Americans’ interest in a life abroad is surging. A Gallup poll conducted in 2025 found that one in five Americans said they would move permanently to another country if they could — a 54 percent increase since 2020, said Julie Ray, an analyst with Gallup.

美国人对海外生活的兴趣正在激增。盖洛普2025年的一项民意调查发现，五分之一的美国人表示，如果有机会，他们会永久移居他国。盖洛普分析师朱莉·雷称，这比2020年增加了54%。

Lately, said Jennifer Stevens, executive editor at International Living magazine, “We’re seeing this energy and interest in actually doing it, not just kicking the tires, not just dreaming about it, but doing it.”

《国际生活》(International Living)杂志执行主编詹妮弗·史蒂文斯表示，最近“我们看到大家是真的想付诸行动，而不仅仅是观望，不仅仅是梦想，而是真的在做”。

But how? Programs such as the “golden visa,” which allow people to obtain residency or even a path to citizenship in a foreign country by making investments in things like real estate, cultural institutions and environmental projects, have been popular for more than a decade. But the playing field is changing. Mostly conceived after the global financial crisis of 2008 to boost economic development and avert bankruptcy, these programs have also spurred rapid gentrification in host countries (not to mention tax evasion and money laundering), leading some governments to scale them back or cancel them altogether.

但如何操作？诸如“黄金签证”之类的项目——允许人们通过在房地产、文化机构和环境项目等领域进行投资来获得居留权甚至入籍途径——十多年来一直很受欢迎。但游戏规则正在改变。这些项目主要在2008年全球金融危机后为提振经济发展和避免破产而设立，也引发了东道国的快速士绅化（更不用说逃税和洗钱问题），导致一些政府缩减项目规模或直接取消。

Still, numerous options exist, and they come at varying costs for various lifestyles. Ted Baumann, International Living’s chief of global diversification, said between 30 and 35 countries have some form of the golden visa. He said another 12 offer citizenship by investment (C.B.I.), which leads visa holders directly to citizenship with full benefits, including a passport and wider visa access to other countries, without in-place residency requirements.

尽管如此，选择仍然很多，而且成本各异、适合不同的生活方式。《国际生活》的全球多元化主管泰德·鲍曼表示，有30到35个国家设有某种形式的黄金签证。他说，另有12个国家提供“投资入籍”项目，这让签证持有者无需在当地居住即可直接获得公民身份及全部福利，包括护照和更广泛的免签入境待遇。

While some residency-by-investment programs are structured to attract high net-worth investors — Singapore, New Zealand, Austria and Monaco, for example — “there’s usually something that will fit any budget,” said Patricia Casaburi, chief executive and founder of Global Citizen Solutions, a Lisbon-based consultancy specializing in Iberian residency programs.

虽然一些投资居留项目旨在吸引高净值投资者（例如新加坡、新西兰、奥地利和摩纳哥），但总部位于里斯本的咨询公司环球公民解决方案创始人兼首席执行官帕特里夏·卡萨布里表示，“任何预算一般都能找到合适的方案。”

Here’s a look at five countries that offer residency programs with particularly attractive features, including low cost of entry, investment variety and pathways to citizenship.

以下是五个提供极具吸引力的居留项目的国家概览，包括低门槛、多样的投资选择以及入籍路径。

COSTA RICA

哥斯达黎加

哥斯达黎加的临时居留许可有效期为两年，可再续签两年。

Long known for its high quality of life and friendly tax environment, the Central American nation, whose Nicoya Peninsula is a “Blue Zone,” is particularly compelling for retirees thanks to its low cost of entry and flexible options for temporary residency. The path to permanent residency opens other benefits to people aged 65 and older, including national health care (costs will vary).

这个中美洲国家以其高质量的生活和友好的税收环境闻名已久，其尼科亚半岛是一处“蓝区”。由于门槛低和临时居留选项灵活，它对退休人员尤其具有吸引力。获得永久居留权还为65岁及以上人群开启了其他福利，包括国民医疗保健（费用各异）。

Types of visa: The basic C.B.I. program, called the “Inversionista,” grants residency with a one-time, $150,000 investment in either real estate or another “qualifying financial asset,” such as shares of a Costa Rican corporation or the Costa Rican stock market. You can also contribute $100,000 to a government-approved forestry or environmental project.

签证类型：基本的投资入籍项目名为“投资者”(Inversionista)，只需一次性投资15万美元于房地产或其他“合格金融资产”（如哥斯达黎加公司股份或股票市场），即可获得居留权。你也可以向政府批准的林业或环保项目投资10万美元。

The “Pensionado” visa is for retirees who demonstrate a monthly pension/retirement income of at least $1,000. It’s valid for two years, allows dependents and grants access to the public health care system, with a low application fee, between $250 and $500. For “Rentista” status (a “person of independent means”), foreigners must make a $60,000 deposit in an approved bank, and a monthly $2,500 transfer into a Costa Rican account for two years, after which time a $60,000 deposit is required to renew.

“养老金领取者”(Pensionado)签证适用于每月证明拥有至少1000美元养老金/退休收入的退休人员。有效期两年，允许携带家属，并可接入公共医疗系统，申请费较低，在250至500美元之间。“租房者”（Rentista，即“有独立收入人士”）身份要求外国人在有资质的银行存入6万美元，并在两年内每月向哥斯达黎加账户转账2500美元，今后的续期仍需存入6万美元。

Occupancy requirement: Residents by investment are granted a temporary residence permit valid for two years and renewable for another two years. They must visit Costa Rica for at least one day, at least once a year. They can apply for permanent residency after three years and for citizenship after seven years (five years for Central American, Ibero-American and Spanish citizens).

居住要求：投资居留者获发为期两年的临时居留许可，可再续签两年。他们必须每年至少访问哥斯达黎加一天。三年后可申请永久居留，七年后可申请入籍（中美洲、伊比利亚美洲和西班牙公民为五年）。

GREECE

希腊

希腊近期缩减了其黄金签证项目，但它仍然是欧洲成本最低的入门选择之一。

Greece was one of several countries that tightened their visa programs in recent years. Today, its golden visa offers several tiers of investment, including a minimum of 250,000 euros in real estate, giving it one of lowest-cost entry points in the European Union. The golden visa includes visa-free access to the Schengen Area.

希腊是近年来收紧签证项目的几个国家之一。如今，其黄金签证提供多个投资层级，包括最低25万欧元投资房地产，这使其成为欧盟内门槛最低的项目之一。黄金签证包含免签进入申根区。

Types of visa: Minimum capital investments via the golden visa range from 250,000 euros for historic properties needing restoration or conversion, up to 800,000 euros in high-value areas such as major cities and popular islands. You can also obtain the visa with 500,000 in either government bonds, a deposit at a Greek credit institution or real estate investment company, or an investment in an “Elevate Greece” start-up company.

签证类型：通过黄金签证的最低资本投资从25万欧元（需要修复或改造的历史房产）到80万欧元（大城市和热门岛屿等高价值地区）不等。其他获得签证的途径：在政府债券、希腊信贷机构存款、房地产投资公司投资50万欧元；投资“振兴希腊”(Elevate Greece)初创公司。

Two other options include the “Financially Independent Person” visa, for retirees or digital nomads, who must show monthly income of at least 3,500 euros from outside sources, transferred into a Greek bank account.

另外两个选项是针对退休人员或数字游民的“财务独立人士”签证，他们必须证明每月至少有3500欧元的境外收入，并转入希腊银行账户。

Occupancy requirement: There is no requirement to reside in Greece. You can rent out your property during your residency period, or sell it if you choose not to renew the visa.

居住要求：无居住要求。在居留期间你可以出租房产，如果不续签签证也可以选择出售。

PANAMA

巴拿马

获得巴拿马居留权有多种途径，最低门槛是投资10万美元用于柚木林再造。

Panama is consistently lauded for its quality of life, robust service industry, ease of visa process and health care (there’s a Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital in Panama City), and longstanding program for retirees. “Panama is very stable and they stick by their programs, unlike what we’ve seen in a lot of other places,” said Ms. Stevens, from International Living.

巴拿马因其生活质量、强劲的服务业、便捷的签证流程和医疗保障（巴拿马城有一家约翰斯·霍普金斯附属医院）以及长期的退休者项目备受赞誉。《国际生活》的史蒂文斯说：“巴拿马非常稳定，且坚持执行其项目，不像我们在其他地方看到的那样朝令夕改。”

Types of visas: The “Qualified Investor” visa requires a minimum real estate investment of $300,000; or $500,00 in Panama’s stock exchange; or a fixed-term deposit of $750,000 in the banking sector.

签证类型：“合格投资者”签证要求至少30万美元的房地产投资；或50万美元的巴拿马证券交易所投资；或在银行业存入75万美元的定期存款。

Panama also has a “Friendly Nations” visa — available to residents from more than 50 countries that have cordial economic and political relationships with Panama — that can be obtained with a $200,000 investment in real estate or a fixed-term deposit, or through employment by a Panamanian company.

巴拿马还有一个“友好国家”签证，适用于与巴拿马有着友好经济和政治关系的 50 多个国家的居民。申请人可以通过20万美元的房地产投资或定期存款、受雇于巴拿马公司获得该签证。

There are also two levels of investment in the forest/teak reforestation sector: $100,000 for temporary residence for two years, and $350,000 for immediate permanent residence.

在森林/柚木重新造林领域也有两级投资：10万美元可获得两年临时居留，35万美元可获得直接永久居留。

If you maintain the investment for five years, you can be eligible to apply for citizenship.

如果你保持投资满五年，即有资格申请入籍。

Occupancy requirement: Visa holders must enter Panama at least once every two years to maintain residence status. Residency can be obtained within 30 days with qualified investment.

居住要求：签证持有人必须每两年至少进入巴拿马一次以维持居留身份。符合条件的投资者可在30天内获得居留权。

PORTUGAL

葡萄牙

自2012年发放首份黄金签证以来，葡萄牙已提高了准入门槛。

Portugal is popular with expats for its weather, culinary and cultural assets, and English proficiency. It also has an affordable and reliable mix of health care options in the private and public systems.

葡萄牙因天气、美食、文化底蕴和英语普及率深受外籍人士欢迎。其私人和公共医疗系统也提供了实惠可靠的组合。

The country issued its first golden visa in 2012 with a 250,000-euro real estate investment, but in 2023 it announced it would modify the program amid complaints that foreign investors were inflaming the country’s housing crisis. It has since increased the cost of entry and directed investments away from real estate and toward investment funds and donations to cultural or research projects.

该国于2012年发放了第一份黄金签证，要求25万欧元房地产投资。但在2023年，面对外国投资者加剧住房危机的指责，该国宣布将修改该项目。此后提高了门槛，并将投资从房地产转向投资基金以及对文化或研究项目的捐赠。

Types of visas: The golden visa grants five-year residency with 500,000-euro investments in venture capital or investment funds, job creation, or donations for research projects. A 250,000-euro investment in the arts or heritage projects can also grant residency.

签证类型：黄金签证通过50万欧元的风险资本或投资基金投资、创造就业或向研究项目捐款，授予五年居留权。25万欧元对艺术或遗产项目的投资也可获得居留权。

The two-year residence permit is renewable for a period of three years, at which point the permit holder can either extend the temporary permit again, apply for permanent residence or apply for citizenship. People from Portuguese-speaking countries and European Union nationals can apply for citizenship after seven years, but all other nationalities must wait 10 years.

两年期居留许可可再续签三年，届时许可持有者可以选择再次延长临时许可、申请永久居留或申请入籍。葡萄牙语国家和欧盟国民七年后可申请入籍，但其他国家必须等待十年。

Occupancy requirement: Visa holders must stay seven days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) in the first year, and 14 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) in each subsequent two-year period.

居住要求：签证持有人第一年必须在葡萄牙停留七天（连续或非连续），随后每两年停留十四天（连续或非连续）。

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE

圣多美和普林西比

这个位于中非海岸外的岛国去年推出了其投资入籍项目。

Launched in August 2025, the C.B.I. program offered by this African island nation is attracting attention for its accessibility and speed, low cost of entry to an unspoiled ecosystem, and affordable options for families. The passport offers visa-free access to more than 60 countries, particularly in the global south.

这个非洲岛国于2025年8月推出了投资入籍项目，此项目因门槛低、速度快、生态系统原始未受破坏且家庭选项实惠备受关注。该国护照可免签进入60多个国家，特别是全球南方国家。

Mo Bennis, senior vice president at Arton Capital, which assists clients with second residency and citizenship in 20 regional programs, said the microstate is becoming attractive for Americans thanks to its lower-cost and straightforward path to citizenship. “For investors looking at where the world is heading over the next 20 years, it is a peaceful, strategically located island nation that offers mobility diversification beyond the usual Caribbean options,” he said.

协助客户办理20个区域项目第二居留和入籍的阿尔顿资本高级副总裁莫·本尼斯表示，由于其低成本且直接的入籍路径，这个微型国家正对美国人变得有吸引力。“对于那些展望世界未来20年走向的投资者来说，这是一个和平、地理位置优越的岛国，提供了超越传统加勒比选项的身份流动性多元化，”他说。

Types of visas: A minimum donation of $90,000 (or $95,000 for a family of two to four members) to the National Transformation Fund, plus a $5,000 submission fee. The visa comes with access for spouses, dependent children, parents over 55 and grandparents.

签证类型：向国家转型基金最低捐赠9万美元（两到四口之家为9.5万美元），外加5000美元申请费。该签证涵盖配偶、受抚养子女、55岁以上父母及祖父母。

Occupancy requirement: There is no occupancy requirement. Applications typically take two to three months, with a fully remote application process.

居住要求：无居住要求。申请通常需要两到三个月，全程可远程办理。

AND KEEP AN EYE ON …

值得关注的动向

Ms. Stevens said she’s seeing a shift in C.B.I. programs away from Europe and toward Latin America. “I would not say that Europe is making itself unattractive to foreign retirees, but I think this is the trend we’re beginning to see,” she said. She pointed to Paraguay and Argentina, which are recovering from financial and social upheaval, and reforming their citizenship programs.

史蒂文斯表示，她看到投资入籍项目的重心正从欧洲转向拉丁美洲。“我不会说欧洲让外国退休人员望而却步，但这确实是我们开始看到的趋势，”她说。她提到了正在从金融和社会动荡中复苏并改革其公民计划的巴拉圭和阿根廷。

In the South Pacific, Vanuatu, an archipelago off Australia, offers a fast-track citizenship program with 45 to 60 days for approval and an investment of $130,000 to $180,000 (depending on family size) into a local development fund.

在南太平洋，澳大利亚附近的瓦努阿图群岛提供了一个快速入籍项目，审批时间为45至60天，需向当地发展基金投资13万至18万美元（取决于家庭规模）。

Nauru, a tiny island nation in Micronesia, relaunched its C.B.I. program last year after a 23-year hiatus, rebranded as the Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program. It requires an investment of $115,000 — but until June 30, it’s on offer for $90,000.

密克罗尼西亚的微型岛国瑙鲁去年重启中断了23年的投资入籍项目，将其重新命名为“经济与气候韧性公民计划”。它要求投资11.5万美元——但在6月30日之前有9万美元的优惠价。