Keeping the door open: wealthy UK citizens investing their way back into the EU

Brexit has closed the door on automatic EU access for Britons, but a growing number of wealthy citizens are finding their way back through investment. From Portugal to Greece, Golden Visa programmes are giving UK nationals a legal route to residency – and in some cases, citizenship – as Britain risks a sharp outflow of high-net-worth individuals

For many years, the British passport granted unrestricted access throughout Europe. No forms to fill out, no long lines at passport control. Whether you dreamt of sipping wine on a Parisian terrace, retiring to sun-soaked Portugal, or launching a startup in a buzzing Spanish city, the path was smooth, familiar, and wide open.

Unfortunately, that door has quietly closed.

Since the UK’s departure from the EU, British citizens have found themselves reclassified as third country nationals. For many, it’s been a jarring shift and an interesting movement is taking place.

Rather than resign themselves to limited access, a growing number of Brits are navigating an alternate route, one paved not by politics, but by strategy. Through investment schemes, residency-by-descent programmes, and carefully chosen relocation plans, Brits are utilising legal pathways back to Europe.

Migration Trends

The UK today finds itself in a curious position when it comes to migration. On the one hand, immigration figures are hitting historic highs. On the other, a different kind of exodus is quietly unfolding: many high-net-worth individuals and globally mobile professionals are heading in the other direction.

More than 10,800 millionaires left the UK in 2024, and forecasts suggest that number could climb to 16,500 in 2025. Motivations range from economic uncertainty, the expectation of higher taxes to rising crime, strained public services, and a broader sense that the UK is becoming less predictable.

By closing the Tier 1 Investor Visa in 2022 and scrapping the non-dom regime in April 2025, the UK has removed two of its biggest draws for global wealth. The result is likely to be a faster exodus of high-net-worth individuals to lower-tax, investor-friendly jurisdictions.

The country now sits at a tipping point. Wealthy professionals, internationally mobile entrepreneurs, and even some middle-income families are quietly establishing footholds abroad using Europe’s Golden Visa programmes. By securing the legal right to live, work, and invest in other jurisdictions, they protect their mobility, lifestyle options, and financial security, while preserving the option for a full relocation if and when necessary.

EU Golden Visas for British Citizens

Several EU countries offer residency-by-investment programmes open to British citizens, with options that don’t require full-time relocation. Below is a shortlist of the most popular choices:

1. Portugal: The Flexible Pathway Back to EU Citizenship

For wealthy individuals and families, Portugal’s Golden Visa provides the most attractive, and accessible pathway back to EU citizenship. What sets it apart is its flexibility: unlike most residency programmes, it doesn’t require applicants to uproot their lives and settle full-time in the country. Brits have become the third-largest group of Golden Visa applicants, after those from the U.S. and China. More than 47,000 have reportedly settled in Portugal.

With a €500,000 investment into Portuguese CMVM-regulated investment funds, UK citizens can qualify for residency and, after just five years, become eligible to apply for citizenship. The residency requirements are minimal: a mere seven days per year spent in Portugal, plus a basic command of the language at A2 level.

For many, this is the only realistic path back to an EU passport that doesn’t involve long-term relocation, a significant factor behind its soaring popularity. But this window may be closing.

Note that the Portuguese government has signalled its intent to tighten naturalisation laws, with proposed legislation that would double the minimum residency period for citizenship, from five to ten years for British Nationals.

2. Malta: Permanent Residency and Tax Efficiency

Under Malta’s current system, non-domiciled residents are taxed only on income generated within Malta and on foreign income if and when it is remitted to Malta leaving the rest tax free. This setup has long been a magnet for globally mobile individuals and the British, in particular, have taken full advantage. Today, UK nationals form one of the largest foreign communities on the island.

For those seeking a more permanent foothold, Malta offers the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). Through this route, applicants can secure permanent residency by making a financial contribution to the Maltese government and either renting or purchasing local property. Crucially, the MPRP does not require you to live in Malta full-time.

3. Greece: Second Homes in the Sun and Permanent Residency

Greece is another popular choice for Britons, particularly for those looking to invest in property or buy a holiday home in the sun.

The Greek Golden Visa programme grants residency to investors who buy property in the country. The minimum investment is currently around €250,000 for properties converted from commercial to residential use, and between €400,000 and €800,000 for other types of property, depending on location.

The Golden Visa is renewable in five-year periods (indefinitely), for as long as the investment is held. Citizenship eligibility starts after seven years of residency for those living in Greece that learn Greek.

4. The Italian Golden Visa: Speed, Style, and Strategy

The Italian Golden Visa is a fantastic and also flexible option. The minimum investment option starts at €250,000 for investments made into startups and from €500,000 into limited companies. There are no minimum stay mandates, and a path to permanent residency and citizenship is on the cards after five and 10 years respectively. It is also one of the fastest Golden Visa programmes, with an average processing time of just three months. Investors can complete the investment after receiving initial approval.

The Italian Golden Visa therefore stands out as a strategic Plan B for British citizens seeking EU footholds. Approximately 30,000 UK citizens currently reside in Italy.

5. Latvia: The Most Affordable Pathway to EU Residency

Latvia’s little known Golden Visa Program is by far the most affordable EU investor visa on the market with a minimum investment of just €50,000 for those that invest into an eligible company. Those who prefer to invest in real estate can do so. However, the minimum investment increases to €250,000 including real estate investments into Latvia’s vibrant capital. Riga reportedly offers some of Europe’s highest rental annual yields.

The programme has moderate processing time and flexible stay requirements with investors needing to visit just once per year to renew their residency cards. This programme is ideal for those seeking affordable and convenient entry into the Schengen Area.

Why Apply for an EU Residency

For British citizens, a European Golden Visa can be the ultimate Plan B, restoring freedom and securing long-term options across the continent for you and your family.

In many cases, you don’t need to move immediately, giving you time to plan your relocation or simply keep the European door open. This is no longer just about relocation: it’s about freedom of movement, financial security, estate planning, and access to European markets.

When to take action?

While the process is more challenging than it was before Brexit, the doors to Europe have not yet fully closed. For British citizens who wish to maintain a connection with Europe after Brexit, obtaining residency by investment in an EU country has become an increasingly obvious decision.

The window of opportunity is narrowing, with Malta’s citizenship-by-investment programme closing earlier this year and investment thresholds steadily rising across the board.

Now is the time to explore your options. At Lincoln Global Partners, we guide British citizens through tailored EU residency and citizenship strategies that align with both lifestyle goals and long-term planning. Contact us to book your complimentary consultation today and secure your path back into Europe before the next door closes.

Further Information

Produced in partnership with Lincoln Global Partners. To find out more about its residency and citizenship solutions, visit www.lincolnglobalpartners.com.

Images: Supplied