Leading Citizenship by Investment Programmes in 2025
With high-net-worth individuals acquiring a second citizenship through various citizenship by investment programmes, the CBI Index is an independent body whose purpose is to assess and report on how citizenship by investment programmes is performing worldwide. With the CBI index, one can compare and deduce where each countries’ strength is, not only during that year but also throughout the previous year as the report is published annually.
Its tenth anniversary, the CBI Index is a reliable source for governments, consultants, and investors who wish to know which country is most suitable for them before deciding where to get their second citizenship.
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevisremains as the leading country with the top citizenship by investment programme. Earlier in the year, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit had made its transition to a statutory body. With this reformation, St. Kitts and Nevis still managed to maintain its performance when it came to due diligence, certainty of product and ease of processing.
According to the CBI Index 2025, St. Kitts and Nevis points have increased due to the reforms to enhance the overall experience. St. Kitts and Nevis remains consistent due to their efficiency and recent landmark changes to the CBI programme, including the CIU’s transformation into a statutory body The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) launched digital platforms and integrated biometrics to enhance identity verification, prevent fraud and align with travel security standards. These changes ensured a fast, smooth and modernised application process.
Dominica
Dominica has gained its reputation as one of the ‘best value’ citizenships by investment programmes in 2025. This is due to Dominica’s affordability and reliability. With investments in the economic diversification fund (EDF) and real estate, Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme has been lauded for both ease of processing and mandatory travel/ residence. This reflects the Programme’s efficiency when it comes to processing applications and the freedom of movement gained from the second citizenship.
Grenada
Compared to other Citizenship by Investment Programmes offered by Caribbean nations, Grenada’ s Programme offers investment options in National Transformation Fund as well as Real Estate. Grenada’s CBI programme has earned great reputation for its due diligence check which ensures that robust background checks of the applicants.
St. Lucia
According to the CBI Index 2025, Saint Lucia has earned well in areas such as: ease of processing, mandatory travel/residence, and citizenship timeline. St. Lucia offers investment options in real estate, government bonds, national economic fund (NEF) contribution and enterprise investment.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI Programme takes the lead with its diverse investment options, demonstrating flexibility and competitiveness. Investors can choose from several investment options including real estate investment in approved projects, contributions to the University of the West Indies Fund, non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund and investment in eligible businesses.
Along with that, it has enhanced its due diligence measures (fingerprint collection) which has strengthened its compliance system and ensured its position among the top countries with Citizenship by Investment Programmes.
Nauru
The Citizenship by Investment Programme of Nauru is proving to be the youngest CBI Programmes in the list. Being a new citizenship by investment programme, Nauru has made its debut by taking the 6th position and surpassing countries that were long established. This CBI programme of the country is Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme and has a minimum contribution of $105,000 USD for a single applicant.
Vanuatu
Despite being suspended earlier in March, Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment Programme has still managed to move up one point compared to its previous ranking. After being reinstated, Vanuatu has strengthened its structure through biometric data collection, interviews and a more distinct division of financial checks. Vanuatu offers investments in many areas including: Vanuatu Development Support Programme (VDSP), approved real estate projects, and Cocoa Sustainable Fund (CSF).
Malta
With Malta’s MEIN programme being ended in April 2025 by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), Malta has experienced a significant change causing them to fall behind. Since then, Malta has introduced its new programme known as the Citizenship by Merit. It offers citizenship to individuals with exceptional service, contributions or talents in areas such as science, technology, entrepreneurship, sport, etc. This programme doesn’t have a fixed investment requirement; it offers rewards based on the achievements or contributions an individual will do that will benefit Malta or humanity in the long run.
In 2025, the Caribbean nations have proved to have the best and most popular citizenship by investment programmes as they have taken the lead and secured the top 5 positions in those areas.
