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WriterWriter at Xataka. I've been working remotely for more than a decade and I'm a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
The pandemic prompted digital nomads to move from the U.S. to countries with more relaxed mobility measures and a lower cost of living. Many European nations embraced them and welcomed their investments. However, over time, the geopolitical landscape has undergone significant changes.
What remains constant is the desire of Americans to move to Europe in search of stability, security, and a better quality of life. The difference now is that Europe is starting to close its doors. In fact, U.S. citizens will soon be required to obtain an entry visa (ETIAS) to visit Europe.
Exodus of Americans. There’s been a growing interest among Americans in obtaining residency in European countries. In 2024, Ireland received 31,825 citizenship applications from U.S. citizens. In February 2025 alone, Americans submitted 3,692 citizenship applications.
In an interview with Euronews, Alex Ingrim, founder of wealth management company Liberty Atlantic Advisors, gave some insights. “A lot of people feel that the longer they stay in the U.S., the more uncertain they are about what the quality of life is going to be and how that might affect their financial well-being,” he explained.
Kelly Cordes, founder of Irish Citizenship Consultants, told Bloomberg that she’s also observed a significant rise in citizenship applications from Americans to Ireland. “It’s definitely different from what we’ve ever seen. People are really worried, they have this sense of urgency to have citizenship,” she pointed out. The average number of citizenship applications processed by her agency increased from 10 per week in 2024 to between 20 and 25 applications weekly.
Europe closes its doors. Despite an increase in applications for residency and citizenship, authorities in European countries are implementing stricter rules. For instance, data from the United Kingdom Home Office shows that 6,100 U.S. citizens applied for British citizenship, often leveraging their British ancestry.
Italy previously allowed individuals with proven family ties to obtain residency with relative ease. However, it’s recently enacted emergency reforms to manage a surge in applications. The new requirements include more rigorous tests and extended processing times to safeguard local interests.
Golden Visas. Another option available to Americans with greater financial resources is to acquire the so-called Golden Visas. These programs allow individuals to obtain residency or citizenship in exchange for substantial investments, typically in real estate or by starting local businesses.
Although Portugal and Spain were once popular choices for Golden Visas, recent circumstances have deterred applicants due to negative impacts on the real estate market and local economies.
New strategic opportunities. In light of these challenges, some European countries are adapting to the influx of Americans by seeking to attract qualified talent. For example, France has launched the "Choose France for Science" campaign, designed to expedite the processing of residence permits for international researchers and highly skilled professionals.
Cutbacks at DOGE, which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk heads, threaten jobs for researchers in the U.S., making it easier for these scientists to immigrate.
Image | Global Residence Index
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