There are a few paths to gaining citizenship in a country you weren’t born in—from naturalization to proving your ancestry. While most of the time, either process is relatively lengthy and requires a significant amount of paperwork, you can go about it another, usually faster, way if you have the funds.
Known as citizenship by investment, or CBI, the process “allows individuals to acquire citizenship in a country by making significant financial contributions to its economy,”
according to the Global Residence Index. Whether it’s a donation, an investment in real estate, or an investment in government bonds the minimum price tag is upwards of $200,000 in most cases.
While most destinations that offer citizenship by investment are in the Caribbean, there are a few in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East that also allow individuals to essentially “buy” their second passport,
according to a 2025 report by International Living.
Starting with the “Caribbean Five,” which consists of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia, most of the island destinations require donations in the form of real estate.
To become a citizen of
Antigua and Barbuda, you’ll need to invest $300,000 in “approved real estate” or make a minimum donation of $230,000 to the National Development Fund. In Dominica, you can invest in approved real estate projects valued at a minimum of $200,000 or donate $200,000 to the
Economic Diversification Fund (EDF). To get your Grenadian passport, aspiring citizens can make a
$235,000 donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF), or invest
$270,000 in real estate.
St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship is for sale starting at
$250,000 with a donation to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) or to an
Approved Public Benefit Project. Alternatively, you can invest in real estate, with a
$325,000 minimum purchase. In St. Lucia, the CBI program requires a $240,000 minimum donation to the National Economic Fund, $300,000 for an approved real estate investment, or $300,000 in National Action Government Bonds.
If you’d rather have the flexibility to travel and live in Europe, look into North Macedonia’s CBI program; just be prepared to shell out around $235,000 for your citizenship. Cambodia’s CBI process involves a $245,000 payment toward “
the restoration and rebuilding of Cambodia’s economy,” although
a report from earlier this year noted that this amount has now gone up to $3 million.
Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Vanuatu also have their own citizenship by investment programs.
As you explore this path to citizenship, keep in mind that each country’s rules and regulations surrounding CBI may change periodically. For the most up-to-date information, be sure to check the respective official government websites.