Short answer: for a single applicant, the lowest-cost citizenship by investment in 2026 is Vanuatu (from a USD 130,000 donation), followed by Dominica (from USD 200,000). But the cheapest isn’t always the best fit — visa-free access and processing times differ widely.
Seven countries ranked by minimum investment
| Rank | Country | Minimum investment | Schengen | UK | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanuatu | Donation from USD 130,000 | Visa required | Visa required | About 3 months |
| 2 | Dominica | Donation from USD 200,000 | Visa-free | Visa required | About 4–12 months |
| 3 | Antigua & Barbuda | Donation from USD 230,000 | Visa-free | Visa-free | About 4–12 months |
| 4 | Grenada | Donation from USD 235,000 | Visa-free | Visa-free | About 4–12 months |
| 5 | St Lucia | Contribution from USD 240,000 | Visa-free | Visa required | Recently about 12–18 months |
| 6 | St Kitts & Nevis | Donation from USD 250,000 | Visa-free | Visa-free | About 4–12 months |
| 7 | Turkey | Real estate USD 400,000 | Visa required | Visa required | About 3–6 months |
Based on public information as of September 2026. Government and due diligence fees are usually extra, and the total depends on family size.
Reading the table
- Travel in Europe matters most: Antigua, Grenada and St Kitts are visa-free to both the Schengen Area and the UK.
- Tightest budget: Dominica keeps Schengen access from USD 200,000.
- Speed: Vanuatu is fastest but has lost Schengen and UK visa-free access.
- Turkey: the highest threshold, but it’s real estate you can sell after three years, and the passport is visa-free to Japan.
Family size changes the ranking
Some contributions cover several family members — St Lucia’s USD 240,000 covers up to four people, and Grenada’s USD 235,000 covers the main applicant and up to three family members. Per person, a family of four may see a different ranking, so compare total costs for your actual family.
Our advice
Decide the one or two things that matter most — Schengen access, speed or budget — then compare the countries that meet them. The Programme Finder is a quick first filter.