Citizenship by investment means becoming a national of another country, with its passport, in return for a contribution or investment set out in that country's law. It is the most lasting option there is, and the one that has changed most in the last two years.
What you receive
- Citizenship for life, for you and the family members on your application.
- A passport, and the right to live and work in that country.
- A nationality that passes to your children and theirs.
- Visa-free travel to the countries that welcome that passport. This differs from one passport to another, and it can change.
Where it is offered
Eight programmes appear on this site: five in the Caribbean, and Turkey, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Vanuatu.
No country in the European Union offers citizenship by investment any longer. The last programme, in Malta, ended in 2025 after a ruling by the EU's highest court.
| Programme | Starting amount | Visa-free travel to the Schengen Area today |
|---|---|---|
| St Kitts and Nevis | US$250,000 | Yes, under review |
| Saint Lucia | US$240,000 | Yes, under review |
| Grenada | US$235,000 | Yes, under review |
| Antigua and Barbuda | US$230,000 | Yes, under review |
| Dominica | US$200,000 | Yes, under review |
| Turkey | US$400,000 | No |
| Vanuatu | US$130,000 | No |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | US$90,000 | No |
How you qualify
There are two main routes.
- A contribution to a national fund. This is the simplest route. The money is not returned.
- An approved investment, most often property. It costs more, must be held for a set number of years, and can then be sold.
Every adult also goes through background checks, and the Caribbean programmes now include an interview. Our guide Due diligence: what to expect explains what that involves.
What has changed
Citizenship by investment used to be sold as quick and remote. That is no longer true.
- The Caribbean programmes now ask for an interview, and are bringing in a stay of about 30 days in the country during the first five years.
- Processing takes longer than the brochures suggest, from a few months to more than a year.
- In June 2026 the European Commission asked the five Caribbean countries to end their programmes by 1 June 2028, or risk losing visa-free travel to Europe.
The Caribbean passport question sets out what that means.
A second citizenship is for life. The travel rights that come with it are not guaranteed for life.
What it does not do
- It does not give you the right to live in Europe. A Caribbean passport allows visits, not residence.
- It does not change where you pay tax by itself.
- It may not sit alongside your current nationality. Some countries do not allow a second citizenship. Read Dual citizenship: what to check before you apply first.
Who it suits
- Families who want a second nationality for life, as a plan B.
- Parents who want to pass a second citizenship on to their children.
- People who travel widely outside Europe.
If what you want is time in Europe, a residence programme is the better fit. Residency or citizenship: which do you need? helps you decide.
Three questions to ask first
- Does my own country allow a second citizenship?
- Would I still want this passport if its travel rights changed?
- Can we spend the time in the country that the programme now asks for?
Figures are indicative and reviewed on 4 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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