10 Countries Where You Can Buy Citizenship
Acquiring citizenship through investment isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. A handful of countries offer formal pathways where a substantial contribution to the economy can lead to a second passport. The requirements vary, but most involve a government donation or a real-estate investment that feeds into national development plans. In exchange, applicants receive citizenship with access to broader travel routes, new markets, and, in some cases, more flexible tax environments.
The list below focuses on 10 countries that provide citizenship by investment in 2025, based on information published through their official channels.
St. Kitts & Nevis Has the Longest-Running Program
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Established in 1984, St. Kitts & Nevis offers citizenship through either a $250,000 donation to the Sustainable Island State Contribution or a real estate purchase starting at $325,000. Processing usually takes three to four months. The passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 157 countries, including the EU, UK, and Singapore.
Grenada Offers Access to a U.S. E-2 Visa
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This is the only Caribbean country with an active E-2 treaty with the United States, which allows investors to apply for a non-immigrant visa to live and work in the U.S. Citizenship is granted in 7–8 months with either a $235,000 donation or a $270,000 real estate investment.
Malta Grants EU Citizenship With the Strongest Travel Access
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Malta offers full EU citizenship through naturalization after 12 to 36 months of residency and a minimum investment of $600,000. It is the only EU country with a direct citizenship-by-investment process. The passport allows visa-free access to over 180 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and all EU member states.
Vanuatu Processes Applications in Under Three Months
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There’s no residency or real estate required, just a donation of at least $130,000. Vanuatu stands out for speed and simplicity. Applications are processed in as little as two months and can be done completely online. The passport grants visa-free travel to 113 countries, but not to the EU’s Schengen zone.
St. Lucia Offers Four Investment Options
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Applicants can choose from four investment routes: donation, government bonds, real estate, or business projects. The minimum donation is $240,000. Citizenship is granted in 12–14 months, and the passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 147 countries, including the EU and UK.
Turkey’s Program Is Based on Real Estate Only
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Turkey keeps its investment program simple: no donations, just real estate. A property purchase of at least $400,000 initiates the process, which typically concludes within three to five months. The Turkish passport doesn’t include access to the EU’s Schengen area but does cover over 100 other countries for travel.
Dominica Maintains One of the Lowest Entry Costs
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Dominica’s program remains one of the more affordable routes to citizenship. A $200,000 donation or real estate investment of the same amount gets things going. It takes roughly four to six months to finalize. Family members can also be added easily.
São Tomé and Príncipe Offers the Lowest-Cost Program
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This newcomer offers citizenship at a lower cost than anywhere else. With a donation of $90,000, applicants can secure citizenship in as little as two months. The São Tomé and Príncipe passport allows visa-free travel to 61 countries and serves as one of the most accessible legal second citizenship options today.
Nauru Includes Expanded Eligibility Criteria
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Nauru introduced its program in 2024 with a $105,000 donation requirement. It is the only known program to explicitly include same-sex couples, unmarried partners, and stateless individuals. Citizenship is processed in three to six months, and the passport offers visa-free travel to 89 countries, including the UK.
Antigua & Barbuda Offers Lower Fees for Families
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The program here is popular with families looking for value. A $230,000 donation or a $300,000 real estate deal applies to the whole household. Applications are processed in four to seven months, and the resulting passport allows travel to over 150 countries, spanning Europe, Asia, and Latin America.