Citizenship and residency via crypto are now possible in countries like Vanuatu, El Salvador and Portugal, with investment requirements ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.
Key takeaways
- Vanuatu is one of the fastest countries to offer citizenship, with crypto accepted through licensed agents.
- Dominica and Saint Lucia offer Caribbean citizenship in months using crypto converted via trusted agencies.
- Portugal offers EU residency and a path to citizenship through crypto-linked investment funds.
- El Salvador offers direct citizenship through a $1-million Bitcoin or USDT investment, with no fiat needed.
Crypto and globality are a strong mind-map pair in 2025.
It might not be that much of a surprise, then, that both citizenship-by-investment crypto programs and golden visas with crypto are appearing to meet the needs of investors holding Bitcoin
ETH$3,666 and stablecoins. What was once a fiat-only world now includes pathways tailored for those living a crypto-rich lifestyle.
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Most governments still require fiat contributions for these programs, but a growing number of licensed migration agents now accept crypto, converting it into local currency before submitting it to authorities.
A handful of jurisdictions go further, offering opportunities ranging from fast-track second passports to long-term residency for investors.
This article explores four crypto-friendly countries for citizenship or residency, covering both direct and indirect crypto payment models, as of July 2025.
1. Vanuatu: Buy citizenship with crypto
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) via the Development Support Program (DSP)
Vanuatu offers one of the fastest second passport routes in the world, with citizenship typically granted within 30-60 days. The required donation starts at $130,000 for single applicants and scales to $180,000 for a family of four.
Crypto integration
While the government itself does not accept direct crypto, licensed agents are permitted to receive Bitcoin or stablecoins, convert them to fiat and handle the full application process.
This allows crypto holders to use their assets both to demonstrate wealth and to fund the donation, provided that standard Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols are met.
Some agents even advertise the ability to pay via Bitcoin for the total investment cost, typically between $115,000 and $130,000, streamlining access for crypto passport seekers.
Notes
- 100% remote process — no residency or in-person interviews required
- No language, education, or stay requirements
- Dual citizenship is allowed
- Tax-free on personal income, capital gains, wealth and inheritance
- Visa-free travel to 90+ countries, though Schengen access is currently under review
- Family inclusion: spouses, dependent children (under 25) and parents (over 50).
This is one of the few citizenship-by-investment crypto options offering true speed and discretion, appealing to digital nomads and crypto founders seeking security and mobility.
Did you know? Vanuatu is one of the few countries in the world without a military — citizens enjoy global neutrality and low geopolitical risk.
2. Dominica and Saint Lucia: Countries accepting crypto for residency
Caribbean CBI Schemes
- Dominica: $200,000+ donation to the Economic Diversification Fund
- Saint Lucia: $240,000+ donation or $300,000+ in approved real estate.
Both countries offer fast-track second passports, processed in four to nine months, with remote application procedures and no physical presence required.
Crypto integration
Licensed agencies (such as Apex Capital Partners, Global Residence Index and Citizenship Bay) accept Bitcoin, Tether’s USDt
USDT$0.9998 and other major assets. These are converted into fiat on behalf of applicants to meet official requirements.
Applicants can manage the process end-to-end using crypto, working with agents to handle everything from proof of funds to submission and approval — ideal for those researching how to move abroad with crypto or seeking a passport with Bitcoin.
Notes
Pros:
- Efficient processing times (under a year)
- Strong passports: visa-free or visa-on-arrival to the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and more
- Entire families can be included (spouse, children and, in many cases, parents)
- No physical presence, language test or residency obligations.
Cons:
- In-depth due diligence checks by both government and third-party firms
- Some countries scrutinize Caribbean CBI passports more closely due to reputation concerns.
For those seeking residency by investment via crypto or looking to buy citizenship with crypto in a stable jurisdiction, these Caribbean options remain attractive.
Did you know? Dominica runs the longest continuously active citizenship-by-investment program in the world, launched in 1993.
3. Portugal: Golden visa with crypto
Portugal Golden Visa (residency-by-investment)
Portugal remains a top destination for those seeking residency by investment using crypto-funded wealth.
Since 2023, the focus of the Golden Visa program has shifted from real estate to regulated investment funds, scientific research and company formation. The typical qualifying investment is 500,000 euros, usually placed in a Portuguese CMVM-regulated fund.
Residency can lead to citizenship after five years, though a proposed extension to 10 years is under legislative review as of July 2025.
Applicants must spend only seven days in the first year and 14 days every two years, making it suitable for crypto nomads and long-term investors.
Crypto integration
While Portugal does not accept direct crypto for golden visa investments, several qualified funds now offer exposure to blockchain-related assets:
- Bitcoin venture funds focused on Portuguese blockchain startups
- The Golden Crypto Fund, mixing fixed income with up to 35% in BTC and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Custom “3 BTC investment” offers, pegged to meet the 500,000-euro threshold.
All structures are visa-approved, though they operate through fiat conversions via licensed intermediaries — ideal for those asking how to get a golden visa with Bitcoin or gain access to crypto-friendly governments.
Notes
- No language test or full-time residency requirements
- Full EU residency rights and citizenship path (pending legislative updates)
- Favorable crypto tax environment: Long-term crypto gains are tax-exempt for individuals
- Family inclusion (spouse, dependent children and sometimes parents).
The only downsides are a relatively high entry cost and application backlogs, with some delays exceeding 12 months.
Portugal remains one of the top crypto passport countries in the EU, with strong governance and a deep talent base in blockchain innovation.
Did you know? Portugal has a law that grants automatic citizenship to third-generation descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled in the 15th century.
4. El Salvador: Bitcoin golden visa
El Salvador Freedom Visa (crypto-native residency and citizenship)
Launched in December 2023 in partnership with Tether, El Salvador’s Freedom Visa is the world’s first fully crypto-native migration program. It offers both residency and an expedited path to citizenship in return for a $1-million investment in Bitcoin or USDt. The program is capped at 1,000 investors annually, aligning with the country’s broader Bitcoin adoption strategy.
Crypto integration
The program is designed for direct crypto payment:
- Applicants submit an initial $999 in BTC or USDT as a non-refundable application deposit.
- Upon approval, they invest the remaining $999,001 in approved initiatives.
- Tether handles the crypto-to-fiat infrastructure, enabling the government to directly receive investments in digital assets.
El Salvador remains a global leader among countries accepting crypto for residency.
Notes
- Fast-track timeline of around six weeks to initial approval, then citizenship within months
- Applies to entire families: spouses, children and often extended relatives
- No physical stay requirement: a true passport with Bitcoin experience
- Citizenship granted via accelerated naturalization (not instant but rapid)
- Investments support national development, including education, tech and infrastructure.
This program is a unique offer for those looking to buy citizenship with crypto directly, bypassing fiat intermediaries entirely.
Did you know? El Salvador was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, and its president, Nayib Bukele, holds office while also managing a national Bitcoin treasury.
Comparison of crypto migration programs (2025)
As learned, several countries now offer residency or citizenship in exchange for crypto-funded investments, from fast-track citizenship in Vanuatu and El Salvador to long-term residency paths in Portugal and Kazakhstan. Investment thresholds range from $100,000 to $1 million, with varying timelines and crypto acceptance methods.
