Cheapest Citizenship by Investment Programmes in 2026

What is citizenship by investment

Citizenship by investment is a legal route that allows foreign nationals to obtain citizenship by making a qualifying investment or financial contribution to a country. Unlike traditional naturalisation, it usually does not require applicants to live in the country for several years or pass language, history, or civic knowledge tests before becoming citizens.

In 2026, 13 countries operate active citizenship by investment programmes. They include five Caribbean states — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia — as well as countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific.

Applicants must meet the programme requirements and pass Due Diligence before citizenship is approved. Successful applicants receive the country’s citizenship and passport, and many programmes also allow close family members to apply together with the main investor.

Types of citizenship by investment

Countries use different investment routes to attract foreign capital. Some require a non-refundable contribution, while others allow investors to retain an asset and potentially recover their capital after a mandatory holding period.

Government fund contribution

The investor makes a non-refundable contribution to a state fund that finances public projects or economic development.

This is usually the simplest option because the applicant does not need to purchase or manage an asset. Dominica, for example, offers citizenship through a contribution to its Economic Diversification Fund. However, the money is not returned after citizenship is granted.

Investment funds or government bonds

Some countries allow applicants to purchase government securities or invest in approved funds. These routes usually require the assets to be held for a set period before they can be sold.

Türkiye, for example, requires applicants to invest at least $500,000 in government bonds, real estate investment fund shares, or venture capital investment fund shares and hold them for at least 3 years.

Real estate investment

The investor buys property that meets the country’s citizenship requirements. Some countries accept only government-approved projects, while others allow a broader choice of property.

Real estate is generally a refundable investment: the owner may sell the property after the required holding period, although its future value and liquidity are not guaranteed. In Dominica, applicants invest at least $200,000 in an approved project and hold the property for at least 3 years.

Business investment

Applicants invest capital in a local company, establish a business, or create a specified number of jobs. Requirements vary significantly between countries and may include both a minimum investment and employment conditions. One such route is available in Türkiye, where investors can qualify by creating at least 50 jobs.

Bank deposits and other financial investments

Some citizenship routes allow investors to keep capital in a local bank or place it in another qualifying financial instrument for a fixed period. Unlike a government contribution, the principal remains the investor’s asset and can usually be withdrawn after the required holding period.

The final amount returned may still depend on exchange-rate movements if the deposit is held or repaid in the national currency. 

Egypt, for example, offers a $500,000 deposit with the Central Bank of Egypt for 3 years. The deposit is interest-free and is repaid in Egyptian pounds at the applicable exchange rate after the holding period, so the amount recovered in US dollars may be higher or lower depending on currency movements.

What is the real cost of citizenship by investment

The minimum investment is only part of the total cost of citizenship by investment. Applicants also pay mandatory government and administrative fees, which vary by country, investment option and family size.

Additional expenses may include:

• Due Diligence fees for background and source-of-funds checks;
• application and processing fees charged by the government or citizenship unit;
• passport and citizenship certificate fees after approval;
• interview fees where an interview is mandatory;
• property purchase costs, such as taxes, registration, legal fees and maintenance, for real estate routes;
• professional and legal fees for preparing documents and managing the application.

Family applications usually cost more because Due Diligence and processing fees are charged for additional applicants, and some countries also increase the required contribution depending on family size.

As a result, the cheapest programme by minimum investment is not always the cheapest by total cost. Investors should compare the full amount payable before choosing a citizenship route.

5 cheapest citizenship by investment programmes

Citizenship by investment can cost significantly less in some countries than in others. The lowest thresholds start at $90,000, but the available routes, family costs and additional fees vary widely.

1. São Tomé and Príncipe — citizenship from $90,000

São Tomé and Príncipe launched its citizenship by investment programme in 2025. The process takes 6+ months and does not require residence, an interview, or language and history exams.

Investment. A non-refundable contribution of $90,000 for one applicant or $95,000 for a family of up to four to the National Transformation Fund. The fifth and each additional family member add $5,000. The investment can also be provided by a sponsor.

Additional costs. The application fee is $5,250. If a sponsor provides the investment, another $5,250 sponsor fee applies. Government fees for the registration certificate, ID card and passport start from $750 per applicant.

Family. A spouse, dependent children up to 30, and parents and grandparents over 55 can be included in the application.

2. Nauru — citizenship from $90,000

Nauru has offered citizenship by investment since 2024. Until December 31st, 2026, the minimum investment is temporarily reduced from $115,000 to $90,000. The process takes 3+ months and can be completed remotely.

Investment. A non-refundable contribution of $90,000 to the Nauru Treasury Fund. A spouse and each family member over 16 add $2,000; each sibling adds another $15,000.

Additional costs. Besides the investment, applicants pay several mandatory government and verification fees:

• application fee — $5,000;
• Due Diligence — from $6,000;
• bank check — from $1,200;
• passport issuance — $500 per applicant.

Family. A spouse, children, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters can be included. Nauru sets no age limits for these family members.

3. Vanuatu — citizenship from $130,000

Vanuatu offers one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment routes, with processing from 3 months. Applicants do not need to live in the country, pass exams, or attend an interview, but they must provide biometric data for passport issuance.

Investment. Vanuatu offers three investment options:

1. National Development Fund — from $130,000. A non-refundable contribution. The amount rises to $150,000 for a couple, $165,000 for a family of three, and $180,000 for a family of four.
2. CNO Future Fund — from $157,000. The investment supports coconut oil production. The amount covers a family of up to four, while each additional applicant adds $25,000. 
3. Sustainable Development Fund — from $159,500. The investment supports cocoa production. It also covers a family of up to four, with $25,000 for each additional applicant. 

The Sustainable Development Fund provides a partial refund of at least $50,000 after 5 years.

Additional costs. The exact amount depends on the investment option and family size. Besides the investment, applicants usually pay:

• Due Diligence — from $5,500;
• biometrics — $1,000—3,000+ per person, depending on the option and location;
• ID card and birth certificate — from $1,000 per person;
• document translation and notarisation — from $1,000;
• bank fee — 5%, except for the CNO Future Fund option.

Family. A spouse, children up to 25, and financially dependent parents over 50 can be included in the application.

4. Sierra Leone — citizenship from $140,000

Sierra Leone offers a direct route to citizenship from $140,000⁠ and two alternative options through permanent residence. Applications can be completed remotely, without a residence requirement.

Investment. Sierra Leone offers three routes:

1. Non-refundable contribution — $140,000. The funds support national development projects.
2. Gold purchase — from 1 kg of gold plus a $50,000 government fee. The gold must be held for 5 years and can then be sold.
3. Government fee — $70,000. This route does not require a gold purchase.

The last two options first grant permanent residence. Investors may then apply for citizenship under an accelerated procedure, but as of August 2026 the government had not published the exact timeline, requirements or additional costs for naturalisation.

Additional costs. For the direct citizenship route with a $140,000 non-refundable contribution, family members are added for an extra fee:

• spouse — $10,000;
• each child up to 18, parent or grandparent — $10,000 per person;
• each child or sibling aged 19—30, as well as their spouse or child up to 18 — $20,000 per person;
• Due Diligence — $5,000 for up to 5 applicants, or $10,000 for 6—10 applicants.

Family. The direct citizenship application can include a spouse, children, parents, grandparents and siblings. Children and siblings aged 19—30 may also apply together with their spouses and children. Financial dependence on the main applicant is not required.

5. Dominica — citizenship from $200,000

Dominica offers citizenship from $200,000⁠ through either a non-refundable government contribution or approved real estate. The process takes 8+ months and can be completed remotely, without residence requirements or language and history exams.

Investment. Applicants choose between two options. A non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund starts at $200,000 for one applicant. A family of three or four contributes $250,000.

Alternatively, investors can purchase government-approved real estate from $200,000. The property can be sold after 3 years — or after 5 years, if the buyer is another citizenship-by-investment applicant.

Additional costs. Besides the investment, applicants pay mandatory government fees:

• Due Diligence — $7,500 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each family member over 16;
• interview — $1,000 for each applicant over 16;
• other government fees — from $2,131 for one applicant;
• real estate route only — $75,000 state fee for one applicant, or $100,000 for a family of three or four.

Family. A spouse, financially dependent children up to 30, and financially dependent parents and grandparents over 65 can be included in the application.

How much the cheapest citizenship by investment programmes really cost

The table compares the cheapest complete route for each country: all figures for a country come from the same investment option, without combining lower fees from different routes. For a family of four, we assume a married couple with two children under 16 to show the minimum possible family cost. Older children may trigger extra Due Diligence, interview or dependant fees, so the total can be higher.

Cost comparison of the 5 cheapest citizenship by investment programmes

Cost	São Tomé and Príncipe	Nauru	Vanuatu	Sierra Leone	Dominica
Cheapest option for 1 applicant	National Transformation Fund	Treasury Fund	National Development Fund	Non-refundable contribution	Economic Diversification Fund
Investment — 1 applicant	$90,000	$90,000	$130,000	$140,000	$200,000
Additional costs — 1 applicant	$5,750	$12,700	$15,000	$5,000	$10,631+
Total — 1 applicant	$95,750	$102,700	$145,000+	$145,000	$210,631+
Cheapest option for family of 4	National Transformation Fund	Treasury Fund	Sustainable Development Fund	Non-refundable contribution	Economic Diversification Fund
Investment — family of 4	$95,000	$92,000	$159,500	$140,000	$250,000
Additional costs — family of 4	$8,000	$23,700	$22,475	$35,000	$17,353+
Total — family of 4	$103,000	$115,700	$181,975+	$175,000	$267,353+

Benefits of citizenship by investment

Citizenship by investment gives investors the same nationality status as other citizens of the country, subject to its laws. The main advantages are connected with residence rights, international mobility, family inclusion and long-term security.

1. Second passport and right to live in another country

Successful applicants receive citizenship and can apply for the country’s passport. Unlike a residence permit, citizenship is not tied to the validity of a visa or the need to renew immigration status.

A citizen normally has the right to live, work and study in the country without additional immigration permission. This gives investors an alternative place of residence if they later decide to relocate.

Citizenship is usually granted for life and can often be passed on to future generations, although inheritance rules differ between countries.

2. Greater travel mobility

A second passport may provide visa-free access to destinations that require a visa with the investor’s original passport. This makes international travel easier for business, holidays and family visits. The exact travel rights depend on the passport and may change over time.

3. Citizenship for family members

Citizenship-by-investment routes allow relatives to apply together with the main investor. This can make one application a way to secure a second nationality for the whole family.

Eligible dependants commonly include a spouse and children. Some countries also accept financially dependent parents, grandparents or siblings, depending on their age and circumstances.

4. A long-term backup option

A second citizenship gives investors an alternative country where they have the legal right to live. This can be useful if political, economic or security conditions change in the country of origin.

Unlike a visa or residence permit, citizenship is usually permanent and does not depend on renewals.

5. Business opportunities

A second citizenship can make it easier to invest in the country of citizenship, as well as open companies and bank accounts. Some passports also provide access to regional markets and business networks that may be harder to use with the investor’s original nationality.

6. Tax management

Some countries that offer citizenship by investment also have favourable tax regimes. A second citizenship may therefore give investors more options when choosing where to live, structure assets, or establish tax residence.

Vanuatu, for instance, has no personal income tax or capital gains tax. Citizenship alone does not change a person’s tax obligations, however: the result depends on tax residence, income sources, and the rules of the investor’s home country.

7. Access to healthcare and social services

Citizens may gain access to public healthcare, state education and social support that is unavailable or more limited to temporary residents. In Türkiye, citizens can use public hospitals through the state health insurance system and send children to public schools without tuition fees.

Risks and limitations of cheap citizenship by investment

A low entry threshold does not always mean a simple or low-cost route to citizenship. Investors should also consider the following limitations.

Strict Due Diligence. Applicants must prove the legal source of their funds and pass background checks. A low investment threshold does not mean weaker screening, and an application can be refused if the authorities identify financial, legal or reputational risks.

Nationality restrictions. Some countries exclude certain applicants or apply additional checks based on nationality, residence or other links to restricted countries or regions. Dominica, for instance, applies bans, limitations or enhanced Due Diligence to applicants connected with Belarus, Iran, Northern Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Yemen and Sudan.

Changing visa-free agreements. A passport’s travel benefits are not guaranteed permanently. Other countries can introduce visa requirements or suspend visa-free access, reducing one of the main advantages of a second passport. Vanuatu lost visa-free travel to the EU after the bloc suspended the exemption over concerns about its citizenship by investment schemes. 

The trend is towards tighter international scrutiny of citizenship-by-investment programmes. The European Union and the OECD are expected to continue strengthening compliance requirements, and countries that fail to meet these standards may face further restrictions on visa-free travel 

Limited liquidity of CBI real estate. Properties approved for citizenship may have a narrower resale market than standard residential real estate. Mandatory holding periods can also prevent investors from selling immediately if market conditions change.

Key takeaways on the cheapest citizenship programmes

1. Citizenship by investment is a legal route to a second passport through a qualifying investment or contribution.
2. 13 countries operate active citizenship by investment programmes. The minimum investment starts at $90,000.
3. The five cheapest programmes by investment threshold are São Tomé and Príncipe, Nauru, Vanuatu, Sierra Leone, and Dominica.
4. The minimum investment is only part of the total cost. Applicants also pay Due Diligence, application, processing, passport, interview and other government fees.
5. Not every investment is non-refundable. Some countries offer assets that may be sold or partially refunded later.