Matt Dubiel is an accomplished executive and thought leader in global citizenship planning and investment migration.

With extensive expertise in guiding high-net-worth individuals through citizenship-by-investment and residency programs, Dubiel’s insights have shaped the strategies of numerous affluent families and investors.

His experience spans assessing investment opportunities, optimizing tax efficiency, and enhancing global mobility.

Dubiel emphasizes tailored solutions, recognizing that each client’s unique circumstances demand personalized strategies for immigration and investment. Nomad Capitalist is a premier advisory firm dedicated to assisting affluent clients worldwide in achieving optimal global citizenship strategies.

Renowned for its detailed analysis and personalized client services, Nomad Capitalist helps individuals navigate complex international investment and immigration pathways.

The firm’s flagship publication, the Nomad Capitalist Freedom Index, ranks countries based on their attractiveness to globally mobile investors and digital nomads, considering financial freedom, personal rights, safety, and lifestyle quality.

Nomad Capitalist consistently highlights emerging jurisdictions offering strategic benefits, from tax efficiency and lifestyle quality to business opportunities and mobility freedom.

How do you see investment tourism—such as citizenship-by-investment or real estate investment programs—impacting travel decisions among high-net-worth individuals?

Since High-net-worth individuals and their families seek destinations where both they and their capital are treated best, we find our clients choosing to travel to more of these choice jurisdictions to gauge their comfort level as a visitor before deciding to make it home.

Access to residency or citizenship through investment is a key factor they consider when evaluating a country. Alongside immigration options, lifestyle quality and tax efficiency are major elements that influence their decision to establish a personal or financial presence in a new jurisdiction.

Monaco and Mauritius are excellent examples of this as they are “near-perfect” on the Nomad Capitalist Freedom Idex because of their unique blend of zero or low taxes, iron-clad courts and outstanding personal safety – proof that size isn’t everything!

Several countries in your top rankings offer attractive investor visas. Which ones do you believe offer the best combination of travel freedom, lifestyle, and ROI right now?

At Nomad Capitalist, we craft bespoke strategies tailored to each client’s unique goals and preferences—so we don’t promote a one-size-fits-all solution. That said, countries like Panama, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Malaysia consistently stand out among our clients. These jurisdictions offer a compelling combination of straightforward immigration pathways, friendly tax regimes, and a high standard of living with access to modern conveniences. For many, they provide the ability to relocate without sacrificing the comforts of a Western lifestyle. Broadly speaking, we’re seeing growing interest in both Asia and Latin America as regions on the rise.

How does holding a second passport enhance the travel experience for your clients, especially in terms of visa-free mobility and lifestyle choices?

Visa-free travel has traditionally been a top priority for many Nomad Capitalist clients.

However, in today’s world, it is no longer always the primary objective. Increasingly, clients are seeking deeper access to specific regional markets—such as ASEAN or MERCOSUR—driven by business, lifestyle, or strategic interests.

This is why our firm in particular focused on a tailored approach to offshore planning, rather than pigeon holing clients into the idea of a magical second passport alone. In fact, it’s Nomad Capitalist’s position that third and fourth passports are the new second passport.

Many of our clients value the long-term peace of mind that comes from holding citizenship in a tax-friendly, stable jurisdiction they can always return to, regardless of global events. The experience of Covid-era border restrictions remains fresh in many clients’ minds, reinforcing the importance of maintaining mobility even in times of global uncertainty.

Can you share examples of countries where obtaining a second passport has notably improved clients’ ability to travel more freely or live abroad comfortably?

At Nomad Capitalist, we help clients obtain second and even third citizenships through a variety of legal pathways.

While visa-free travel is no longer the sole or primary objective for many, the emotional and strategic value of holding multiple citizenships remains significant.

For example, when Canadian, U.S., or British clients acquire European Union citizenship by descent, they often describe a profound sense of freedom—gaining the right to live, work, play and travel across all EU member states, along with enhanced access to non-EU countries like Switzerland.

This kind of mobility provides not just lifestyle flexibility, but also greater control over where to live and where to pay taxes—with the exception of U.S. citizens, who remain subject to worldwide taxation regardless of residence.

With the rise of digital nomad visas globally, how are countries in the Freedom Index adapting their tourism and immigration policies to attract long-term remote travelers?

Many jurisdictions around the world particularly in the Global South are beginning to think more like businesses when it comes to attracting taxpayers.

As countries compete for global talent and capital, we’re seeing a rise in favorable policies designed to attract location-independent entrepreneurs, freelancers, and professionals. In many cases, forward-thinking leaders in the Global South have recognized that welcoming wealthy foreigners who hire local staff and spend money within the economy helps drive growth, stimulate local industries, and create meaningful employment opportunities.

What countries stand out in your index as both welcoming digital nomads and offering a high quality of life, safety, and freedom?

Each individual Digital Nomad is different but overall: Panama, Costa Rica, Spain, Uruguay and Malaysia tend to be recurring choices for our clients. ‘Freedom isn’t just a slogan – the Nomad Capitalist Freedom Index measures it across money, rights and safety so people can literally see where they’re “treated best”.’

How important is community—co-working spaces, expat networks, etc.—in shaping travel preferences among digital nomads and location-independent professionals today?

While every traveler and digital nomad is different, many location-independent entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors find great value in the expat communities they encounter around the world.

They enjoy connecting with like-minded individuals—people who earn a living online, share similar values, and understand the freedom and flexibility that the digital economy provides. These global citizens often form lasting friendships, fall in love, and build meaningful networks.

In many ways, they are shaping what could be called a ‘digital nation’—a borderless community bound not by geography, but by lifestyle, mindset, and shared opportunity. Certain cities are for sure becoming expats hubs.

Agile, well-run micro-states and mid-sized countries now trump the “legacy brands” of freedom.

The US slips to 29th because personal safety drags down otherwise solid financial scores – Wyoming, by contrast, cracks the global top-20.

Based on your research and client feedback, which up-and-coming travel destinations should globally minded tourists be paying more attention to in 2025 and beyond?

The Global South—particularly Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa—is becoming increasingly attractive to globally mobile individuals. Within these regions, emerging destinations such as Mauritius, Oman, the Philippines, Argentina, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic are steadily gaining popularity each year as word spreads about their lifestyle appeal, favorable policies, and untapped opportunities.

Meanwhile, long-standing favorites like Panama, Costa Rica, the UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, and Uruguay continue to draw entrepreneurs, investors, and expats seeking a blend of stability, convenience, and international access.

The 2025 Nomad Capitalist Freedom Index shows that jurisdictions that move quickly on pro-investor reforms consistently outrank much larger economies.’

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