Global demand for the Golden Visa is skyrocketing. Investors across the world are preparing for tax hikes, political shifts, and stricter residency rules — and they’re taking action before the UK’s Autumn Budget introduces higher capital gains tax, tougher inheritance tax requirements, and further limits on non-doms. Because of these looming changes, wealthy individuals are aggressively exploring residency-by-investment routes that offer stability, mobility, and a strategic shield for global assets.
Interest in Golden Visas has surged at levels not seen before. Investors now treat second residency as a wealth-protection tool, not a lifestyle upgrade. Consequently, online search activity reflects a major global pivot.
Search Data Confirms Explosive Growth
Online searches for Golden Visa–related terms grew dramatically between October 2024 and October 2025. Instead of slow, steady interest, data reveals a sharp vertical climb.
Key Search Term Growth (Annual & Recent)
| Search Term | Annual Increase | Last 3 Months Surge |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Visa | 377.8% | 324.2% |
| Residency by Investment | 238.3% | 252.5% |
| Citizenship by Investment | 206.4% | 259.7% |
| Golden Visa | 93.5% | 48.4% |
Furthermore, three-month averages climbed far faster than the preceding quarter, showing that the surge is accelerating, not slowing down. Investors are not browsing casually — they’re actively preparing to reposition themselves before tax laws tighten.
Why Global Investors Are Moving Now
Several forces are pushing wealthy individuals toward Golden Visa programs at record speed.
First, governments face rising fiscal pressures. As public debt and political polarization increase, leaders target high-income earners for additional revenue. Moreover, tax authorities around the world have strengthened enforcement measures, increased reporting obligations, and closed long-standing loopholes.
Second, geopolitical tension continues to reshape mobility. Many countries now impose stricter border controls, tighter visa requirements, and more complex residency renewals. Because of these changes, investors want reliable, long-term solutions instead of uncertain visitor pathways.
Third, the UK Autumn Budget has created immediate urgency. Investors expect higher capital gains tax, increased inheritance tax exposure, and further reductions in non-dom flexibility.
Accordingly, wealthy individuals now pursue Golden Visa options to secure predictability before these shifts take effect.
Apex Capital Partners, which advises globally mobile investors, notes that clients are treating Golden Visas as long-term strategic infrastructure. Instead of reacting to volatility, they’re designing entire financial plans around multi-jurisdictional residency.
Greece Golden Visa: Leading the Surge
Among all programs, the Greece Golden Visa posted some of the strongest increases. Investors view Greece as an accessible EU entry point with powerful tax advantages.
Greece Search Growth (from your earlier table)
| Search Term | Oct 2024 | Oct 2025 | Annual Change | Last 3 Mo. Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greece Golden Visa | 8.75 | 31.25 | 257.1% | 61.72 |
Investors increasingly choose Greece for four core reasons:
1. A Low Entry Point of €250,000
The minimum investment of €250,000 — when allocated to commercial property convertible to residential — positions Greece as one of the most accessible Golden Visa options in Europe.
2. A Highly Attractive Non-Dom Regime
Greece offers a flat €100,000 annual tax on global income, regardless of total income. This predictable tax structure stands in sharp contrast to progressive systems that climb up to 45%.
3. Strong Real Estate Potential
Greek property continues to outperform expectations, attracting investors seeking both capital appreciation and rental demand.
4. Long-Term EU Mobility
Residency in Greece delivers Schengen access and a stable base within the European Union.
Because Greece blends tax advantages with cost-effective entry, investors from the UK and the US increasingly consider it a strategic alternative to their current residence.
Italy Golden Visa: The Fastest-Growing EU Program
The Italy Golden Visa recorded the highest annual search growth among all Golden Visa programs. Investors recognize Italy as a major EU economy with world-class infrastructure and a powerful lifestyle brand.
Italy Search Growth (from your earlier table)
| Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Increase | 388.9% |
| Search Score Jump | 6.75 → 33.00 |
| Recent 3-Month Avg | 65.10 |
Italy appeals strongly because investors gain access to a G7 nation without overpaying for residency. Moreover, Italy’s own non-dom regime — which offers fixed tax treatment on foreign income — plays a major role in rising demand.
Because Italy combines tax appeal with lifestyle prestige, families, entrepreneurs, and long-term planners place it near the top of their European options.
Portugal Golden Visa: Still Among Global Favorites
Even after program changes, the Portugal Golden Visa remains one of the most researched investment migration routes. Investors appreciate Portugal’s predictability, governance, safety, and consistent economic performance.
Portugal Search Growth
| Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Increase | 189.8% |
| Recent 3-Month Avg | 58.23 |
Portugal continues to hold strong because investors trust its long-term policy environment. Although real estate routes shifted, applicants still view Portugal as one of the most stable residencies in the world.
Golden Visa Programs Become Wealth-Protection Strategies
The spike in search demand proves that investors no longer treat Golden Visas as luxury add-ons. They use them to redesign their global tax footprint, increase mobility, and safeguard long-term wealth.
What Investors Now Expect From a Golden Visa
- Tax Optimization – Moving residency to a country with favorable rules can dramatically shift one’s global tax exposure.
- Geographic Diversification – Investors no longer rely on a single country for security or financial stability.
- Geopolitical Insurance – A second residency gives families a backup plan during crises.
- Mobility Freedom – Golden Visas provide more reliable mobility than standard visas.
- Family Stability – Investors want better education, healthcare, and generational planning.
Because Golden Visas satisfy each of these aims, demand continues accelerating.
The Data Signals a Multi-Year Shift
Looking ahead, the data suggests long-term structural change rather than temporary interest. Investors want to insulate themselves from increasingly aggressive tax regimes and shifting political environments.
Expected Trends Through 2026
| Trend | Impact |
|---|---|
| Outflow from high-tax countries | Higher residency demand |
| Preference for EU-access jurisdictions | Surge in Greece, Italy, Portugal |
| Movement toward tax-friendly non-dom regimes | Increased program competition |
| Shift from citizenship-by-investment to RBI | Lower entry cost, faster uptake |
As these patterns strengthen, investors who move sooner will lock in programs before governments raise thresholds, tighten rules, or limit foreign applicants.
What Wealth Investors Should Do Next
Investors preparing to pursue a Golden Visa should approach the process strategically. Waiting for additional tax hikes or regulatory pressure may limit future options.
Key Steps:
- Move early before thresholds rise. Greece and Portugal have already adjusted minimums in some regions. More increases are likely.
- Evaluate tax regimes carefully. Residency does not automatically guarantee beneficial tax treatment. Investors must understand each country’s non-dom structure, global income rules, and capital gains environment.
- Analyze long-term value. Real estate performance, business opportunities, lifestyle factors, and long-term residency pathways all matter.
- Work with licensed advisors. Compliance is now a critical part of the Golden Visa process. Apex Capital Partners assists investors seeking transparent, government-aligned pathways for long-term residency planning.
Because regulators worldwide have increased scrutiny, choosing licensed, recognized advisors remains essential.
Where Global Investors Go From Here
The massive surge in Golden Visa search activity represents more than a reaction to the UK Autumn Budget. It reflects a deeper global shift in how wealthy individuals view their future. Investors want control. They want stability. They want flexible mobility for their families. And they want tax structures that reward — not punish — long-term planning.
As governments introduce new tax burdens, Golden Visa demand will continue climbing. High-net-worth individuals now treat residency the same way they treat portfolio diversification: a non-negotiable component of financial resilience.
This trend isn’t slowing. It’s accelerating.
