Trump boldly launched selling $1m US Gold cards to super rich around the globe, directly competing with Europe to attract foreign capital and cut national debt. The scheme is expected to raise $100 billion dollars making US the global destination for millionaires and mega corporations. As the Trump administration moving forward implementing the initiative, Europe on the other hand walks backwards shutting down golden visa programs citing concerns. Several media outlets reported – While US President Donald Trump is creating new options for the wealthy to move to America, Europe has been heading in the opposite direction.
US Sets Bar High
The Trump Gold Card backed by the Trump name is a brand associated with wealth, luxury and power is a top magnet attracting HNWI/UHNWIs to an elite 1% club. The US gold visa card outweighs EU gold visas, in terms of prestige, power and status, sets the bar high.
These are the some of the unique reasons why HNWIs are choosing Trump’s Gold Card Over European Golden Visas
- US is about status, prestige and power.
- One million price tag is easily affordable to HNWIs.
- Instant Green card US residency (EB1/EB2). Residency across all 50 states and territories.
- Pathway to US passport after 5 years.
- Investment opportunities with access to Wall street.
- High lifestyle standards available in the US.
- Access to US real estate market (high ROI)
- Exemption of US taxes on foreign income ($5m gold cards only).
- The U.S. has world-leading universities attracting HNWIs who prioritize their children’s education.
- Gold card is preferable alternative to EB-5 which suffers from slow processing, often years of waiting in line.
Competitively Priced
The US gold card ($1m) is super attractive to wealthy families all around the World, it is competitively priced and very much affordable. It is interesting to note that US real estate investments is not linked to Trump gold card. The biggest disadvantage with Trump gold card money is paid to US department of commerce department as a “gift”, not even a recoverable investment. Another important distinction is $5 million contribution, you will have the ability to spend up to 270 days in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxes on non-U.S. income.
Despite this many HNWI’s prefer US over Europe as US presents several opportunities for lifestyle upgrade and ample opportunities to grow their wealthy, the priority being education at top US universities.
Quick Comparison
Here is a brief comparison…
| Gold Visa | Minimum | Visa status | Tax Break | Investment |
| USA | $1 million | Green card | No | Gift |
| USA | $5 million | Green card | Exemption (foreign income) | Gift |
| Portugal | €500,000 | TRP | Available | Recoverable |
| Italy | €250,000 | TRP | Special Flat tax | Recoverable |
| Greece | €250,000 | PR | No | Recoverable |
| Bulgaria | €250,000 | PR | Possible | Recoverable |
| Hungary | €250,000 | PR | NO | Recoverable |
| Malta | €100,000 | PR | No | Gift |
Golden Visas are Melting Down in Europe
Between 2020 to 2025, Europe went through the age of the Great golden visa meltdown missing out great opportunities to attract foreign capital.
- Spain and Portugal has removed real estate investments for golden visa.
- Luxembourg has proposed a draft law to scrap golden investment visas.
- Netherlands and Ireland have closed down immigrant investor residence programs.
- United Kingdom disbanded tier1 investor visas to attract superrich years ago .
- Malta has replaced investor citizenship scheme with citizenship by merit program.
- Montenegro and Moldova terminated their investor citizenship schemes after short period of time.
- Cyprus has stuck down golden passport scheme years ago over a scandal.
The End of Europe’s Golden Visas?
Into the Future, Wealthy Elite may be choosing Trump’s Gold Card over Europe’s. Will Europe be able to compete with US in the gold card game? We have to wait and watch.
