Citizenship and Residence by Investment: What to Check Before You Commit

Investment migration is the area of this field with the widest gap between what is marketed and what is actually granted. Programmes are amended, suspended and closed at short notice, thresholds move, and the rules that applied when a brochure was printed are frequently not the rules that apply when an application is assessed.

For that reason this page does not publish investment amounts. We confirm the figures in force from the responsible government authority at the time of advising, and we tell you the date of that confirmation. If you have seen a figure elsewhere, ask us to verify it before you act on it.

What we assess before recommending any programme

• Legal basis and stability. Is the programme in primary legislation or in a policy that can be withdrawn? Has it been amended in the last twenty-four months?
• Physical presence requirements. Many programmes require residence days that clients discover only after committing capital.
• Route to permanent status and citizenship, including whether time on an investor permit actually counts toward it.
• Family inclusion. Which family members are covered, at what age limits, and what happens to adult children over the limit.
• Tax consequences in the destination country and in your current country of residence. This is where the real cost usually sits, and it needs a tax adviser, not an immigration adviser.
• Due diligence standards. Programmes with weak due diligence attract international pressure and are the ones most likely to be restricted.
• Recognition risk. Whether a status obtained this way carries restrictions in other jurisdictions.

Sweden does not have an investor citizenship route

To be clear, because it is a common misunderstanding: Sweden has no citizenship-by-investment programme and no golden visa. Swedish citizenship follows residence, and since 6 June 2026 the general residence requirement is eight years, with no transitional arrangements for pending applications. Investment in a Swedish business is relevant to a self-employment permit, which is assessed on business viability rather than on capital alone. See citizenship and business permit.

European programmes

Residence-by-investment programmes exist in several EU and EEA states and are the subject of ongoing scrutiny at EU level. Where a programme is genuinely suitable we will say so and confirm current conditions; where the honest answer is that a conventional work, business or family route is faster, cheaper and more secure, we will say that instead. See golden visa routes.

What we do not do

We do not sell programme places, we do not receive commission from developers or funds, and we do not present a promotional brochure as a legal assessment. Our role is to check whether the route works for your circumstances before money moves.

General information, not individual legal advice, and not investment or tax advice. Programme conditions change frequently; every figure is verified against the responsible authority at the time of advising. Last reviewed 26 August 2026. Contact us.

Antigua and Barbuda offers one of the most competitive citizenship programs in the Caribbe-an. Options start from USD 100,000 and citizens of Antigua and Barbuda have visa-free access to 151 destinations, including top business and lifestyle destinations.

Austria has one of the world’s strongest passports providing its holders with visa-free access to 187 destinations worldwide, along with settlement rights in all EU member states. Options for obtaining Austrian citizenship start from a minimum investment of EUR 3 million.

The Cyprus Investment Programme is one of the most sought-after citizenship programs that provides successful applicants with an attractive balance between the capital contribution they make and the benefits they receive. For a minimum contribution of EUR 2.15 million, successful applicants can travel visa-free to 174 destinations worldwide.

The Malta Individual Investor Program is the world’s leading citizenship program. For a minimum contribution of approximately EUR 1 million, successful applicants can acquire Maltese citizen-ship that offers safety and security by providing a better quality of life and the right to live, work, and study in all EU member states.

The Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program offers increased global mobility with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 124 destinations including the countries of Europe’s Schengen Area, as well as Russia and the UAE. The program is exclusively limited to 2,000 applicants and a minimum contribution of EUR 350,000 is required.

St. Kitts and Nevis has one of the strongest passports among all the Caribbean citizenship programs. For a minimum contribution of USD 150,000, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship-by-Investment Program provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 destina-tions.

The St. Lucia Citizenship-by-Investment Program offers increased global mobility and oppor-tunity by providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 146 destinations around the world. For a contribution of USD 100,000, applicants can acquire their passports in as little as four months.

The Turkey Citizenship-by-Investment Program offers European citizenship and access to the Western markets. The Turkish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 111 des-tinations around the world. For a real estate investment of USD 250,000, passports can be ac-quired in six to nine months.