Americans Flock Overseas for Golden Visas and Healthier Lives
Global interest in residency programs and wellness tourism surges
More Americans are actively seeking lives beyond U.S. borders, with searches for digital nomad, golden, and retirement visas skyrocketing. Consultancy Global Citizen Solutions reports a dramatic shift, with Americans now comprising nearly half of their clients, a significant increase from just one-fifth five years ago.
Boom in Golden Visas and Citizenship Applications
A recent report highlights a significant surge in interest in European “golden visa” programs among Americans. Applications for Portugal’s golden visa by Americans increased eightfold between 2020 and 2023, outranking Chinese investors for the first time. Irish passport applications also saw a 60% rise in 2025, while requests for British citizenship reached record levels.
Global Citizen Solutions identifies five key destinations currently attracting Americans seeking new residences abroad:
- Portugal: Offers EU access, a favorable tax system, and a high quality of life, with investments ranging from $291,000 to $581,000.
- Greece: Provides EU access, with golden visas for renovated properties available for $291,000.
- Caribbean Nations: Often represent the quickest route to obtaining citizenship.
- Panama: The Pensionado Visa requires a monthly income of just $1,000.
- Costa Rica: Known for its high quality of life, achievable on less than $2,000 per month.
Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, noted, Golden Visa programmes remain accessible across several EU countries with property investment thresholds that cater to a range of budgets.
Travel’s Impact on Aging and Wellness
The allure of moving abroad extends beyond visa opportunities, touching upon the profound effects of travel on well-being. Research from Edith Cowan University in Australia suggests that positive travel experiences can significantly enhance both physical and mental health by exposing individuals to novel environments and promoting social and physical engagement.
The study’s author, Fangli Hu, commented, tourism isn’t just about leisure and recreation, but it could also contribute to people’s physical and mental health.
A report in the Washington Post further elaborated that these experiences help maintain the human body’s low entropy, or gradual decline, as published in Science Daily.
This phenomenon is being leveraged by the wellness tourism sector. For instance, the Japanese hotel chain Nine Hours utilizes in-pod cameras, microphones, and body sensors to analyze guest sleep patterns. We wanted a business that could withstand market crashes, even if tourism failed,
stated Yasuyuki Watanabe, a director at Hotel Nine Hours, to Bloomberg. The company plans to open 10 hotels in Europe and 30 in North America by the end of 2030.
Top Retirement Havens for Americans Revealed
The Global Retirement Report 2025 evaluated 44 international destinations offering retirement visas, which are for individuals planning to live on passive income or utilize non-lucrative visas. After analyzing 20 indicators across six indices, the report identified the top ten countries:
- Portugal
- Mauritius
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Austria
- Italy
- Slovenia
- Malta
- Latvia
- Chile
Many of these nations are also featured on CNTraveler’s list of “10 Countries Where Americans Can Retire Abroad.” This list includes Thailand, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Colombia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Panama, and Costa Rica. These locations are particularly appealing to retirees due to often straightforward visa processes, sometimes requiring only proof of stable income or pension.
These destinations frequently boast pleasant climates, rich cultural experiences, and vibrant communities. Crucially, they also offer affordable living costs and a high quality of life. Countries like Portugal and Spain are recognized for their safety and robust infrastructure, while Costa Rica and Panama are celebrated for their natural beauty. In fact, four of the five most popular countries for Americans seeking golden visas—Portugal, Greece, Panama, and Costa Rica—also appear on these retirement destination lists, underscoring their current widespread appeal to Americans of all ages.