Country offers new fast-track citizenship to wealthy Americans seeking other opportunities

With the growing popularity of "golden" visas among wealthy Americans, one country is expanding the pathways for those interested in gaining citizenship in this fashion. 

Greece has introduced the "Greek Startup ecosystem," expanding citizenship opportunities beyond just an investment in real estate.

Those eligible can invest around $259,000 in select startups listed on the country's National Startup Registry in sectors that include real estate, defense and finance, according to the official platform Elevate Greece (EG).

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"A strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship drives the public and private sectors to join forces through Elevate Greece and reach out into global markets, promoting Greece as a major innovation hub in Southeast Europe," the EG website says.

Americans have been increasingly seeking second citizenship residencies as an "insurance" against global uncertainty, Fox News Digital previously reported. 

Canada-based Mohamed Bennis, senior vice president at Arton Capital, a global financial advisory and consultancy firm, told Fox News Digital "golden" visa programs have become "mainstream" today. 

"We're seeing a clear shift away from passive real estate toward more active investments that directly support the local economy, including startups, operating businesses and private equity, with more risk but also more potential reward," said Bennis.

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He added that countries need to innovate and adapt to new investor expectations.

"Greece is playing to win, using popular residency policy tools to pull in tech money, while other countries are still stuck in red tape," said Bennis. 

"This is a country saying, 'If you invest and build, we'll make it easy for you to stay.'"

Arton Capital advises high-net worth individuals on the process of investing in citizenship or residency all around the world.

"America pioneered the idea that capital and entrepreneurship should be welcomed, not punished," said Bennis. 

"The Trump Gold Card made that clear, and I think Greece is following that logic."

The Trump Gold Card was launched in December to provide a new, streamlined path to U.S. citizenship.

The card is a visa for individuals who can provide substantial benefit to the United States.

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It requires a nonrefundable $15,000 processing fee and a $1 million gift after vetting, with expedited review once fees and documents are submitted, according to TrumpCard.gov.

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Fox News Digital's Emma Bussey contributed reporting.