Countries like Vanuatu, El Salvador, and Portugal now let people become citizens or residents using cryptocurrency. To do this, they need to spend between $100,000 and $1 million.
What to remember
- One of the fastest countries to give citizenship is Vanuatu. Licensed dealers can accept crypto.
- Dominica and Saint Lucia offer Caribbean citizenship in months if you use crypto that has been changed by a trusted agency.
- Through crypto-linked financial funds, Portugal lets people live in the EU and gives them a way to become citizens.
If you spend $1 million in Bitcoin or USDT, El Salvador will give you citizenship right away. You don’t need to use cash.
In the year 2025, crypto and globalization go well together on a mind map.
Since this is the case, it may not come as a big surprise that both citizenship-by-investment crypto programs and golden visas with crypto are starting to meet the needs of Bitcoin and stablecoin investors. What used to be a world where only regular money could be used now has ways for crypto-rich people to get around.
Most governments still want people to pay in cash for these programs, but more and more licensed migration agents now accept crypto and change it into local currency before giving it to the officials.
Only a few places go even further, giving investors everything from fast-track second IDs to long-term residency.
As of July 2025, this piece looks at four crypto-friendly countries where you can live or become a citizen. It talks about both direct and indirect crypto payment models.
1. Vanuatu: Use cryptocurrency to buy citizenship
The Development Support Program (DSP) lets people become Vanuatu citizens by investing money in the country.
Vanuatu has one of the fastest ways to get a second visa in the world. Citizenship is usually given within 30 to 60 days. People who are applying alone must give at least $130,000, and a family of four must give at least $180,000.
Adding cryptography
There is no direct crypto acceptance by the government, but approved agents can take Bitcoin or stablecoins, change them into cash, and handle the whole application process. As long as normal Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules are followed, crypto holders can use their assets to both show off their wealth and pay for the donation. Some agents even say that you can pay for the whole payment with Bitcoin, which usually costs between $115,000 and $130,000. This makes it easier for people who want to get a crypto passport.
Notes
- The whole process can be done online; there are no in-person or training interviews.
- No requirements for language, schooling, or length of stay
- People can have two citizenships.
- Income, stock gains, wealth, and inheritance are not taxed.
- Visa-free travel to more than 90 countries, though Schengen entry is being looked at right now.
- Included in the family are spouses, parents (over 50), and children under 25 who depend on them.
This is one of the few citizenship-by-investment crypto choices that offers real speed and privacy. Digital nomads and crypto founders who want security and mobility will like it.
Know what I mean? One of the few countries in the world that doesn’t have a military is Vanuatu. Its people live in peace and don’t have to worry about world politics.
2. Dominica and Saint Lucia are two countries that let people live there using cryptocurrency.
CBI Schemes in the Caribbean
Dominica: more than $200,000 given to the Economic Diversification Fund
Saint Lucia: a gift of at least $240,000 or approved real estate worth at least $300,000.
Both countries offer fast-track second cards that can be issued in four to nine months and don’t require you to be in the country in person.
Adding cryptography
Licensed companies like Apex Capital Partners, Global Residence Index, and Citizenship Bay accept Bitcoin, Tether’s USDt, and other important currencies. These are changed into real currency on applicants’ behalf to meet government standards.
Applicants can handle the whole process with crypto, working with agents to handle everything from showing proof of funds to submitting and getting approved. This is great for people who want to learn how to move abroad with crypto or get a passport with Bitcoin.
Notes Pros: Quick working times (less than a year)
- Strong passports: enter the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and more without a visa or with a visa when you arrive.
- Families with a spouse, children, and, in many cases, parents can be included.
- No need to be there in person, take a language test, or live in the country.
Cons: Both the government and third-party companies do thorough due diligence checks.
- Some countries look more closely at Caribbean CBI passports because they are worried about their image.
- These Caribbean choices are still good for people who want to buy citizenship with cryptocurrency or get residency by investing cryptocurrency.
Know what I mean? Dominica has had a citizenship-by-investment program since 1993, making it the longest running program in the world.
3. The golden ticket for Portugal comes with crypto
Portugal Golden Visa (investment-based status)
Portugal is still one of the best places to live for people who want to spend their crypto-funded wealth and get residency.
Over the past few years, the Golden Visa program has changed its focus from real estate to regulated investment funds, scientific study, and starting a business. The usual amount of money needed to qualify is 500,000 euros, which is generally put into a fund regulated by the Portuguese CMVM.
After five years of residency, you can become a citizen. However, as of July 2025, a bill to extend the residency period to ten years is still being looked at by lawmakers.
Those who want to apply only have to stay for seven days in the first year and fourteen days every two years. This makes it good for crypto nomads and long-term investments.
Adding cryptography
Unfortunately, Portugal does not allow direct crypto investments for golden visas. However, there are now a number of approved funds that offer exposure to blockchain-related assets:
- Bitcoin investment funds put their money into blockchain startups in Portugal.
- The Golden Crypto Fund has a fixed income component and up to 35% of its assets are invested in Bitcoin and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- Custom deals for “3 BTC investments” that are capped at 500,000 euros.
All of the structures are visa-friendly, but they work by converting fiat currencies through licensed middle-men. This is great for people who want to know how to get a golden visa with Bitcoin or get into countries that are friendly to crypto.
Notes
- There is no language test or requirement to live there full-time.
- Full EU residency rights and a road to citizenship (pending changes to the law)
- Cryptocurrency taxes are currently friendly: long-term gains for people are not taxed.
- Include the family (partner, children who depend on you, and sometimes parents).
Only a relatively high entry fee and application backlogs, with some delays lasting longer than 12 months, are bad things about it.
With strong government and a lot of people interested in blockchain technology, Portugal is still one of the best EU countries for getting a crypto passport.
Know what I mean? A law in Portugal makes third-generation relatives of Sephardic Jews who were forced to leave the country in the 15th century automatically citizens of the country.
4. Golden visa for Bitcoin in El Salvador
El Salvador Freedom Visa (residency and citizenship for crypto-natives)
Starting in December 2023, El Salvador’s Freedom Visa is the first fully crypto-native movement program in the world. It was made possible by Tether. For a $1 million payment in Bitcoin or USDt, it gives you the chance to live there and fast track your way to citizenship. The program only lets 1,000 buyers in each year, which is in line with the country’s overall plan to get more people to use Bitcoin.
Adding cryptography
This app is made for instant cryptocurrency payments:
- As an initial application deposit, applicants send $999 in BTC or USDT.
- This deposit is non-refundable. Once accepted, they put the last $999,001 into projects that have been approved.
- Tether takes care of the infrastructure for crypto-to-fiat, which lets the government accept investments in digital assets directly.
El Salvador is still the best place in the world to live if you want to use cryptocurrency.
Notes:
- The fast-track process takes about six weeks for the first approval and a few months for citizenship.
- It applies to whole families, including spouses, children, and often extended family members
- There is no need to stay in the country: a real ID with Bitcoin experience Rapid naturalization leads to citizenship.
- It’s not quick citizenship. Investments help the country grow in areas like education, technology, and infrastructure.
- This program is the only way for people who want to buy citizenship directly with cryptocurrency and skip all the middlemen who use traditional currency.
Know what I mean? El Salvador was the first country to make Bitcoin legal currency. Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, is also in charge of the country’s Bitcoin budget.
A look at different crypto migration tools (2025) As we learned, many countries now offer residency or citizenship in exchange for investments paid for with cryptocurrency. For example, Vanuatu and El Salvador offer fast-track citizenship, while Portugal and Kazakhstan offer long-term residency tracks. The minimum amount you can invest is $100,000 to $1 million, and there are different deadlines and ways to accept crypto.