America’s wealthiest families are focusing on three golden visa destinations in 2025: Malta, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Portugal. These programs offer long-term residency through investment, with the potential for citizenship in some cases. They attract interest because they provide mobility, security, and choices during uncertain times.
Industry advisers describe these residencies as a kind of safety plan you hope you never need but are glad to have. As Mohamed Bennis, Associate VP at Arton Capital, puts it, golden visas are seen as “premium assets,” much like gold, with both practical and emotional benefits for families seeking stability across borders. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this wave is being pushed by rising political tension, a desire for easier global travel, and the wish to secure high-quality healthcare and education in more than one country.
How we ranked these programs
This ranked list weighs six factors that matter most to high‑net‑worth Americans:
- Strength of Residency rights and path to citizenship
- Flexibility (low or no minimum stay, family inclusion, and ease of renewal)
- Global mobility (EU access or strong regional travel options)
- Administrative simplicity (clear rules and modern processing)
- Policy momentum (2024–2025 improvements that cut red tape)
- Lifestyle and safety (stable politics, strong services, good quality of life)
Malta, the UAE, and Portugal rose to the top because they combine long-term residency, family-friendly benefits, and credible routes to broader access—especially within the European Union (EU) for Malta and Portugal, and within a high-growth global hub for the UAE.
1) Malta
Malta’s program sits within a broader “citizenship by merit” trend. It offers long-term residency, commonly 5 to 10 years, to investors, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and some exceptional students. For Americans, the draw is simple: a stable EU country, English widely spoken, and an appealing Mediterranean base that supports both work and family life. The program is known for a streamlined process and a clear pathway to citizenship, which brings visa-free travel throughout the EU.
What you get
– Residency rights: ability to live, work, and study in Malta.
– Route to citizenship: if you meet program conditions, unlocking EU-wide travel and settlement rights.
– Family inclusion: option to include your spouse and children under one application.
– Stable political system and straightforward legal environment for long-term planning.
Basic requirements and steps
Malta generally follows the standard golden visa playbook, with a focus on clean records and verified funds:
- Choose an eligible investment option.
- Gather documents: passport, proof of funds and investment, clean criminal record, and health insurance.
- Submit your file through the proper channel and undergo background checks.
- Complete the investment and, if approved, receive a residency permit (often 5–10 years, renewable).
Cost picture
– Expect an investment outlay plus government and due diligence fees.
– Legal support and document handling add to the total.
– Adding family members increases fee totals but brings unified benefits.
Why Americans pick Malta
– EU membership provides broad access for business and family life.
– Predictable rules and rigorous due diligence protect program credibility.
– Mediterranean lifestyle, good schools, and access to European healthcare improve quality of life.
Applicant tip
If your goal is an EU base with an option to move toward citizenship, Malta offers a balanced route with a family-friendly structure. It suits founders and investors who split time across countries but want a secure European anchor without severing U.S. ties 🇺🇸.
2) United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE’s golden visa has surged thanks to one key feature: long-term residency (up to 10 years) with no requirement to live there full-time. That flexibility is ideal for wealthy Americans who keep global schedules. Add a tax-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and a location that connects East and West, and the result is a residency that supports business, investment, and frequent travel.
Strong 2024–2025 policy momentum
– Broadened eligibility to investors, entrepreneurs, and specialized talents.
– Simplified application steps and reduced bureaucratic hurdles.
– Golden visa increasingly viewed as a premium asset in a stable, high-growth region.
What you get
– 10-year residency in many categories, often with easy renewal.
– Family inclusion so spouses and children can share status.
– A major global hub for aviation, finance, tech, and logistics.
– High standards in housing, healthcare, and education from day one.
Basic requirements and steps
While specific paperwork depends on the category, typical steps are:
- Select the eligible category (investor, entrepreneur, or specialized professional).
- Prepare documents: passport, proof of investment or credentials, clean criminal record, health insurance.
- File through the UAE’s immigration system and complete background checks and biometrics as needed.
- On approval, receive a long-term residency card with the right to live, work, or study.
Cost picture
– Expect government application fees, biometrics fees, and approvals tied to your category.
– Investor applicants will factor in the investment itself as the primary cost driver.
– Legal and advisory fees vary but can speed the process and reduce errors.
Why Americans pick the UAE
– No minimum stay supports a multi-country lifestyle.
– Tax-friendly policies and strong privacy protections appeal to entrepreneurs and family offices.
– A modern, efficient system with fast execution reduces downtime between application and approval.
Where to find official details
For current rules and eligibility categories, the UAE Government portal provides an up-to-date overview of the Golden Visa program: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa
Applicant tip
If you want maximum flexibility without committing to living in-country most of the year, the UAE is hard to beat. It’s a strong choice for global families who value speed, stability, and access to top-tier infrastructure without a heavy residency burden.
3) Portugal
Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Program remains one of the most familiar names in residency-by-investment. It offers residency through several investment routes, including real estate purchases, fund investments, and donations to cultural heritage projects. For Americans, a key selling point is time: you can apply for citizenship after five years of residency, and the stay requirement is relatively low, suiting people who can’t relocate full-time.
What you get
– Residency in an EU country known for safety, culture, and friendly communities.
– Access to EU travel, public and private healthcare, and respected education options.
– A citizenship window after five years, subject to program rules.
– Ability to include family members under the same application.
Policy updates for 2024–2025
– Lower minimum investment thresholds in certain regions make entry easier.
– Faster processing times reduce waiting and increase predictability.
– These tweaks keep Portugal competitive as other countries tighten programs.
Basic requirements and steps
Portugal’s process mirrors common golden visa steps:
- Select an approved investment option (e.g., real estate, a qualified fund, or a cultural donation).
- Prepare documents: passport, proof of funds, clean criminal record, and health insurance.
- Submit your application to the Portuguese immigration authority (commonly referenced as SEF), complete checks, and finalize the investment.
- Receive a residency permit that is typically renewable, leading to a five-year track for citizenship eligibility.
Cost picture
– Total cost depends on the investment route plus government and legal fees.
– Real estate and fund paths have different fee and due diligence structures.
– Adding dependents increases fees but secures unified family status.
Why Americans pick Portugal
– A clear five-year citizenship timeline with limited in-country stay needs.
– An EU base with excellent air links to the United States 🇺🇸 and across Europe.
– Quality of life that combines safety, culture, food, and climate.
– Positive 2024–2025 adjustments that reduce barriers and speed decisions.
Applicant tip
If you want a measured and credible path to EU citizenship while keeping your main life in the U.S., Portugal’s balance of flexibility and structure works well. It appeals to families seeking European schools and healthcare without immediate full relocation.
Practical checklist for any golden visa application
- Confirm eligibility and the exact investment options allowed under the program.
- Line up documents early: passport, proof of investment, clean criminal record, health insurance, and financial statements if requested.
- Plan for background checks and, in some cases, biometrics.
- Budget for the investment plus government, legal, and due diligence fees.
- Decide on family inclusion—spouses and children are commonly eligible.
- Keep an eye on policy updates, as investment thresholds and processing times can change.
Market context and alternatives
Demand shifted in 2025. Italy is gaining attention as an alternative EU route, especially for those looking for lower entry points and no strict stay rules. At the same time, Spain and some other programs have ended or tightened their golden visa pathways, pushing more interest toward Malta, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Portugal.
The bigger picture: high-net-worth Americans want freedom to move, a place to land if needed, and a way to protect family options. Golden visas can serve as a hedge against geopolitical and economic swings without forcing a permanent move.
Key takeaway: Golden visas offer mobility, family protections, and strategic options—useful as a contingency plan even if you never fully relocate.
How to choose your best-fit golden visa
Start with your main goal.
- If your priority is an EU base with a credible route to citizenship, consider Malta and Portugal.
- If you need flexibility and a tax-friendly global hub with no minimum stay, the UAE is a strong choice.
Factors to weigh
– Time horizon: Do you want citizenship or just long-term residency?
– Lifestyle fit: Will you spend meaningful time in the country or need a light-touch option?
– Family needs: Schooling, healthcare, and housing plans are critical.
– Travel pattern: For free movement across the EU, Malta or Portugal serve best. For businesses across time zones, the UAE’s location and flight network are advantageous.
– Tolerance for paperwork: Programs with streamlined steps and faster decisions reduce stress and cost.
Final advice
Whichever route you choose, use trusted advisers, confirm the latest investment rules, and prepare a complete file to avoid delays. Countries continue to fine-tune their programs—often making them simpler and faster for serious applicants. For wealthy Americans seeking options beyond a single passport, these three destinations—Malta, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Portugal—offer practical paths to mobility, security, and long-term family planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
Wealthy Americans are choosing Malta, the UAE, and Portugal in 2025 for golden visas. These programs deliver residency, family inclusion, and mobility. Malta and Portugal offer EU access and citizenship pathways; the UAE provides ten-year flexibility and tax benefits. Advisors call these investments “premium assets” for stability and global options.
