Caribbean Islands Refuse to Scrap Golden Passports as the EU Threatens Visa-Free Travel
CARIBBEAN · POLITICS Key Facts —What happened: The EU told five Caribbean states in late June to shut their golden passport programmes completely. —Who is involved: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia all sell citizenship. —The threat: Brussels says it will withdraw visa-free Schengen travel for these countries’ ordinary […] The post Caribbean Islands Refuse…
The European Union recently threatened to revoke visa-free Schengen travel for citizens of five Caribbean nations that operate citizenship-by-investment programmes, known as golden passports. Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia all sell citizenship in this manner. The EU aims to impose stricter due diligence measures and exclude applicants under EU sanctions from gaining visa-free access to Europe.
However, the islands vehemently resist the demand to abolish their programmes. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua cites the golden passport scheme as a critical pillar of the economy. The Caribbean states argue that the proceeds from these programmes fund budgets, debt service, and hurricane recovery efforts. They also claim that the programmes have implemented stringent vetting procedures, including regional agreements on minimum donation amounts and information-sharing among member states.
Antigua's prime minister has stated that any dismantling of the programmes must be accompanied by a comprehensive framework to protect economic stability and finance viable alternatives. The Caribbean states plan to hold an emergency mission in Brussels to negotiate with the EU and seek practical solutions.
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