Europe Residency Gets Harder to Buy as Trump Rolls Out Gold Card

The article discusses the changing landscape of residency programs in Europe and the US. While the Trump administration has introduced new options for wealthy individuals to obtain US residency, such as the "Trump visa," Europe has been moving in the opposite direction, making it more difficult to acquire European residency through investment programs. The article notes that several European countries, including Portugal, Spain, and Malta, have tightened their investment-based residency programs, raising the required investment amounts and introducing stricter due diligence checks. This trend is driven by concerns over money laundering and tax evasion, as well as a desire to attract more high-skilled migrants. In contrast, the Trump administration has created new pathways for wealthy foreigners to obtain US residency, including the "Trump visa," which offers a fast-track to a green card for those who invest a minimum of $500,000 in the US. This program has attracted significant interest from wealthy individuals, particularly from China and other parts of Asia.