Crypto Passports: 4 Countries Let You Gain Citizenship or Residency with Bitcoin
As digital assets grow into mainstream portfolios, a new form of global mobility is emerging — citizenship or residency for crypto investors. In 2025, nations like El Salvador, Vanuatu, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Portugal are formalizing pathways that allow investors to secure legal status using crypto, either directly or through licensed intermediaries.
Vanuatu: Fast-Track Citizenship with Bitcoin via Licensed Agents
Citizenship in 60 Days. No Residency Required. Tax-Free Life.
Vanuatu offers one of the world’s fastest second passport programs through its Development Support Program (DSP). For a donation starting at $130,000, applicants can gain citizenship in just 30–60 days. While the government doesn’t directly accept crypto, licensed agents do — converting Bitcoin or stablecoins into fiat to process your application.
Key Benefits:
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Entirely remote process
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No income, inheritance, or capital gains tax
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Dual citizenship permitted
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Visa-free travel to over 90 countries (Schengen under review)
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Family inclusion (spouse, children, parents)
Fun Fact: Vanuatu has no military — a rare neutral status offering low geopolitical risk for citizens.
Dominica & Saint Lucia: Caribbean Citizenship with Crypto-Funded Donations
Second Passports in 4–9 Months. Fully Remote. Strong Global Access.
Dominica and Saint Lucia have become two of the most crypto-accessible countries in the Caribbean, with CBI programs accepting digital assets via vetted intermediaries.
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Dominica: Requires a donation of at least $200,000
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Saint Lucia: $240,000 via donation or $300,000 in real estate
Both countries support payments in Bitcoin, USDT, and other major cryptocurrencies through licensed firms. Citizenship includes access to top-tier passports with visa-free travel to the EU, UK, and more.
Did You Know? Dominica operates the world’s oldest active CBI program, dating back to 1993.
Portugal: EU Residency Through Crypto-Tied Investment Funds
Golden Visa via Blockchain-Linked Funds. Citizenship Possible in 5 Years.
Portugal remains one of the most crypto-friendly nations in the EU, with its Golden Visa program now emphasizing regulated funds over real estate.
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€500,000 investment in CMVM-approved funds
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Options include blockchain-focused funds and hybrid crypto portfolios
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Minimum stay: 7 days in the first year, then 14 days every 2 years
Although Portugal doesn’t accept direct crypto, intermediaries handle conversions, letting investors use Bitcoin wealth to access EU residency and long-term citizenship.
Favorable Crypto Tax Law: Long-term gains are tax-free for individuals.
Warning: A new bill may extend the path to citizenship from 5 to 10 years.
El Salvador: The World’s First Bitcoin-Based Citizenship Program
1,000 Citizenship Slots Per Year. $1 Million in BTC or USDT.
El Salvador’s Freedom Visa, launched in December 2023 in collaboration with Tether, represents the first fully crypto-native path to citizenship. For a $1 million direct investment in Bitcoin or USDT, applicants gain both residency and an accelerated path to citizenship.
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Direct crypto payments with no fiat conversion required
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No physical stay requirements
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Timeline: ~6 weeks for approval, months for citizenship
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Entire families can apply under one visa
Unique Positioning: El Salvador is the only country where the government manages a national Bitcoin treasury and processes citizenship entirely in crypto.
Bonus: Kazakhstan & St. Kitts & Nevis Join the Crypto Migration Map
Kazakhstan: 10-Year Golden Visa for Crypto-Conscious Investors
Kazakhstan’s new 10-year residency program, launched in May 2025, requires a $300,000 investment — although currently fiat-only, crypto-friendly reforms may soon allow digital asset-backed applications. The country is actively licensing crypto banks and building a national crypto reserve.
Home to the AIFC, a regulatory zone modeled on English common law.
St. Kitts & Nevis: Crypto as Proof of Wealth
Starting March 2025, St. Kitts & Nevis began accepting crypto holdings as proof of wealth in its CBI applications, although direct payments remain off-limits. Applicants must undergo extensive due diligence, including asset origin documentation and full KYC.
Considerations for Crypto-Funded Citizenship
No matter the destination, crypto applicants must navigate:
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KYC/AML compliance
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Background checks
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Proof of source of funds
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Potential conversion fees
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Legal support from crypto-aware migration lawyers
As crypto matures, more governments are adapting to this form of portable wealth — and 2025 may be the most accessible year yet for digital asset holders seeking new global homes.
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