Didn’t you catch wind of it? For only $105,000, you can purchase citizenship to a tropical island haven!
The island country of Nauru located in the Pacific region
is offering passports to foreign nationals for $105,000 (£81,000) as part of an effort to generate resources for its climate emergency preparedness fund.
Sea levels are swiftly eroding Nauru’s coastlines. As a result, the nation’s leadership is considering a large-scale move inland; however, they face significant challenges in securing funding for this initiative.
Approximately ninety percent of the island’s populace will likely have to relocate to elevated areas due to rising sea levels, which are increasing at a rate one point five times quicker than the worldwide average for Nauru.
Many nations provide citizenship in return for significant financial investments or property purchases. However, certain options may be especially appealing to wealthy Britons looking for opportunities. In fact, several stunning tropical island destinations are willing to sell passports to those who meet their price.
For each item listed below, I’ve provided the overall “expense” of citizenship in pounds Sterling; however, the fees are detailed in U.S. dollars according to the application sections. Keep in mind that besides what’s stated here, you’ll likely incur additional expenses such as legal fees and various unforeseen costs. This information ought to offer a reasonable estimate and maybe even provide an intriguing look at another type of retirement strategy.
Oceania
Nauru
The cost
Starting at $192,000 for a family of four.
The small print
Nauru offers one of the least expensive and easiest citizenship-by-investment programs globally. For an individual, the upfront cost is $105,000; this increases slightly to $110,000 for a group of four people. Additional charges apply for processes like due diligence, yet these bring the average expense per person down to about £36,000 within a family unit consisting of four members. Importantly, applicants do not have to reside in Nauru before applying, and interviews may be conducted virtually. Find more details here.
ecrcp.gov.nr
.
What will your life be like?
So, what’s the catch?
Nauru
It is tiny. Spanning merely eight square miles, the island exceeds the size of only two nations – the Vatican City and Monaco.
Monaco
It remains largely unvisited with approximately 200 tourists arriving each year. In the past, Nauru experienced considerable prosperity due to its abundant phosphate deposits; however, these resources have since depleted, causing the nation to hold the title of having the lowest Gross Domestic Product globally (about £90 million). Air travel options are limited, and the community struggles with widespread obesity issues—they boast the highest rate of overweight individuals worldwide. Despite all this, you’re bound for an incredible experience.
Vanuatu
The cost
Starting at £158,000 for a family of four.
The small print
To acquire Vanuatu citizenship, an individual must pay $130,000, whereas a family of four would have to pay $180,000, along with various additional charges. Additionally, you’re required to demonstrate evidence of having at least $250,000 in your bank account. For further details, visit this link.
vancitizenship.gov.vu
.
What will your life be like?
Like Nauru,
Vanuatu
It is relatively tiny and not frequently visited (with roughly 20,000 tourists annually), yet it offers additional perks for those considering becoming resident taxpayers. In numerous aspects, it embodies the idyllic fantasy—a perimeter lined with pristine sandy shores, and lively volcanoes within its heartland. If your guests desire some luxury during their stay, consider treating them to a trip to the Ramada Resort. This will be particularly appreciated following their lengthy 36-hour journey involving two layovers.
To sustain yourself, you’ll grow quite accustomed to drinking.
kava
(a narcotic drink) and eating roadside snacks of sticky yams soaked in coconut milk, wrapped in a leaf. One consideration is that Vanuatu is up there with the world’s worst countries for natural disasters, with tropical cyclones a threat for half of the year (November to April).
Caribbean
St Kitts and Nevis
The cost
Starting at £218,000 for a family of four, or purchase a home valued at £250,000 (including fees).
The small print
A monetary contribution toward citizenship amounts to a fee of $250,000, which includes up to four family members, along with extra verification charges per individual. Alternative pathways include investing at least $325,000 into a sanctioned real estate project or purchasing a personal property directly for $600,000. For further details, refer to the provided documentation.
ciu.gov.kn
.
What will your life be like?
St Kitts and Nevis
are two tiny, volcanic, ideally shaped islands located approximately 66 miles west of
Antigua
(With a population of 46,758). At the edges, you’ll discover pristine white-sand shores, whereas the center is heavily wooded with mountains, home to troops of vervet monkeys and darting hummingbirds.
The top attractions on these islands feature Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, an impressive fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the stunning Botanic Gardens of Nevis. For a memorable experience for your guests, make sure to reserve a place at the prestigious (reservations required) Pavilion Beach Club.
Antigua and Barbuda
The cost
Starting at £202,000 for a family of four, or purchase a property valued at £250,000 (including fees).
The small print
The most affordable path to citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda involves making a non-refundable donation of $230,000 to the National Development Fund, along with extra processing charges and due diligence expenses. Another option is purchasing an approved property valued at a minimum of $300,000—which needs to be held for at least half a decade—alongside related handling fees. Alternative paths include certain types of business investments. To learn more details, visit their website.
cip.gov.ag
.
What will your life be like?
One major attraction of Antigua is its accessibility; direct flights from London last around eight hours. The island is often remembered for its beautiful white-sand beaches, yet it also offers numerous historical landmarks worth exploring. If your visitors start feeling restless, consider taking them to the charmingly restored sugar mill known as Betty’s Hope or to Nelson’s Dockyard, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Engaging in turtle swims is quite popular here, along with indulging in gourmet lobster salads at some of the top-tier local eateries. You’re sure to enjoy every moment.
Dominica
The cost
Starting at £210,000 for a family of four, or purchase a home valued at £155,000 (including fees).
The small print
An individual applicant needs to pay $200,000 into the Economic Diversification Fund to expedite their citizenship process, increasing to $250,000 for families consisting of four members. Additional costs such as processing fees, due diligence charges, and certification expenses should be considered, raising the overall expenditure. Alternatively, one can opt to buy property from an authorized development initiative valued at a minimum of $200,000; this asset has to be retained for a period not less than three years along with supplementary payments involved. Other commercial investment alternatives are also accessible. Refer to the provided documentation for further details.
cbiu.gov.dm
.
What will your life be like?
Overall, quite distinct from how it appears now.
Dominica
It features cascading high-waterfall cliffs, geothermal hot springs, exotic parrot species, and extensive unbroken golden beaches along its northern coastline. In contrast with many other Caribbean islands, most visitors do not flock to Dominica’s shores just to relax on the beach; instead, activities like river tubing, snorkeling, and scuba diving dominate as popular pastimes. A drawback for travelers coming from the UK is that there aren’t any nonstop flights available—you must first land in Antigua before taking a short 40-minute flight over.
St Lucia
The cost
Starting at £207,000 for a family of four, or purchase a home valued at £250,000 (including fees).
The small print
This involves a $240,000 contribution towards a “national economic fund,” along with additional costs for due diligence and application fees. Another option is purchasing an approved property valued at a minimum of $300K, supplemented by administrative charges that vary based on the number of applicants. For further details, refer to the provided documentation.
cipsaintlucia.com
.
What will your life be like?
St Lucia
Will provide options catering to various expats. You could choose to hike through the rainforest interiors or go ziplining above the jungle canopy if you prefer adventure. Otherwise, you might want to delve into the intriguing plantations and bustling streets of Castries, St. Lucia’s capital city. Or perhaps, more likely, unwind on a picturesque beach with stunning vistas of the famous Pitons. This idyllic way of life comes at approximately £50,000 per person for a family of four.
Grenada
The cost
Starting from £209,500 for a family of four, or purchase a home valued at £270,000 (including fees).
The small print
The main expense for purchasing citizenship in Grenada for a family of four starts at $235,000, with extra charges increasing this overall price tag. Another option involves investing in real estate valued at a minimum of $350,000, along with supplementary costs totaling approximately $86,000 for a family unit of four individuals. For further details, visit imagrenada.gd.
What will your life be like?
Laid back.
Grenada
is approximately the same size as the
Isle of Wight
With a leisurely tempo to daily life and sandy shores along its coastline, this place offers a more relaxed experience. Tourism primarily clusters at the southwestern tip of the island, yet you won’t find ostentatious skyscrapers like those seen elsewhere in the Caribbean region. According to our Caribbean specialist, Fred Mawer, Magazine Beach stands out as an untamed coastal expanse sandwiched between two top-notch dining spots.
Where else can one purchase citizenship?
In this article, our focus has been on the tropical island nations where one can purchase citizenship. However, numerous countries worldwide offer similar opportunities, sometimes even nearer to your place of residence. Within Europe, alternatives for obtaining citizenship are available through financial investments or property purchases in places like Malta.
Montenegro
, North Macedonia, Austria, and Turkey.
Longer-term “golden visa” programs allow wealthy investors to acquire citizenship after maintaining lawful residency in a country for a specific duration, similar to what occurs in certain jurisdictions.
Portugal
And Australia. Egypt and Jordan similarly offer citizenship through investment programs.
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