Five Caribbean CBI countries to send a joint response to the EU’s call to wind down programs

On July 10, the prime ministers of five Eastern Caribbean states that run citizenship-by-investment (CBI) schemes met in Roseau, Dominica. After the discussion, the leaders agreed to dispatch a high-level mission to Brussels so they can speak to EU decision-makers directly about the bloc’s position.

As stated in the joint declaration, this is the region’s first coordinated response following a letter from the European Commission sent to all five countries. In that letter, the EU demanded that CBI programs be phased out by June 1, 2028.

The Roseau meeting was chaired by Dominica’s prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit. Also in attendance were Philip J. Pierre (Saint Lucia), Gaston Browne (Antigua and Barbuda), Dickon Mitchell (Grenada), and Dr. Terrance Drew (Saint Kitts and Nevis). Godwin Friday (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) was also present—his government plans to launch its own CBI program this year.

The statement was released via the Office of the Prime Minister of Dominica. In it, the leaders commit to organizing a “high-priority mission to Brussels at the earliest practical opportunity” to engage with EU institutions, including the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council, as well as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In parallel, they plan to coordinate efforts with “key European capitals.”

Foreign ministers, CBI-focused officials, ambassadors, and senior government representatives were instructed to work closely together and develop a “single regional approach” across all contacts with European partners.

Revenue as a non-negotiable condition of any “transition” model

The joint declaration stresses that CBI schemes have become a “critical pillar of economic resilience” and a development-financing tool for small island developing states. The leaders link the programs’ proceeds to climate resilience, recovery after disasters, infrastructure development, and stronger financial stability, while also pointing to reduced reliance—using their wording—on “unsustainable borrowing.”

From this comes the central demand. The document says that “any transition” affecting a significant source of national development funding must be supported by a comprehensive framework that safeguards economic stability, preserves progress already made, and helps establish long-term alternative sources of financing.

In the leaders’ view, negotiations with Brussels should include expanded development programming, partnerships for strategic investment, climate-resilience financing, and measures aimed at diversifying national economies. All of this, the statement says, should help shape future arrangements between the parties.

The position echoes recent criticism from Antigua and Barbuda, where officials said that, at the time of publication, the EU had not offered an option that was “digitally trackable,” legally binding, or explicitly structured as revenue replacement.

No concrete EU timelines or details in the text

At the same time, the declaration contains very few specifics directly tied to the Commission’s requirements. It does not mention the June 1, 2028 deadline, does not refer to the Schengen area, and offers no information on the interim verification steps—reported to be introduced by September 2026.

There is also no reference to Gaston Browne’s claim that Antigua and Barbuda “will not be pressured” into unilaterally abandoning the programs.

The tone remains carefully diplomatic. The leaders “welcome” the European Commission’s intention to continue engagement and a technical dialogue. Any future framework, they argue, should be built on principles of proportionality, partnership, shared responsibility, and sustainable development.

As a concluding formula, the declaration emphasizes that decisions should take into account “legitimate EU policy objectives” alongside the island states’ development needs. The final lines express confidence that “balanced and durable solutions” are achievable.

If read as a negotiation message, the document challenges the conditions of transition more than it challenges the need for change itself.

Escalation over six months: visa suspension tools and verification demands

Starting December 30, 2025, an updated visa suspension mechanism came into force for countries benefiting from visa-free travel arrangements. In the revised version, questions related to the operation of citizenship-by-investment programs were added as grounds for suspension.

In its eighth report on the mechanism, published around the same time, the European Commission said that Caribbean schemes could independently justify a suspension and called for tighter checks “until the programs end.”

On June 25, letters signed by Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, were sent out. The letters proposed a 24-month transition period. Antigua and Barbuda was the first to publicly confirm receipt of the correspondence, clarifying that all five CBI countries received similar letters.

The responses will be considered in the next report on the visa suspension mechanism planned for December 2026. Meanwhile, the leaders are emphasizing their own reform track record, including due diligence, information-sharing, and transparency. The declaration also highlights the work of a regional regulator created to ensure “harmonized regulation,” “enhanced compliance,” and “continuous improvement” across all five programs.

One additional nuance: Godwin Friday was present. In the joint statement, he is listed separately from the five “participating” countries. Still, the leader planning to enter the CBI market took part in the meeting that became the region’s first summit in response to the EU’s call to wind down such programs.

Expert note: Citizenship-by-investment programs are often discussed as a single policy instrument, but in practice they function more like complex “regulatory products.” Compliance requirements—such as source-of-funds verification, background checks, and post-approval monitoring—create a paper trail and risk-management workflow that can resemble financial-regulation regimes. Some analysts argue that the EU’s scrutiny is not only about the end date of CBI schemes, but also about whether these programs can meet the bloc’s expectations for auditability and data reliability over time—an area where “outcomes-based” standards (what is verified and how often) may matter as much as “rule-based” standards (what is written in the law).

If you’re considering citizenship or residence-by-investment programs, it’s crucial to track how EU requirements impact CBI rules. At Digital Nomad we help you assess current risks, timelines, and documentation so you can make an informed decision about CBI/invest-based status with a clear, reliable action plan.

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