The European Union (EU) has issued a formal ultimatum to Caribbean nations, requesting the complete phase-out of Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs by June 1, 2028. In a letter dated June 25, 2026, signed by Commissioner Magnus Brunner, the European Commission informed the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that the mere operation of a CBI program—regardless of its management—now serves as a “self-standing ground” for the suspension of visa-free access to the EU.
This directive is based on a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism adopted by the Union on December 31, 2025. The EU’s new framework marks a significant policy shift, targeting these programs as inherent security risks to the Union.
A Regional Challenge
The request is not limited to Antigua and Barbuda. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has indicated that this decision affects all OECS member states with active CBI programs. Similar correspondence has been sent to the governments of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, and St Lucia.
The European Commission has offered a 24-month transition period but requires specific interim measures to be in place no later than September 2026. These measures include the full exclusion of individuals subject to EU restrictive measures and the implementation of reinforced vetting procedures for all applicants.
Economic Impact and National Interest
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has responded with a firm defense of its program, labeling it a “critical pillar” of the nation’s non-tax revenue base. Prime Minister Browne stated unequivocally that the program will continue, as it cannot be abandoned without “viable, concrete, and credible replacement revenues”.
The government highlighted that CBI income is essential for funding:
- Hospitals and schools
- Infrastructure projects
- Disaster recovery efforts and climate change mitigation
“The Government will not be pressured into a unilateral phase-out that would cause irreparable harm to the national economy and the welfare of our citizens,” PM Browne asserted.
The Path Toward Dialogue
While asserting its sovereign right to pursue economic development, the Antigua and Barbuda government intends to maintain “principled and constructive dialogue” with the European Commission. As an act of good faith, the nation will continue to exclude individuals on EU restricted lists and strengthen security safeguards to satisfy EU standards.
However, the government pointed out that current EU offers of support, such as the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, are not yet “quantified, binding, or explicitly framed as replacement revenues” for lost CBI income. Antigua and Barbuda maintains that any agreed path forward must include tangible EU assistance to offset the economic impact of a transition.
The EU is expected to reflect the responses of the Caribbean nations in its upcoming Visa Suspension Mechanism Report, scheduled for December 2026
