Plan B: U.S. Citizens and the Rise of Strategic Migration

In the context of global mobility and personal risk management, the concept of a “Plan B” refers to the acquisition of second citizenship or legal residency abroad as a proactive strategy. This approach has gained traction among U.S. citizens seeking to safeguard their personal freedoms, assets, and quality of life in response to a complex array of political, economic, and social pressures.

A “Plan B passport,” typically obtained through investment migration schemes, such as citizenship-by-investment (CBI) or residence-by-investment (RBI) programs, offers individuals expanded visa-free travel, alternative jurisdictional rights, and enhanced financial flexibility. This form of strategic diversification functions similarly to a financial hedge, serving as a contingency plan in the face of domestic uncertainty.

People migrate for various reasons. Sometimes they have both the aspiration and the means to do so. In other cases, they either choose or are compelled to migrate when an opportunity arises. Some view migration as intrinsically valuable, a way to grow, explore, or redefine themselves. Others are simply seeking the chance to lead a normal, stable life¹Carling, Jørgen. “Why Do People Migrate? Fresh Takes on the Foundational Question of Migration Studies.” International Migration Review, vol. 58, no. 4, 2024, doi:10.1177/01979183241269445.. Other relevant factors include political dissatisfaction, domestic uncertainty, social factors, etc.

Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) estimates at least 5.4 million U.S. citizens live abroad in 2023²“How Many Americans Live Abroad.” AARO, Association of Americans Resident Overseas, www.aaro.org/living-abroad/how-many-americans-live-abroad.. The State Department once estimated 9 million Americans live abroad but dropped this figure in 2024, since it was no longer reliable.

Furthermore, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publishes quarterly lists of individuals who renounce citizenship or terminate long-term residency under IRC³“Quarterly Publication of Individuals, Who Have Chosen To Expatriate.” Federal Register, Internal Revenue Service, www.federalregister.gov/quarterly-publication-of-individuals-who-have-chosen-to-expatriate. Sections 877/877A:

Based on the published figures, it is evident that currently the renunciations are on the rise. However, these numbers may underestimate the total number of Americans pursuing Plan B strategies, since many choose dual citizenship or alternative residency without formally renouncing. Furthermore, the number of renunciations in general is not high, since dual citizenship is usually preferred. Nonetheless, it remains important to explore the key driving factors behind this shift toward renunciations and seeking alternatives.

Multiple converging factors are driving more Americans to explore a backup citizenship or residency. US attitudes toward dual citizenship have shifted significantly over the past few decades. What was once seen as a legal and moral contradiction is now considered a pragmatic response to globalization. This change has made the idea of having a second passport increasingly acceptable to U.S. citizens⁴Spiro, Peter J. At Home in Two Countries: The Past and Future of Dual Citizenship. NYU Press, 2016..

Some of the main reasons leading Americans seek a Plan B:

• Political Polarization and Domestic Uncertainty: According to Pew Research Center’s Post-Election Study (2024), only 29% of Americans expressed satisfaction with the state of the country, while a striking 70% reported feeling dissatisfied with the way things were going. Many Americans are disengaging from partisan politics altogether, expressing weariness amid a fractious political environment⁵Pew Research Center. “Tuning Out: Americans on the Edge of Politics.” Pew Research Center, 9 Jan. 2024, https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/01/09/tuning-out-americans-on-the-edge-of-politics/?utm_source.

Both The Atlantic⁶Abrahamian, Atossa Araxia. “Americans Are Buying an Escape Plan.” The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025, www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/gold-card-residence-abroad/682103/. and SFGATE⁷Abrahamian, Atossa Araxia. “Americans Are Buying an Escape Plan.” The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025, www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/gold-card-residence-abroad/682103/. highlight how rising political polarization in the U.S. is prompting wealthy Americans to seek second passports or residencies abroad as a safeguard. In The Atlantic, one individual, alarmed by increasingly extreme rhetoric and fears of civil unrest, pursued permanent residence in Portugal, saying, “seeing how polarized America has become, it makes me wonder about the way forward.” SFGATE similarly notes a sharp rise in second citizenship inquiries, with experts observing that U.S. citizenship no longer feels sufficient amid growing domestic instability. Together, these accounts reflect a broader trend: affluent Americans are treating political division at home as a risk worth insulating against.

• Taxation and Financial Pressures: The U.S. citizenship-based taxation (CBT) system and potential tax hikes have wealthy Americans on alert. U.S. tax policy is becoming increasingly aggressive. Starting January 1, 2025, individuals in the United States who receive gifts or inheritances from “covered expatriates” are required to report these transfers using IRS Form 708, as outlined under IRC §2801. These transfers may be subject to a 40% tax, although this can be offset by any foreign taxes already paid⁸Global Citizen Solutions. “Analyzing Global Shifts and Practical Challenges of Wealth and Exit Taxes.” Global Intelligence Unit, 2025, www.globalcitizensolutions.com/intelligence-unit/analyses/analyzing-global-shifts-and-practical-challenges-of-wealth-and-exit-taxes/.. Thus, some view second citizenship as part of estate and tax planning. While simply obtaining dual citizenship doesn’t exempt one from U.S. taxes unless they formally expatriate, it lays groundwork for relocating assets or oneself if tax policy becomes too punishing.

• Global Mobility and Travel Freedom: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the limitations of even the most powerful passports. In 2020, U.S. citizens, including the ultra-wealthy, were unexpectedly barred from entering numerous countries due to global travel bans⁹Abrahamian, Atossa Araxia. “Americans Are Buying an Escape Plan.” The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025, www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/gold-card-residence-abroad/682103/.. Furthermore, according to the Global Passport Index by the Global Intelligence Unit, the strength of the U.S. passport has declined in recent years – particularly evident in the 2024 rankings¹⁰United States Passport Index.” Global Citizen Solutions, www.globalcitizensolutions.com/passport-index/united-states/.. Consequently, many Americans are now seeking to diversify their citizenship or residency options as a strategic hedge against future lockdowns or geopolitical disruptions, aiming to preserve their freedom of movement and access to alternative jurisdictions in times of crisis.

• Asset Protection and Wealth Diversification: To mitigate these risks, HNWIs are increasingly embracing wealth mobility and global diversification strategies. Some examples that showcase this trend is India’s sharp increase in renunciations of citizenship (over 8,000 in 2022) driven in part by wealthy individuals seeking more stable and globally connected regimes. In the same vein, in 2024, as also displayed above, 4,820 individuals formally renounced their US citizenship, marking a 48% increase from 2023 and representing the third-highest annual total on record¹¹Global Citizen Solutions. “The Power of Global Wealth Mobility in an Unstable World: Avoiding Risks and Protecting Assets.” Global Intelligence Unit, 2025, www.globalcitizensolutions.com/intelligence-unit/briefings/the-power-of-global-wealth-mobility-in-an-unstable-world/..

• Quality of Life and Other Social Factors: Beyond moments of crisis, many Americans are increasingly motivated by the prospect of an improved quality of life abroad. Factors such as safer communities, more affordable healthcare, and better educational opportunities for their children often play a central role in this decision-making process.

In addition to lifestyle considerations, structural changes within the U.S. social support system are also influencing emigration trends. Of particular concern is the potential erosion of the social safety net, driven by recent legislative efforts. A notable example is the Republican Party’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which aims to scale back federal assistance programs including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Child Tax Credit by imposing stricter eligibility criteria and reducing subsidies. Analysts caution that these measures could leave up to 11.8 million more Americans uninsured by 2034 while substantially limiting access to essential healthcare and nutrition for economically vulnerable populations¹²Keshner, Andrew. “If Trump Signs His Big Bill into Law, America Could End Up with a Social Safety Net That ‘Barely Functions’.” MarketWatch, 30 June 2025, www.marketwatch.com/story/how-the-gop-megabills-cuts-to-snap-medicaid-and-the-child-tax-credit-could-thin-the-social-safety-net-06e57dca.. Essentially, a Plan B can also mean a plan for an improved day-to-day life, not just an emergency exit. Many European countries, for example, offer lower-cost or universal healthcare and robust social safety nets, which can be attractive to Americans planning for retirement or family well-being.

Americans pursuing an alternative citizenship or residency have options of various appealing programs worldwide. Some of the most popular investment migration programs among U.S. citizens include:

• Portugal offers a unique opportunity through its Golden Visa program, granting residency via investment in regulated funds or cultural initiatives. It provides visa-free travel in the Schengen Area and a clear path to Portuguese citizenship after five years without requiring full-time residency.
• Caribbean Nations such as Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia provide fast-track citizenship by investment (CBI) with minimal requirements. With options starting at $100,000, these programs offer visa-free access to over 140 countries and favorable tax conditions, all with no residency requirement.
• Greece offers a highly attractive Golden Visa through real estate investment starting at €250,000. The program allows residency in Greece and travel across the Schengen Area, with the possibility of citizenship after seven years of legal residence.
• Spain previously offered a Golden Visa, but the program was officially terminated in 2025. Prospective residents can still explore other options like the Non-Lucrative Visa or Digital Nomad Visa for long-term stays.
• Italy provides a Golden Visa pathway for investors through contributions to startups, companies, government bonds, or philanthropic causes. It grants residency with minimal physical presence required and eligibility for citizenship after ten years.

In conclusion, investment migration has emerged as a sophisticated and increasingly mainstream strategy among U.S. citizens seeking to mitigate a range of domestic risks. The growing pursuit of a “Plan B” is driven by a number of factors, including political polarization, tax uncertainty, limited social protections, and declining confidence in institutional stability. At the same time, global pull factors such as enhanced mobility, improved quality of life, favorable tax regimes, and access to robust healthcare systems further incentivize this shift.

This article has explored how Americans are responding to these pressures by acquiring second citizenship or residency abroad through structured investment pathways. The appeal of various programs in countries such as Portugal, Greece, and Caribbean nations, reflects a broader transformation in how U.S. nationals approach personal and financial security. As global conditions continue to evolve, the Plan B strategy is likely to remain a key component of modern life planning for globally minded Americans.