Federica Grazi, founder of Mitos Relocation Solutions, examines the pros and cons of golden visas versus retirement visas for UK nationals, how they work, the immediate tax implications, residency issues and ongoing costs
Since Brexit, UK nationals looking to move to Europe face a very different legal landscape. The right to simply move, settle and stay has been replaced by residence permits, each with its own logic, thresholds and trade-offs.
Two routes dominate the conversation: retirement (or financially independent) visas and golden visas. They are often discussed interchangeably, but in practice they serve very different profiles – and come with different tax and lifestyle implications.
Understanding which one fits your situation is less about preference and more about structure: income source, asset base, family situation, and how closely you want – or need - to remain tied to the UK.
Retirement visas: residence based on financial independence
