Economic citizenship refers to obtaining foreign citizenship not through a lengthy naturalization process involving residency, language tests, or history exams, but rather in exchange for investments in the country’s economy—essentially, for money. Many nations offering second passports through such schemes instead provide options for non-refundable donations rather than returnable investments.
While the term “economic citizenship” may raise some skepticism among immigration lawyers, there’s a certain logic behind it. On one hand, citizenship represents a stable legal bond between an individual and a state. This connection is absolute and automatically passed down to the citizen’s children. By this logic, citizenship cannot be categorized as political, economic, social, or anything else. On the other hand, the concept of granting citizenship in exchange for investment has indeed altered the traditional understanding of citizenship.
In some countries, like Malta, investors receive full citizenship that is indistinguishable from that of local residents. In others, such as Saint Lucia, citizenship obtained through investment is not transferable to children born after the parents received their passports. For instance, Saint Kitts and Nevis does not allow economic citizens the right to vote or hold public office unless they move to the islands and reside there for a minimum of two years after obtaining their passport. In other words, economic citizenship may come with certain limitations on the rights of the individual who acquires this status through investment.
Not too long ago, there were only two official “passport sale” schemes in the world: Saint Kitts and Nevis (the pioneer of all existing programs) and the Commonwealth of Dominica. Now, there are more than ten options available, making it increasingly difficult for inexperienced investors to make the right choice. To help you out, we’ve prepared a brief overview of existing second citizenship schemes.
Antigua and Barbuda
The economic citizenship program was launched in 2013. The conditions are similar to those in Saint Kitts and Nevis, but with their own nuances. A passport from Antigua and Barbuda allows visa-free travel to all Schengen countries, the UK, and several Latin American nations. A 10-year visa for the USA can also be obtained.
Grenada
To obtain economic citizenship in Grenada, you can either invest in real estate worth at least $270,000 or donate $235,000 to the island’s development fund. The process is quick, taking about three months. Besides the opportunity to relocate to the Caribbean, Grenadian citizenship allows visa-free travel to Schengen countries, the UK, and several Latin American nations. Additionally, it’s the only Caribbean passport that enables visa-free travel to China.
Commonwealth of Dominica
The economic citizenship program in Dominica has been well-established since 1991 and is quite successful. To obtain a passport, an investor must donate a minimum of $200,000 or purchase property on the island for the same amount and pay government fees starting at $75,000, which are not required for the donation option.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Undoubtedly, one of the most appealing options for economic citizenship is that of Saint Kitts and Nevis. For an official donation of $250,000, a family of up to four can acquire citizenship and passports from this Caribbean nation. Holders of this citizenship can travel visa-free to the UK, all Schengen countries, many Latin American nations, and more—totaling 157 countries, making the Saint Kitts and Nevis passport quite valuable.
Saint Lucia
The economic citizenship program was launched in January 2016. To obtain a passport, an investor must either donate $240,000 (for an individual or a family of up to four) or purchase property worth at least $300,000. The main drawback of Saint Lucian citizenship is that, unlike other schemes where the passport can be inherited without additional investments, Saint Lucia’s program is strictly “economic citizenship” without inheritance rights (except for children born within the first five years after the principal applicant obtains citizenship).
El Salvador
This relatively new passport program launched at the end of 2023 is called the Freedom Passport; it has a cap of 1,000 applications per year. To acquire Salvadoran citizenship through investment, a donation of $1 million is required. This amount covers individual applicants and their families. The application can include a spouse and children under 18. The processing time is around two months. The Salvadoran passport is a decent travel document, allowing visa-free access to 137 countries and territories, including Schengen countries. Notably, El Salvador is the only country in the world where citizenship can be obtained through a cryptocurrency donation.
Turkey
In January 2017, significant foreign investors gained the opportunity to acquire Turkish citizenship quickly, without the need to reside in the country or speak Turkish. Applicants can choose from several investment options (all figures are in USD, but the investment must be made in Turkish lira): 1) invest at least 500,000 in a Turkish company’s capital; 2) buy real estate worth no less than 400,000, with a restriction on selling it for at least three years; 3) create jobs for at least 50 people; 4) deposit 500,000 in Turkish banks with a condition not to withdraw the deposit for at least three years; 5) purchase government bonds worth at least 500,000, with the requirement not to sell them for three years.
Egypt
Local laws provide four pathways to obtain Egyptian citizenship through investment. The minimum investment required starts at $250,000. This relatively new passport program was legalized at the end of 2019. Due to the low value of the Egyptian passport for visa-free travel, this option doesn’t hold much interest.
Vanuatu
The passport from the Pacific Republic of Vanuatu is a decent document for visa-free travel worldwide. Unfortunately, the option for visa-free access to Schengen countries for Vanuatu citizens is currently suspended, and it’s unclear if it will be reinstated. Nevertheless, with a Vanuatu passport, you can visit 103 countries without a visa. Additionally, Vanuatu is recognized as a tax haven in the Pacific region, as it has no income tax and several other taxes. To participate in the program, a donation of $130,000 is required for a single applicant and $180,000 for a family of up to four (plus immigration agent fees). Notably, Vanuatu is perhaps the only country where applicants can acquire a passport through cryptocurrencies. However, direct payment to the government in cryptocurrency is not currently possible; payments must go through intermediaries. The processing time for Vanuatu citizenship applications is remarkably quick, taking up to two months.
Nauru
Nauru has the newest CBI program: it was launched in November 2024. To obtain this passport, an official donation ranging from $105,000 to $115,000 is required, depending on the family composition of the investor. The passport can be obtained relatively quickly, in about 3-4 months.
Conclusion
In summary, economic citizenship offers a unique pathway for individuals seeking a second passport through investment. With a growing number of options available worldwide, it’s essential to carefully evaluate each program’s benefits and limitations. Whether you’re looking for greater mobility, a favorable tax environment, or a new place to call home, understanding the differences between these schemes can help you make an informed decision tailored to your needs.
