Caribbean vs Switzerland: Golden Visa Programmes Compared
The lowest qualifying amount is $200,000 in Eastern Caribbean (five states) and CHF 435,000 annual tax base in Switzerland. Here is how the two programmes differ on time in the country, the path to citizenship and processing, side by side.
Restricted
Switzerland
CHF 435,000 annual tax baseminimum
Expenditure-based (lump-sum) taxation — no formal investment programme
Read the Switzerland guide →At a glance
| Caribbean | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Citizenship by Investment Programmes | Expenditure-based (lump-sum) taxation — no formal investment programme |
| Status | All five accept applications, but the EU has asked for phase-out by June 2028 | No golden visa exists; lump-sum taxation abolished at cantonal level in five cantons |
| Lowest qualifying amount | $200,000 | CHF 435,000 annual tax base |
| Time you must spend there | None, except five days in five years for Antigua | Switzerland must be the genuine centre of your life |
| Route to citizenship | Immediate citizenship | Ten years of residence, then discretionary |
| Typical processing | Reported averages about 5 to 18 months by country | Several months; cantonal decision plus federal approval |
| Main routes |
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Which is cheaper, Caribbean or Switzerland?
The lowest qualifying amount is $200,000 in Eastern Caribbean (five states) and CHF 435,000 annual tax base in Switzerland. The cheapest route is not always the practical one: some low-entry routes are donations or contributions you never get back, while others are investments that can lose value independently of the permit. Add government fees, legal costs and, where relevant, family members before comparing totals.
How much time do you have to spend in each?
Eastern Caribbean (five states): None, except five days in five years for Antigua. Switzerland: Switzerland must be the genuine centre of your life. A permit that asks for little time in the country is convenient, but a path to citizenship usually depends on genuinely living there.
Which leads to citizenship?
Eastern Caribbean (five states): Immediate citizenship. Switzerland: Ten years of residence, then discretionary. Naturalisation rules are set separately from the investment programme and can change while you are part of the way through.
The biggest caveat for each
Caribbean: Visa-free access has already been withdrawn or restricted by the UK and the US, and the EU has asked all five states to end the programmes by June 2028.
Switzerland: Cantonal politics is the main risk, since five cantons have already abolished the regime by popular vote and nothing stops others from doing the same.
More programme comparisons
Information reflects our own independent research as understood in September 2026. These rules change often and differ by nationality. Plain Investor does not sell or advise on any programme. This is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; check the official government source and a licensed immigration lawyer before committing money.