EU Golden Visas Outshine Trump’s $5M U.S. Gold Card in 2025

In 2025, investment migration experts confirm a clear trend: European Golden Visa programs remain significantly more attractive than the newly introduced U.S. Gold Card, which offers American permanent residency in exchange for a $5 million investment.

Despite former President Donald Trump branding the Gold Card a “bargain” and expecting to sell over a million units, early data suggests otherwise. Property Wire reports that search interest for Trump’s initiative dropped sharply within days of the launch, while European schemes, particularly those from Greece, Portugal, Malta, and Hungary, continued to lead investor attention.

Why Europe Wins

Experts attribute this to affordability. The U.S. Gold Card, with a $5 million entry threshold, is the world’s most expensive investment residency program. Meanwhile, Greece offers residency from €250,000, and Malta’s pathway to citizenship starts at just €1 million—with no requirement to reside permanently. Hungary reintroduced a residency program in 2024 with a €250,000 minimum, and Portugal, despite recent reforms, maintains flexible options.

Denis Kravchenko, business director at Ashtons Cyprus, notes that such high-cost programs as the U.S. Gold Card are unlikely to attract sustainable interest, especially with more accessible options in the EU. “It won’t help reduce U.S. national debt significantly,” he says, “and most global investors are looking for easier entry points into Europe.”

Greece Leads the Pack

Among EU offerings, Greece’s Golden Visa stands out. With over 9,289 applications in 2024 alone, it’s currently the most popular program. Minimum investment starts at €250,000, but in prime areas like Athens or Santorini, it can reach €800,000. Interestingly, the latest growth in applications comes from American investors under 40.

What’s Next for the U.S. Program?

Though the U.S. reported selling 1,000 Gold Cards on launch day, long-term traction remains unclear. Experts warn that relying solely on ultra-wealthy investors may not be a sustainable strategy. Especially as many of them prefer EU residency—thanks to visa-free Schengen travel, lower cost, and access to European healthcare and education.

With Spain abolishing its Golden Visa program in April 2025, pressure is growing on other EU countries to balance investment attraction with housing accessibility. Yet the European investment migration market remains robust, and for now, it continues to outperform its American rival.