We have compiled the most important differences between three citizenship by investment schemes in Europe. Based on this you can decide which citizenship scheme is better for you.
From our point of view, Cyprus is far better scheme than Montenegro and Malta, no doubt it is the best CBI scheme for investors but it way too expensive. Montenegro is a cheap european scheme, considering Montenegro will join EU in 2025, it will be a great future investment.
Take a look below..
| Citizenship by Investment (CBI) | Montenegro | Malta | Cyprus |
| CBI Launch | 2018 | 2014 | 2013 |
| Scheme | Special Citizenship by Admission | Direct Citizenship by Exception | Cyprus Investment Program (CIP) is closed |
| Total Pricing | €350,000 | €750K | €2.15M |
| Real Estate | €250,000 | na | €2.5M |
| Quota / Limits of CBI scheme | 2000 (total) | 1500 (total) | 700 (per year) |
| Qualifying investments | Real estate Agriculture Hotels Fisheries / Wood industry |
Donation | Real Estate Business Capital Bonds / Shares |
| Safety Score | 59.52 | 66.47 | 70.69 |
| Visa free countries | 123 | 183 | 173 |
| Personal visit required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EU schengen visa free | yes | yes | yes |
| Visa free to United Kingdom | no | yes | yes |
| Visa free to United States | no | yes | no |
| Visa free to Canada | no | yes | yes |
| Visa free to Russia | yes | no | no |
| Visa free to China | no | no | no |
| Eurozone | yes | yes | yes |
| EU membership | candidate | yes | yes |
| GDP billion | 12 | 20 | 35.9 |
| How Rich – GDP per capita $ | 19120 | 44587 | 41572 |
| Population | 629K | 432K | 1.1M |
| CBI Passport time (months) | 3 | 12 | 6 |
| Residency conditions | 3 weeks | 12 months | 6 months |
| Dual citizenship | yes | yes | yes |
| Oath ceremony | yes | yes | yes |
| EU citizenship / passport | no | yes | yes |
| E-2 treaty with US | yes | no | no |
| Education Rank | 74 | 48 | 19 |
| Healthcare Rank | 99 | 5 | 24 |
| Human Development Rank | 50 | 29 | 32 |
| Publish citizens names in Official Gazette | no | yes | no |
| Government Debt | 0.713 | 0.527 | 1.045 |
| Personal Income Tax | 15% | 35% | 35% |
| Corporate taxes | 9% | 35% | 12.5% |
| Currency | EUR | EUR | EUR |
| VAT | 19% | 18% | 19% |
| Property prices (sq.m) on average | €1,400 | €4,576 | € 1,678 |
| Tourist arrivals | 2.2 million | 2.6 million | 3.9 million |
| Due Diligence | Strict Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) |
Very strict EDD |
Strict EDD |
| CBI Transparency | NA | Very Good | Average |
| Passport Validity (years) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Biometric Passport | yes | yes | yes |
| Right to Vote / Government Office | yes | yes | yes |
| European Parliament elections / Local and municipal elections / Stand as candidate | no | yes | yes |
| Honorary Citizenship | no | no | no |
| Third Generations Citizenship | yes | yes | yes |
| Passport renewal fee USD | 30 | 570 | 80 |
