When it comes to the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) options on the global table, the Caribbean countries continue to lead the way, offering affordable, fast, efficient and stable routes to second passport ownership. Couple this with global mobility, mainly Covid-free environments, and an excellent quality of life, and it’s clear to see how these West Indies’ islands are giving other countries offering CBI schemes a run for their money.
Global editors of National Geographic Travel have announced the 25 destinations they consider to be on the rise for 2021 across five areas, including Adventure, Culture and History, Nature, Family and Sustainability, with the Caribbean island of Dominica - aka the 'nature isle' - selected for its adventure tourism that has simultaneously helped to fuel its climate resiliency.
Portugal has seen an increasing number of Chinese and South African citizens rushing to purchase residency and ultimately citizenship in Portugal via the country’s successful residency by investment programme. This comes following a recent announcement that the popular Portuguese areas of Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve are set to be removed as investment regions from the programme at the end of this year.
The first-ever real estate project approved by Dominica’s world-leading Citizenship by Investment programme, the Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica has been awarded top spot in the inaugural World MICE Awards, the global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
With the aim of strengthening the Russian economy and creating new jobs, Russia’s Economic Development Ministry has put forward a draft bill for a residency by investment programme, which would allow foreigners to invest in the country via various routes in exchange for permanent residency.
The Caribbean island of Antigua & Barbuda, which runs a successful citizenship by investment programme that includes the option of investment in eco-friendly resorts, has been named 2021’s Emerging Sustainable Destination of the Year in global travel authority Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Awards 2021.
South African citizens have the opportunity to invest in the five-star Rebello hotel in Portugal’s second city, Porto, as part of its popular residency by investment programme. For an investment of €350,000, investors can expect to receive 3% returns and a residency permit with citizenship and a Portuguese passport after five years.
Tapping into the increased appreciation for nature following the digital restrictiveness of the pandemic, the tiny Balkan country of Montenegro, which allows foreigners to invest in property via its citizenship by investment programme, unveils a new global campaign showcasing its natural beauty, from dense green forests and wild mountain rivers, to powdery ski slopes and 117 beaches.
Following the overhaul and suspension of the citizenship by investment programmes of Malta and Cyprus, respectively, Greece is reviewing its popular residency by investment programme, which has seen a surge of interest in the last few months, with proposed changes including a fee structure aimed at attracting investment to less touristy parts of the country.
According to fDi’s Tourism locations of the future ranking for 2019/2020, the top 20 nations considered to be ripe for investment include eight countries that currently offer Citizenship or Residency by Investment programmes. Another reason to invest via citizenship or residency, perhaps?