A record number of Americans applied for British citizenship in the first quarter of 2025, coinciding with the start of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States, according to newly released data from the UK Home Office.
Between January and March, 1,931 US citizens submitted citizenship applications — the highest quarterly total since records began in 2004 and a 12% increase from the final quarter of 2024. That previous rise had already begun following Trump’s re-election in November.
The data highlights a growing trend among Americans seeking long-term residence in the UK. In 2024, a record 5,500 US nationals were granted settled status — a 20% jump from the previous year. Settled status allows individuals to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely and is a common step toward full citizenship.
This surge echoes a previous spike during Trump’s first presidency in 2020, particularly at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That period saw political dissatisfaction, public health concerns, and tax frustrations drive many Americans to seek life abroad. In the first half of 2020 alone, over 5,800 Americans formally renounced their US citizenship — nearly triple the number recorded in all of 2019, according to Bambridge Accountants, a firm specializing in international tax issues.
“These are mainly people who already left the US and just decided they’ve had enough,” said Alistair Bambridge, a partner at the firm, in a 2020 interview. “The complexity of the US tax system for expats is often the final straw.”
Although the UK remains a popular destination for Americans due to its shared language, familiar culture, and robust institutions, the path to citizenship is becoming more difficult. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced last week that the government will introduce stricter immigration rules, including longer wait times before applicants can apply for British citizenship.
Across Europe, migration policies are also tightening. Italy, another frequent destination for US expatriates with ancestral ties, has recently eliminated the right to citizenship through great-grandparents and introduced tougher visa rules for non-EU nationals.
Still, the appeal of the UK appears strong. Analysts say that as Trump’s second term progresses, it remains to be seen whether the current spike in UK citizenship applications marks the beginning of a broader, sustained trend — or merely a short-term reaction to renewed political uncertainty back home.
