The European Commission has identified five Caribbean nations—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia—as operating substantial citizenship-by-investment programs that pose persistent threats to European border integrity. These initiatives, which have collectively granted over 100,000 passports, are now under intensified scrutiny for their security implications.
According to the Commission’s assessment, Antigua and Barbuda’s exceptionally low rejection rate of approximately 1.7% raises serious questions about the robustness of their vetting procedures. Despite regional governments implementing reforms—including establishing a minimum investment threshold of US$200,000, enhancing due diligence protocols, and improving information sharing mechanisms—Brussels maintains these measures insufficiently address fundamental security risks.
The EU has activated revised regulatory frameworks that could initiate a phased suspension of visa-free travel privileges. Commission officials cite Georgia’s impending loss of diplomatic visa-free access as a precedent for potential sanctions. This development carries significant economic consequences for Antigua and Barbuda, where citizenship revenues critically fund infrastructure development, debt reduction initiatives, and climate resilience projects.
The Commission’s position finds legal reinforcement in a recent European Court of Justice ruling against Malta’s analogous program, establishing that deeper EU integration remains incompatible with investor citizenship schemes. While no specific timeline has been established for further action, Caribbean governments are preparing to defend their programs by emphasizing their developmental benefits and compliance with international standards.