DUBAI 28 October 2018: The Malta Individual Investor Program is the world’s top citizenship-by-investment program and the Austria Private Residence Program is the world’s top residence-by-investment program, according to the Global Residence and Citizenship Programs 2018–2019 report, by global residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners.
Malta is followed in the citizenship program ranking by Cyprus in 2nd place, Austria in 3rd place, and Antigua and Barbuda in 4th place. European newcomers Moldova and Montenegro performed strongly, in 5th and 6th place respectively, mostly on account of their competitive pricing structure, minimal physical-visit requirements, strong transparency, and streamlined processing.
The Austria Private Residence Program has knocked Portugal off the top spot for the first time, with newcomer Italy claiming 3rd place, the Thailand Elite Residence Program coming in at 4th place followed by the UK Tier 1 Investor Immigration Program in 5th place. The US’s EB-5 residence program only holds 8th position on the ranking.
“Demand for such programs is at an all-time high,” explains Dr. Kälin, Group Chairman of Henley & Partners. He said new programmes are being launched each year.
The Rankings
1. Malta
2. Cyprus
3. Austria, Italy
4. Thailand, Antigua and Barbuda
5. United Kingdom, Moldova
6. Montenegro
8. USA