The European Commission has dramatically escalated its stance against Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs, fundamentally reclassifying them as inherent security threats rather than merely flawed regulatory schemes. This paradigm shift moves beyond previous calls for reform and now targets the very existence of these economic cornerstones for five Caribbean nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
The Commission’s new position asserts that the mere operation of CBI programs in countries enjoying visa-free Schengen access constitutes sufficient grounds for visa suspension. This absolutist stance effectively nullifies any potential path forward through procedural improvements or enhanced due diligence measures. The language in the official recommendations reads as an ultimatum, calling for security enhancements ‘pending the discontinuation’ of these programs rather than presenting them as sustainable long-term solutions.
Despite documented reforms including harmonized $200,000 minimum investment thresholds, strengthened security screening, and improved transparency standards, the EU maintains its uncompromising position. Data revealing the scale of the industry underscores Brussels’ concerns: over 100,000 passports collectively issued, with application volumes remaining high (13,113 in 2023; 10,573 in 2024) and rejection rates notably low (ranging from 1.7% to 6.5% in 2024).
The EU is simultaneously testing its enforcement mechanisms through actions against Georgia, where phased visa suspension has begun in response to democratic backsliding concerns. This demonstration of political will and operational capability makes the threat to Caribbean nations immediately credible, transforming theoretical risk into probable consequence for programs that have become vital revenue sources for these small island economies.