Браун предупреждает: Антигуа и Барбуда может лишиться безвизового въезда в ЕС к концу 2026 года и обещает продолжать CIP

Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda warned that the country could lose visa-free access to the European Union by the end of 2026. The message reads like the clearest sign yet that the “Schengen” advantage—so closely tied to the Citizenship by Investment (CIP) program—is no longer a guaranteed perk. Browne said the EU is threatening a potential withdrawal of visa-free access “possibly by year-end.”

The ability to enter the Schengen area without a visa is one of the main selling points used to promote CIP. If that advantage disappears, the value of an Antigua and Barbuda passport for investors would likely drop sharply—especially for buyers who are willing to pay six-figure sums for the opportunity.

Browne’s government is reportedly in high-level talks with European counterparts and argues that, instead of visas, an electronic travel authorization should be enough. At the same time, the prime minister acknowledged that even successful negotiations cannot ensure Brussels won’t introduce new restrictions.

The warning was building up

Browne’s concern did not appear overnight. In the eighth report under the EU visa suspension mechanism, published in December 2025, the European Commission noted that the very existence of a citizenship by investment program can be grounds to end visa-free travel. In other words, the EU would not need to identify a specific flaw or violation—having the program type itself may be sufficient.

The report’s annexes also used tougher language: European authors urged five Eastern Caribbean countries to tighten checks “until the programs are discontinued.” Read between the lines, this points more toward scaling down than reform.

On top of that, an update to the visa suspension mechanism lowered the threshold for EU action against partners that offer investor citizenship.

Antigua has already seen a similar pattern elsewhere. In 2017, Canada suspended visa-free entry over concerns linked to CBI. In the United States, authorities announced restrictions on several new visa categories starting January 2026—though some Antigua and Barbuda citizens were able to keep access due to an agreement covering people who had already obtained visas before December 31.

Browne insists the real issue is revenue

Browne stressed that he does not intend to “trade away” the program just to preserve a travel shortcut. He says CIP will continue “with visa arrangements or without them.” In his view, the initiative is too important as a source of non-tax (non-revenue) income to abandon.

Earlier, Browne said at the EU-Caribbean Parliamentary Assembly that CBI scrutiny makes citizenship harder for Caribbean residents to obtain than a short-term Schengen visa.

Still, the financial case is the centerpiece of his argument. Browne estimates that the program’s cumulative total over its lifetime exceeds EC$1.4 billion (about US$518 million) since 2013. “Let me repeat: EC$1.4 billion in 11 years,” he said, adding that under his leadership there will be no kickbacks.

Crucially, the figure refers to an accumulated result over a decade—not a yearly amount. For scale, the 2026 budget projects roughly EC$157 million (about US$58 million) in annual CIP-related income, and it remains one of the largest contributors to the structure of non-tax receipts.

Even a compromise may not restore the old status

Experts argue that any agreement may not guarantee a return to “business as usual.” Tourists and investors could face tighter procedures and additional compliance steps.

European border control rules are already evolving. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is gradually replacing passport stamps with biometric checks. Meanwhile, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is expected to begin operating at the end of 2026 and become mandatory in 2027. That will add a new layer of pre-travel online screening for citizens whose trips are initially declared as visa-free.

Rafael Sintrom, CEO of Wealthy Expat, expects market “compression” not necessarily through a sudden cutoff, but through EES and ETIAS. In his assessment, Antigua will likely either “lose access or, at minimum, face significant restrictions” via these systems.

However, the market reaction may differ from what many assume. Sintrom points out that the EU has already fully suspended visa-free travel for Vanuatu due to its CBI program, yet Vanuatu continued selling participation in the scheme. His forecast is that Caribbean states could respond similarly: lower prices and keep selling, or “act more aggressively—like Vanuatu”—rather than closing the offer.

For buyers who previously relied mainly on European mobility through visa-free Schengen access, Sintrom recommends diversifying their strategy. For instance, those banking on Schengen convenience via a Caribbean passport should consider obtaining an European Golden Visa or a second citizenship acquired outside the CBI framework.

This is the dilemma Antigua may struggle to resolve quickly: on one hand, revenues support keeping the program running; on the other, the very program raises the risk that the passport’s “travel value” could be undermined. Browne has effectively signaled that, of the two factors, he is not willing to give up one.

Expert note: While headlines focus on whether visa-free entry will be withdrawn, a lesser-discussed risk is reputational and administrative pressure. Even if a country keeps formal visa-free status, EU member states can still tighten scrutiny of travelers at the border through stronger documentation checks, more frequent secondary inspections, and stricter interpretation of “proof of purpose of travel.” For CIP countries, this means the practical experience of traveling can worsen long before any legal change—making investors weigh not only access rights, but also how predictable and hassle-free entry will be.

Key takeaway for investors: if the EU starts revisiting visa-free access for jurisdictions running Citizenship by Investment (CIP), the value of an investment passport can shift. At Digital Nomad (https://digital-nomad.gr/en) we help you assess the risk landscape, track updates, and choose the most reliable route for investment residence/citizenship.

Our Telegram channel about various types of Greek residence permits, digital nomad programs, and the Greek Golden Visa: @digitalnomadgr