadocio. 'You wouldn't wear your salary like a badge of honour in the UK, whereas here there's no shame in telling someone outright, whether they want to know or not,' she says. Working as a realtor for the last 20 years, Katy lives in a small town called Carefree, near Scottsdale, Arizona. And carefree it often can be, as Katy pays a fraction of the tax charged in East Coast states like New York or Washington. Arizona's income tax is just 2.5pc, property tax is 0.45pc of a home's assessed value, and the average tax and local sales tax comes to 8.38pc. 'I'm in quite a high tax bracket, but I try to find workarounds nonetheless – such as creating a PLC,' she explains. 'I pay 10pc tax on what I earn, although when I was making closer to $100,000 a year, I would have nudged into the 20pc tax bracket.' Katy says she would happily pay higher taxes for better services and community upkeep, though. 'While we say we have a great tax rate, we're 42nd in education out of 50 states, and we don't get certain public services because they're not funded,' she explains. 'I'd prefer to live in a more educated state, and I think that's an important base for the general public.' 'There's a focus on entrepreneurship, which Labour is sucking away' Although Paul, 64, has worked in a number of US cities for business, he's never lived in the US permanently. However, his position at a boutique marketing tech agency saw him make the switch from Exmoor, Somerset to New York City at the end of April. 'We're seeing more business opportunities in the US than in the UK or continental Europe, so I'll be here for around three years to concentrate on that,' he says. 'I also see more optimism and positivity towards earning money here, and certainly a focus on entrepreneurship, which Labour is sucking away in the UK.' Soon to be joined by his wife, Paul is flat hunting in central Manhattan, and expects to pay $6,600 (£5,000) a month for a two-bedroom apartment. 'Back at home, we've been paying off our properties, and have rented them out while we're here, so although we're paying 10 times the costs for somewhere to live than in the UK, it feels doable,' explains Paul. 'All our children have grown up and left home, so we can enjoy the flexibility by coming here and taking advantage of everything.' While there's often the impression that American employees get very little holiday, Paul will get roughly the same allowance as he does in Britain, with his company offering 20 days, plus the eight US public holidays. He's planning to spend big on trips to North and South America – first up is Yellowstone National Park, inspired by the couple's Netflix drama favourite Yellowstone. His taxes will be slightly lower than in the UK, although that didn't sway his decision to accept the relocation. He hopes Trump will reduce them further, but recent hints from the president suggest otherwise. He may let tax breaks for the richest Americans expire, returning their top income tax rate to 39.6pc – the same as before Trump's 2017 tax overhaul – from the current 37pc. It's a concern for Peter. 'It would be an extra 2pc on everything over $2.5m, or $20,000 for every million,' he says. 'It would really affect us.' Casaburi says the proposed 'millionaire's tax' has surprised many clients and prompted wealthy British expats residing in the US to consider relocating to more tax-friendly jurisdictions. 'Rather than returning to the UK, which has significant taxes itself, British clients are exploring alternatives like Malta and Cyprus,' she says. Those wishing to stay closer to the US for family or business reasons are considering Caribbean nations that offer favourable tax terms like St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda and Grenada. 'While the US remains attractive for Britons seeking professional and financial advancement, its appeal for high-net-worth individuals fluctuates with changing fiscal policies,' she adds. Is the US losing its shine? While there may be more money to be had in America, it doesn't win across all metrics that make a happy life. The US dropped form 23rd to 38th in terms of quality of life, according to data from Global Citizen Solutions. 'In contrast, the UK has remained firmly in the global top 10 across the quality of life, investment potential, and mobility dimensions, maintaining strong institutional trust and healthcare access, despite Brexit,' says Casaburi. 'For British nationals already living in the US or considering transatlantic relocation, these shifts are prompting more nuanced evaluations, not just of economic opportunity, but of long-term wellbeing, security, and stability.' For Matthew, the American lifestyle was untenable. He relocated from London to New York in 2000, enticed by the fact that when he demanded double his already high programming salary to be doubled, 'they didn't blink', he says. 'I should've asked for 200pc.' However, the relentless New York lifestyle – 6am workouts, 11-hour workdays, nights out with brokers, and just four hours of sleep – took their toll, and Matthew was eventually diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, a serious heart condition which can be triggered by stress. In 2020, he and his family left New York for Bath, escaping a lifestyle that cost $20,000 a month – including $70,000 in school fees and $30,000 for health insurance. Now, life is calmer and far cheaper. 'Even if someone offered me 10x what I'm on now, I wouldn't move back permanently,' he says. The kids love school, play in open fields, and have Olympians as coaches. 'Bath's been the death of aspiration,' he jokes. 'There's nowhere else I'd rather be.' Peter, Katy and Paul are not planning a return to Britain any time soon. However, Katy says she makes regular trips back to the UK to visit family, and keeps a close eye on life across the pond. 'Right now, there is a lot of trepidation and nervousness about how to play your cards in the US, for expats and locals alike,' she says. 'We just have to wait and see how the cookie crumbles.'
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Retired Americans are moving to this vibrant country for its low cost of living and better quality of life
Retirees are saying adios to the US. Boasting plenty of beaches, top-notch food, a wealth of nearby travel destinations, a lower cost of living and a pleasant warm climate — it's not hard to see why American retirees are swapping out domestic locales like Florida, Georgia and South Carolina for Spain. According to InterNations, an organization dedicated to building a global community of expats, Spain offers Americans the highest quality of life and the most abundant leisure activities — making it the top European country to move to. Spain is also ranked among the top countries for travel, assimilation and health care — the country is ninth best on the 2025 Health Care Index, while the US is 39th. The tax rate in Spain is slightly higher, as the country operates on the worldwide taxation system, but per Forbes, given the benefits that it offers — allowances for inheritance, property taxes, access to high-quality health care and some exemptions for those 65 and up — many expats find it worthwhile. Global Citizen Solutions specifically ranked Spain the No. 1 country for American retirees in its 2025 report, and estimates that the average monthly cost of living is around $2,000 to $2,500 — which often includes rent. 'I started investigating the residency requirements for moving to Spain. My pensions just met the financial threshold. I started gathering documents, ordered an FBI report and got an apostille. My doctor wrote a letter saying I had no infectious diseases, and I bought Spanish health insurance,' said an American retiree, Marsha Scarbrough, who detailed her Spain expat experience in an essay for Travel + Leisure. 'I printed bank statements, took passport photos, filled out forms and paid fees online. Finally, I had everything translated into Spanish by a certified interpreter.' For retirees and those not planning on pursuing school or work opportunities in Spain, you can move there on a non-working, or non-lucrative, visa. Visitor visas, which can last up to nine months, can also be an easy way to spend an extended period in the country before deciding to move. Given the impending social security cuts that many Americans are set to face, moving abroad to enjoy a high quality of life without the rising costs of living in the US seems to be a popular choice for retirees.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Retirees Flock to This International Destination—and It's Got Great Health Care, Low Taxes, and High Quality of Life
Spain tops Global Citizen Solutions' 2025 list of the best countries to retire; the company also highlighted Madrid as a great place to work and live for professionals. Global Citizen Solutions estimates that monthly living expenses there are approximately $2,000 to $2,500. Portugal ranked second thanks to its climate, affordability, and access to excellent healthcare; Costa Rica is 5.5 million Americans live abroad, according to the Association of Americans Resident Overseas. About 700,000 of them are retirees. If you hope to be one of them but are not quite sure where to relocate, Global Citizen Solutions has a few early June, the company, dedicated to helping Americans invest abroad, released its list of the 10 best countries for Americans to retire in 2025. "From Portugal to Costa Rica, there is a wide range of destinations, offering the ideal lifestyle for U.S. retirees. But, with so many great options, choosing the right place to retire can be challenging,' the website explained. So, to help people find the right spots, Global Citizen Solutions analyzed destinations on eight key indicators, including the local cost of living, access to health care, climate, retirement and expat tax benefits, safety, and retiree-friendly recreation. And the winner for 2025 is Spain. "Spain ranks as the top country for retirement, scoring 100 in the GIU's [Global Intelligence Unit] U.S. retirement trend report," the company explained. "Though petty theft can occur in tourist areas like Barcelona and Madrid, it has low crime rates." It added that the nation's capital, Madrid, is "one of the best places to work and live for experts, well known for its culture and history." Retirees moving to this European Union country can expect to spend approximately $2,000 to $2,500 per month on living expenses, with estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central areas at $1,322.50 and $968.05 in outer areas, according to the site. Those planning to relocate to Spain permanently can apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa, which allows foreigners to reside there without the right to work. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must show proof of a monthly income of at least $2,700, along with proof of accommodation and private health insurance, according to Global Citizen Solutions. The country's Golden Visa was suspended earlier in 2025. Also joining Spain at the top of the list is its Iberian Peninsula neighbor, Portugal, which won high praise thanks to its climate, affordability, and access to excellent healthcare. Unlike Spain, Portugal still has a Golden Visa program, which allows retirees to obtain a visa in exchange for investment; however, the rules have changed slightly on how it works. For example, if you choose to invest in real estate, it has to be in a rural area. Other top spots on Global Citizen Solutions' list include Costa Rica (third), Uruguay (fourth), and Mexico (fifth), all of which offer similarly stellar climates, tax breaks, and accessible visas. Check out the full list, along with details on which countries are easiest for obtaining a second passport, at Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
