7 Countries Having the Cheapest Citizenship by Investment
Often, immigrants tend to search for countries with the cheapest citizenship by investment where they can invest their hard earned wealth for the government, while at the same time benefiting from being citizens. In most cases, these countries have attached some benefits to whoever wants to invest in their country and also become a citizen.
For some countries, they have a passport that allows holders to travel to countries in the European Union. For example, a citizen of Austria can travel to other countries without a visa such as Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands and so on.
There are basic requirements for someone to become a citizen by investment in another country. The major requirement is the ability of the individual to pay an investment fee which is necessary in order to obtain a pass from the immigration officers. Furthermore, this type of citizenship is granted to capitalist business moguls who have the financial buoyancy to offer economic benefits to the country they intend to migrate to.
What is Citizenship by Investment?
This is the type of citizenship which can be acquired when an individual invests in a country, thereby using his or her wealth to obtain a second passport. In this case, the immigrant is supposed to be able to offer some economic importance to the host country where the second citizenship is demanded. While this type of citizenship attracts only influential and high income individuals, there are some key benefits attached to it.
Benefits of Citizenship by Investment
As a second citizen of another country under the citizenship by investment program, you are going to enjoy the following benefits:
- Dual citizenship status
- Quality education
- Avenue to invest in different real estate businesses
- A safe and secured environment
- Mobility to travel to other countries
- High standard of living
What Options are Available for Cheapest Citizenship by Investment?
There are various investment options available for cheapest citizenship by investment. They include one of the following:
- Bank deposit
- Contributing to the government fund
- Investing in real estate
- Share capital or government bonds
- Enterprise/business investment
Cheapest Citizenship by Investment
The following countries have the cheapest citizenship by investment:
1. Singapore
Singapore is one of the cheapest countries with citizenship by investment. The country is eventually the fourth when talking about finance and investment, on a global scale. They have a full-scale investment in international trading as well as finance.
Singapore has one the busiest seaports in the world, and this has to be attributed to the level at which they involve in international trading. The country has a population of about 5 million people, with major races being Malay, Indians, Asians, and the Chinese.
To become a citizen of this country, you need to have a good business track record. You will be required to submit your financial statements to the immigration officers in the country, after which they will determine whether you are eligible or not.
The fee for the citizenship is SGD 2,500,000.
2. Australia
As at September 2019, Australia has a GDP of AUD$10.0 trillion. The country faced its recession last in the year 1991.
Australia is a highly developed country and enjoys a good degree of political stability. They also free trade with a couple of countries such as Chile, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, Singapore etc.
The Australian government introduced its citizenship by investment in the year 2012. Interested immigrants are expected to pay a fee of AUD$5 million for this citizenship type.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand enjoys free international trade with countries like Canada, South Korea, United States, China, etc. It has one of the most globalized economies in the world.
When it comes to manufacturing, New Zealand is known for its large scale production in different sectors – food processing, metal fabrication, electricity, aluminum production etc.
There are actually two categories of investors, investor 1 and investor 2. The required fee to become a citizen of this country under the citizenship by investment scheme is NX$ 1o million for investor one, while it is NZ$ 3 million for investor 2.
4. Ireland
Ireland boasts of different services ranging from agribusiness, life sciences, high tech as well as operating an open economy. It has a good number of industries owned by expatriates, which provide meaningful employment for the citizens.
The country is one of the cheapest citizenship by investment in the world. Being a citizen of this country is has a lot of opportunities and advantages.
Ireland established its investment program in the year 2012 in permitted wealthy immigrants from the non-EU nations to become Irish citizens.
The citizenship by investment fee for Ireland is €2 million. This, of course, is in addition to being a non-EU national.
5. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, and also one of the cheapest countries with citizenship by investment. It runs a free zone market.
The Bulgarian economy has witnessed a rapid GDP transformation. The country is a major exporter of products like tobacco, fuels, footwear, clothing etc. The country has witnessed steady GDP growth and economic boast over the last 26 years and also joined the EU in the year 2007.
Immigrants who can afford an investment fee of BGN 1 million in government bond can become Bulgarian citizens by investment. The government takes it upon itself to refund this money after five years without interest.
6. Spain
Also part of the European Union, Spain is one of the countries with cheapest citizenship by investment. The country enjoys a table economy with a reduced rate of unemployment. This has made different nationals to emerge in Spain.
In order to become a Spanish citizen based on the citizenship by investment scheme, an immigrant needs to pay an investment fee of €500,000. This amount it channeled towards real estate investment in the country.
Spain launched its citizenship by investment program in the year 2013.
7. Greece
On number 7 we have Greece. The Greek economy is wealth, with some of the wealth being gotten from mainly agriculture. They joined the European Union in the year 1981.
Greece has witnessed a steady GDP growth since the year 2000. Since then, the economy has been booming, creating jobs for many unemployed citizens of the country.
Wealthy individuals can become citizens of this country under the investment program while also contributing to the country’s economy. The country was been attributed with the origin of Western Civilization.
There are two categories of investment in this country – real estate investment and general investment. The fee for the two investments is the same, and it is the sum of €250,000.
Thanks for reading…