5 top countries where South Africans can buy citizenship
There are five countries that wealthy individuals are choosing to buy citizenship in, and the Caribbean dominates the top of the list.
South Africa may still hold the title as Africa’s largest wealth market, but it is steadily losing its millionaire class—and more of the country’s wealthy are looking abroad for second citizenships that offer safety, freedom of movement, and investment security.
According to the Africa Wealth Report 2025, South Africa is home to 41,100 millionaires, including 112 centi-millionaires and eight billionaires.
This accounts for roughly a third of Africa’s total millionaire population, equivalent to the combined total of the next five wealthiest nations—Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mauritius.
The report noted that over the past decade, South Africa has experienced a 6% decline in high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), losing around 2,466 dollar millionaires.
Economic stagnation, political instability, crime, and unreliable infrastructure have prompted many of the country’s wealthiest citizens to relocate.
High-net-worth individuals tend to move to safe-haven countries, which are places with strong security, stability, and insulation from major crises.
This has made citizenship and residency by investment an increasingly popular strategy for South Africans who want to diversify their wealth and protect their families.”
Such programmes allow investors to obtain citizenship or long-term residence in exchange for significant investments in a country’s economy—often through real estate, national funds, or business development projects.
In return, participants gain access to global travel, business opportunities, and greater economic mobility.
According to CS Partners, a global citizenship and residency consultancy, the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Index 2025 lists several destinations that have emerged as favourites for South Africans and other investors worldwide.
The top performers this year are primarily located in the Caribbean, which has retained its dominance in the citizenship-by-investment space due to strong due diligence, efficient processing, and relatively low investment thresholds.
Top countries to buy citizenship
At the top of the list is St. Kitts and Nevis, long regarded as the global leader in citizenship by investment.
In 2025, the country strengthened its programme further by transforming its Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) into a statutory body and introducing digital platforms with integrated biometrics.
These changes have enhanced identity verification, reduced fraud, and made the application process faster and more transparent.
“The reforms have modernised the programme while maintaining the efficiency and credibility that St. Kitts and Nevis is known for,” CS Partners said.
Close behind is Grenada, which has earned a strong reputation for its rigorous due diligence process and investment flexibility.
Applicants can choose between contributing to the country’s National Transformation Fund or investing in approved real estate projects.
Grenada also offers visa-free access to more than 140 countries, including China—a rare advantage among Caribbean nations.
Saint Lucia continues to attract interest for its efficiency and affordability. The island nation allows investment through real estate, government bonds, or the National Economic Fund (NEF), with one of the shortest application timelines in the Caribbean.
According to CS Partners, Saint Lucia’s straightforward process and lack of mandatory residency make it especially appealing to global investors.
A surprise new entrant on the CBI Index is Nauru, which has launched its Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Programme—now ranked sixth globally.
The Pacific island nation’s debut is notable, with a minimum contribution of US$105,000 for a single applicant.
Despite being new, Nauru’s programme has already surpassed several older schemes in reputation and efficiency.
Malta, seen as the premier European destination for investor citizenship, has undergone major changes.
Following the European Court of Justice’s decision to end its MEIN programme in April 2025, Malta introduced a new framework called Citizenship by Merit.
Instead of fixed financial thresholds, the scheme recognises individuals who make exceptional contributions in fields such as science, technology, entrepreneurship, or the arts.
“Malta has shifted focus from pure investment to rewarding innovation and impact,” CS Partners explained.
Overall, CS Partners noted that Caribbean nations continue to dominate the global rankings, offering the best balance between affordability, transparency, and travel freedom.
For South Africans seeking security and global access, these programmes present a growing appeal amid domestic uncertainty.
Considering this, BusinessTech looked at the some of the top destinations through residence by investment in 2025, which are listed below with the various requirements needed.
St. Kitts and Nevis
| Factors | |
|---|---|
| Relocation required | No |
| Family that may be included | Ability to include a spouse, children under 30, and parents aged 55 and over, as well as to add dependents after citizenship has been granted to the main applicant |
| Minimum investment amount | $250,000 |
| Minimum stay requirements | None |
| Total | R4.3 million |
Grenada
| Factors | |
|---|---|
| Relocation required | No |
| Family that may be included | The ability to include a spouse, children under 30, unmarried siblings aged 18 and over, parents, and grandparents of the main applicant and spouse |
| Minimum investment amount | $235,000 |
| Minimum stay requirements | None |
| Total | R4.1 million |
St. Lucia
| Factors | |
|---|---|
| Relocation required | No |
| Family that may be included | Applicants are able to include a spouse, children under 31, siblings under 18, and parents aged 55 and over, as well as to add dependents after they have been granted citizenship |
| Minimum investment amount | $240,000 |
| Minimum stay requirements | None |
| Total | R4.2 million |
Nauru
| Factors | |
|---|---|
| Relocation required | No |
| Family that may be included | Spouse and dependents (including parents and siblings) can be included in your application |
| Minimum investment amount | $130,000 |
| Minimum stay requirements | None |
| Total | R2.3 million |
Malta
| Factors | |
|---|---|
| Relocation required | No |
| Family that may be included | Ability to include a spouse, children under 26, and parents aged 65 and over, as well as to add dependents after citizenship has been granted to the main applicant. |
| Minimum investment amount | $700,000 An exceptional service or contribution to Malta or humanity, or a naturalization granted in recognition of extraordinary interest to Malta |
| Minimum stay requirements | None |
| Total | R12 million |
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