Why Now • GlobalCitizens

1

WAVE ONE

Political & Social Fragmentation

The old certainties are breaking down. Institutional trust is at historic lows. Policy unpredictability spans democracies worldwide.

Browser window with an ascending blue bar chart of three vertical bars.

Rising desire for "Plan B" options

Polarization driving geographic sorting

Values-based migration increasing

Stat Card

62%

of Americans have considered moving to another country in recent surveys

Country Status Cards

🇵🇹

Portugal Golden Visa

Real estate option closed (2023)

🇮🇹

Italy Jus Sanguinis

Requirements tightening

🇪🇸

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

New pathway (2023)

2

WAVE TWO

Immigration Policy Whiplash

Doors are opening and closing faster than ever. First-mover advantage matters. The best programs won't stay accessible forever.

Portugal closed Golden Visa to real estate in major cities
(2023)

Italy tightening jus sanguinis requirements

New digital nomad visas launching monthly

3

WAVE THREE

Location-Independent Work

Remote work is permanent. Companies are distributed. Talent is global. The question isn't if you can work from Lisbon—it's whether you have the legal right to.

35% of US workers can work fully remote (McKinsey)

The constraint isn't your job—it's your passport

50+ countries now offer digital nomad visas

Stats Cards

35%

of U.S. workers can work fully remote

50+

countries now offer digital nomad visas

Retirement Stats

10,000

Americans turn 65 every single day

Average U.S. retirement $4,200/mo

Same lifestyle in Portugal $2,100/mo

Same lifestyle in Colombia $1,500/mo

4

WAVE FOUR

The Retirement Tsunami

10,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Social Security is under pressure. Healthcare costs are rising. Cost-of-living arbitrage is real: retire better abroad for less.

Stretch savings 50-70% further abroad

Access affordable, quality healthcare

Retire where your dollars go further

WHY NOW

Nationality-based restrictions are rising around the world

Citizenship by Investment (RCBI)

GCC Residency by Investment (2025): Complete Guide to Golden Visas & How to Apply

Get the complete 2025 guide to the top 5 GCC Golden Visa programs (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain), including costs, requirements, and benefits from GlobalCitizens.

Citizenship by Descent

🇮🇹 Italian Citizenship by Descent in 2025: Who Still Qualifies, What Changed, and What to Do Next

Italian citizenship by descent changed dramatically in 2025. Learn who still qualifies, how the new two-generation rule works, what documents you need, timelines, costs, judicial options, and what to do if you no longer qualify — plus tools to check eligibility instantly.

Guides

Indian Residency by Descent: The Essential Document Guide

Master the document requirements for Indian Residency by Descent. Learn how to compile the necessary vital records, handle official authentications, and ensure your evidence meets the strict standards for approval.

We sit at the intersection of four transformative waves affecting the United States