You've probably seen those glossy brochures of people sipping cocktails on a beach in St. Kitts, holding a shiny new passport. It looks like a spy movie. Honestly, it’s a lot more bureaucratic than that, but the basic idea is real: you give a country a chunk of money, and they give you a passport.
Fast.
💡 You might also like: How Much Does Elon Musk Make Per Minute: The Reality Behind the $700 Billion Fortune
But things changed a lot in late 2024 and throughout 2025. If you’re looking into what countries offer citizenship by investment in 2026, the "cheap" $100,000 days are officially over. The Caribbean nations—once the kings of the affordable second passport—got together and hiked their prices. They had to. The EU and the US were breathing down their necks about security.
Basically, the "golden passport" world is more expensive and more regulated than ever.
The Caribbean Big Five: The New $200,000 Floor
For years, you could get a passport from Dominica or St. Lucia for $100,000. Not anymore. As of 2026, the five Caribbean nations that offer these programs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to standardize their prices. They wanted to stop "undercutting" each other and beef up their reputation.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua is still the go-to for big families. If you've got a spouse and a couple of kids, this is usually the most logical financial move.
- The Cost: $230,000 donation to the National Development Fund for a family of four.
- The "University" Hack: There’s a specific option where you donate $260,000 to the University of the West Indies fund. It covers a family of six and even includes a year of tuition for one family member.
Dominica
Dominica used to be the "budget" choice. Now, it’s positioned itself around "eco-luxury." It's still one of the fastest, but the price is now a firm $200,000 for a single applicant. If you want to invest in real estate instead of just giving a donation, you’re looking at a $200,000 minimum in a government-approved hotel project (like the InterContinental or Marriott).
Grenada
This one is special because of the E-2 Visa Treaty with the United States. Basically, if you become a Grenadian citizen, you can apply for a specific US business visa that isn't available to people from countries like China or India.
- Donation: $235,000.
- Real Estate: $270,000 (usually as a share in a resort).
St. Kitts and Nevis
The "OG" of the industry. They started this way back in 1984. They recently went "premium." While the others are at $200k, St. Kitts starts at **$250,000**. They also introduced a mandatory interview. You can't just mail in a check and wait for a passport in the mail anymore.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is the only one that still lets you buy Government Bonds. It’s sort of a "refundable" citizenship. You "loan" the government $300,000 for five years. After that, you get your $300k back, but you keep the passport. You lose out on the interest, and there are about $50,000 in non-refundable fees, but it’s a smart move for capital preservation.
The European Reality: Is It All Gone?
Europe has basically declared war on "Golden Passports." They don't like the idea of people "buying" their way into the Schengen Zone.
Malta (The Last One Standing... Sorta)
Malta is the only country in the EU that has a direct citizenship-by-investment path, though the EU Commission has been trying to sue them to stop it. It’s called the MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization).
It is incredibly expensive. You’re looking at:
- A donation of €600,000 (if you wait 3 years) or €750,000 (if you want it in 1 year).
- Buying a house worth at least €700,000 or renting one for €16,000/year.
- A €10,000 donation to a local charity.
Honestly, unless you are ultra-high-net-worth and absolutely need an EU passport, Malta is a grueling process with a 12-to-36-month residency requirement.
What about Portugal and Greece?
People get confused here. Portugal and Greece do not offer citizenship by investment. They offer Residency by Investment (Golden Visas). You get a residency card. You have to wait 5 to 7 years, learn a bit of the language, and then you can apply for citizenship. It’s not automatic.
🔗 Read more: 1 USD to AMD: Why the Exchange Rate Rarely Tells the Whole Story
Turkey: The Real Estate Powerhouse
Turkey is currently the most popular program in the world. Why? Because you actually buy real estate that you can live in or flip later.
- The Price: $400,000.
- The Catch: You have to hold the property for at least three years.
- The Vibe: It’s fast. You can usually get your Turkish ID and passport in 6 to 9 months. It’s a great "Plan B" for people who want a powerful base in Eurasia.
The Wildcards: Egypt, Jordan, and Vanuatu
If you're looking for something off the beaten path, there are a few others.
Vanuatu is an island chain in the South Pacific. It's the fastest program on earth—sometimes taking only 60 days. It costs about $130,000. The downside? The EU recently suspended their visa-free travel agreement with Vanuatu because they felt the background checks were too lax. If you want to travel to Paris or Berlin without a visa, a Vanuatu passport won't help you right now.
Egypt recently lowered its barriers to attract more USD. You can get Egyptian citizenship for a $250,000 donation or by buying $300,000 in real estate. It's an interesting option if you have business interests in the Middle East or North Africa.
Jordan is also an option, but it’s pricey. You’re looking at $750,000 to $1 million in investment or bank deposits. It’s mostly used by people from neighboring countries looking for a more stable secondary home.
Why Most People Get This Wrong
Most people think you just write a check and you're done.
It doesn't work like that. The "Due Diligence" is intense. These countries will hire private intelligence firms to look into your past. They check your "Source of Funds." If you can't prove exactly where every dollar came from, you'll be rejected. And if you’re rejected by one Caribbean country, you’re basically blacklisted from all of them because they share a database.
The 2026 "Physical Presence" Shift
One big thing that happened recently: several countries now require you to actually visit. In the past, you never had to set foot in Dominica to be a citizen. Now, most Caribbean programs are introducing mandatory interviews (even if they're over Zoom) and some are requiring you to spend at least a few days on the island to "activate" the citizenship.
Practical Next Steps for You
If you're actually serious about this, don't just go to a government website. You generally cannot apply yourself; you must use a "Licensed Agent."
- Check your travel needs. If you need the Schengen Zone (Europe), look at the Caribbean or Malta. If you need the USA, look at Grenada (for the E-2 path).
- Audit your finances. Gather three years of tax returns and bank statements. If your money is in crypto, you’ll need a very specific paper trail to prove it’s "clean" before an agent will even take your case.
- Compare "All-in" costs. The $200,000 is just the donation. Once you add government fees ($30k+), due diligence fees ($10k), and legal fees ($20k+), a "cheap" passport often ends up costing closer to $275,000.
- Wait for the 2026 price stability. The mid-2024 price hikes caused a lot of chaos. The market is just now settling into these new $200k+ norms, so make sure any quote you get reflects the post-MoU pricing.
Getting a second citizenship is a massive legal move. It changes your tax profile, your travel options, and your "Plan B" security. Pick the country that fits your lifestyle, not just the one with the lowest price tag.