Flexibility and security are more important than ever. Citizenship by donation has emerged as one of the fastest and most efficient ways to obtain a second passport, minus the residency hurdles that comes with traditional immigration processes.
This approach allows eligible individuals to acquire citizenship in a foreign country by making a non-refundable financial contribution to designated government funds. In return, applicants benefit from enhanced global mobility, tax advantages, and a secure backup plan in times of uncertainty.
This guide explains how Citizenship by Donation (CBD) works, lists the most popular citizenship by donation countries, and compares the costs, benefits, and application processes involved.
Citizenship by Donation: Key Takeaways
What is citizenship by donation?
Citizenship by Donation is a straightforward path to acquiring citizenship by contributing directly to a country’s national development, typically through a designated government fund.
These programs fall under the umbrella of Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and are a subset of economic citizenship programs, which provide citizenship in exchange for a meaningful economic contribution.
Instead of investing in real estate or starting a business, applicants can donate a set financial amount, usually starting at $100,000 USD, toward national priorities that include:
- Education and public health systems
- Infrastructure development
- Disaster relief and recovery
- Economic transformation initiatives
Well-known examples include the St. Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), the Dominica Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), and the Grenada National Transformation Fund (NTF).
Applicants must also undergo a thorough due diligence process to ensure they meet legal, financial, and character standards. Once approved, citizenship is typically permanent, inheritable, and grants full rights in the issuing country, including visa-free travel to dozens, or even over a hundred, countries worldwide.
List of Countries that Offer Citizenship by Donation
In the context of citizenship by donation, several countries offer citizenship to foreign investors through programs with streamlined, quick processes, as well as clear requirements and benefits. The cheapest option to gain citizenship by donating money is $90,000.
Considering it is non-refundable, citizenship by donation is generally cheaper than other qualifying investments, such as buying approved real estate, making bank deposits, or investing in a business, which all allow applicants to recoup invested funds.
The list of citizenship by donation countries covers five continents:
- Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, and St Kitts and Nevis have well-established, cost-effective citizenship programs that grant a second passport through donations.
- Africa: Egypt and São Tomé e Príncipe are the only two African countries offering citizenship through a donation.
- Europe: The Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program is the most popular second citizenship program in Europe, but North Macedonia is the only European country offering a citizenship by donation pathway.
- Asia: Cambodia is the only Asian country offering citizenship by donation.
- Oceania: Vanuatu’s citizenship program has been active for almost a decade, allowing investors to secure a second citizenship through a donation. Nauru became the second Oceanic country to offer a similar option, rolling out Nauru Citizenship by Investment in 2024, whcih grants citizenship exclusively by donation.
6 Benefits of Citizenship by Donation
- Fast citizenship timeline: Most citizenship by donation countries do not have residency requirements and process applications within a few months. For example, Spain citizenship by naturalization is relatively short, at two years for certain nationalities, whereas citizenship by donation takes as little as 60 days.
- Economic growth: Citizenship by donation programs require substantial investments into the country’s economy, either directly through donations to a national development fund or indirectly through investments in real estate or business ventures. This capital influx leads to economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation.
- Flexible requirements: Donating money to get citizenship is simple, as most programs do not require applicants to visit, reside in the country, or demonstrate language proficiency to qualify.
- Global travel freedom: Investors in citizenship by donation programs gain a second passport, which expands visa free and visa on arrival access, making international travel easier and more convenient.
- Tax benefits: Obtaining citizenship through donation can offer tax advantages. Some countries have no income tax on worldwide income, no taxes on wealth, inheritance, or gifts, which is appealing for high-net-worth individuals.
- Security and stability: A second citizenship effectively serves as a Plan B passport, providing a sense of security and stability. It provides unconditional access to a safe haven during political or economic instability.
Countries and donation requirements
| Country | Required Donation (Single Applicant) | Required Donation (Family of Four) |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | $230,000 | |
| Dominica | $200,000 | $250,000 |
| Grenada | $235,000 | |
| St Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | |
| St Lucia | $240,000 | |
| Egypt | $250,000 | |
| São Tomé e Príncipe | $90,000 | $95,000 |
| North Macedonia | €200,000 | |
| Cambodia | $245,000 | |
| Nauru | $90,000 | $96,000 (No fee for dependents under 16) |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | $165,000 |
Top 5 Citizenship by Donation Countries in 2026
Several countries operate Citizenship by Donation (CBD) programs as part of their broader Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or economic citizenship programs.
Below are some of the most reputable and widely used citizenship by donation countries, each with their own government fund and eligibility criteria:
1. Dominica
Fund: Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)
Minimum donation: $200,000 (single applicant), $250,000 (family of up to four)
Dominica offers one of the longest-standing and most affordable citizenship by donation programs, in place since 1993. Administered through the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), this program allows individuals and families to obtain citizenship by making a non-refundable contribution to national development.
Funds are used to support public infrastructure, education, healthcare, and climate resilience. Alternatively, applicants may choose a real estate investment route, but this option requires a higher minimum investment and must be held for a set number of years.
All applicants are subject to strict due diligence checks. The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program is praised for its efficiency, with processing timelines as short as six to nine months and no residency requirements.
2. St. Kitts and Nevis
Fund: Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
Minimum donation: $250,000 (single applicant or family of up to four)
The Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) is the centerpiece of St. Kitts and Nevis’s Citizenship by Investment Program, making it one of the most recognized economic citizenship programs globally.
Through a non-refundable financial contribution to the SISC, applicants help finance national projects across health, education, renewable energy, and tourism development. The Public Benefit Option (PBO) is another donation option to get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, but instead of being allocated to a state fund, the donation goes to a specific public benefit project.
There’s also St Kitts and Nevis real estate citizenship, involving investing in shares of government-approved projects or purchasing a family home, but the donation route remains more direct and cost-effective for most. No physical residency or interviews are required, and family members can be included under one application. Processing time is around four to six months.
3. Antigua and Barbuda
Fund: National Development Fund (NDF)
Minimum donation: $230,000 (single applicant or family of up to four)
The Citizenship by Donation route under the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program is centered around a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF). This fund supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and public projects including infrastructure, education, and health services.
Applicants also have access to alternative routes such as real estate investment or contributions to the University of the West Indies Fund (for large families), though the NDF remains the most affordable.
The program offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to over 160 countries and applicants are only required to reside a minimum a 5-day in Antigua and Barbuda. The application is subject to comprehensive due diligence to ensure the integrity and eligibility of each candidate.
4. Grenada
Fund: National Transformation Fund (NTF)
Minimum donation: $235,000 (single applicant or family of up to four)
Grenada’s Citizenship by Donation Program offers a path to citizenship through a non-refundable financial contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). The fund was established to finance transformative projects that strengthen Grenada’s economy and society.
Applicants can also pursue the real estate investment route, which involves investing in government-approved developments such as resorts and hotels. However, the donation option remains the simpler and faster path, especially for solo applicants or small families.
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment grants visa-free travel to 140 countries and is one of the few in the region that offers access to China and eligibility for the U.S. E-2 Investor Visa treaty with the United States. Rigorous due diligence is part of the application process.
5. St Lucia
Fund: National Economic Fund (NEF)
Minimum donation: $240,000 (single applicant or family of up to four)
The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program allows investors and up to four dependents to gain citizenship through a single non-refundable financial donation of $240,000 to the National Economic Fund (NEF). The fund helps pay for projects that improve life and boost St Lucia’s economy.
St Lucia real estate citizenship is an alternative option that requires investing in approved high-end tourism accommodation. The country also offers government bonds and business investment as pathways, but a donation is the cheapest and fastest option.
Which are the cheapest countries to get citizenship by donation?
Nauru, Vanuatu, and São Tomé e Príncipe are the cheapest citizenship by donation countries. Dominica offers the cheapest citizenship by donation program in the Caribbean. The donation requirement for dual citizenship varies by the number of dependents, and programs require applicants to pay government fees to complete the program.
The following table compares main fees for obtaining dual citizenship by donation for a family of four, including children aged 13 and 17:
| Country | Nauru | Vanuatu | São Tomé e Príncipe | Dominica |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donation Amount | $94,000 | $165,000 | $95,000 | $250,000 |
| Due Diligence Fee | $12,000 | $5,500 | – | $15,500 |
| Processing/Application Fee | $11,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| Total | $117,000 | $174,500 | $100,000 | $269,500 |
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
- We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top residency by investment and citizenship by investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance.
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