Germany

Wealth Mobility Competitiveness Score
(Out of 100)

69.7

Framework Perspective

Germany retains strong scores on the Global Wealth Mobility Framework in institutional quality, rule of law, financial sophistication, education, and capital mobility. However, its tax position has become less competitive relative to peers as Cyprus, Italy, and Portugal have positioned themselves with new-arrival regimes that Germany has not matched. Policy predictability has weakened with the ongoing debate over wealth taxation and exit-tax reform. The framework reflects a jurisdiction with strong fundamentals but eroding fiscal attractiveness and uncertain policy direction.

Wealth Mobility Indicators and Implications

German high-net-worth individuals are increasingly exploring relocation and diversification options beyond their home market, with destinations such as Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, and Cyprus attracting growing interest. Italy’s flat-tax regime has proved particularly attractive for those seeking continued EU access combined with greater fiscal certainty. While the volume of flows remains modest relative to Germany’s overall wealth base, the direction of travel is consistent with a broader European pattern of internationally mobile wealth gravitating towards jurisdictions offering more favorable tax and policy environments.

Henley & Partners’ own enquiry and application trends broadly reinforce this picture. Germany has emerged as an increasingly important source market for international residence and citizenship planning, rising from the firm’s 24^th-largest nationality group in 2024 to 19^th in 2025 and 13^th in 2026. Although absolute volumes remain relatively limited compared with larger markets such as the USA and the UK, the longer term trajectory points to growing demand for international optionality among German investors and entrepreneurs.

The programs attracting interest from German nationals span a diverse range of residence and citizenship options, including the US EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs, and programs offered by a number of emerging jurisdictions. Rather than reflecting a shift towards any single destination, this pattern suggests a broader desire for diversification, strategic access, and long-term flexibility — reinforcing the GWMF’s assessment that fiscal competitiveness, policy predictability, and international optionality are becoming increasingly important considerations for mobile wealth across Europe.