Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment: Real Estate Route
Antigua and Barbuda runs one of the Caribbean's longest-established citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes, and property is one of the ways in. Under the real estate option, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) requires a purchase of at least US$300,000 in an officially approved development, held for a minimum of five years.
This guide sets out how the real estate route works in practice, what the government fees add up to, and how it compares with the cheaper donation routes. Figures below come from the CIU's published schedule of fees and are correct as of August 2026 — always confirm the current numbers with the CIU before committing.
How the real estate option works
To qualify, you buy property valued at a minimum of US$300,000 in a project or area approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit. Applications are made through licensed agents, and the CIU carries out due diligence on every adult applicant before citizenship is approved.
The property cannot be resold for five years after purchase, unless you are swapping into another officially approved property in Antigua and Barbuda. The CIU also permits shared ownership through a company, provided the company has issued all of its authorised shares to the applicants and is in good standing under Antiguan law.
- Minimum purchase: US$300,000 in a CIU-approved development
- Holding period: five years before resale
- Shared ownership allowed via a compliant local company
- Applications go through government-licensed agents
Government fees on top of the property price
The purchase price is only part of the bill. The CIU's schedule of fees adds processing fees of US$10,000 for a single applicant or US$20,000 for a family of up to four, with US$10,000 for each additional dependant. Ten per cent of the processing fee is payable on submission, the balance on approval.
Due diligence fees are charged per person: US$8,500 for the principal applicant, US$5,000 for a spouse, US$2,000 for a child aged 12 to 17 and US$4,000 for a dependant aged 18 or over. Passports cost US$300 per person. You should also budget for ordinary conveyancing costs on the property itself.
- Processing: US$10,000 (single) or US$20,000 (family of up to four)
- Due diligence: US$8,500 principal applicant, US$5,000 spouse
- Due diligence per child aged 12–17: US$2,000; dependant 18+: US$4,000
- Passport fee: US$300 per person
Real estate versus the donation routes
Property is not the cheapest way to an Antiguan passport. The CIU's schedule lists a US$230,000 contribution to the National Development Fund, or US$260,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund (inclusive of processing fees, and aimed at families of six or more). A business investment route exists at US$1.5 million for a single investor.
The case for real estate is that it is an asset rather than a donation: after the five-year holding period you can sell, and in the meantime the property can be used or let. Against that, the entry price is higher, resale depends on finding a buyer, and approved-development pricing can carry a premium — so treat it as a citizenship decision first and an investment second.
- National Development Fund contribution: US$230,000
- University of the West Indies Fund: US$260,000 (inclusive of processing fees)
- Business investment: US$1.5m single, or US$5m joint with at least US$400,000 each
- Real estate: higher outlay, but a recoverable asset after five years
Practical points before you apply
Thresholds have moved before — the real estate minimum and fund contributions have both been raised in recent years — and the CIU notes that all fees are subject to change, so check the official schedule of fees rather than relying on older articles.
New citizens are also expected to spend a short period of time in Antigua and Barbuda after approval; confirm the current physical-presence requirement and the oath arrangements directly with the CIU. If you are weighing up specific approved developments, Habio's Antigua and Barbuda listings and buyer guides are a sensible place to compare what your US$300,000 actually buys.
- All fees are stated by the CIU to be subject to change
- Verify the approved-project list with the CIU before paying deposits
- A short physical-presence requirement applies after citizenship — confirm details with the CIU
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum real estate investment for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
US$300,000 in a development approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit, according to the CIU's published requirements as of August 2026. The property must be held for at least five years.
Can I sell the property after getting citizenship?
Yes, but not until five years after purchase, unless you are exchanging it for another officially approved property in Antigua and Barbuda. Citizenship is not lost when you sell after the holding period.
What government fees apply on top of the US$300,000?
Processing fees of US$10,000 for a single applicant or US$20,000 for a family of up to four (plus US$10,000 per extra dependant), due diligence fees of US$8,500 for the principal applicant and US$5,000 for a spouse, and US$300 per passport, per the CIU schedule of fees.
Is the real estate route cheaper than donating?
No. The National Development Fund contribution is US$230,000 and non-refundable, while real estate needs US$300,000 up front. The difference is that property can be sold after five years, so the net cost may end up lower if it holds its value.
Do I have to live in Antigua and Barbuda?
No ongoing residence is required, but new citizens are expected to spend a short period in the country after approval. Confirm the current physical-presence requirement with the Citizenship by Investment Unit, as programme rules can change.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Markets and rules change — verify the current position with official sources before acting. Published 2 August 2026.