Wealthy Americans who want a backup plan are getting a second passport. These are the countries they choose.

• America’s mega-rich worry about social and political instability.

• As a backup plan, they began acquiring a second passport.

• They choose countries like Portugal, Malta, Greece, Italy and New Zealand.

The United States is experiencing a spike in sociopolitical instability – perhaps karma for the nation’s history of meddling in the politics of other countries? – this puts a strain on his people.

Not everyone has the means to prepare an exit plan, but wealthy Americans who can afford it can. They have begun acquiring second passports to other countries through so-called golden visa programs, which allow aspiring residents to establish residency through investments.

Here are some of the top countries they consider if they need a break.

Portugal

Portugal is one of the top destinations for Americans looking for a second passport, executives at citizenship brokerage Henley & Partners previously told Business Insider.

Americans can become residents after five years through Portugal’s golden visa program, according to Henley & Partners.

However, the Portuguese authorities know that their passports are in high demand. The government recently added restrictions to its Golden Visa program, removing the possibility that purchasing property in Portugal could provide a path to citizenship, Reuters reported. Hopeful future residents can still take advantage of the program by investing in the country in other ways.

Malta

Malta is another preferred choice for wealthy Americans. They can acquire the residence through a mixed capital investment (i.e. it can be a financial or real estate investment).

The Malta Residency Program offers the opportunity to live in Malta indefinitely, as well as access for months to most of Europe without a visa, according to Henley & Partners.

Although few of Henley & Partners’ clients actually move abroad, they said they find it comforting to have this option, the firm’s Dominic Volek told BI.

Greece

Greece is another favored destination for wealthy Americans – as well as another country raising the price of its golden visa.

In February, government officials announced they would raise the investment price to 800,000 euros (about $859,308) for the most popular islands, Reuters reported.

The change came after the country already increased real estate investment requirements from 250,000 euros to 500,000 euros in 2023 for tourist-heavy cities and islands like Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, Reuters reported.

Italy

Some Americans seeking an additional passport have landed in the Italian residency program. The program requires a “significant contribution to the country’s economy,” according to Henley & Partners.

To obtain the right to live and work in Italy, investors must be willing to pay between 250,000 and 2 million euros (or up to $2,148,560).

New Zealand

Some mega-rich have set their sights on New Zealand, such as tech mogul Peter Thiel, CNBC reported.

While Henley & Partners ranks New Zealand among the top 10 countries for a second passport, the document comes with a hefty price tag.

Prospective residents should be prepared to fork out between NZ$5 million and NZ$15 million, or $2,987,275 to $8,961,825.

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