Cheapest Passports to Buy: Residency and Citizenship by Investment Options

The cheapest passports to buy in 2026 are Sao Tome and Principe, Nauru, and Vanuatu.

For expats seeking a more structured residency pathway, Paraguay offers a Residency by Investment (RBI) program that can lead to citizenship over time.

These programs provide fast access to second citizenship, visa-free travel, and global mobility.

This article covers:

• What is the cheapest golden passport in 2026?
• Which country offers the cheapest citizenship by investment?
• What are the requirements for getting a passport?

Key Takeaways

• Caribbean countries typically offer the cheapest passports globally.
• Europe, Asia, and South America require higher investment or residency.
• Investment amounts and program requirements vary significantly by country.
• Some new programs, like Argentina’s CBI, provide fast-track citizenship without prior residency.

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What country lets you buy citizenship?

Countries like Saint Kitts and Nevis and Dominica allow foreigners to buy citizenship through investment or economic contribution.

Popular programs include:

• Africa & Oceania: Sao Tome and Principe, Nauru, and Vanuatu provide some of the most cost-effective citizenship-by-investment options.
• Caribbean programs: Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis offer established citizenship-by-investment pathways.
• Europe: Portugal and Bulgaria offer citizenship through investment or residency programs.
• Asia: Cambodia and Turkey provide economic citizenship or investment-linked residency.
• South America: Paraguay offers a Residency by Investment (RBI) program that can lead to citizenship after fulfilling residency requirements. Argentina is exploring similar options, though formal programs are not yet in place.

Which country’s passport is the cheapest to buy?

The most affordable passports are available for USD 90,000 in São Tomé and Príncipe, and USD 130,000 in Nauru and Vanuatu, offering the easiest entry points for citizenship‑by‑investment worldwide.

Cheapest passport to buy in Europe

In 2026, the most affordable European passports are through residency-to-citizenship programs in Bulgaria and Portugal rather than direct investment.

• Bulgaria – Previously offered a direct CBI program with fast-track citizenship requiring an investment starting from €512,000, but this scheme was closed in 2022.
  Currently, investors can obtain a residence permit through financial investment:
  • Temporary residence: Acquire 50% of shares in a local operating company for €127,558 (~$139,000) and create at least 5 jobs.
  • Permanent residence: Investment increases to €511,281 (~$557,000).
    To qualify for citizenship, investors must maintain residence for 5 years with permanent residence or 10 years with temporary residence, after which naturalization is possible.
• Portugal – Previously, Portugal’s Golden Visa program offered direct citizenship by investing in real estate. However, as of October 2023, real estate no longer qualifies for new applicants. Current pathways to residency (leading to citizenship) include:
  • Investment in regulated Portuguese funds – Minimum €500,000 (~$540,000 USD)
  • Scientific research or cultural support – Minimum €500,000 (~$540,000 USD)
  • Donation to cultural or heritage projects – Minimum €250,000 (~$270,000 USD)

Investors can obtain permanent residency after 5 years, and citizenship after fulfilling the residency requirement, providing a pathway to a European passport through non-real-estate investments.

Cheapest passport to buy in the Caribbean

The most affordable Caribbean passports are offered by Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis through donation or real estate investment programs:

• Dominica – Applicants can obtain citizenship through a government donation starting at $200,000 (Economic Diversification Fund) or by investing a minimum of $200,000 in a government-approved real estate project. Dominica’s program is one of the most cost-effective globally, with a streamlined application process and visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area.
• Saint Kitts and Nevis – Citizenship can be obtained through a USD 250,000 donation to the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) for the main applicant and up to three dependents, with additional contributions of USD 50,000 for dependents over 18 and USD 25,000 for those under 18. Alternatively, applicants can contribute a minimum of USD 250,000 to an Approved Public Benefit Project or invest in real estate with a minimum value of USD 325,000 for a condominium or USD 600,000 for a single-family dwelling, which can be resold after seven years.
• Grenada – Citizenship can be obtained through a minimum non-refundable donation of USD 235,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) for a single applicant or a family of up to four members. Alternatively, applicants can purchase real estate in a government-approved project with a minimum value of USD 270,000, along with an additional non-refundable contribution of USD 50,000 for a single applicant or family of up to four. Real estate must be held for five years if resold as a qualifying investment to another citizenship-by-investment applicant, or it can be sold at any point after purchase.
• Saint Lucia – Citizenship through a non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund starting at USD 240,000, real estate purchase from USD 300,000, approved enterprise investment from USD 250,000, or government bonds from USD 300,000.

Cheapest passport to buy in Asia

The most accessible Asian citizenship-by-investment options are offered by Cambodia, and Jordan, and Turkey though they are generally costlier than Caribbean programs.:

• Turkey – Citizenship by investment is available through a minimum real estate purchase of USD 400,000, or other routes such as fixed capital investment / bank deposit from USD 500,000, all requiring the investment to be held for at least three years.
• Cambodia – A purported investment route suggests a minimum donation of USD 245,000 or an investment of USD 305,000 in approved projects, though the program is less formalized and independent verification of full citizenship benefits is limited.
• Jordan – Jordan’s citizenship by investment program grants citizenship for a minimum investment of JOD 350,000, typically through company shares, business expansion, or existing investments that create local jobs and are held for at least three years. Larger commitments such as JOD 3 million in strategic sectors or employing 100–150 Jordanians, also qualify, with family eligibility after the holding period.

Cheapest passport to buy in South America

Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil offer some of the most accessible pathways to citizenship in South America, primarily through investment or business in 2026:

• Paraguay – One of the more accessible residency-to-citizenship routes in South America for investors: after obtaining permanent residence (often via business investment of roughly USD 70,000 under the SUACE route) one may apply for citizenship after three years of residency plus meeting integration and economic-activity requirements.
• Argentina – Under Decree 524/2025, Argentina launched South America’s first official Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, allowing direct citizenship with a minimum investment of USD 500,000 (pending final confirmation) in productive sectors such as agribusiness, technology, or renewable energy. The program requires no prior residency and promises application processing within 30 business days once regulations take effect in late 2025.
• Brazil – Citizenship is available after four years of permanent residency, which can be obtained through investment routes such as a minimum of BRL 500,000 (~USD 90,000) in a business or BRL 700,000–1,000,000 (approx. USD 129,000–USD 184,000) in real estate.

What documents do I need for a passport?

To apply for a passport through citizenship-by-investment, you must provide core identity, background, financial, and application documents. Below are the standard requirements most programs ask for:

• Valid passport and proof of identity – Shows your current nationality and legal identification.
• Birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable) – Confirms family relationships and personal details.
• Police clearance or background check – Demonstrates good character and a clean criminal record.
• Proof of funds for investment or donation – Verifies that you have the financial means required by the program.
• Health certificate – Required in some countries to confirm you meet medical standards.
• Passport photos and completed application forms – Standard documentation for official submission.

Conclusion

In 2026, the cheapest passports to buy are found in the Caribbean and select Pacific nations, with minimum investments starting from USD 90,000 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to USD 130,000 (Nauru and Vanuatu).

Beyond cost, programs differ in visa-free access, family coverage, and investment requirements.

Choosing the right route requires weighing long-term residency obligations, legal structures, and lifestyle considerations.

A strategic decision balances affordability with global mobility, ensuring the passport meets both personal and financial goals.

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