Lifestyle

New country where South Africans can retire without buying property

Malcolm Libera

 ·20 Jun 2026

Argentina is set to join the list of popular destinations for South Africans seeking a second citizenship and retirement options abroad.

The country is expected to launch a citizenship-by-investment programme in the second half of 2026.

The programme is currently being developed under the oversight of Argentina’s Ministry of Economy and other public bodies.

The government has moved beyond the planning stage and is appointing a specialist firm to help design and implement the framework.

Key details, including qualifying investment routes and minimum investment thresholds, are still being finalised.

Once launched, the programme is expected to provide eligible investors and their families with a pathway to Argentine citizenship without necessarily requiring them to purchase property. Final requirements, however, have not yet been confirmed.

Interest in the programme is expected to be strong among South African high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who have traditionally favoured Caribbean citizenship-by-investment options.

Argentina will offer several potential advantages. Holders of an Argentine passport currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 165 destinations worldwide.

The country ranks 15th on the Henley Passport Index, and citizens also benefit from visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area for short-term travel.

Another attraction is Argentina’s membership of Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, which could provide settlement and mobility rights across member countries, subject to prevailing regulations.

Family inclusion is also expected to form part of the programme, in line with many citizenship-by-investment schemes globally.

HNWIs from South Africa use CBI programmes to secure a safe “Plan B”, increase global travel freedom, and diversify their wealth offshore.

These programmes serve as a strategic hedge against local economic volatility, infrastructure challenges, and high domestic tax rates.

Rising crime rates, political uncertainty, and institutional instability in South Africa are consistently highlighted as the main reasons why many HNWIs seek safe-haven jurisdictions.

For years, Caribbean nations such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and St. Lucia have been among the preferred destinations for South Africans seeking alternative citizenship.

These countries have strengthened compliance requirements and raised due diligence standards in recent years.

This, while maintaining citizenship-by-investment programmes that typically require minimum investments of $200,000 (R3.3 million) to $250,000 (R4.1 million).

A list of notable Caribbean nations, with the current requirements as of June 2026, is below. Note that currency conversions are accurate as of 10 June 2026.

St. Kitts and Nevis

• Minimum Investment: $250,000 (R4.1 million).

• Key Requirements: Mandatory biometric data enrollment (fingerprints and facial recognition), a clean criminal record, strict verification of financial origin, and a mandatory virtual interview for all applicants over 16. No physical residency or relocation is required.

• Children: Standard dependency is restricted up to age 25 (must be unmarried, full-time students, and financially dependent), though some investment routes permit unmarried dependent children up to age 29.

• Parents & Grandparents: Eligible if they are aged 55 or older, fully dependent, and living with the main applicant.

• Siblings: St. Kitts and Nevis excludes siblings from the dependency definition.

Dominica

• Minimum Investment: $200,000 (R3.3 million).

• Key Requirements: The main applicant must be over 18, undergo comprehensive source-of-funds checks, and pass a mandatory virtual interview. There are no residency or travel requirements.

• Children: Includes children under age 18, or adult children aged 18 to 30 who are enrolled in full-time higher education and remain financially dependent. Unmarried daughters under age 25 living with the applicant are also covered.

• Parents & Grandparents: Eligible if they are aged 65 or older and demonstrate financial dependency.

Antigua and Barbuda

• Minimum Investment: $230,000 (R3.80 million).

• Key Requirements: The main applicant must be over 18, clear strict background verification, and physically reside in the country for at least 5 days during the first 5 years of citizenship.

• Children: Includes children up to age 30 if they are unmarried and fully supported financially by the main applicant. Children with physical or mental disabilities are included with no age limit.

• Parents & Grandparents: Eligible if they are aged 55 or older and fully dependent on the main applicant.

• Siblings: Unmarried siblings of the main applicant (regardless of age) can be included.

Grenada

• Minimum Investment: $235,000 (R3.88 million).

• Key Requirements: Comprehensive due diligence for applicants 17 and older. The country uniquely provides access to apply for a US E-2 Investor Visa, subject to a 3-year domicile requirement before filing in the United States. No physical visit is required.

• Children: Includes children up to age 30. Crucially, Grenada does not require adult children to be enrolled in full-time higher education, only requiring proof of financial dependency.

• Parents & Grandparents: Eligible at any age; there is no minimum age requirement as long as they are financially dependent.

• Siblings: Biological or adopted siblings of the main applicant or spouse can be included if they are aged 18 or older, unmarried, and have no children.

St. Lucia

• Minimum Investment: $240,000 (R3.90 million).

• Key Requirements: The main applicant must be over 18, have a clear, robust regional background screening, and provide complete proof of legitimate wealth. There are no strict physical visit obligations.

• Children: Includes children up to age 30 who are unmarried and fully supported by the main applicant. Children with qualified mental or physical challenges are accepted with no age limit.

• Parents & Grandparents: Eligible if they are aged 55 or older and fully dependent on the primary applicant.

• Siblings: Unmarried biological or adopted siblings under age 18 who have parental consent can be included.