Is Europe Closing Its Doors or Just Getting More Selective? 

Today, we are tackling a question that’s front and centre for those looking to establish a European base. Is the continent really closing its borders, or is it becoming more intentional about the type of capital and talent it attracts?  

Ever since Spain ended its Golden Visa Program in April 2025 and Portugal began considering changes to its nationality law, headlines like “the Golden Visa era is over” have dominated online conversations. The sensation has been that Europe is curtailing access.  

But when you look at the data and patterns of migration, the opposite is true. Interest in Golden Visas has spiked, with a 370% increase in Google searches, especially from the US and the UK. As people prepare for tax changes and political transitions, what they really want is the freedom to relocate if life takes a turn.  

To understand what’s behind this trend, we turned to Global Citizen Solutions’ Senior Immigration Lawyer, Stefani Eduardo da Rosa, in a recent BeGlobal Podcast episode on European mobility. With more than a decade of experience, Stefani helps families expand their options and navigate the residency and citizenship pathways that match their needs, at a time when freedom is more important than ever. 

In Stefani’s view, the growth in interest comes from two very different pressures on either side of the Atlantic.  

For many UK nationals, the post-Brexit reality is that freedom of movement in Europe is gone, and residency pathways have become the practical route back to Schengen access and the ability to build a life, or at least, gain access to Europe.  

That’s why she sees demand congregating around countries that combine lifestyle with optionality, which include Portugal, Italy, Greece and Malta. Then there is the lifestyle factor, people on the hunt for warmer climates, reasonable living costs and a sense of safety.  

Americans, on the other hand, are coming at it from a different angle.  

“US citizens face rising cost of living and tax pressure. This is driving peopke to diversify where their assets are, where they run their companies and where their kids go to school.” 

For some Americans, it’s about tax optimization. For others, it’s about acquiring the flexibility to spend part of the year in Europe and part of the year in the US, without committing to relocation right away. And for families, it’s often about giving their kids the option to live, work and study abroad when the time comes.  

Still, acquiring European permanent residency is a long-term road, often taking five years or more, with citizenship attainable between five and ten years, depending on the European residency program. As a result of this long timeframe, many families are looking years – even a decade ahead – when planning a residency move.  

Speaking from personal experience, Stefani has never been busier at Global Citizen Solutions. Applications for European residency programs are in demand, with notable programs like Italy’s Investor Visa being actively promoted by the Italian government. To get an idea of just how sought after Italy is as a destination for families, in just 2018, Italy received eight applications. Today, applications have more than doubled in volume per year.  

Greece is equally sought-after. Most recently, the Greek authorities increased the minimum investment threshold because demand is extremely high. The government is consistently thinking about where to direct and spread capital, ensuring an even spread of distribution.  

Portugal remains the most in-demand Golden Visa option for investors and families, and it’s easy to understand why. The country offers a route to European citizenship with freedom to travel across the EU, features stunning scenery and miles of coastline, and celebrates colourful cultural traditions. There is also a large international community, making a move to Portugal especially welcoming for families and industry professionals.  

However, in October, lawmakers approved – and the Constitutional Court has upheld – a proposal to double the required period of residence before someone can apply for citizenship, from five years to ten. The timing of the change and whether it affects existing applicants remains unclear.  

For Stefani, all the evidence points to the fact that European residency pathways remain open and viable.  

“Europe is encouraging productive investments and business opportunities. And investors get a chance to contribute to the economy. I don’t see this direction changing or closing. More like, Europe is moving toward more innovative residency routes that benefit both the state and investor.” 

One of the clearest takeaways from Stefani’s conversation with us is that there is no single “best” European residency program. There are best fits, and they depend entirely on what a family is trying to solve.  

Some people need speed. Others want real estate returns. Some prioritise lifestyle or family security above everything else. And increasingly, applicants are starting from a strategic question: “What problem do I need this residency to solve?”  

From there, choosing the right residency program becomes relatively straightforward. 

Fastest pathway: Italy’s Investor Visa  

Stefani describes the Italian Investor Visa as “the fastest and most streamlined residency route in Europe right now,” with most applicants completing the entire process in four to five months. Italy intentionally designed a digital interface, so applicants don’t need to fly in, queue at consulates, or navigate bureaucratic back-and-forth before they know whether they’re approved.  

At the centre of this fast-tracking is the Nulla Osta, the Certificate of No Impediment. A specialist governmental committee assesses and approves the investment choice before anything is submitted to a consulate. Approval usually comes within 30 days. By the time a consulate steps in, the heavy legwork is already done, which is why visas are typically issued in approximately a month.  

While many Golden Visa programs require you to invest upfront, in Italy, the opposite is true. You get your visa first, then invest within three months of entering the country. For high-net-worth applicants, that sequencing significantly reduces financial risk. To top it off, there’s no minimum stay requirement, and if an applicant eventually decides to settle in Italy, citizenship becomes possible after ten years of residence.  

This combination of speed, digital processing, low risk, and investment flexibility is why Italians themselves are now calling the program il più intelligente of the European market.  

Best for real estate returns: Greece  

Greece appeals to investors who are after a tangible investment. Most Golden Visa applicants in Greece choose real estate in the €400,000–€800,000 range, depending on location. Some €250,000 renovation and restoration routes still exist, but they’re less popular and highly bureaucratic.  

While Greece also offers fund, bond, and company-share options, property remains a favoured choice because it delivers immediate use in the form of a home or a rental asset in an economy that thrives on tourism.  

Like Italy, Greece imposes no minimum stay, offers a five-year renewable permit, and provides a path to citizenship in around seven years, slightly faster than Italy. For applicants who want appreciation potential, rental income, and a lifestyle nest in Europe, Greece remains an attractive option.  

Best for families: Malta  

Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) attracts people who are searching for a more permanent base in Europe. Families choose the stunning Mediterranean island for safety reasons as well as its generous definition of “family.”  

Malta’s MPRP allows adult children up to age 29, as well as parents and grandparents of both the main applicant and the spouse, to apply for residency. Few residency programs offer this level of inclusiveness.  

Best for lifestyle and quality of life: Portugal  

Portugal remains one of the most compelling choices for families looking for a European base. With entry points starting at €250,000, Portugal’s Golden Visa has one of Europe’s most competitive investment thresholds. Residency requires just seven days per year, and children can typically be included up to age 25 if they’re full-time students and financially dependent.  

Despite the political noise around potential nationality law changes, demand has not slowed. Across Europe, citizenship timelines vary widely—and even with reforms, Portugal’s residency program remains competitive.  

But importantly, applicants aren’t choosing Portugal primarily for citizenship. They’re choosing it for lifestyle purposes, including Portugal’s safety records, wide selection of international schools, and a culture that’s perceived as welcoming and open to foreigners. 

As Stefani put it: 

“Most people are looking for a family-friendly place where their children can grow. Portugal checks all the boxes.” 

And that, more than anything, explains why Portugal’s Golden Visa continues to top the charts year after year. 

A Golden Visa nowadays is used very differently from even ten years ago. Today, it’s part of a wealth mobility and family safety strategy. One trend Stefani is picking up is this idea that people are increasingly mixing and matching multiple residencies as optimal insurance.  

“In response to global events, instability, tax changes, you name it…when a threatening situation arises, a second or third residency acts as a backup plan. It’s like an insurance policy. If things go sideways at home, you have a safe legal base in Europe.”  

Nowadays, investors are thinking decades ahead and planning strategically for a smarter future. 

If you’d like to hear the conversation in full, head to our website to listen to the complete BeGlobal Podcast episode with Stefani.