The European Union intends to suspend visa-free access to the Schengen Area for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda if the country does not stop granting citizenship by investment.
Lyle Julien, an investment migration expert at Immigrant Invest, found out the position of Antigua and Barbuda.
European Union requirements
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda received an official letter from the European Commission dated June 25th, 2026[1]Source: Antigua news portal.
In the letter, the European Union asks Antigua and Barbuda to:
- Close the citizenship by investment programme by June 1st, 2028.
- Introduce a 24-month transition period.
- Exclude all applicants under European Union sanctions from the programme.
- Strengthen Due Diligence checks for all applicants no later than September 2026.
The European Commission said that Antigua and Barbuda’s response would be taken into account when publishing the annual report on the suspension of visa-free travel in December 2026. Currently, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda can travel to the Schengen Area visa-free and stay there for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
The first suspension period may last up to 12 months, with the right to extend it for another 24 months.
Response of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda
The Citizenship by Investment Department agreed to:
- not allow investors under European Union sanctions to participate;
- strengthen checks on applicants of all nationalities;
- consider additional security measures that may be required to comply with European Union standards.
Lyle Julien,
Investment programmes expert
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne stated that he disagrees with closing the programme, which remains an important source of income for funding hospitals, schools, and recovery after natural disasters.
Abandoning the programme without a compensation mechanism will harm the economy and the wellbeing of citizens. Antigua and Barbuda will continue negotiations with the European Commission directly, as well as through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
Pressure from the EU on countries with CBI programmes
Visa-free travel reform. The European Commission proposed updating the mechanism for suspending visa-free travel on October 18th, 2023[2]Source: Visa policy update, European Commission. For the first time, active citizenship by investment programs were listed among the grounds for restrictions.
The European Parliament approved the visa suspension reform on October 7th, 2025. A total of 518 members voted in favour of the changes, 96 voted against, and 24 abstained[3]Source: Press release, European Parliament.
Mechanism enforcement. The European Commission’s 8th Report dated December 19th, 2025, describes the visa suspension mechanism and mentions Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia, among other countries[4]Source: 8th Report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism, European Commission.
Lyle Julien,
Investment programmes expert
In the Report, the European Commission draws attention to the low refusal rate for citizenship by investment. In Antigua and Barbuda, it was only 1.7% in 2024. For comparison, the rate was 4.4% in Grenada, 4.6% in Dominica, 11.2% in St Lucia, and 14.6% in St Kitts and Nevis.
How can you obtain a second passport by investment?
Antigua and Barbuda continues to grant citizenship by investment starting at $230,000. The entire process is completed remotely. The main requirements for an investor are being over 18, having legal income, no criminal record, and no serious illnesses. Document processing takes 6+ months.
Immigrant Invest lawyers monitor the situation in the Caribbean and help investors choose the most suitable option for their goals.
