How buying a property for £175k could get you citizenship in the Caribbean

Five Caribbean countries offer citizenship by investment opportunities

Moving to a sun-kissed island for a slower pace of life is a dream held by many.

But even if you have the funds and the freedom to do so, getting the right to live permanently in a different country often brings complications.

Five countries in the Caribbean are willing to help expats with that, however - on the condition that they buy a property or invest money in the area.

In some countries, properties that could qualify you for the scheme can be bought for as little as $212,000, or around £175,000 - £100,000 less than the average UK home. We explain how these 'citizenship by investment' schemes work, and look at some of the eligible properties on the market right now.

(Caribbean dream: Countries including Saint Lucia, pictured, offer 'citizenship by investment')

Put simply, citizenship by investment schemes give people the chance to secure citizenship in a country via a licensed agent. Five Caribbean countries offer 'citizenship by investment' opportunities: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia.

You can either purchase a property in the country, though in some cases only approved developments can be used; invest in an approved business, or make a donation to an approved government fund or bond.

Edibility criteria apply and benefits vary, but, in Antigua, for instance, citizenship includes visa-free travel to 150 countries and longer stays than would otherwise be allowed.

In Antigua, any property purchased to process the citizenship can be sold five years later and investors can earn rental income in the interim.

Other countries taking part in the scheme have different rules. Anyone opting for the citizenship for investment scheme in Antigua and Barbuda via real estate would need to spend at least $200,000 on a property.

The minimum threshold in Dominica and St Lucia is also $200,000, experts at Henley & Partners told MailOnline. In Grenada, the minimum purchase price is $270,000 and in St Kitts and Nevis, it is more, at a minimum of $400,000.

((1. Dominica villa, $212,000))

(For $212,000, you could buy a slice of paradise in Dominica)

((2. Antigua villa, $250,000))

(In Antigua, it's possible to purchase a property on the open market when using the citizenship by investment process)

((3. St Kitts and Nevis apartment, $495,000))

(This two-bedroom apartment is on sale via St Kitts Nevis Realty for $495,000)

Ref: How buying a property for £175k could get you citizenship in the Caribbean (dailymail)

Photo Credit-dailymail