Greece Tops 2025 Global Residence Program Index, Redefining Investment Migration in Europe
Greece’s Golden Visa program has claimed the No. 1 position in Henley & Partners’ prestigious 2025 Global Residence Program Index, reaffirming Europe’s dominance in the investment migration landscape.
This annual ranking, compiled by the globally renowned wealth advisory firm Henley & Partners, evaluates the world’s most influential residence-by-investment programs. Programs are assessed based on key economic indicators, legal frameworks, and lifestyle benefits. Recognized for its strategic design and appeal to global investors, Greece’s program has surged ahead of long-time leaders.
Henley & Partners measure each program’s strength using criteria such as reputation, visa-free travel advantages, quality of life, processing speed, compliance, and investment appeal. This comprehensive approach ensures a transparent, data-driven comparison of global residency offerings.
Greece’s Golden Visa Leads the Global Rankings
With an impressive score of 73 out of 100, Greece has secured the top position—marking a significant shift in global investment migration trends. Portugal, which previously held or shared the top spot for nine years, has now been surpassed.
The Residence Program Index ranks programs by assessing criteria such as reputation, quality of life, visa-free travel benefits, processing efficiency, compliance, and overall investment appeal.
2025 Global Residence Program Index Rankings
| Rank | Country/Region | Score | Key Advantage |
| 1 | Greece | 73 | Market Leader in Golden Visas |
| 2 | Switzerland | 72 | Premium European Residency |
| 3 | Portugal, Italy, UK | 70 | Competitive Investment Options |
| 4 | Australia, Canada, Spain | 69 | High-Demand Residency Destinations |
| 5 | UAE | 68 | Business-Friendly Tax System |
| 6 | Hungary | 67 | Schengen Access via Real Estate Investment |
| 7 | Luxembourg | 66 | Strong Financial and Economic Hub |
| 8 | Singapore | 65 | Asia’s Premier Residency Destination |
| 9 | Jersey, Panama | 64 | Favorable Tax Structures |
| 10 | Costa Rica | 63 | Emerging Investment Destination |
Investment Migration Trends & Future Outlook
The Henley & Partners Index evaluates investment migration programs based on 10 key factors, with variations in weightage depending on the region. These include:
As global uncertainty grows, more high-net-worth individuals are prioritizing residence-by-investment programs that offer long-term security, lifestyle flexibility, and strategic mobility. Demand is expected to surge in 2025, especially for programs in politically stable countries with strong healthcare systems and attractive real estate markets. Greece’s rise reflects these evolving investor preferences and sets a new benchmark for other countries to follow.
A New Era of Investment Migration
For the second consecutive year, U.S. nationals have been the largest group seeking alternative residence and citizenship options through investment migration programs.
Additionally, geopolitical uncertainty, rising taxation in traditional wealth hubs, and the desire for lifestyle mobility are further fueling this trend. Investors are increasingly prioritizing countries that offer both economic stability and access to broader global opportunities. In this shifting landscape, programs like Greece’s Golden Visa are becoming essential tools for future-focused wealth planning.
Conclusion: Greece’s Strategic Ascent
The rise of Greece as the top-ranked destination in the 2025 Global Residence Program Index signals a wider shift in investor preferences.
Offering access to the EU, streamlined processes, and an appealing real estate market, Greece has established its Golden Visa program as the gold standard in investment migration.
This achievement not only cements its appeal among global investors but also reinforces Europe’s leadership in residence and citizenship by investment.
In particular, access to the EU, streamlined processes, and an appealing real estate market have allowed Greece to establish its Golden Visa program as the gold standard in investment migration.
Moreover, this achievement not only cements its appeal among global investors but also reinforces Europe’s leadership in the residence and citizenship by investment landscape. As a result, Greece is rapidly becoming the go-to destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking both security and opportunity.
