BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — THE Government of Antigua and Barbuda has revealed that it, along with the other Eastern Caribbean countries operating Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes, has been urged by the European Union (EU) to phase out the initiative or risk the suspension of visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
The disclosure comes amid longstanding concerns by the EU over the security risks associated with investor citizenship programmes, particularly the possibility that individuals who would ordinarily require visas to enter Europe are able to obtain visa-free access through Caribbean passports.
While there has been no official statement from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda said the communication applies to all Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members that operate CBI programmes.
According to a statement issued by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, it received a formal letter dated June 25, 2026, from European Commissioner Magnus Brunner addressed to Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The letter reportedly requests that Antigua and Barbuda phase out its CBI programme by June 1, 2028.
The government said the request is based on the EU's revised Visa Suspension Mechanism, which came into effect on December 31, 2025. Under the revised rules, the existence of a citizenship-by-investment programme alone is considered sufficient grounds for suspending visa-free access, regardless of how rigorous the country's due diligence procedures may be.
The European Commission has reportedly proposed a 24-month transition period and outlined interim measures that should be implemented by September 2026. These include permanently excluding applicants who are subject to EU restrictive measures and strengthening vetting procedures for all nationalities.
Antigua and Barbuda also disclosed that the European Commission intends to reflect the country's response in its Visa Suspension Mechanism Report, which is expected to be published in December 2026.
The United Kingdom, United States and European Union have, over the past several years, intensified scrutiny of Caribbean CBI programmes, arguing that they could be exploited by individuals seeking to bypass normal immigration and security screening.
Officials have previously expressed concerns about applicants from countries such as China, Russia, Iran and Iraq, whose citizens would ordinarily be required to obtain visas before travelling to Europe or other Western nations. By acquiring citizenship through investment, those individuals may gain visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, limiting opportunities for immigration authorities to conduct pre-arrival screening.
Prime Minister Browne said the latest development did not come as a surprise, noting that his administration had advance knowledge that the letters were forthcoming and had already begun consultations with regional partners.
He stressed that the European Commission's position is not directed solely at Antigua and Barbuda but also affects the four other OECS countries with active CBI programmes — Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
Despite the EU's request, Browne maintained that Antigua and Barbuda has no intention of unilaterally abandoning its CBI programme.
As Browne reminded the initiative remains a critical source of non-tax revenue that has financed hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects and disaster recovery efforts.
The government said it remains committed to engaging the European Commission through diplomatic dialogue under the Samoa Agreement and welcomed the EU's stated willingness to support Antigua and Barbuda's sustainable development through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda and other initiatives.
