In the wake of Donald Trump’s decisive victory in the last US presidential election, there has been a remarkable increase in interest in golden visa programs among affluent Americans. These programs offer foreign citizenship or residency in exchange for significant investment.

According to a CNN report, Henley & Partners, a leading citizenship-by-investment firm, recorded a staggering 400 percent increase in inquiries from US citizens during election week. Dominic Volek, head of private clients at the firm, described this trend as a “freedom of choice” strategy, likening it to “insurance”. Most applicants seek backup plans rather than permanent relocation.

European countries remain the top destinations for Golden Visa seekers. Portugal’s Golden Residency Program is particularly favored for its affordability and fast track to EU citizenship, allowing residency with a minimum investment of €250,000 in heritage and citizenship eligibility after five years.

The ultra-rich are drawn to Malta and Austria for their golden visa offers. Malta grants immediate citizenship for a non-refundable payment of €600,000, along with additional real estate investment and charitable contributions. In contrast, Austria requires a minimum investment of 3.5 million euros, usually in local companies, for citizenship.

Historically, golden visa programs have attracted individuals from politically unstable regions. However, demand from U.S. citizens increased during the pandemic as travel restrictions affected affluent families, according to Volek.

While these programs primarily appeal to the wealthy, many ordinary Americans are also considering moving, motivated by safety concerns rather than luxury. Flannery Foster, an American living in Spain who helps others with relocation, shared that she often encounters individuals facing life-threatening situations, including women, black individuals and LGBTQ+ families.

Many of these individuals want to retain their U.S. citizenship, and Foster notes, “There’s a sense of, ‘I’m leaving because I have to, but I want to make sure my vote still counts.'”

Meanwhile, in the past, a significant number of US citizens are also said to have explored the possibility of moving to Canada after the re-election of Donald Trump, as evidenced by a notable increase in searches for Canadian visas, according to a report by The US Mirror.