Let's compare the costs and advantages of a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program and a European residency by investment program that leads to citizenship.

After the pressure from the EU and the US, the Caribbean countries with Citizenship by Investment Programs * signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to strengthen their due diligence processes and end the downward price competition. The result is that Vanuatu offers the most affordable citizenship by investment program and the minimum investment for a Caribbean passport almost reached the cost of the European residency by investment options.

*According to the MoU, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Saint Lucia unified their pricing, transparency, due diligence, and agent regulations. Under the Caribbean agreement, the minimum investment amount is 200,000 USD. However, depending on the country's specific requirements, this figure may only apply to donations. Real investments, such as real estate purchases, are typically more expensive, often exceeding 400,000 USD.

What is the difference between a Caribbean citizenship and a European residency?

Citizenship is the final stage of immigration. You will have equal rights to the other citizens; you can leave or return, change your residency or tax residency as a free citizen of your new host country. You do not have to live there. Still, enjoy all the benefits of the naturalised status and can vote. Meanwhile, residency is not citizenship. It means that you have the right to be in that country. But it does not necessarily mean you can work there or move freely without boundaries. It depends on the type of residency or visa you have. For example, the Greece Golden Visa does not allow you to get involved in local jobs. Digital Nomad residency programs or visas require that you work abroad; the host country only wants you to spend money there.

 

Summarising, citizenship is usually worth more than a temporary or permanent residency.

How may a residency be worth more than citizenship?

For example, Caribbean passports allow you to visit the European Schengen area. However, they do not let you live or work in the Schengen zone. A European residency is worth more if you want to do something in Europe. (However, many investors choose the citizenship of Grenada or Tukey because these citizenships allow you to apply for a US E-2 visa, so you can easily immigrate and become a resident in the United States of America.)

 

If you want to live in Europe, a local residency by investment program is more worthy than any other citizenship outside the EU or the Schengen zone.

Which EU residency by investment programs are comparable to a Caribbean passport?

As you can see, everything depends on your goals. What we can easily compare is the price you must pay in exchange for a European residency permit. Interestingly, the most preferred residency options have the same price or investment amount.

 

There is an even more affordable option than the others: Malta's full contribution option. You can become a permanent resident of the island nation (and the EU) if you contribute 98,000 euros, donate 2,000 euros to an NGO, and rent a home annually for 10,000 euros in Gozo Island or South Malta.
Meanwhile, the EU has three top or most sought-after residency by investment programs. These schemes have various options; we examine only the most affordable solutions.

The New Hungarian Guest Investor Residency By Investment Program

If you invest 250,000 euros in a qualifying real estate fund, you can obtain a 10-year, renewable residency permit in the heart of Europe. If you fulfil the requirements, this residency by investment program leads to citizenship.

Portugal Golden Visa

Portugal's most affordable option is to buy an old house for at least 280,000 euros and renovate it. Citizenship is obtainable with minimum stay requirements. 

Greece Golden Visa

The necessary investment increased in 2024 at the prime locations. However, the most affordable real estate investment option is still 250,000 euros if you restore a building and turn it into a residential property. 

Cyprus Permanent Residency By Investment Program

Cyprus has one of the most traditional EU residency by investment programs. The country is a Member State of the European Union but not a member of the Schengen zone. You need a real estate investment of 300,000 euros in exchange for the permanent resident permit. 

Monaco Residency for Financially Independent Applicants

To obtain residency, you only need a document proving you purchased or rented real estate in the Principality, a local bank account with the qualifying deposit, and proof of stable income outside Monaco. Living in Monaco is a dream for everyone, but it is not as expensive as you imagine.  

Austria Residency for Financially Independent Applicants

Interestingly, Austria's Vienna has been the world's most liveable capital several times for decades. To get a residency permit in Austria, you must prove that you earn more than 22,800 euros per year, have a place to sleep, and speak German.

Now, you understand that you have many choices for the same investment amount worldwide. Let us help you to make your decision. We are here to provide the details, plan with you, and support your application throughout the process. Please set up a free consultation here with our experts!

 

 

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