American middle class turns to second passports for travel freedom

A U.S. investment‑migration consultancy has revealed that professionals and retirees now make up 25 % of its client base, a rise that reflects a growing trend of Americans buying “plan B” passports. The firm, which advises on citizenship‑by‑investment programs, said the share of consultations from these groups has doubled in the past year, with many clients citing uncertainty at home and a desire for greater travel freedom.

The shift comes amid a mix of political and economic pressures. Recent U.S. tax reforms, rising inflation, and the lingering effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic have pushed many professionals to look beyond a single citizenship. Retirees, meanwhile, seek passports that offer easier access to healthcare, lower taxes, or simply the ability to live abroad without visa hassles. Countries such as Portugal, Greece, and Malta have broadened their golden‑visa schemes, offering residency or citizenship in exchange for real‑estate investment or capital deposits that can be as low as €250,000.

The firm’s data show that about 70 % of the new clients are targeting European passports, with a smaller but growing interest in Caribbean options like St. Kitts and Nevis and Turkey’s program. The average cost of a second passport is now between $300,000 and $600,000, depending on the country and the type of investment. Some clients are also exploring digital‑nomad visas that allow them to work remotely while residing in a foreign country, a perk that has become especially valuable as remote work becomes more common.

Looking ahead, the consultancy expects the trend to accelerate as U.S. lawmakers debate stricter immigration rules and as more countries tighten their golden‑visa requirements. The firm is also preparing to offer hybrid packages that combine residency rights with investment incentives, aiming to capture a broader slice of the market. For U.S. policymakers, the rise in second‑passport demand could signal a need to address the underlying drivers of mobility—such as tax certainty, healthcare access, and political stability—if they wish to keep their citizens and investors at home.