Paradise Islands Offer Citizenship for Less Than £36,000

Didn't you catch wind of it? For only $105,000, you can purchase citizenship to a tropical island paradise these days.

The island country of Nauru located in the Pacific is offering passports to foreign nationals for $105,000 (£81,000) as part of an effort to generate funding for its climate emergency reserve.

Soaring sea levels are swiftly eroding Nauru’s coastlines. In reaction, the nation’s leadership is considering a large-scale move inland; however, they are facing difficulties in securing funding for this initiative.

Approximately ninety percent of the island's inhabitants will likely have to relocate to elevated areas due to sea levels surrounding Nauru increasing at a rate one point five times quicker than the worldwide average.

Many nations provide citizenship in return for significant financial investments or property purchases. However, certain options may stand out specifically to wealthy Britons looking for opportunities. In fact, several stunning tropical island destinations will grant you a passport provided the cost is agreeable.

For each item listed below, I've provided the overall "expense" of citizenship in British pounds; however, the fees are detailed in U.S. dollars according to the application sections. Keep in mind that you'll likely incur additional legal charges along with various unforeseen expenses beyond what’s mentioned here. This information should offer a reasonable estimate and maybe even spark ideas for another type of retirement strategy.

Oceania

Nauru

The cost

Starting at $192,000 for a family of four.

The small print

Nauru boasts one of the least expensive and easiest-to-obtain citizenship by investment programs globally. For an individual, this costs a flat fee of $105,000; for a family of four, it increases slightly to $110,000. Additional processing and due-diligence charges apply, yet these bring the average cost per person down to around £36,000 within a group of four. Importantly, applicants do not have to reside on the island before applying, and they may conduct their interviews remotely. Further details can be found 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 surpasses only two nations in size – the Vatican City and Monaco It remains largely unvisited with approximately 200 tourists making their way there annually. 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 (approximately £90 million). Traveling to this destination involves irregular flights, and residents face significant health challenges including widespread obesity—making it the planet’s most obese country. Despite all these factors, you can expect an exhilarating experience.

Vanuatu

The cost

Starting at $206,740 for a family of four.

The small print

To acquire Vanuatu citizenship, an individual must pay $130,000, whereas a family of four would be required to pay $180,000 along with various additional charges. Additionally, you'll have to demonstrate that you possess at minimum $250,000 in your bank account. For further details, visit their website. vancitizenship.gov.vu .

What will your life be like?

Like Nauru, Vanuatu It is both small and not frequently visited (with approximately 20,000 tourists annually), yet offers additional perks for those considering becoming residents. In numerous aspects, it embodies an idyllic fantasy—a perimeter lined with pristine sandy shores juxtaposed against the backdrop of lively volcanoes inland. If one seeks a touch of luxury, treating your guests to a tour at the Ramada Resort could be delightful; they will appreciate this stopover following their lengthy 36-hour trip involving two layovers.

To sustain yourself, you'll grow quite accustomed to consuming drinks for nourishment. kava (a mind-altering beverage) and enjoying street-side treats like glutinous yams drenched in coconut milk and packaged in leaves. It's worth noting that Vanuatu ranks among the globe’s least fortunate nations concerning natural calamities, with tropical cyclones posing a risk for six months annually (from 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

The financial requirement for citizenship involves a payment of $250,000 (covering up to four people) along with extra due diligence fees per individual. Alternative paths include investing at least $325,000 in a sanctioned real estate project or purchasing a personal property directly for $600,000. For further details, please refer to the provided resources. ciu.gov.kn .

What will your life be like?

St Kitts and Nevis are two tiny, volcanic, beautifully shaped islands located approximately 66 miles west of Antigua (population 46,758). At the edges of this area, you can discover pristine white-sand shores, whereas the central part consists of thick forests and towering mountains, home to vervet monkeys and darting hummingbirds.

The top attractions on these islands feature the formidable Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which stands as both an imposing fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site, along with the picturesque Botanic Gardens of Nevis. For a memorable experience to wow your guests, make sure to secure a place at the elite (reservations required) Pavilion Beach Club.

Antigua and Barbuda

The cost

Starting at £202,000 for a family of four, or purchase a home 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 paying extra processing charges and due diligence expenses. Another option is purchasing an approved property valued at a minimum of $300,000 (you have to keep this for at least half a decade) coupled with payment of related handling fees. Other commercial investment avenues also exist. To learn more details visit. cip.gov.ag .

What will your life be like?

One major attraction of Antigua is its accessibility; direct flights from London make the journey relatively quick at about eight hours. Many visitors come for the idyllic white-sand beaches, yet the island also offers numerous historic landmarks worth exploring. If your guests crave adventure, consider taking them to the charmingly restored sugar mill known as Betty’s Hope or to Nelson’s Dockyard, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Engaging in turtle swims is quite popular here, along with indulging in gourmet dishes like lobster salads at some of the upscale eateries available across the islands. Living this lifestyle will undoubtedly feel delightful.

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 applying alone needs to contribute $200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund to expedite their citizenship process, increasing to $250,000 for families consisting of four members. Various expenses such as processing fees, due diligence charges, and certification costs should be considered, adding to this overall amount. Alternatively, one can opt to buy property from an authorized development scheme valued at a minimum of $200,000, holding it for no less than three years along with extra associated payments. Other commercial investment opportunities are also accessible. To learn more details, refer to the provided source. 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 parrots, and extensive unbroken golden beaches along its northern coastline. Unlike many other Caribbean islands where lounging on sandy shores is popular, visitors flock to Dominica primarily for activities like river tubing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A drawback for tourists coming from the UK is that they cannot find direct flights; instead, they 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 due diligence and application charges. Alternatively, one can purchase an approved property valued at minimum $300k, coupled with administrative costs that vary based on the number of applicants. For additional details, refer to the provided resources. cipsaintlucia.com .

What will your life be like?

St Lucia Will provide options catering to various expats. You could choose to hike through the rainforests inland or zoom above the jungle treetops via zipline. Or perhaps you'd prefer touring historical plantations and bustling city streets in Castries, St. Lucia’s capital; alternatively, you might simply unwind on a picturesque beach with stunning vistas of the famous Pitons. All this comes at roughly £50,000 per person for a family of four—quite an appealing alternate way of life.

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 obtaining citizenship in Grenada for a family of four is $235,000, which includes extra charges that raise the overall price. Another option is purchasing 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 rhythm 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 unlike many other Caribbean destinations, you won’t find ostentatious skyscrapers rising up from the beachfront here. According to our Caribbean specialist, Fred Mawer, Magazine Beach stands out as an untamed coastal expanse sandwiched between two top-notch eateries.

Where else can one purchase citizenship?

In this article, our focus has been primarily on the idyllic island nations offering citizenship for purchase; however, numerous countries worldwide provide similar opportunities, sometimes even nearer to your locality. Within Europe, one can acquire citizenship by making a financial investment or purchasing property in places like Malta. Montenegro , North Macedonia, Austria, and Turkey.

Longer-term "golden visa" programs allow wealthy investors to acquire citizenship after maintaining legal residency in a country for a specific duration, similar to the situation in some jurisdictions. Portugal And Australia. Egypt and Jordan similarly offer citizenship through investment programs.

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