What does the phrase “buying of Citizenship” mean? In which countries is it possible to legally obtain citizenship? What are the main immigration programs for obtaining dual citizenship?
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Many countries have specific legislation for obtaining citizenship, which sometimes involves investment in the country’s economy. Wealthy foreigners have the opportunity to obtain a second passport through these government programs, providing them with new opportunities. It is important to note that the phrase “buying of Citizenship” is not used in legislative acts, as no country officially sells citizenship. However, the process of obtaining citizenship can be facilitated by investment in certain countries. The requirements for obtaining citizenship vary by country, and usually involve obtaining a long-term residence permit, permanent residence, and then citizenship after a period of time.
There are several legitimate ways for foreigners to stay in a country, including:
- Family ties or blood ties with the country.
- Employment in a local company or starting a business in the country. While starting a business may lead to a residence permit, it is not a fast track to citizenship.
- Education in the country, which can be seen as an investment in one’s own future or the future of one’s child. Graduates may be given an extended residence permit, but they still have to go through the naturalization process to acquire citizenship.
- Acquiring political asylum, which involves refugees arriving in a country and applying for refugee status. If granted, they may eventually naturalize. However, this process is different from buying of Citizenship and involves legitimate channels.
Many countries offer citizenship to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country or humanity. Nobel laureates and other individuals with exceptional accomplishments may be eligible to receive a passport from almost any country.
However, the phrase “buying of Citizenship” specifically refers to programs that enable individuals to obtain a passport quickly with minimal or no additional requirements, as long as they are willing to pay a certain amount of money. Some countries allow individuals to obtain citizenship by making a direct deposit into the state treasury or specific funds, while others require investment in the economy for a specified period without withdrawing funds. Some countries even use a combination of both methods. This process of obtaining citizenship is commonly referred to as “buying citizenship.” In this article, we will explore which countries make it easier to obtain a passport through these means.
Countries offering citizenship by investment
umerous countries across the globe provide citizenship by investment programs that enable foreigners to obtain citizenship by investing in their economy. These programs align with the concept of “buying of Citizenship” as it involves investing a significant amount of money to receive a passport in a relatively short time.
The requirements and investment amounts vary from country to country, and the waiting period to acquire citizenship also differs. Some countries that offer such programs include:
Montenegro
Montenegro is a former Yugoslav republic that offers an affordable pathway to obtain European Union (EU) citizenship with relatively small investment requirements. This is a great opportunity for individuals who seek to acquire citizenship in the EU before the official EU entry in 2025. The application process takes six months, and it applies to the applicant and their close relatives, subject to a background check to ensure they have no criminal or corrupt links.
The investment required to obtain Montenegrin citizenship consists of two parts. The first part is a non-refundable deposit of €100,000 to the government fund. The second part is an investment in Montenegro real estate at one of three levels:
- Developing real estate in underdeveloped areas in the north and central parts of the country, with a minimum investment of €250,000, which is the most affordable option to obtain Montenegrin citizenship.
- Investing in the capital, Podgorica, or coastal areas, requiring a minimum investment of €450,000.
- Large investors interested in developing the tourism industry must be prepared to invest between €5-15 million.
Investors can withdraw their investments after five years, and applicants must also pay fees: €15,000 for the applicant, €10,000 per relative for up to four family members, and €50,000 for each additional family member.
Malta
After the popular Cypriot passport program was closed, Malta, a member of the EU, offers an investment program for acquiring citizenship. However, compared to Montenegro, the Maltese program is considerably more expensive, making it the only European Union country where citizenship can be purchased. To obtain citizenship, an applicant must make a non-refundable deposit of €600,000 to the government fund and hold a residency permit for three years while waiting to acquire citizenship. For €750,000, applicants can obtain citizenship after only one year without residency, but an additional fee of €50,000 is required for each family member. Additionally, applicants must purchase real estate worth at least €700,000 or lease a property for a minimum of €16,000 per year for five years. Although the Maltese program is expensive, it provides access to the EU and its many benefits, making it a desirable option for some.
Dominica
Foreigners are lured to Dominica and other Caribbean nations with the promise of acquiring citizenship faster and cheaper than in Europe. Caribbean passports offer visa-free access to most countries worldwide and facilitate the procurement of an American visa. Unlike in Malta, the process of scrutinizing the origin of a new citizen’s funds is not as rigorous in Caribbean countries, particularly in Dominica. Investing in Dominican citizenship can cost as little as $100,000, which is relatively inexpensive compared to other investment programs available in the Caribbean. There are two investment options for obtaining citizenship in the country:
- A non-refundable contribution to the government fund of at least $100,000, along with several significant mandatory fees. All of these investments are non-refundable, and the total cost of a Dominican passport under this option is estimated at $193,200.
- The purchase of real estate, which requires higher initial expenses than the first option. The property’s value must be at least $200,000, and the total cost of this investment is $243,200. However, after three years, the property can be sold, and the invested funds can be recovered.
Investors and their family members can obtain a Dominican passport within 2 to 6 months.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis is another Caribbean nation that offers citizenship by investment, providing a passport that allows visa-free travel to most countries on the planet, the EU, and even the UK. With this passport, it’s possible to obtain a ten-year multiple-entry visa to the US. The required investment amount is higher than that of Dominica, with a non-refundable contribution to the government fund starting at $150,000. The second option is to invest in real estate, with a minimum investment of $200,000. However, the property cannot be sold earlier than 5-7 years. The passport application process typically takes anywhere from two to six months.
Grenada
Similar to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada also offers citizenship through either a non-refundable contribution of $150,000 or real estate investment that can be returned after 5 years. The Grenadian passport provides visa-free travel to various countries, including the US. The citizenship application process takes 2 to 6 months.
Saint Lucia
In Saint Lucia, it is easier and quicker to obtain a second passport than in other Caribbean countries. The citizenship process can take as little as 3-4 months, with a minimum investment amount of $150,000. There are four investment options: a non-refundable contribution, real estate, government bonds, or investment in a business. The return on investment cannot be obtained earlier than 5 years.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda also offer a citizenship program through a minimum investment amount of $100,000. The investment can be made through donation, real estate, or business. The return on investment can only be obtained after 5 years, and the citizenship process takes from 3 to 6 months.
Vanuatu
A new passport can be obtained in Vanuatu in just one month, with a minimum investment amount of $130,000. However, unlike the Caribbean citizenship programs, Vanuatu only offers a non-refundable contribution as the investment method.
While the Caribbean citizenship programs through investment have many similarities, there are differences in required investment amounts, investment options, passport processing times, visa-free access to countries, and tax optimization possibilities. It is advisable to seek the guidance of international agency experts when selecting a particular country to obtain a passport.
Investor Visa Programs in Europe
Citizenship is essential for immigrants who desire to enjoy all the benefits of being a native resident of a country, including political rights.
However, for many immigrants, especially in the initial stages, having the opportunity to legally reside in a wealthy and peaceful country is sufficient. In such cases, it is sensible to acquire not citizenship but the status of a foreigner who permanently resides in the country. Initially, this status is formalized by obtaining a residence permit, followed by permanent residency, and eventually, naturalization for citizenship. If this option for living abroad is suitable for the immigrant, the list of countries where it is possible to legalize residency through investment is growing.
It is possible to obtain a residence permit through investment in the following European countries:
Spain
Investors can obtain a “golden visa” in Spain by investing a minimum of 500,000 euros in real estate, making a deposit of at least 1 million euros in a Spanish bank, or investing 2 million euros in government bonds. The investment must be held for at least five years, and the whole family can apply for a residence permit, which can be obtained in just 2-3 months.
Switzerland
Wealthy individuals in Switzerland can secure a residence permit for themselves and their family by signing an agreement with the government of one of the cantons and paying an annual tax. The minimum amount varies by canton but is at least 450,000 Swiss francs (410,000 euros) per year. The permit doesn’t allow holders to work in Switzerland and requires spending at least 183 days per year in the country.
Greece
Greece offers various investment options for obtaining a residence permit, with a minimum investment of 250,000 euros. The permit can be obtained within three months, and investors must maintain the investment for at least five years. No residency requirements apply to the holders of this type of residence permit.
Portugal
There are 7 ways to invest in order to obtain a Portuguese “golden visa”. Money can be invested in:
- any real estate;
- financial instruments (deposits, bonds, stocks);
- scientific research;
- various objects of historical, national, or natural significance;
- existing companies in the country;
- creating a new business that will generate new jobs.
The minimum investment amount is from 350,000 euros. When choosing an investment option, it is best to seek professional advice from immigration specialists in Europe.
United Kingdom
Obtaining a visa to the UK can be challenging, but wealthy foreigners can obtain an investor visa by investing at least 2 million pounds in the British economy. The investment must be maintained for 5 years, after which permanent residency can be obtained, and citizenship after 6 years. Investing 5 million pounds shortens the period for permanent residency to 3 years, while 10 million pounds reduces it to 2 years. However, citizenship can only be obtained after a minimum period of 5 years.
Austria
Austria offers a residence permit for financially independent foreigners who can demonstrate a legal status or foreign income. Currently, a family of two requires about 60,000 euros in their account. Austria also has a citizenship program for investments, but the required investment amount of at least 10 million euros and the need to invest specifically in business make it unpopular among wealthy foreigners. It takes at least 6 years to obtain Austrian citizenship after investing.
Good ti know: Acquiring Citizenship in Germany: 8 ways and Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions about buying of Citizenship
- Where can I buy a house and obtain citizenship?
Citizenship through investment programs is available in various countries worldwide. In Europe, Malta and Montenegro offer accelerated procedures for citizenship through real estate investment. However, property ownership is a necessary requirement for naturalization in all countries globally.
- Where can I get citizenship by purchasing real estate?
In Europe, Malta and Montenegro offer the quickest path to citizenship through real estate investment. Other European countries offer citizenship through significant real estate investment but may require years to obtain a passport.
- How much money is needed to obtain citizenship?
The minimum investment required for citizenship is in Caribbean countries, with a minimum cost of around $100,000 USD.
- Which countries offer citizenship for investment?
Citizenship by investment programs are available in most countries worldwide if the investor invests in the country’s economy. The fastest way to obtain citizenship is in Montenegro, Malta, and Caribbean countries.
- Where is it easiest to get permanent residency?
The ease of obtaining permanent residency depends on the basis of the application. Generally, the more attractive the country, the harder it is to obtain permanent residency. For investments, Caribbean countries, Montenegro, and Malta offer immediate citizenship, bypassing the stage of permanent residency.
- Where is it easiest to obtain citizenship?
The easiest path to citizenship is often in countries with less demand for immigration. Caribbean countries offer the quickest path to citizenship through investment, but most other countries require waiting periods.
- Which European countries offer citizenship when buying real estate?
Only two European countries, Malta and Montenegro, have official programs for issuing passports to foreigners in exchange for real estate investment. Other European countries may reduce waiting times for citizenship through real estate investment, but property ownership is a necessary condition for citizenship in all European countries.
If urgent foreign citizenship is needed, the quickest way to obtain it is through Caribbean countries, Montenegro, or Malta. Investment options for citizenship are available in most countries worldwide, but waiting times may vary.
