What are the cheapest countries offering residency or citizenship-by-investment in 2026?

1. The European bargain: Latvia and cheap Golden Visas

Several market guides flag Latvia as Europe’s most budget-friendly Golden Visa in 2026 with minimum thresholds reported around €50–60,000 for business or economic contributions and modest proof-of-funds requirements, yielding short-term residence permits and a pathway to longer-term status after years of compliance ^[1][6][3]. These low entry points contrast sharply with Western European programs that now commonly start at €250,000–€500,000; the tradeoff is that cheaper programs often impose longer residency timelines to naturalization and varying travel benefits compared with EU heavyweight routes ^[7][8].

2. Small-ticket European options and the property route

Greece continues to be presented as one of the most affordable means to European residency via real estate investment, and Portugal and Cyprus remain prominent albeit more expensive options, with minimums frequently beginning in the mid‑to‑six‑figure euro range depending on the chosen route (fund vs property) ^[8][7][9]. Several sources also note Hungary and Malta as having sub‑€100,000 entry points for specific residency pathways (for example leasing or fund routes), though details vary by pathway and by whether the investment is refundable or ongoing ^[10].

3. Caribbean citizenship: cost-effective passports in months

Caribbean CBI programs remain the go-to for relatively fast, direct citizenship at comparatively low cost: multiple providers cite Caribbean passports available from roughly $100,000–$200,000 depending on family size and program (Dominica, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua are repeatedly named), and such programs often advertise remote processing and short timelines ^[4][3][2]. These programs typically demand non‑refundable contributions or real‑estate purchases, meaning the expenditure is a consumption cost rather than a capital allocation that the investor reclaims ^[4].

4. Outliers and the cheapest passport claim

Some program comparisons single out São Tomé and Príncipe as the cheapest passport-by-investment for a family of four at around $105,000, a figure that positions it below mainstream Caribbean options in headline cost but which also raises questions about travel reach, due diligence standards, and long‑term durability that mainstream rankings treat cautiously ^[2]. Independent verification beyond promotional industry lists is limited in the sourced reporting, so such outliers merit further official confirmation before reliance ^[2].

5. Non‑investment residency and ultra‑cheap permits

A handful of countries offer very inexpensive non‑investment residency or temporary permits — for example, Cambodia’s low‑cost residence permits for short terms are cited as costing only a few hundred dollars per year — but these are not equivalent to RBI/CBI schemes and usually do not lead to citizenship or wide visa‑free travel ^[11]. Distinguishing visa‑light residency products from true investment-linked residency or passport programs is critical when comparing “cheapest” options.

6. Caveats, intermediaries, and changing rules

All commercial sources stress two recurring caveats: program rules change frequently (thresholds, eligible investments, residence requirements) and many public comparisons come from firms that profit by steering clients into specific routes, so headline costs often exclude agent fees, due diligence, taxes, and legal costs ^[7][5][12]. Buyers should therefore treat published minimums as starting points, not final all‑in prices, and verify current government rules rather than relying solely on industry summaries.