Antigua and Barbuda grants citizenship to investors who contribute to the National Development Fund (NDF), invest in approved real estate or business, or contribute to the University of the West Indies fund. The program is run by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
Read this first. On 25 June 2026 the European Commission wrote to Antigua and Barbuda formally requesting that it phase out its program by 1 June 2028, relying on the EU’s revised visa-suspension mechanism. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda says the program will continue and will not be phased out unilaterally, and that the four other Eastern Caribbean countries with active programs received similar letters. The outcome is uncertain.
Investment options and fees
| Option | Contribution (US$) |
|---|---|
| National Development Fund (NDF) | 230,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four |
| Approved real estate | 300,000 |
| University of the West Indies (UWI) fund | 260,000 |
| Business investment | 1,500,000 (single investor); US$5,000,000 jointly, with at least US$400,000 each |
Processing and due diligence (NDF and real estate)
- Processing fee: US$10,000 for a single applicant; US$20,000 for a family of up to four; US$20,000 plus US$10,000 per additional dependant for larger families.
- Due diligence: US$8,500 for the main applicant, US$5,000 for the spouse, US$2,000 for each dependant aged 12–17, US$4,000 for each dependant aged 18 or over or parent aged 55 or over; children aged 0–11 pay nothing.
- Passport fee: US$300 per person.
- Additional dependants (family of five or more): US$10,000 each aged 0–5, US$25,000 aged 6–17, US$50,000 aged 18 or over, plus the fees above.
The CIU states that fees are in US dollars and that passport fees are subject to change. A government fee is payable in addition, with 10% due, non-refundable, on submission. The fee page contains an inconsistency in the spouse fee for the real estate and business columns, so we confirm the exact amounts in writing for your family.
Who can be included
The CIU states that the spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 55 can be included without an additional NDF contribution, though government and due diligence fees are payable for each person.
What to weigh before investing
- Regulatory risk. The EU request to phase out the program by 1 June 2028 is the key uncertainty; visa-free travel to Schengen is the benefit at stake.
- Your home country’s rules on second nationality.
- Total cost, which depends on family size and ages.
How GoldPassports helps
We compare Antigua and Barbuda with the other Caribbean programs and the European residence routes, explain the risk plainly, and, as an authorised agent, prepare and submit your application for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost?
The CIU lists an NDF contribution of US$230,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four, US$300,000 for the real estate option and US$260,000 for the UWI fund. Processing, due diligence and passport fees are additional.
What are the fees on top of the NDF contribution?
The CIU lists a processing fee of US$10,000 (single applicant) or US$20,000 (family of up to four), due diligence of US$8,500 for the main applicant plus amounts per family member, and a US$300 passport fee per person.
Who can be included?
Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 55, with due diligence and government fees for each person, according to the CIU.
Is the program being phased out?
The European Commission wrote on 25 June 2026 asking Antigua and Barbuda to phase out its program by 1 June 2028. The Government says the program will continue and will not be phased out unilaterally. The situation is evolving.
Why does the EU care?
Under the EU's revised visa-suspension mechanism, which entered into force in December 2025, operating an investor-citizenship program is itself a ground for suspending visa-free travel to the Schengen area.
Related updates
- Are the Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs closing? What the EU has asked for 17 Oct 2026
- Which golden visas and citizenship-by-investment programs are still open in 2026? 17 Oct 2026
Official sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below and were last verified on 16 October 2026. Rules change; always confirm the current position before investing.
- Antigua and Barbuda CIU: Schedule of fees
- Antigua and Barbuda CIU: National Development Fund
- Government of Antigua and Barbuda: response to the European Commission communication on CBI (6 July 2026)
- European Commission: Eighth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism (COM(2025) 792)
- Council of the EU: new rules for suspending visa-free travel (17 November 2025)
