Which Countries Offer Citizenship by Investment Programs, and What Recent Changes Should Applicants Know?

Updated

Citizenship by investment (CBI) programs let applicants obtain a second citizenship by making a qualifying investment, usually alongside due diligence checks. The exact country list, investment amounts, and rules change often, so the practical answer is to verify current program terms directly with the government or a licensed advisory firm before committing funds. Henley & Partners, which describes itself as a residence and citizenship advisory specialist, tracks these changes on its news and articles pages. One recent example it highlights is Argentina's new citizenship by investment program, announced in a site article dated 2 October 2026.

What CBI programs typically involve

Most programs share a similar structure:

  • A qualifying investment — a donation, real estate purchase, government bond, or business investment at a set threshold.
  • Due diligence — background checks on the applicant and family members.
  • Residency or citizenship timeline — some programs grant citizenship quickly, others require a period of residence first.
  • Family inclusion — rules on whether spouses, children, or parents can be included.

The specific thresholds and conditions differ by country and are revised periodically, so treat any figure you see in older articles as provisional.

Recent changes worth knowing

Argentina

Henley & Partners' site reports that Argentina announced a new citizenship by investment program in October 2026. The firm describes the framework as adding "a significant dimension to Latin America's evolving wealth mobility landscape" as Argentina seeks to attract international capital, entrepreneurs, and talent. If you are considering Latin America, this is a program to watch, but confirm the final regulations and eligibility criteria before planning an application.

Europe

European programs have seen repeated tightening over the years, with some countries closing real-estate routes or raising thresholds. The site's coverage of individual moves to countries such as Greece (for example, its September 2026 article on billionaire Chris Rokos moving to Greece) reflects continued interest in European residence options, but it is news commentary rather than a statement of program rules. Check the current government terms for any European route you are considering.

Latin America broadly

The Argentina announcement fits a wider pattern of Latin American countries competing for international capital and entrepreneurs. Regional programs vary widely in cost and requirements, so compare them on the same dimensions rather than on headline investment figures alone.

Why programs change, and what to verify

Governments adjust CBI programs for several reasons: political priorities, pressure to raise due diligence standards, caps on application volumes, and economic conditions. Because of this:

  1. Confirm the program is open. Some routes close with little notice.
  2. Verify the current minimum investment and what it must be invested in.
  3. Check residency and physical-presence requirements before citizenship is granted.
  4. Review due diligence and source-of-funds rules, which have generally become stricter.
  5. Confirm family eligibility and any dependent-age limits.
  6. Check passport mobility — the value of a second citizenship depends heavily on visa-free access, which also changes over time.

Where to find updates

Henley & Partners publishes news and articles on program changes, including the Argentina announcement and its Crypto Wealth Report 2026, on its website. The firm also offers a consultation contact route on its site. For authoritative terms, always cross-check with the relevant government immigration or citizenship authority, since advisory summaries can lag behind official rule changes.

Choosing between programs

Use the same comparison dimensions for every option: minimum investment, time to citizenship, residency obligations, family inclusion, due diligence burden, and passport strength. A program that looks cheapest on investment may require longer residence or offer weaker mobility. If your priority is speed, focus on timeline; if it is global access, focus on the passport's visa arrangements; if it is cost, include fees and due diligence charges, not just the investment amount.