According to the experts, demand in European Golden Visa Programs is higher than that of the recently launched US $5 million Residency-by-Investment program.
They claim that the primary factor is that European Golden Visa Programs are more affordable.
According to a recent Property Wire investigation, just days after its launch, online search interest in Donald Trump’s Gold Card sharply decreased as individuals turned their attention to more cost-effective options, specifically European Golden Visa Programs.
Just days after its launch, online search interest in Donald Trump’s Gold Card fell sharply, according to a recent Property Wire report, as individuals turned their attention to more cost-effective options, specifically the European Golden Visa Programs
Furthermore, the same observes that even during its height, the interest earned by the European Golden Visa Program—especially by Malta, Hungary, Portugal, and Greece, with Greece’s program currently the most well-known—always outpaced that of the US Gold Card.
The Price of the US Golden Card Is “a Bargain”
The Gold Card, which offers permanent citizenship in exchange for investments of at least $5 million (€4.65 million), was introduced by US President Donald Trump in February of this year
The US EB-5 permanent residency program, which had a far lower minimum investment requirement starting at $800,000 (€744,000), is being replaced by the new program.
The minimum requirement for this program was deemed “a bargain” by US President Donald Trump, who emphasized that it would sell like crazy despite being the most costly program in the world.
According to US Secretary Howard Lutnick, 1,000 golden visas were sold in the US in a single day.
The US President stated that he believes a million Gold Cards can be sold, while US Secretary Howard Lutnic stated that 37 million people worldwide are eligible to receive Golden Visas in the US.
$5 Million Price Tag Far Too High
However, Denis Kravchenko, the head of Ashtons’ Cyprus office and director of business development, told Property Wire that the $5 million price tag is probably too high. He claimed that as a result, not enough individuals will select this plan.
He claims that as a result, it is unlikely to generate enough revenue to contribute to the reduction of the US national debt, which is one of the scheme’s primary objectives.
Kravchenko mentioned Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program as one example of how other nations around the world provide “more accessible” schemes, suggesting that the US president may face further difficulties
He also spoke about Hungary’s new residency program, which was launched last year and gives residency in return for investments starting at €250,000.
In an effort to address the housing crisis, Portugal has discontinued its most well-known Golden Visa Program route, the real estate investment option, but it still provides a number of other possibilities.
Spain’s Golden Visa Program, which granted residency to affluent non-EU citizens in exchange for €500,000 investments, was terminated Monday, April 3, 2025.
The Most Popular Golden Visa for Greece
It’s Greece’s Golden Visa opportunities that are proving most popular of all stated Denis Kravchenko, director of business development and head of Ashtons’ Cyprus branch.
The Hellenic Republic’s Golden Visa Program requires a minimum of €250,000, with some of the most well-known regions of the country requiring up to €800,000.
“Somewhat ironically, young Americans are driving the recent surge in demand for Greek Golden Visas,” Kravchenko stated.
Greece’s Golden Visa Program attracted 9,289 applications just last year.
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