11 Most Affordable Citizenship by Investment Programmes in 2026-2027

Nauru and São Tomé and Príncipe offer the most Affordable Citizenship by investment programme, with minimum contributions of USD 90,000 for a single applicant. However, the minimum investment is only part of the overall cost. Government processing fees, due diligence fees, and professional fees are payable in addition to the investment amount.

In 2026, eleven lawful citizenship by investment programmes grant citizenship for a minimum investment below USD 500,000, spanning Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Turkiye. This guide ranks all eleven from the lowest entry point and explains where the real costs and trade-offs sit.

The 11 Most Affordable Citizenship by Investment Programmes Compared

Minimum investments are programme minimums for a single applicant, not total costs. Processing times are indicative and should be confirmed before applying.

Nauru: among the lowest entry points at USD 90,000

Nauru's citizenship by investment programme shares the lowest minimum contribution in this guide with São Tomé and Príncipe, at USD 90,000, with processing of three to four months. Its biggest strength is family scope: a single application can cover up to four generations, which makes it an exceptional value for extended households.

One limitation of Nauru's citizenship programme is its passport's relatively limited visa-free travel access compared with Caribbean CBI programmes. Applicants should therefore check whether it provides access to the countries they intend to visit before applying.

Nauru may be worth considering for individuals and larger families who place greater importance on the cost of obtaining a second citizenship and the ability to pass it on to future generations than on international travel benefits.

The options available will depend on your nationality, family circumstances and long-term plans. If you would like to discuss your eligibility, Harvey Law Group's lawyers can review your circumstances and advise on the available routes.

São Tomé and Príncipe: an affordable option from USD 90,000

São Tomé and Príncipe’s citizenship by investment programme offers a route to second citizenship through a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund, starting at USD 90,000 for a single applicant or USD 95,000 for a family of up to four, excluding additional fees. Launched in 2025, the programme requires no residence or visit to the country and permits dual citizenship, making it attractive to applicants prioritising affordability and flexibility.

Families should confirm the current rules before applying: a September 2026 consular update states that naturalisation and passport issuance for certain adult dependants are suspended pending legislative changes.

Read our full guide about How to Get São Tomé Citizenship by Investment in 2026

Vanuatu DSP: the fastest affordable route

Vanuatu's Development Support Programme offers citizenship through a qualifying contribution starting at USD 130,000, with an estimated processing time of two to three months. Vanuatu does not impose personal income tax, which may appeal to applicants considering their long-term residence and tax arrangements. However, obtaining Vanuatu citizenship does not automatically change an applicant's existing tax obligations.

Applicants should also be aware that Vanuatu passport holders no longer benefit from visa-free access to the EU Schengen Area. This is an important consideration for those seeking a second citizenship primarily for travel to Europe.

Vanuatu may therefore be an option for applicants who prioritise processing speed, travel within the Asia-Pacific region and the country's tax environment, provided its travel rights and programme requirements meet their needs.

Vanuatu CIIP: investment-based rather than donation-based

Vanuatu's Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) offers citizenship through a qualifying investment starting at USD 150,000. Unlike the Development Support Programme, which requires a non-refundable contribution, the CIIP is structured around a capital investment. This may appeal to applicants who prefer an investment-based route to citizenship.

Vanuatu does not impose personal income tax, corporate income tax or capital gains tax, although applicants should consider their existing tax obligations in other jurisdictions. The programme also offers relatively short processing times. Further information on the investment requirements and additional fees is available in our guide to Vanuatu citizenship costs.

As with the Development Support Programme, Vanuatu citizenship does not provide visa-free access to the EU Schengen Area. Applicants should consider this restriction alongside the programme's eligibility requirements, investment conditions and any potential regulatory changes before proceeding.

Dominica: the Most Affordable Caribbean citizenship

Dominica's citizenship by investment programme starts at USD 200,000 through a qualifying contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund. Applicants may also qualify through an approved real estate investment, which has a higher minimum investment requirement. Processing is estimated to take approximately six to eight months, depending on the application and due diligence requirements.

Established in 1993, Dominica operates one of the longest-running citizenship by investment programmes in the Caribbean. The programme also allows eligible family members to be included in an application, subject to the relevant dependency and eligibility requirements.

One limitation is that Dominica does not have an E-2 Treaty with the United States. Applicants who are considering citizenship as part of a future US business or immigration strategy may therefore wish to examine alternatives such as Grenada or Egypt, both of which have E-2 treaties with the United States. However, obtaining citizenship does not automatically establish eligibility for an E-2 visa, and additional requirements may apply.

Antigua and Barbuda: built for large families

Antigua and Barbuda's citizenship by investment programme offers several qualifying investment options, including a contribution starting at USD 230,000 and approved real estate investments from USD 300,000. Certain approved developments, including Nonsuch Bay Resort, may offer investment options from USD 200,000, subject to the applicable programme requirements.

The programme also allows applicants to include a range of eligible family members, including parents and, in certain circumstances, siblings. This may make Antigua and Barbuda worth considering for larger or multi-generational families seeking citizenship through a single application.

Applicants should also account for the estimated processing time of approximately 12 to 18 months and the requirement to spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda during the first five years after obtaining citizenship. These conditions should be considered alongside the total investment, government fees and family eligibility requirements before proceeding.

Grenada: the affordable route to the US E-2 visa

Grenada's citizenship by investment programme starts at USD 235,000 through a qualifying contribution, with approved real estate investments available from USD 350,000. Applications are estimated to take approximately six to eight months to process, depending on the applicant's circumstances and the required due diligence checks.

One of Grenada's main advantages is its E-2 Treaty with the United States. Eligible Grenadian citizens may apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, allowing them to live in the United States while developing and directing a qualifying business. For individuals who obtain Grenadian citizenship through investment, additional requirements apply, including a three-year domicile requirement in Grenada before becoming eligible to apply for the E-2 visa.

Grenada may therefore be worth considering for non-US nationals who intend to establish or invest in a business in the United States. However, applicants whose priorities are primarily obtaining a second citizenship at a lower cost may find that other Caribbean programmes better meet their needs.

Saint Lucia: variety of routes and strong travel access

Saint Lucia's citizenship by investment programme starts at USD 240,000 and offers several qualifying investment options, including government contributions, approved real estate and other eligible investments. This flexibility may appeal to applicants who wish to consider different investment structures alongside the travel benefits available to Saint Lucian citizens.

Applicants should also account for estimated processing times of approximately 12 to 18 months. A proposed 30-day residence requirement may also affect new applicants, depending on when and how it is implemented.

Those considering Saint Lucia should confirm the current residence requirements, processing times and investment conditions before submitting an application.

St Kitts and Nevis: the oldest programme, at a premium

Established in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis offers the world's longest-running citizenship by investment programme. Applicants can qualify through a contribution starting at USD 250,000 or an approved real estate investment, with estimated processing times of six to ten months.

The programme offers a well-established application framework and a passport with extensive visa-free travel access, including access to a number of destinations not available to holders of other Caribbean CBI passports. Its long history may also appeal to applicants who prefer a programme with several decades of experience.

However, St Kitts and Nevis has a higher minimum contribution than the other Caribbean programmes covered in this guide. Applicants whose main priority is obtaining a second citizenship at the lowest possible cost may therefore wish to compare its benefits with those of other available programmes before making a decision.

Egypt: strategic value beyond the passport

Egypt's citizenship by investment programme starts at USD 250,000 by donation, with alternative routes including a refundable bank deposit for applicants who prefer to preserve capital. Processing takes six to twelve months, and Egypt holds an E-2 treaty with the United States, giving its citizens access to the US investor visa route. The main limitation is visa-free travel.

The Egyptian passport offers more limited travel access than the Caribbean programmes, so it is best suited to applicants whose priority is the US E-2 pathway or establishing a regional base, rather than maximising global mobility.

Have a question about your own case? Our lawyers can talk it through with you, by phone or email, whichever you prefer.

Turkiye: the most expensive entry in this guide, with reason

Türkiye's citizenship by investment programme allows eligible applicants to obtain citizenship through a qualifying real estate investment starting at USD 400,000. Applications are estimated to take approximately three to six months to process, depending on the applicant's circumstances and the completion of the required procedures.

Türkiye is a G20 economy with commercial links to both Europe and Asia. It also has an E-2 Treaty with the United States, allowing eligible Turkish citizens to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, subject to the relevant investment and immigration requirements.

At USD 400,000, Türkiye has the highest minimum investment requirement among the programmes covered in this guide. Applicants should also understand that Turkish citizenship does not provide the rights associated with EU citizenship, including freedom of movement or the automatic right to live and work in EU member states.

Türkiye may therefore appeal to applicants with business or personal interests in the region, or those considering future investment opportunities in the United States. However, individuals whose main objective is to obtain European residence and mobility rights should consider the available EU residence and citizenship pathways separately.

Most Affordable citizenship by investment in Europe

Direct citizenship by investment is no longer available within the European Union. Following the April 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, Malta's investor citizenship scheme was ended. Malta continues to offer residence options for qualifying investors, but these do not provide citizenship automatically.

Türkiye remains an option for applicants seeking citizenship through investment in a country with close economic and geographic connections to Europe. However, Turkish citizenship does not provide EU citizenship rights, including the freedom to live and work across EU member states.

For investors whose objective is to obtain an EU passport, residence followed by naturalisation remains a potential route. Countries such as Portugal and Greece offer residence by investment programmes, through which eligible applicants may later apply for citizenship after meeting the relevant nationality requirements.

Obtaining residence does not guarantee citizenship. Applicants must satisfy the applicable conditions, which may include minimum residence periods, physical presence, language proficiency and other requirements. These rules differ between countries and may change during the applicant's residence period.

Although this route takes considerably longer than direct citizenship by investment, it provides a potential pathway to EU citizenship for investors who are prepared to meet the relevant residence and naturalisation requirements.

Read Also: Which Countries Have the Cheapest Golden Visas in 2026?

Why the sticker price is never the total price

The investment amounts listed in this guide represent the minimum qualifying contributions or investments required by each programme. Applicants should also account for additional fees, which vary depending on the country, investment route and number of family members included in the application.

These additional costs may include:

1. Due diligence fees: Charges for background and security checks, which may apply to the main applicant and eligible family members.
2. Government application and processing fees: Administrative charges associated with reviewing and processing the citizenship application.
3. Dependant fees: Additional charges for including a spouse, children, parents or other eligible family members, depending on the programme's rules.
4. Passport issuance fees: Fees for issuing passports to applicants and family members who obtain citizenship.
5. Professional legal fees: Costs associated with preparing supporting documents, submitting the application and managing the process with the relevant authorities.

The total cost can differ considerably between applicants, particularly where several family members are included. Some programmes also impose additional fees for real estate investments or other qualifying investment routes.

For applicants who would like a clearer understanding of the costs involved, Harvey Law Group can provide a breakdown based on their circumstances and the programmes they are considering.

Affordable for whom? The ranking changes with your family

The comparison in this guide is based on the minimum investment required for a single applicant. However, the total cost can change considerably when family members are included, as each programme has its own dependant fees and eligibility requirements.

For individual applicants, Nauru and São Tomé and Príncipe have the lowest minimum contributions among the programmes covered, followed by Vanuatu's two citizenship routes. Couples should compare the full application costs, including government charges and any additional fees for a spouse, rather than relying on the initial investment amount alone.

For a family of four, São Tomé and Príncipe's contribution of USD 95,000 may also be worth considering alongside the Pacific and Caribbean programmes. Applicants should confirm which family members qualify, the additional fees involved and any restrictions affecting adult dependants before proceeding.

For larger or multi-generational families, programmes such as Nauru and Antigua and Barbuda may offer advantages. Nauru allows eligible family members across up to four generations to be included, while Antigua and Barbuda permits qualifying parents and other dependants to apply alongside the main applicant.

The most affordable option will therefore depend on the size and circumstances of the family, rather than the programme's advertised minimum investment. Comparing the total cost for everyone included in the application provides a more accurate basis for deciding which programme to pursue.

What cheap does not buy you

A lower investment requirement does not necessarily provide the same benefits. Applicants comparing citizenship by investment programmes should consider several factors beyond the initial cost, particularly where they intend to use their second citizenship for international travel, business or long-term family planning.

Visa-free travel access differs considerably between countries. For example, a passport issued by Nauru provides access to fewer destinations than one issued by St Kitts and Nevis. Applicants should therefore check whether the passport allows them to travel to the countries most relevant to their personal and business needs.

Due diligence requirements also differ between programmes. Background checks are an important part of the application process and help governments assess applicants before granting citizenship. The quality and consistency of these procedures can also influence how citizenship programmes are viewed by other governments and financial institutions.

Applicants should also consider the possibility of changes to programme rules and international travel arrangements. Vanuatu's loss of visa-free access to the Schengen Area demonstrates how travel benefits can change after citizenship has been granted. Depending on the jurisdiction and an individual's circumstances, additional scrutiny from banks or other institutions may also be relevant.

These considerations do not necessarily make a programme with a lower investment requirement less suitable. However, they should form part of the assessment alongside cost, eligibility and the rights attached to citizenship.

Harvey Law Group has advised on investment immigration since 1992, with lawyers qualified in jurisdictions including Canada, England and Wales, France and Grenada. Our team can assist applicants in reviewing the available programmes and understanding the legal requirements, potential limitations and long-term considerations before making an investment.