Citizenship by Investment Countries & Programs List in 2026

Discover the best citizenship by investment programs worldwide.

$130,000 Minimum Donation
6-12 Months Processing Times
+150 Countries Visa-Free Travel

What is Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship-by-investment programs, or CBI, are legal processes through which investors and their immediate family members can obtain a second citizenship by contributing to a country’s economic growth. These programs are typically established to attract foreign capital and stimulate economic growth. Therefore, they mainly offer investment options such as donations, government bonds, or government-approved real estate development projects.

Accordingly, the most popular countries that offer this scheme include St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, and Dominica.

Benefits of Citizenship by Investment Programs

What sets citizenship by investment programs apart from other investment programs is their fast-tracking times. Mostly, an applicant can grant a second passport within several months after passing legal due diligence checks. That’s why they are becoming more and more attractive for:

Visa-free travel

Dual citizenship

Business advantages

Tax Benefits

Family planning for future generations

Enhanced security

Who is Eligible to Apply for Citizenship by Investment Programs?

To qualify, applicants typically choose from investment options such as:

Non-refundable contributions to national development funds

Real estate investments in government-approved projects

Business or enterprise investments that support job creation

Government bonds or treasury instruments

Citizenship by Investment Programs:
Best & Fastest

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment

st kitts & nevis citizenship

St. Kitts & Nevis

Located in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis offers one of the oldest, most reputable, and most established citizenship by investment programs in the region to bring in foreign direct investments. Since its launch in 1984, the program has been recognized for its high standards, strict due diligence procedures, and consistent reliability.

Minimum Donation $250,000
Min. Real Estate $325,000
Time for Citizenship 4-6 Months
Visa-Free Access 157 Countries

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda offers a flexible and family-friendly citizenship by investment program thanks to its fast processing times. Established in 2013, it provides a pathway to citizenship for investors who make a qualifying contribution to the country’s economy.

Minimum Donation $230,000
Minimum Real Estate $300,000
Time for Citizenship 6-9 Months
Visa-Free Access 151 Countries

Dominica

Dominica offers one of the most affordable and reputable citizenship-by-investment programs in the Caribbean since its launch in 1993. It is known for its straightforward application process, strong due diligence standards, and accessible minimum investment thresholds.

Minimum Donation $200,000
Min. Real Estate $200,000
Time for Citizenship 6-9 Months
Visa-Free Travel 145 Countries

Grenada

Among global CBI options, Grenada stands out for one defining advantage: its citizenship opens the door to the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. This means Grenadian citizens are eligible to apply for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which allows individuals to live and operate a business in the United States.

Minimum Donation $235,000
Min. Real Estate $270,000
Time for Citizenship 9-12 Months
Visa-Free Access 143 Countries
St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment

St. Lucia

St Lucia’s investment program for citizenship requires a $240,000 minimum investment amount in the National Economic Fund Donation. It provides enhanced global mobility and significant tax advantages, as foreign income is not subject to local taxation, enhancing its appeal to international investors.

Oceania Citizenship by Investment

Vanuatu

Compared to other citizenship programs, Vanuatu offers the most affordable path to a second passport. Accordingly, to acquire citizenship, applicants must invest a minimum amount of $130,000 to the Vanuatu development program. There is also a real estate purchase option, which requires a minimum of $200,000. Mainly, the program gets attraction for its affordability and simplicity.

Minimum Donation $130,000
Min. Real Estate -
Time for Citizenship 1-2 Months
Visa-Free Access 92 Countries

Middle East Citizenship by Investment

Turkey

To promote economic growth, Turkey offers a citizenship-by-investment program for foreign investors. The main benefits of the program include access to a dynamic real estate market and a relatively straightforward application process. While the Turkish passport is not considered among the strongest passports for global mobility, it can still be an attractive option for foreign investors seeking a minimum real estate investment threshold with high rental yield potential.

Minimum Donation -
Min. Real Estate $400,000
Time for Citizenship 3-6 Months
Visa-Free Access 116 Countries

Why Do Countries Offer Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programs are offered by countries to attract international talent and foreign investment, both of which can drive sustained economic growth. Through these programs, investors receive citizenship in exchange for substantial contributions to society, culture, or the economy.

Economic Citizenship and Regulations

Many nations offer economic citizenship programs, commonly referred to as citizenship by investment (CBI). It is a legal process that grants citizenship to foreign nationals in exchange for their significant contributions and merit to the country's welfare. The benefits and qualifying requirements of each country’s citizenship-by-investment program vary, as do the financial requirements and character tests that foreign investors must pass.

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Citizenship Eligibility Test

Find out if you qualify for a second passport in 30 seconds.

1. What is your estimated investment budget?

2. Who will be included in the application?

3. Do you have a clean criminal record?

(Required for all government programs)

4. What is your primary goal?

Congratulations!

Based on your answers, you appear to be eligible for multiple Citizenship by Investment programs.

Get a Free Consultation
!

Eligibility Warning

Citizenship programs strictly require a clean criminal record. However, other residency options might be available.

Frequently Asked Questions on Citizenship by Investment (CBI)

EU Citizenship by investment was available in a few countries, such as Montenegro and Malta. Malta previously had a citizenship-by-investment program, which ended in 2025. Montenegro citizenship-by-investment program, on the other hand, ended in 2022. Several European countries, including Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, provide investment-based residence programs rather than alternative citizenship programs.
With approvals taking just 4-6 months, St Kitts and Nevis, a country in the Caribbean, boasts the fastest and most reliable citizenship-by-investment program in the world in 2026.
With a minimum investment of $200,000- $250,000, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Dominica offer the most economical citizenship-by-investment options.
Many countries allow citizens or permanent residents to obtain citizenship through real estate investments, such as St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, and Grenada.
Spouses and dependent children under the age of eighteen may be included in your citizenship application.
If you move to your citizenship and cease to be a resident of your home country, obtaining citizenship may have an impact on your tax burden, including capital gains, inheritance tax, and residency status. However, many Caribbean countries offer a tax-friendly environment.
In the USA, there isn’t a direct citizenship-by-investment program. On the other hand, individuals can apply for a green card and permanent residency under the US EB5 program. After five years of residency, they can apply to become a U.S. citizen.
Currently, global citizenship-by-investment programs are available in several countries, offering a direct path to citizenship: Austria, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Egypt, Grenada, Jordan, North Macedonia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Türkiye. In addition, several countries offer residency-by-investment programs, including Portugal, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They initially give you a residence permit, with a potential path for citizenship.
To qualify for citizenship and a passport by investment, the primary applicant must fulfill one of the program’s investment requirements. They must be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, hold adequate health insurance, and not be from a black-listed nationality.
Many countries let you get a second passport in addition to your native country. The number of passports you can have depends on the laws of the countries involved. Some countries allow dual citizenship, and others may not. In theory, you could have as many passports as you have citizenships. However, in reality, it is better to check the latest regulations of the countries involved.