Insights
Nineteen out of twenty-seven countries in the EU have investment migration programs in place (and odds are more will follow in soon.) More so, globally, investment migration has become one of the most beneficial tax optimization strategies.
If you want to ensure your financial stability and security, investment migration is an attractive option to consider, so keep reading if you want to learn more about this tax planning option.
In the context of this article, wealth continuity refers to the ongoing persistence of economic activities and benefits over time, even as businesses undergo changes. This concept allows authorities to hold new companies accountable in certain competition and state aid cases.
There are three main elements that ensure wealth continuity:
To protect your wealth and secure your financial future, you should make sure your finances meet these three criteria. Fortunately, despite a shaky economy and political context, there are plenty of tax optimization strategies you can employ.
For instance, investment migration can provide individuals with a sense of stability by diversifying their assets and spreading their risks across different countries. Several benefits (discussed later in the article) branch out from this as well -- including advantages drawn by countries with such programs in place.
Put simply, investment migration refers to the process of obtaining citizenship or residency in a foreign country by making an investment. It is also known as economic citizenship or citizenship by investment.
This approach allows individuals to gain a second passport, which can provide them with greater mobility and access to new opportunities.
They say taxes are one of the very few very certain things in life -- and it's true.
Another ironclad truth?
The more you make, the more you pay in taxes.
Right now, in the US, the top 1% pay around 30% in capital/ investment taxes, whereas high earners (not in the 1%) get quite close to that as well. What's more, wage earners can end up paying up to 40% in taxes (and, depending on where you live, a large chunk of that might be paid by the employer.)
What's more, with economic uncertainty and potentially major political changes on the horizon, taxes are likely to be affected in the following years as well. The elections in the US, the seemingly fragile political balance in Europe, wars, and other major international events all have an impact on taxation.
Add this to all of the major changes that have been occurring over the last few years (the metaverse, cryptocurrency, AI, a push for sustainability, and shifting preferences in the market with Gen Z becoming adults.) -- and it's easy to see why it's more important than ever to protect your assets.
Looking back on the aforementioned pillars of wealth continuity (stability, growth, and resilience,) it becomes evident that there's no better time than now to explore tax optimization strategies like investment migration.
Stability seems to be more endangered than it has been in decades, growth will be haltered if too many changes take place across the US, Canada, and the EU, and resilience can be easily eroded if businesses and individuals are not prepared.
This is not about fearmongering: it's the reality of living in a world where the butterfly effect is in full force. And it's about more than just the US "dictating" global economy -- it's about a wave of changes with great potential to overturn stability and growth all over the Western world.
In such a context, it's no surprise that investment migration has become increasingly popular among high-net-worth individuals looking to secure their wealth and expand their opportunities.
Over 80 countries have programs for investment migration, which typically fall into these categories:
This involves getting citizenship in another country by making a government-approved economic contribution, often through donations or investments in areas like real estate, business, or job creation.
This allows people to gain legal residency in another country by investing in its economy. It gives the right to live and work there, but not necessarily citizenship.
Investment migration is about more than a seemingly "simple" answer to the age-old question of "how to pay less in taxes."
In simple terms, investment migration helps you avoid the proverbial "putting of eggs in one basket" -- not just from a purely financial standpoint, but from the perspective of shifting political and economic tides as well.
More specifically, there are very attractive advantages to make you consider investment migration"
Investment migration can provide significant direct financial contributions to an individual's portfolio through real estate investments and the establishment of new businesses. By diversifying assets in multiple jurisdictions, you can mitigate risks associated with economic and political instability. This strategy not only helps in tax optimization but also opens new avenues for wealth generation and preservation.
Investment migration also leads to indirect benefits, such as job creation and boosting consumer spending in the host country. By investing in new businesses and real estate, individuals contribute to the local economy, fostering employment opportunities and increasing overall economic activity. This, in turn, supports broader economic growth and community development in the regions where these investments take place.
Diversification of income sources is one of the key advantages of investment migration. This approach helps you ensure that you do not rely solely on the economic health of a single country. In essence, investment migration serves as a valuable strategy for maintaining financial resilience and growth in a tumultuous global landscape.
Another important part of investment migration is reducing reliance on unstable sectors. By spreading your investments across different industries and countries, you protect yourself from the negative effects of downturns in specific areas. This strategy helps create a more stable and strong financial portfolio.
In short, yes, there are quite a lot of benefits for countries that establish investment migration programs. Some of the most significant advantages include attracting foreign capital, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth.
Additionally, these programs can also help countries diversify their economies and reduce reliance on volatile industries or sectors. For example, countries with primarily tourism-based economies can benefit from investment migration by attracting investments in other sectors like real estate or technology.
Countries where investment migration has been in place for enough time are already showing promising data. For instance, in Portugal and Latvia, investment golden ticket schemes have already generated more than 10% of FDI (foreign direct investment) over time, and Greece has generated 7% in the same type of program.
Investment migration programs are a win-win situation for both individuals looking for tax optimization strategies and countries looking to attract foreign investments. These programs have become increasingly popular and relevant for a lot of reasons – the unpredictability of the world as a whole being one of the most stringent (and perhaps obvious) ones.
Investment migration is valued at $21.4 billion globally -- and the industry will only grow larger over the following decades. In fact, KPMG predicts that, by 2040, digital citizenship schemes will thrive.
It's time for you to tap into this opportunity as well
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you with your citizenship or residency by investment goals. One of our investment migration experts will contact you to discuss your case. With over 16 years of combined experience our team has helped hundreds of families achieve freedom.
