For years, second residency strategies quietly sat in the background as a tool for globally minded entrepreneurs, investors, and families. That quiet phase is over.

2026 is shaping up to be a defining year in which second residency in Europe becomes a core part of long-term life and wealth planning.

As political cycles intensify, and policies shift in major economies, more people are asking the same question:

“How do I secure a stable base, no matter what happens next?”

At Citizenship Network, we see this trend daily. Second residency is no longer a luxury; it has become a risk-management tool.

Why Second Residency Demand Is Accelerating

The momentum started building in the aftermath of recent political cycles and has only gained speed through 2025. Post-election policy changes, rising polarization, and shifting alliances have pushed many high-net-worth individuals and remote professionals to look beyond their home countries.

Several factors are driving this push:

• Tariffs and trade tensions have created volatility in global markets

• Evolving visa and immigration rules have made mobility less predictable

• Strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China has added another layer of uncertainty

In this environment, second residency offers something that markets and politicians do not: control and continuity.

Citizenship Network works with clients who no longer want their lives dictated by a single government’s political mood or economic cycle. Instead, they build optionality through residency diversification.

Europe’s Strategic Position: Between Powers, Open to Talent

Europe currently sits between two competing power centers while managing its own internal debates on reform, integration, and economic direction. Yet within this complexity lies a major opportunity.

European countries are:

• Under pressure to stay competitive

• Seeking investment and innovation

• Rethinking how they attract global talent

Rather than simply reacting to global tensions, many European states are now proactively reshaping their residency frameworks to draw in entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled professionals.

For clients of Citizenship Network, this shift is crucial: Europe is not just a lifestyle choice but a strategic base that connects to both global markets and strong internal institutions.

Second Residency as an Insurance Policy

Political cycles no longer just influence tax brackets and headlines; they can rewrite entire mobility frameworks overnight. Visa categories are revised, tax codes are updated, and foreign ownership rules can tighten with little warning.

As one expert in the mobility industry put it, policy shifts can alter “visa categories, tax rules, and foreign ownership frameworks almost overnight,” turning second residency into a practical form of protection rather than a symbolic status.

At Citizenship Network, we increasingly see second residency treated as:

• A hedge against policy risk

• A tool for continuity in business operations

• A way to maintain mobility and access, regardless of future elections

In this sense, a second residency is less about escape and more about resilience.

Europe’s New Wave of Innovation-Focused Residency Programs

Traditional golden visa models, built largely around passive capital inflows, are being reassessed across Europe. Some programs have been tightened, others redesigned, and a few have been phased out entirely.

The opportunity is shifting to a new generation of residency routes that reward:

• Innovation

• Research and development

• Business creation

• Skilled employment and tech expertise

Countries such as Portugal, Spain, France and others are gradually moving away from purely investment-only pathways and towards innovation-led and impact-driven residency programs.

Key characteristics of these newer European residency options include:

• Lower entry costs compared to classic investor schemes

• Shorter timeframes to residency in some cases

• Stronger integration into local innovation ecosystems

• Direct links to universities, accelerators, and startup hubs

For globally mobile founders and professionals, this means that contributing to the real economy can be more valuable than simply wiring capital. This is a message Citizenship Network consistently emphasizes in strategy sessions with clients.

Why Families Are Prioritizing Second Residency

Second residency is no longer only about tax planning or portfolio diversification. For many families, it has become part of legacy and generational strategy.

Clients of Citizenship Network increasingly focus on:

• Education access

  • Entry to top schools and universities

  • Stable environments for long-term academic planning

• Healthcare continuity

  • High-quality medical systems

  • Predictable access, regardless of home-country instability

• Wealth and succession planning

  • Jurisdictions that protect assets and long-term structures

  • Flexibility for children to live, study, or work across borders

The result is a shift from short-term lifestyle upgrades to intergenerational planning, with second residency in Europe serving as a structural backbone.

Second Residency as a Strategic Asset

In a world where markets can shift in a single news cycle, having residency in a stable jurisdiction is becoming a core strategic asset.

For entrepreneurs, second residency can:

• Open new markets and trade routes

• Support tax-efficient corporate and personal structures

• Enable flexible company relocation or expansion

For families, it provides:

• The ability to relocate quickly if needed

• Reduced administrative friction for schooling and relocation

• A clear path to multi-country lifestyle planning without constant visa headaches

At Citizenship Network, we treat second residency as part of a broader blueprint that connects mobility, tax, lifestyle, and long-term security.

2026: A New Phase for Global Mobility

As 2026 approaches, the global mobility landscape is shifting in two key ways:

1. Political and policy volatility is increasing

2. Residency programs themselves are diversifying and modernizing

Europe’s gradual move toward innovation-led and value-based residency frameworks signals a new chapter for the sector. The focus is turning from pure capital inflows to:

• Attracting talent and knowledge

• Supporting national innovation goals

• Generating real economic and social impact

This evolution is rewriting the old playbook of investment migration. Programs now increasingly rely on collaboration with:

• Tech ecosystems

• Universities and research institutions

• High-growth and emerging industries

For clients working with Citizenship Network, this means that the most successful residency strategies will be those that align personal goals with host-country priorities.

How to Prepare for 2026

For globally minded investors, founders, and families, the direction is clear:

Second residency in Europe is moving toward innovation, added value, and strategic alignment.

To position yourself for this new phase, Citizenship Network typically recommends:

• Starting early, before further policy tightening

• Mapping your skills, business, or investment profile to suitable jurisdictions

• Prioritizing programs that offer both lifestyle and strategic advantages

• Viewing second residency as a long-term pillar of your global plan, not a last-minute backup

2026 is not just another year in the calendar. It is becoming a milestone in how people think about mobility, security, and opportunity.

Those who plan carefully and act early will be the ones who benefit most from Europe’s evolving second residency landscape.