Where is the easiest place to get citizenship by investment in 2023? People all over the world often ask this question to immigration agents. But the answer is not simple, because individual circumstances, opportunities, and preferences differ significantly. As a result, 5,000 people receive a second passport every year — 30% of all dollar millionaires in the world.
Before giving a clear answer to this question, it is necessary to consider all the proposals. In this article, we describe the most affordable offers of countries that acquire citizenship by investment. Keep reading and find out the top 10 easiest countries to get citizenship.
Which is the easiest country to get citizenship?
Professional Wealth Management (a part of the Financial Times newspaper) has compiled a rating of countries to get dual citizenship in exchange, for example, for real estate investment. When identifying leaders and outsiders, the publication took into account freedom of movement, the standard of living, minimum investment, the need to stay in the country, the timing of obtaining citizenship, and other factors
Citizenship and Residency by Investment programs help to obtain invaluable advantages such as Safety, Global mobility, and a Higher Standard of Living.
We combine these two powerful instruments to create a tailor-made Wealth&Life strategy for every client to be implemented through an intelligent investment portfolio.
Dual citizenship in the Caribbean
Cosmopolitans choose Caribbean countries to get second citizenship by investments for free travel around the world. Dual citizenship in some of them makes it possible to travel to more than 150 countries without a visa and obtain a long-term tourist visa to the United States.
Five Caribbean states are among the easiest countries to get citizenship and offer citizenship under the state program: Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda. The number of investors who obtain citizenship in these countries is growing by 10-30% every year.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from $100,000.
This island state in the Caribbean is considered an offshore zone. There are several extinct volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and beaches. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture. To acquire citizenship in Dominica, you do not need to visit the island at all. The passport of this country makes it possible to enter 151 states without a visa including Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Europe’s Schengen Area.
- Donate $100,000 to a government fund. But the investor has to pay extra charges for each family member. So, if you have a spouse, the gratuitous contribution will increase to $175,000, for two children under 18 you will have to pay $25,000 more.
- Become the owner of real estate for three years by investing at least $200,000 in it.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from $150,000.
The country occupies two islands in the Caribbean. Like most of its neighbors, Saint Kitts and Nevis makes money from agriculture and tourism. This is offshore. The passport of this country gives an opportunity for visa-free travel to 157 countries involving Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Europe’s Schengen Area.
- Make a contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund, which finances the social sphere: $150,000 for an investor, $175,000 for spouses applying for second citizenship, and $195,000 for a family of four.
- Donate from $250,000 to the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund.
- Buy real estate valued at $400,000 and own it for at least five years.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from $150,000.
The state in the Caribbean earns mainly on tourism. This is also offshore. The holder of a Grenadine passport can freely travel to 146 countries along with China, Russia, Singapore, the UK, and Schengen countries.
- Contribute $150,000 to the National Transformation Fund; this sum increases to $200,000 if it is a family of four.
- nvest $400,000 in real estate and own the object for at least four years.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from $100,000.
The state is located on the islands of the same name in the Caribbean Sea. The country belongs to offshore zones, so the conditions for doing business here are favorable. Since 2016, the income tax has been abolished in the country.
To obtain citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, you do not need to pass exams on knowledge of the language or the history of the country. It is also not required to live permanently on the islands, it is enough to spend five days there in five years. Moreover, people with the country’s passport can enter 151 destinations without having a visa.
- Make a donation of $100,000 to the National Development Fund.
- Invest at least $400,000 in locally approved real estate and own it for at least five years.
- Invest in the business at least $1.5 million.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from $100,000.
The state is located on the island of the same name in the Windward Islands of the West Indies between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. St. Lucia has several protected natural areas, there are rare specimens of flora and fauna. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture. This is offshore too. The local citizens have a visa-free opportunity to visit 147 states containing Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, Europe’s Schengen Area, and other countries.
- Contribute $100,000 to the National Economic Fund ($165,000 — for the residence of the spouse, $190,000 — for a family of four).
- Buy real estate for at least $300,000 and own it for at least five years.
- Purchase government bonds at $500,000 and hold them for at least five years.
- Invest in a business project from $3.5 million, while creating at least three jobs directly on the island.
This guide will walk you through things to keep in mind, highlighting the most important advantages and differences of each country!
What is the easiest country in Europe to get citizenship?
Depending on the state, the amount of the financial contribution varies and can reach several million euros, not counting the costs of processing and comprehensive verification of the applicant’s documents. Immigration by the investment is suitable for those who would like to obtain EU citizenship and all the benefits of a new status quickly and without giving up their current EU passport.
In most EU countries, making economic investments will make a foreigner a resident, and after some time it will be possible to become a citizen. In Europe, there are a number of countries to which you can immigrate on the basis of economic investment: Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, and Malta.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from €280,000.
The Portuguese government provides the Golden Visa — one of the most popular citizenship-by-investment programs worldwide. It gives foreign investors an opportunity to obtain a temporary residence permit in 3-6 months, and after 5 years — permanent residency and European citizenship. At the same time, there is no need to permanently live in the state before obtaining a passport in the case of demonstrating a connection with the country and passing a basic language test.
- The applicant needs to make a financial contribution to real estate, business, research activities, or registered securities. The amount of investment, depending on the chosen option, will be from €280,000 to €1 million.
- In the first year after the issuance of a residence permit in Portugal, an investor needs to spend at least 7 days in the country, and then at least 2 weeks in each subsequent two-year period to extend the status.
We have prepared a complete guide of Portugal Golden Visa. You will find all the benefits of Portugal Residency, interesting facts about the country and all investment options.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from €500,000.
The Spanish government launched the Golden Visa Citizenship-by-Investment Program in 2013 to boost the country’s economy. Foreign investors can now obtain residence permits for themselves and their families by investing at least €500,000 in real estate that can be rented out to generate income.
A residence permit in Spain is issued for two years, then it can be extended for five years. The Spanish government absolutely does not require Golden Visa holders to reside in Spain, and all family members will be allowed to travel within the Schengen area without any other visa applications. Renewal of a residence permit can be done online from anywhere in the world. After five years, Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residence, but for this, they will need to live in Spain for at least six months a year.
- Invest €500,000 in real estate in Spain, buy shares or make a bank deposit of at least €1,000,000, or contribute in government bonds at €2,000,000. Then you can apply for a Spanish residence permit.
- After 10 years of residence and proof of basic Spanish, you can apply for a passport and obtain Spanish citizenship.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from €330,000.
The Republic of Cyprus is a hospitable EU country that attracts foreigners with its warm Mediterranean climate and ideal beaches, developed infrastructure, high level of security (Cyprus has the lowest crime rate across Europe), medicine and social benefits for its residents, as well as favorable taxation.
Due to a large number of advantages, foreigners seek to obtain the status of a resident of Cyprus, together with a profitable and reliable investment. The process is very simple and fast and all procedures can be arranged from your country of residence. Once you have a Cyprus second citizenship, you will need to visit Cyprus for one day every two years to keep your residence permit.
- Purchase the residential property at €330,000 (excluding VAT). The property can be rented out.
- Invest in commercial real estate (offices, shops, hotels) for a total amount of at least €330,000 euros (excluding VAT).
- Contribute to Cypriot companies minimum €300,000.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from €250,000.
Greece is one of the most affordable European countries to claim citizenship. The minimum investment requirement in this EU country is €250,000, which is lower than most other European residency programs. The object of investment is real estate. A residence permit in Greece for investment is issued within 2 months.
How to get citizenship in Greece
To maintain the status of a resident, it is required to own the property for 5-10 years (the period depends on the type of immovable object). After this period you can sell it. Under the terms of the Greek Golden Visa Citizenship-by-Investment Program, there is no requirement for the period of stay in the state. Therefore, after granting a residence permit, a foreigner can choose a place of residence at their discretion. To obtain a Greek passport, you will need to live 5 years in the country and speak the national language.
The cost of citizenship by investment: from €175,000.
The island state in the Mediterranean Sea is part of the European Union, it earns mainly from tourism. This is one of the centers for learning English and among the easiest countries to get citizenship.
Obtaining Maltese second citizenship through economic investment is available to foreigners over 18 years of age with a good business reputation, confirmed by passing the due diligence procedure. Malta’s reorganized citizenship program allows passport to be granted to 400 applicants per year.
- Make a non-refundable contribution to the state fund: at least €650,000 for the investor, +€25,000 for spouses and children, and +€50,000 for adult children and parents.
- Invest in government bonds €150,000.
- Buy a house in Malta. It should be not cheaper than €350,000 or renting for at least €16,000 per year.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Lucia are the Caribbean countries that offer the cheapest dual citizenship options for the whole family. To gain citizenship for four people in these countries can cost $100,000. This is the amount that must be paid to the state fund to begin the procedure of the citizenship-by-investment program.
The amount of investment depends on the chosen option and the country to get citizenship. So, in the Caribbean countries, the minimum investment sum is $100,000, while in European countries it starts from €175,000 (in Malta).
Greece offers the fastest citizenship — the process takes just a month. As for the Caribbean countries, this procedure is not much longer and lasts on average 3 months. At the same time, in other European countries, this process of citizenship programs is much longer — up to 18 months (in Cyprus).
