10 countries where it is easiest to buy citizenship

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

You don't have to get married or become a refugee to get a passport from another state. You can legally pay for it.

Why do you need a second citizenship

Some countries offer their passport in exchange for a financial investment. It can be a non-refundable contribution that you just make for the good of the state, or an investment. In the second case, after a few years you will be able to return the investment, possibly even with interest. But the amount will be required much more than with a non-refundable contribution.

There are at least four reasons to get a second passport.

1. Travel hassle-free

Citizenship of another country can provide you with visa-free travel to states where it is not so easy for Russians to obtain the right to visit.

2. Do business more efficiently

Offshore zones provide a special business environment. It is easier to register a company, tax payments are reduced. At the same time, the organization can work anywhere outside the offshore zone, so that you are not geographically tied to a country. Registration of a company in another state protects against raider seizure.

3. Protect yourself from harassment

If you are persecuted at home for political or economic reasons, you can quickly "evacuate" to the country of which you are a citizen and live there legally.

4. Get an education in another country

The second passport greatly simplifies admission to many universities in the world. So, if you are a citizen of a country - a member of the European Union, studying at European universities will cost you much cheaper, if not free.

Where to buy a second citizenship

The Professional Wealth Management (an app of the Financial Times newspaper) have compiled the countries that grant citizenship in exchange for investment. When determining leaders and outsiders, the publication took into account freedom of movement, standard of living, minimum investment costs, the need to stay in the country, the timing of obtaining citizenship and other factors.

1. Dominica

Citizenship Cost: from 100 thousand dollars.

An island nation 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 obtain a Dominica passport, you do not need to visit the island at all.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Donate $ 100,000 to a government fund. But you have to pay extra for the family. So, if you have a spouse, the free contribution will increase to 175 thousand dollars, for two children under 18 you will have to pay another 25 thousand.
• To become the owner of real estate for three years, having invested at least 200 thousand dollars in it.

2. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Citizenship Cost: from 150 thousand dollars.

The country occupies two islands in the Caribbean. Like most of its neighbors, Saint Kitts and Nevis earns from agriculture and tourism. This is an offshore zone.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Make a contribution to the Fund for Sustainable Growth, from which the social sphere is financed: 150 thousand dollars for an investor, 175 thousand - if spouses apply for citizenship, 195 thousand - for a family of four.
• Donate at least $ 250,000 to the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund.
• Buy real estate worth 400 thousand dollars and own it for at least five years.

3. Grenada

Citizenship Cost: from 150 thousand dollars.

The state in the Caribbean makes money mainly on tourism. This is an offshore zone.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Contribute 150 thousand dollars to the National Transformation Fund; for 200 thousand dollars a family of four will receive a passport.
• Invest 400 thousand in real estate and own the object for at least four years.

4. Antigua and Barbuda

Citizenship Cost: from 100 thousand dollars.

The state is located on the islands of the same name in the Caribbean. The country belongs to offshore zones, so the conditions for doing business here are favorable. Since 2016, the country has abolished income tax.

To obtain citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, you do not need to pass exams in the language or history of the country. It is also not required to reside permanently on the islands; it is enough to spend there five days in five years.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Make a donation of $ 100,000 to the National Development Fund.
• Invest in locally approved real estate for at least $ 400,000 and own it for at least five years.
• Invest in the business at least $ 1.5 million.

5. Saint Lucia

Citizenship Cost: from 100 thousand dollars.

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. There are several protected natural zones in the country, there are rare specimens of flora and fauna. The economy is based on tourism and agriculture. This is an offshore zone.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Contribute 100 thousand to the National Economic Fund (165 thousand - for the residence of the spouse, 190 thousand - for a family of four).
• Buy real estate not less than $ 300 thousand and own it for at least five years.
• Purchase government bonds in the amount of 500 thousand and hold them for at least five years.
• Invest in a business project from 3.5 million dollars, while creating three jobs directly on the island.

6. Vanuatu

Citizenship Cost: from 160 thousand dollars including all fees.

The Republic of Vanuatu is located on 83 islands in the Pacific Ocean. It has a humid tropical climate with a rainy season from November to April. There are practically no mammals on the islands. It is a poor country and one of the least developed countries in the world. It is considered an offshore zone.

How to get citizenship

Contribute to the government fund 160 thousand dollars for one person, 185 thousand - for a couple.

7. Cyprus

Citizenship Cost: from 2.5 million euros.

The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union. The country is located on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Tourism is well developed here, there are many Russian-speaking people, relatively low taxes.

How to get citizenship

Buy a home for no less than 500 thousand euros and fulfill one of the conditions:

• Invest in real estate 2 million euros for three years.
• Buy € 2 million worth of Cypriot commercial financial products (stocks and bonds will do).
• Invest 2 million in a business that creates at least five jobs for EU citizens.
• Combine options and invest 2 million euros in several directions at once.

8. Malta

Citizenship Cost: from 816 thousand euros.

An island state in the Mediterranean Sea is a member of the European Union, earns mainly from tourism. This is one of the centers for learning English.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill all conditions:

• Make a non-refundable contribution to the state fund: 650 thousand euros for the investor, 25 thousand euros each for spouses and minor children, 50 thousand each for adult children and parents.
• Invest in government bonds 150 thousand euros.
• Buying a house in Malta is no cheaper than 350 thousand euros or renting at least 16 thousand euros per year.

9. Turkey

Citizenship Cost: from 1 million dollars.

Turkey needs practically no introduction. It is a tourist country with a dynamically developing economy. The Citizenship by Investment Program was launched in 2017.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Buy real estate not cheaper than $ 1 million (one object or several) and own it for at least three years.
• Put at least $ 3 million on a deposit in a Turkish bank and not touch the money for three years.
• Invest at least $ 2 million in the country's economy.
• Create at least 100 jobs.

ten. Bulgaria

Citizenship Cost: from 512 thousand euros.

Bulgaria makes money in agriculture, services and tourism. The country is a member of the European Union.

How to get citizenship

Fulfill one of the conditions:

• Invest in securities from 512 thousand euros, obtain a residence permit, apply for citizenship in five years. You can shorten the procedure by doubling the amount.
• Put on a deposit in a local bank at least 512 thousand euros and not withdraw them for five years.
• Invest 512 thousand euros in patents and inventions protected by the Bulgarian trademark.