Click here to read more: The World’s Most Expensive Golden Visas in 2026
Matt’s comments have been reproduced with kind permission below.
Motivations for golden visas are as varied as the destinations on offer. For some, residency is simply about flexibility. For others, it is access to education, healthcare, lifestyle, or favorable tax regimes.
“Some individuals from politically unstable jurisdictions want a second citizenship and a passport that will allow them to travel in case of any political issues with the current regime in their countries,” says Matt Ingham, partner at Payne Hicks Beach who specializes in immigration law. “It is essentially viewed as an insurance product and a ‘Plan B.’”
Demand has shifted noticeably over the past five years. Ingham points to continued interest in Portugal, Italy, and Greece, particularly among applicants relocating from the Gulf region, while Monaco increasingly attracts younger entrepreneurs and families alongside its traditional old-money residents.
When asked which would be his golden visa of choice, “if cost were no object,” says Ingham, “Monaco – for the tax, the location, the weather, security, discreetness, and an efficient application process.”
But, as ever, headline figures only tell part of the story. “One potential hidden cost is the tax implications of residence in multiple countries,” says Ingham. Banking requirements, compliance checks, legal fees, and accommodation obligations can significantly increase the true cost of an application.
Tax remains the area most frequently misunderstood. “My advice would be for UHNW clients to obtain very good advice on the tax implications first, and then to consider obtaining a golden visa – not the other way round,” says Ingham. Because while investment thresholds are easy to compare, the long-term implications of residency are often far more complex.
For further information please contact Matt Ingham by email or on 020 7465 4300.
