Citizenship and Golden Visa Outlook for 2027

The citizenship and golden visa landscape going into 2027 is shaped by changes confirmed during 2025 and 2026. Several routes have closed or tightened, including Spain's golden visa, Malta's citizenship by investment and Canada's federal Start-Up Visa. Others remain open, such as Hungary's €250,000 fund route, Latvia's €250,000 property route and New Zealand's Active Investor Plus. Portugal now requires 10 years of residence for citizenship for most applicants.

This roundup lists each confirmed change, links to our detailed guide and flags what to watch in 2027. It separates confirmed rules from possibilities. For costs across programmes see our Citizenship and Golden Visa Cost Index and estimate your own figures with the cost calculator.

The 2027 outlook at a glance

Europe

Portugal: 10 years to citizenship

Portugal's nationality law was changed by Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026. Most applicants now need 10 years of legal residence to apply for citizenship. EU and CPLP nationals need 7 years. This affects golden visa holders who planned on a shorter path. Our guide to Portugal golden visa to citizenship explains the 10-year rule in detail.

The golden visa itself remains available through routes such as investment funds. The practical question for 2027 is how the new periods are applied to people already living in Portugal. Treat any interpretation as unconfirmed until the authorities publish guidance.

Spain: golden visa closed

Spain closed its golden visa on 3 April 2025. New investor residence permits based on property purchase are no longer issued. Our guide to Spain golden visa alternatives covers routes that remain, including the non-lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa.

Italy: flat tax and citizenship by descent

Italy's flat tax for new residents is €300,000 a year from 1 January 2026, with a €50,000 supplement for each family member. Earlier rates apply only to people already grandfathered under the previous rules. See our Italy flat tax guide and Italy investor visa guide.

Italy also limited citizenship by descent to two generations under Law 74/2025. The limit was upheld in March 2026. A referral to the EU court is pending, so the outcome is a point to watch in 2027. Our Italian citizenship by descent guide explains who can still apply.

Germany: dual citizenship

Germany has allowed dual citizenship since 27 June 2024. Some descendants of former German citizens can use a Section 5 declaration, with a deadline of 19 August 2031. Our German citizenship by descent guide explains eligibility.

Hungary and Latvia: open EU residence routes

Hungary's Guest Investor Programme offers a €250,000 real estate fund route. Latvia offers residence through a €250,000 property purchase. Both are covered in our Hungary golden visa and Latvia golden visa guides and compared in quiet EU residency routes. These routes appear among the lower-cost EU options in our Cost Index.

Malta: citizenship by investment closed

Malta's citizenship by investment programme closed in 2025. Malta still offers residence through its Permanent Residence Programme. Our Malta citizenship guide explains the background.

Comparing European options for your family? Get matched with a specialist from one of our partner advisory firms.

The Americas and Asia Pacific

Canada: Bill C-3 and the Start-Up Visa

Canada's Bill C-3 came into force on 15 December 2025, changing citizenship by descent rules. Our Canadian citizenship by descent guide explains who may now qualify. Canada's federal Start-Up Visa closed on 31 December 2025. See our Canada Start-Up Visa guide and moving to Canada for current options.

United States: Gold Card

The US Gold Card launched on 10 December 2025. Our US Gold Card guide covers what is known about eligibility and process. How it operates in practice through 2027 is a point to watch.

New Zealand: Active Investor Plus

New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa requires investment of NZD 5 million or NZD 10 million depending on the category. See our Active Investor Plus guide and moving to New Zealand.

The Caribbean

All five Eastern Caribbean programmes now require interviews and a US$200,000 minimum price floor applies. A regional regulator, ECCIRA, is expected to begin operations around September 2026 with planned measures including a 30-day presence requirement. Our full breakdown is in Caribbean citizenship by investment in 2027: what is changing. The Caribbean hub compares all five programmes.

The United Kingdom

The UK has consulted on an earned settlement model with a 10-year baseline for indefinite leave to remain. As of September 2026 this has not been added to the Immigration Rules. The English language requirement for settlement rises from B1 to B2 from 26 March 2027. Details are in UK immigration and settlement changes in 2027.

Themes running into 2027

Several themes connect these changes. They describe the direction of recent decisions rather than predict new ones.

• Longer paths to citizenship. Portugal has moved to 10 years and the UK has proposed a 10-year baseline for settlement.
• Fewer property-based routes. Spain has closed its golden visa. Hungary uses a fund route rather than direct property.
• Stronger due diligence. Caribbean programmes have added interviews and plan biometrics and a shared refusal database.
• Tighter descent rules in some countries. Italy has limited descent to two generations while Canada has widened eligibility through Bill C-3.
• Tax regimes in flux. Italy's flat tax has risen and the UK changed its non-dom regime from April 2025.

How to use this outlook

This roundup is a starting point rather than a recommendation. Each programme has its own rules on who qualifies, how much time you must spend in the country and whether residence can lead to citizenship. The right option depends on what you want to achieve.

For the wider context, read our full citizenship by investment 2026: every programme, cost & timeline compared.

Start with your goal

• Travel access. A second passport may add visa-free travel. Check how recent visa decisions affect each passport, particularly in the Caribbean.
• A home in Europe. EU residence routes such as Hungary, Latvia, Greece and Portugal give the right to live in one country and travel in the Schengen area.
• A long-term citizenship path. Consider how long residence must last before citizenship. Portugal now requires 10 years for most applicants.
• Ancestry. Citizenship by descent can be the least expensive route where eligibility exists, but rules in Italy and Canada have changed.
• Tax planning. Tax regimes such as Italy's flat tax affect where wealthy families choose to live.

Check what is confirmed

Every entry in the table above is marked as a 2026 status. Where a point is listed under "What to watch in 2027" it is not confirmed. Before acting, check the official source linked in each guide and speak to a licensed adviser.

Compare costs on the same basis

Headline minimum investments rarely reflect the full cost. Government fees, due diligence and family charges can add a large amount. Our cost calculator itemises these for 14 programmes using figures from our guides. Professional fees are not included and should be added separately.

Cost comparison

The cheapest route depends on family size and on whether the payment is a donation or a recoverable investment. Our Cost Index compares 14 programmes for a single applicant, a couple and a family of four using figures from our published guides.

What to watch in 2027

These are possibilities to monitor, not forecasts.

1. The EU court referral on Italian descent. A ruling could affect the two-generation limit.
2. Caribbean regional rules. ECCIRA measures such as 30-day presence could start to apply.
3. UK Immigration Rules. Earned settlement could be written into the rules, with or without changes from the consultation.
4. Portugal guidance. Authorities may clarify how the 10-year period applies to existing residents.
5. New or replacement routes. Countries that closed programmes, such as Canada, could introduce alternatives.

Want to know which options fit your goals in 2027? Get matched with a specialist who can compare programmes for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best golden visa for 2027?

There is no single best option. It depends on budget, family size, residence plans and whether you want EU access. Hungary's €250,000 fund route and Latvia's €250,000 property route are among the open EU options. Compare costs in our Cost Index.

Is Spain's golden visa still available?

No. Spain closed its golden visa on 3 April 2025.

How long does Portugal take to grant citizenship now?

Under Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 most applicants need 10 years of residence. EU and CPLP nationals need 7 years.

Is Malta citizenship by investment still open?

No. It closed in 2025. Malta's Permanent Residence Programme remains available.

What is Italy's flat tax in 2026?

€300,000 a year for new residents from 1 January 2026, plus €50,000 for each family member.

Can I still claim Italian citizenship by descent?

Yes, within the two-generation limit set by Law 74/2025, which was upheld in March 2026. An EU court referral is pending.

What changed in Canada?

Bill C-3 came into force on 15 December 2025, changing citizenship by descent rules. The federal Start-Up Visa closed on 31 December 2025.

What is the US Gold Card?

A US residence programme that launched on 10 December 2025. See our US Gold Card guide for details.

Which citizenship by investment is cheapest?

For a family of four our Cost Index currently finds Vanuatu the cheapest citizenship at US$180,000. Figures change, so confirm with a licensed adviser.

Will more programmes close in 2027?

No closures have been announced at the time of writing. Recent decisions show programmes can close or tighten at short notice, so plans should allow for change.

Sources

• Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, Diário da República (dre.pt)
• Spanish Government, Boletín Oficial del Estado (boe.es)
• Agenzia delle Entrate, flat tax for new residents (agenziaentrate.gov.it)
• Italian Law 74/2025 on citizenship (gazzettaufficiale.it)
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Bill C-3 and Start-Up Visa (canada.ca)
• Federal Office of Administration, Germany (bva.bund.de)
• National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, Hungary (oif.gov.hu)
• Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Latvia (pmlp.gov.lv)
• Immigration New Zealand, Active Investor Plus (immigration.govt.nz)
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services (uscis.gov)
• Community Malta Agency (komunita.gov.mt)
• Home Office, "A Fairer Pathway to Settlement" (gov.uk)