Gizane Campos 0:03

Welcome to Be Global Podcast, the show that explores the fascinating world of investment, migration, and global mobility. I am your host, Gisani Campos, and today we have a very special guest joining us, Laura Madrid. Laura, say hello to your listeners.

Laura Madrid 0:20

Hello, hello Gisanne. Glad to be here with you again. For the first timers at our podcast, I am Laura Madrid. I live in Madrid and I am the research leader at Global Intelligence Unit by Global Citizen Solutions.

Gizane Campos 0:33

Thanks, Laura. Good to give us uh the geographical location as well as your surname. Um, very, very nice. So I also heard that your team just dropped a major report. So this is a big one. But before we talk about it, let's set the scene first. More people than ever are looking at their options worldwide. We are talking about a world where geopolitical tensions are high, inflation is being felt everywhere, and even the simple act of travel is more uncertain than it used to be. So, whether you are planning a backup plan for your family, chasing freedom, a better life, or just to cut through visa-waiting times with a stronger passport, investment migration makes that possible. And today we are diving into the global RCBI report 2025. It is the most detailed ranking of residency and citizenship by investment programs in 2025. So, whether you are an investor, an advisor, or just passport curious, by the way, I love this term, Laura. This episode is going to give you clarity and a fresh look at what is really out there. But first, Laura, sorry, lots of talking from my side, but I want you to help us to get our terminology straight. Golden visas, passport programs, CBI, RBI, investors' visa. What do people actually need to know?

Laura Madrid 2:14

So, residency by investment is basically what most people call golden visas. You put money into a country, usually through real estate funds or donations, and they give you the right to live there. Citizenship is usually possible after a given number of years in the country, although it's not automatically granted unless you fulfill some criteria.

Gizane Campos 2:38

Okay. And what's the criteria? Tell me.

Laura Madrid 2:41

Usually you're gonna have to take those uh language exams depending on the country. Uh you're gonna have to be living there for a certain number of years, usually five years. And some countries will uh also apply cultural exams. Okay, I see.

Gizane Campos 2:59

Fine. So let's go back to the meaning of terms. So, what does CBI mean?

Laura Madrid 3:05

CBI stands for citizenship by investment, or yeah, CBI. Means you invest and get citizenship directly. So, yes, it's a second passport right away. Okay. Uh, what we call investor visa or entrepreneurial visa are they're more traditional schemes. They're business-based visas, and you expect to be actively involved with investment in the country. Countries like the US, Canada, and Australia have this kind of uh schemes. So think if you want to start a company, create jobs, live in the country, then this is the best option for you.

Gizane Campos 3:42

Gotcha. Okay. Thank you, Laura. So now that we are speaking the same language, let's talk about the global RCBI report. I have read the report and I must say it almost comes across as a playbook for picking the best residency and citizenship program out there. Why, Laura? Tell me, why does this report matter right now?

Laura Madrid 4:04

Honestly, this year's report is a wake-up call, but in a good way. We analyzed 40 programs across 38 countries using 18 indicators that reflect what people actually care about. From mobility, taxes, quality of life to ease of application and how the investment plays out long term. The big question behind this research was if I'm investing in a second residency or passport, where am I getting the best deal for my goals? So the report consistently goes through some top-tier programs, ranking them by these factors. It answers some big concerns for people like where will my investment go furthest, which passport opened the most doors, uh, where can I move my family or business safely with least hassle?

Gizane Campos 4:50

And goals are different, aren't they? What fits one person or family might not necessarily fit the other. Some might be thinking about their taxes and wealth planning, whilst others want something more straightforward, like extra visa-free travel access, while others are thinking about their kids' futures ahead of time.

Laura Madrid 5:12

Exactly. And that's what the report is showing. For example, if speed and affordability are your top priorities, the Caribbean CBI programs dominate. Uh, these countries include Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kids and Nevis, and Grenada. We are talking uh citizenship in three to seven months with investments starting at around $200,000.

Gizane Campos 5:34

Okay, and Laura, when we talk about passports, we are also talking about mobility, right? How strong are these passports in terms of visa-free travel?

Laura Madrid 5:45

They are strong, especially for the price point. Caribbean passports typically offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen area, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and even countries like Russia, Brazil, and South Africa. The kind of mobility with minimal tax pressure and fast processing, it's hard to beat. Wow.

Gizane Campos 6:10

Okay, so let's turn to Europe now. Countries like Malta and Austria have elite CBI offerings, but I think they also come at a price, correct?

Laura Madrid 6:20

Yes, indeed. These are top-tier programs, usually geared towards high net worth investors. To give you an example, Malta requires redincy and a total investment of around 690,000 or more, with a processing timeline of up 36 months, and time is money as well. Yeah, yeah. Austria is even more exclusive. It can take three years, and the bar for acceptance is very high. It's typically reserved for exceptional applicants making substantial contributions. You get powerful passports indeed with full EU access, but the path is longer, more expensive, and much more selective. I agree. Okay.

Gizane Campos 7:02

That's great, Laura. And tell us what are some more affordable price points for people looking to break into Europe?

Laura Madrid 7:10

By now, that would be Greece's Golden Visa. Greece's golden visa is a cost-effective, highly valued option. Real estate prices are still competitive, and the required investment starts at just 250 in some areas.

Gizane Campos 7:25

Okay, you mean 250,000? Yes, exactly. Right. And tell us what and are there other top performers?

Laura Madrid 7:32

Well, I could mention Malta, Switzerland, and Portugal, of course. All offer strong pathways to citizenship after a few years, and they strike a balance between quality of life, flexibility, and global mobility.

Gizane Campos 7:44

But there was one thing that jumped out to me from the report. Basically, not all programs are equal when it comes to taxes.

Laura Madrid 7:53

Exactly. And this is a big factor for strategic planning. Some countries, especially in Europe, use worldwide taxation, which means you are taxed on your global income no matter where it's earned. But territorial tax countries, you are only taxed on a local income. This makes a big difference. Also, there are some countries that will apply zero tax jurisdiction, no personal income tax at all. This makes a huge difference in long-term financial planning, especially for high net worth individuals.

Gizane Campos 8:24

Okay, thank you for the overview on taxes. I know it's a quite uh complicated and uh lots of layers to go through, but uh but yeah, that was a good overview. So now I want to speak about a stats that really caught my eye in the report. Over 60% of RBI programs require an investment under $500,000. And most of them don't even ask you to live there full-time. That's a total game changer for people who want a flexible plan B. Is that right?

Laura Madrid 8:57

Exactly. It's perfect for people who want global access without uprooting their lives. Countries like Panama, Hong Kong, and even Malta offer options where just a few visits in year are enough to maintain your residency. Also, many of these programs support family reunification. You can bring your partner, kids, even your parents in some cases. It's a smart move for multi-generational planning.

Gizane Campos 9:22

That's great news for families, Laura. Thank you very much. Now, I must say I love the section on innovation. The report shows how places like Canada, Singapore, and Australia are shaking things up. They are not just after investors. To me, it seems like they are after talent.

Laura Madrid 9:41

Indeed, great mention, Gisanne. We call this next generation programs. They are focused less on passive money and more on human capital. So instead of just investing in property, you might be launching a startup, joining a tech accelerator, or helping building something in a strategic sector like clean energy or AI. They usually ask for more involvement and sometimes even relocation. But the payoff is access to cutting-edge economies and long-term integration.

Gizane Campos 10:11

Okay, so we are seeing a shift from how fast can I get a second passport to how can I align my migration strategy with my business goals, lifestyle, or even values.

Laura Madrid 10:24

In my opinion, we are entering into a new era of impact-driven migration. It's not just about moving money over, you are using your investment to support national priorities as well. And countries are leveraging their programs. Take Portugal, for example. They are now encouraging investment in culture, science, and sustainability. And in the Caribbean, some countries are trying CBI funds to resilience projects, climate adaptation and local development. Investments are two-way streets. These types of programs invite you to be part of something bigger. And this resonates with a lot of investors today. Wow.

Gizane Campos 11:05

Yes, Laura, I see that the narrative is changing bit by bit. Laura, thank you for such a fascinating conversation. And just before we wrap, what is your one piece of advice for someone looking to explore RCBI this year?

Laura Madrid 11:24

I would say think long term. Think about the kind of life you want to build, where do you want to spend time, what kind of mobility you do need, what's your investment style? What kind of future do you want to leave behind for your family? Also, today you can go for multiple options. You can pair a golden visa in Greece with an Antigua and Barbuda passport. You can build a mobility portfolio over time. If you're just getting started or curious about the trends, the global RCBI report 2025 is a roadmap. It helps you to make smart, informed decisions.

Gizane Campos 12:01

I couldn't agree more. Thank you so much, Laura, for joining us and for unpacking so much in such a short time. And to everyone listening, make sure to check the show notes for the full RCBI report. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Until next time. And this was Big Global Podcast.