Wealthy migrants are increasingly turning their backs on Europe’s largest economies, and this shift is causing quite a stir. The recently released Henley Private Wealth Migration Report for 2026 throws a spotlight on this trend, revealing which countries are becoming the new hot spots for millionaires and which are losing their affluent residents. Instead of merely counting how many millionaires are moving, this report introduces a Wealth Mobility Competitiveness Score, rating countries from 0 to 100 based on their attractiveness for wealth mobility. A higher score means the nation is more appealing for the rich, taking into account factors like tax treatment, rule of law, quality of life, and political stability.
However, hold your horses! While these findings offer intriguing insights, they should be approached with caution. Dan Neidle, founder of the non-profit Tax Policy Associates and former head of tax at law firm Clifford Chance in the UK, has raised eyebrows over the reliability of the migration data produced by Henley and its research partner, New World Wealth. He argues that their methods may not be robust enough to track millionaire movements accurately. Henley, on the other hand, claims that their figures are meant to showcase broad trends rather than serve as precise counts. With that in mind, it’s also crucial to remember that Henley has a vested interest in global wealth mobility, which might color its findings.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the report. Cyprus has snagged the top spot in Europe with an impressive score of 73.5, followed closely by the Netherlands at 72.8, Portugal at 72.5, and Italy at 72.3. Switzerland and Greece also made the cut, scoring 70.8 and 70.5, respectively. But don’t be fooled by the numbers alone! While Cyprus, the Netherlands, and Portugal shine bright, the report underscores that Italy, Greece, and Switzerland remain some of the most appealing destinations for wealthy migrants.
What’s behind this shift in Europe’s investment migration landscape? Well, it’s a cocktail of factors, including Spain shutting down its golden visa scheme and Portugal consistently ranking as one of the top five sources for new clients since 2018. The report attributes this to changes like the abolition of the non-domiciliary tax regime, adjustments to inheritance tax, and the closure of the Tier 1 Investor Visa, not to mention the broader fiscal uncertainty hanging over these nations.
Germany and France are also in the mix, reflecting similar trends. Henley recorded a 16% uptick in inquiries from German nationals between late 2025 and early 2026. As for France, it shifted from being somewhat of a laggard to a player in the game, but it still scored just 62.3. Interestingly, applications from U.S. nationals doubled in 2025, with nearly half of these directed toward European programs. This shift points to a growing interest among wealthy Americans in overseas residence and citizenship options.
The report suggests that these patterns signal a larger reordering of global wealth mobility. More and more European destinations are stepping up their game, vying for internationally mobile capital and talent. So, what’s next for these countries? Will they adapt to retain their wealthy residents, or will they continue to see an exodus? Only time will tell.
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber
