Blog · CBI for UK Investors
Most Popular Second Passports for UK Investors in 2026
The British passport is one of the strongest in the world — 185+ countries, visa-free. So why are thousands of UK investors actively seeking a second one?
Because having a great passport and having a great plan B are two different things.
According to Henley & Partners, 16,500 millionaires were projected to leave the UK in 2025 — a 157% surge compared to 2024. The trigger? On April 6, 2025, the UK Labour government abolished the non-dom tax regime, meaning wealthy individuals previously exempt from tax on foreign income now face full taxation on their global wealth.
For UK investors who have already relocated or are planning to, a second passport is not about travel access. It is about establishing a genuine legal, financial, and personal identity outside the UK. At BFG Global Mobility, we are seeing this demand directly — UK nationals are among the fastest-growing segments approaching us for citizenship by investment advice. Here is what they are choosing and why.
At a glance — popular second passport options for UK investors
| Programme | From | Processing | Visa-free | Why UK investors choose it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenada | $235,000 | 60–90 days | 140+ | US E-2 business visa access |
| Saint Kitts & Nevis | $250,000 | 60–90 days | 157+ | Most reputable Caribbean CBI |
| Portugal (RBI) | €500,000 | 3–6 months | EU residency | Restores EU freedom of movement |
| Dominica | $200,000 | 60–90 days | 130+ | Simplest, cleanest second citizenship |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | ~30 days | 90+ | Fastest processing globally |
| Antigua & Barbuda | $230,000 | 90–120 days | 140+ | Best for extended families |
Why UK investors are getting a second passport in 2026
The British passport already opens most of the world. So the motivation here is rarely about visa-free travel — it runs deeper than that.
- Post-Brexit loss of EU freedom of movement — Before 2020, British nationals could live, work, and retire anywhere in the EU without a visa or application. That right is gone. UK nationals now need visas or residency programmes for long-term access to Europe. A second citizenship, particularly one with an EU residency pathway, restores something Brexit removed.
- Non-dom tax changes driving relocation — In 2024 alone, the UK lost nearly 11,000 millionaires. In April 2025, a record 691 company directors left in a single month — a 79% year-on-year increase. Many who have relocated to Dubai, Portugal, or Italy still hold only a British passport. A second citizenship from a CBI programme adds permanence to their new life that a residency visa simply cannot provide.
- Inheritance tax pressure — UK inheritance tax applies at 40% on estates above £325,000, now extended to offshore trusts and global assets for long-term UK residents. Investors restructuring their global estate increasingly treat a second citizenship as part of a legitimate, legal planning strategy.
- A genuine plan B — Rapid policy shifts and changing tax regimes over the past five years have changed how UK investors think about security. A second passport is the only document that is unconditional — not tied to a visa, an employer, or a government's next budget.
What UK investors should know before choosing a programme
British passport holders start from a position of strength, so the decision is almost never about travel access. It almost always comes down to one of these four things.
- Tax residency planning — which second citizenship supports where you want to be legally based.
- EU access — critical post-Brexit for anyone who wants to live or retire in Europe long term.
- US business access — British nationals can visit the US under ESTA but cannot invest or work freely without a separate visa. Grenada's E-2 treaty route changes that entirely.
- Speed and simplicity — some UK investors simply want a second document in hand, quickly, as part of a broader plan.
Most popular second passports for UK investors in 2026
Grenada — most strategic for US business access
For UK entrepreneurs with US ambitions, Grenada citizenship by investment stands apart from every other Caribbean programme. Grenada is one of the few Caribbean nations with a US E-2 investor visa treaty, meaning Grenadian passport holders can apply for a US E-2 visa and live and operate a business in the United States. British nationals cannot access the E-2 route on a UK passport alone — a Grenada passport changes that. Beyond the US angle: 140+ visa-free destinations, no residency requirement, generous family inclusion, and 60–90 day processing make it a clean, practical choice.
Minimum investment: $235,000. Processing: 60–90 days. Best for: UK investors with US business operations or expansion plans.
Saint Kitts & Nevis — the gold standard Caribbean passport
The world's oldest CBI programme, established in 1984. The Saint Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment programme is the most recognised and most trusted Caribbean passport, a consideration that matters to UK investors who want a second citizenship that carries genuine international credibility. 157+ visa-free countries, no residency requirement, and a rigorous due diligence process that makes the passport respected globally.
Minimum investment: $250,000. Processing: 60–90 days. Best for: UK investors who want the most reputable Caribbean CBI programme.
Portugal Golden Visa — best for restoring EU access
This sits in residency-by-investment rather than direct CBI, but it is the most requested option among UK nationals specifically because it restores what Brexit removed — the legal right to live, move freely, and eventually hold citizenship in the EU. Portugal's programme grants residency with a pathway to Portuguese citizenship after five years. Portuguese citizenship means EU citizenship — freedom of movement across all 27 member states.
Following the non-dom changes, Portugal has become one of the top relocation destinations for UK business owners, drawn by its favourable tax policies and quality of life. Portugal residency by investment starts from €500,000 in approved investment funds.
Minimum investment: from €500,000. Pathway to citizenship: after 5 years of residency. Best for: UK nationals who want EU freedom of movement restored.
Dominica — fastest route to a clean second citizenship
For UK investors who want a second passport without the complexity of a real estate purchase or a multi-year EU residency process, Dominica citizenship by investment is the most straightforward option available. Government donation structure, no residency requirement, 130+ visa-free destinations, and a clean application process. Widely regarded as the best-value Caribbean CBI.
Minimum investment: $200,000. Processing: 60–90 days. Best for: UK investors who want a second citizenship with minimal complexity.
Vanuatu — fastest processing in the world
For UK investors who need a second passport quickly, Vanuatu citizenship by investment processes applications in approximately 30 days from submission to passport issuance. No other CBI programme in the world comes close on speed. From $130,000 with no residency requirement.
Minimum investment: $130,000. Processing: ~30 days. Best for: UK investors where speed is the priority above everything else.
Antigua & Barbuda — best for UK families
UK families wanting to include adult children, parents, or grandparents on a single application should look at Antigua & Barbuda citizenship by investment. One of the only programmes that includes children up to age 30, parents, and grandparents over 58 under one application. Only five days of residency required in the first five years.
Minimum investment: $230,000. Processing: 90–120 days. Best for: UK families protecting multiple generations under a single application.
A second passport is the only document that is unconditional — not tied to a visa, an employer, or a government's next budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can British nationals hold dual citizenship?
Yes. The UK places no restrictions on dual or multiple nationality. British nationals can freely obtain a second citizenship through any CBI programme without renouncing their British passport.
Why would a British passport holder need a second passport?
Travel access is rarely the reason. UK investors typically seek a second passport for EU access post-Brexit, US business visa eligibility, tax residency planning, or as a plan B independent of UK policy direction.
Does getting a second passport affect my UK tax position?
A second passport alone does not change your UK tax residency. Tax residency in the UK is based on days spent in the country, not the passport you hold. However, if you are also relocating, a second citizenship supports establishing genuine legal ties to another country. Always take professional tax advice alongside your immigration advisory.
Which programme is best for UK nationals who have moved to Dubai?
UK nationals who have relocated to the UAE and want a second citizenship most commonly consider Grenada for US business access, Saint Kitts & Nevis for the strongest Caribbean passport, or Portugal for EU access. As an immigration consultant in Dubai advising recently relocated UK nationals alongside UAE expats, BFG Global Mobility matches the programme to your specific situation rather than pushing a single option.
Next step
The right programme depends on your nationality, your tax position, your family, and what you actually need the second passport to do. That is a 15-minute conversation, not a web search.
Speak with a BFG Global Mobility advisor
Free, no obligation, straight answers. Get a no‑cost assessment of the best CBI programme for your situation.
Last updated May 2026. Programme minimums and processing times are subject to change. Contact BFG for current details before making any investment decision.