Paraisolist Rankings
Countries with Citizenship by Investment 2025
These jurisdictions offer citizenship or residency by investment — golden visa programmes and formal citizenship-by-investment routes. Our database includes 17 jurisdictions that meet this criterion; Bulgaria leads with a score of 84/100. Visa eligibility is only one dimension — the profiles below also cover tax treatment, cost of living, banking access, and international reputation to give a complete picture. Visa requirements and programme terms are subject to change; verify current eligibility criteria with the relevant immigration authority or a licensed adviser.
Citizenship by Investment Jurisdictions
| Rank | Jurisdiction | HNWI Score | Income Tax | Corp. Tax | Territorial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BulgariaEastern Europe | 84 | 10% | 10% | ✗ |
| 2 | Mauritiusregions.east_africa | 83 | 20% | 15% | ✓ |
| 3 | United Arab EmiratesMiddle East | 83 | 0% | 9% | ✗ |
| 4 | Hungaryregions.central_europe | 80 | 15% | 9% | ✗ |
| 5 | BahrainMiddle East | 77 | 0% | 0% | ✗ |
| 6 | SerbiaSouthern Europe | 70 | 15% | 15% | ✗ |
| 7 | OmanMiddle East | 74 | 0% | 15% | ✗ |
| 8 | LatviaNorthern Europe | 71 | 31% | 20% | ✗ |
| 9 | Saudi ArabiaMiddle East | 74 | 0% | 20% | ✗ |
| 10 | MontenegroSouthern Europe | 67 | 15% | 9% | ✗ |
| 11 | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia | 62 | 35% | 22% | ✗ |
| 12 | TaiwanEast Asia | 61 | 40% | 20% | ✗ |
| 13 | PortugalSouthern Europe | 59 | 53% | 21% | ✗ |
| 14 | GreeceSouthern Europe | 57 | 44% | 22% | ✗ |
| 15 | MaltaSouthern Europe | 55 | 35% | 5% | ✗ |
| 16 | Türkiyeregions.western_asia | 50 | 40% | 25% | ✗ |
| 17 | Egyptregions.north_africa | 43 | 28% | 23% | ✗ |
Scores calculated by Paraisolist scoring model. Methodology · Tax rates are indicative. Verify with current official sources.
How visa programmes interact with tax residency
Obtaining a residency visa does not automatically make you a tax resident — and conversely, some countries can assert tax residency even without a formal visa. The key test is usually 183 days of physical presence or "centre of life" (where your family, assets, and economic ties are concentrated). The visa provides the legal right to reside; the tax implications depend on how much time you spend there and the rules of both your old and new jurisdictions.
Due diligence before applying for a residency programme
Before committing to any visa or residency programme: (1) verify current programme status — rules change and some programmes have been suspended; (2) understand the minimum physical presence requirement to maintain the permit; (3) confirm the tax treatment of your specific income types; (4) check your home country's exit tax and any treaty provisions; (5) budget for professional fees — immigration lawyers, tax advisers, and local accountants are typically necessary for a clean transition.
Frequently Asked Questions — Countries with Citizenship by Investment 2025
Active citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes include: Caribbean (Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia — from USD 100,000–$200,000), Malta (EUR 600,000–750,000+), Turkey (USD 400,000 real estate), and Pacific Island nations (Vanuatu — fast but expensive at USD 130,000+). European programmes have faced EU scrutiny.
Second citizenship provides: a backup in case of political instability at home; additional visa-free travel access; tax planning flexibility; EU access (for Caribbean passports like Grenada, which has E-2 treaty with the US); estate planning benefits; and personal security and freedom of movement for family.
Yes. Caribbean CBI passports from St Kitts, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, and St Lucia are legitimate sovereign passports recognised worldwide. They typically provide visa-free access to 140+ countries including the EU Schengen area and UK. Vetting has improved significantly since 2015 under international pressure, making these programmes more compliant.
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