How to Get Citizenship or a Golden Visa: Top Crypto-Friendly Countries

Introduction

In 2025, digital wealth is increasingly being used to unlock physical freedom. For investors holding Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins, the worlds of cryptocurrency and global mobility have begun to merge. What was once a fiat-only landscape for investment migration now includes pathways tailored for a crypto-rich lifestyle.

While most governments still require fiat currency for their citizenship-by-investment (CBI) or "Golden Visa" programs, a growing number of licensed agents and jurisdictions are adapting. Some now accept crypto and convert it to meet official requirements, while a pioneering few have created programs built directly on the blockchain.

This article explores the leading crypto-friendly countries offering citizenship or residency, covering both direct and indirect payment models as of July 2025.

Key Takeaways

• El Salvador offers the world's only direct citizenship path via a $1 million investment in Bitcoin or USDT, with no fiat conversion required.

• Vanuatu provides one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs, with crypto accepted for payment through licensed agents.

• Countries like Dominica and Saint Lucia offer citizenship in months, using crypto converted to fiat by trusted migration agencies.

• Portugal grants EU residency (a "Golden Visa") and a path to citizenship through crypto-funded investments into regulated funds.

Top Crypto-Friendly Countries for Buying Citizenship or a Golden Visa with Crypto in 2025

El Salvador

El Salvador’s "Freedom Visa" is the first and only fully crypto-native migration program, offering residency and an expedited path to citizenship.

• Program: Adopción de El Salvador Freedom Visa.

• Investment: A $1 million investment made in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT). The program is capped at 1,000 investors annually.

• Crypto Integration: This is a truly direct model. Applicants pay a non-refundable $999 deposit in crypto, and upon approval, the remaining $999,001 investment is also made directly in BTC or USDT. Tether helps manage the infrastructure, allowing the government to receive digital assets without intermediaries.

  
  

  

  
  

  Key Features

  • Timeline: Fast-track approval in approximately six weeks, with a path to citizenship.

  • Requirements: No physical stay requirement.

  • Family: The visa applies to the entire family, including spouse, children, and sometimes extended relatives.

  • Impact: Investments are designated to support national development in technology and education.

This program is the premier option for high-net-worth individuals looking to use crypto directly to gain a second passport.

Portugal

Portugal’s Golden Visa offers residency in the European Union, making it a top-tier choice for those with a long-term vision of obtaining EU citizenship.

• Program: Portugal Golden Visa (Residency-by-Investment).

• Investment: A €500,000 investment, typically placed in a regulated Portuguese investment fund. After legislative changes in 2023, direct real estate investment no longer qualifies.

• Crypto Integration: Portugal does not accept direct crypto payments. However, crypto-rich investors can use their assets by investing in visa-approved funds that have exposure to the blockchain industry. Several funds now cater to this market, allowing investors to convert their crypto to fiat specifically for this purpose.

  
  

  

  
  

  Key Features

  • Timeline: Provides a residency permit that can lead to citizenship after five years (though a legislative proposal to extend this to 10 years is under review).

  • Requirements: A minimal physical stay requirement of just seven days in the first year and 14 days during each subsequent two-year period.

  • Benefits: Full EU residency rights, a favorable tax environment for long-term crypto gains, and a clear path to one of the world's most powerful passports.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu offers one of the fastest and most straightforward CBI programs in the world, making it highly attractive to crypto investors seeking rapid mobility.

• Program: Development Support Program (DSP).

• Investment: A non-refundable donation starting at $130,000 for a single applicant and scaling up for families.

• Crypto Integration: While the government requires the donation in fiat, it officially permits licensed agents to accept payments in crypto. These agents handle the conversion of assets like Bitcoin and submit the application, allowing investors to fund the entire process with their digital holdings.

  
  

  

  
  

  Key Features

  • Timeline: Citizenship is typically granted within an exceptionally fast 30-60 days.

  • Requirements: The process is 100% remote, with no residency, language, or in-person interview requirements.

  • Benefits: Dual citizenship is allowed, and the country has no personal income, capital gains, or inheritance tax. Visa-free travel to over 90 countries is included (Schengen Area access is currently under review).

The Caribbean

Several Caribbean nations offer reputable CBI programs with strong passports and have become leaders in facilitating crypto-funded applications through agencies.

• Programs & Investment:

  • Dominica: Requires a donation of $100,000+ to its Economic Diversification Fund.

  • Saint Lucia: Requires a donation of $100,000+ or an investment of $200,000+ in approved real estate.

  • St. Kitts & Nevis: Requires a donation of $250,000+.

• Crypto Integration: In all these countries, licensed migration firms (like Apex Capital Partners and others) accept Bitcoin, USDT, and other major cryptocurrencies. They convert the funds to fiat on the applicant's behalf to meet the official investment requirements.

• A Noteworthy Update: As of March 2025, St. Kitts & Nevis now officially accepts cryptocurrency holdings as proof of wealth for applications. While the investment itself must still be made in fiat, this allows crypto investors to more easily demonstrate their financial standing, a major step in legitimizing digital assets in the migration industry.

  
  

  

  
  

  Key Features

  • Timeline: Passports are typically processed in four to nine months.

  • Requirements: Applications are remote with no physical presence or language tests needed.

  • Benefits: Strong passports with visa-free access to the EU Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Kazakhstan

For investors looking beyond traditional hubs, Kazakhstan has introduced a "Golden Visa" that establishes it as an emerging crypto-friendly base in Central Asia.

• Program: 10-Year Renewable Residency Permit.

• Investment: A $300,000 investment in local company equity or publicly traded securities.

• Crypto Integration: Currently, the program is fiat-only. However, Kazakhstan's government is actively building a crypto-friendly regulatory framework, with plans for licensed crypto banks. This suggests that intermediaries may soon facilitate crypto-to-fiat conversions for visa purposes.

  
  

  

  
  

  Key Features

  • Benefits: A very affordable long-term residency program with tax incentives and a strategic location between Europe and Asia.

  • Limitations: This program does not offer an automatic path to citizenship, which requires physical residency and language proficiency.

Conclusion

Expect to undergo full Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. You will need to provide a clear transaction history to establish the legal origin of your crypto funds.

Governments and licensed agents conduct deep background checks. A poorly documented crypto history could delay or jeopardize your application.

The intersection of crypto and international law is complex. Partner with migration lawyers and financial advisors who are well-versed in digital assets to navigate tax implications and legal structuring. Looking for more insights on crypto-friendly countries? Check our article on tax-free countries for crypto here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and a Golden Visa?

A CBI program grants you direct citizenship and a passport in exchange for a qualifying investment (usually a donation). A Golden Visa provides residency rights in a country, which can lead to citizenship after a certain number of years, provided you meet additional requirements like physical presence and language tests.

Is it legal to use crypto to get citizenship or a Golden Visa?

Yes, but the method matters. It is fully legal in programs like El Salvador's, which are built for crypto. In most other countries, it is legal to use licensed intermediaries who convert your crypto to fiat to make the official investment. This process ensures compliance with local laws.

Which country offers the fastest passport for crypto investors?

Vanuatu is currently the fastest, with a processing time of just 30-60 days from application to passport issuance.

Do I have to pay capital gains tax on the crypto I use for the investment?

This depends on your country of tax residence. If you sell or convert a large amount of crypto to make the investment, you may trigger a taxable event in your home country. It is crucial to consult with a tax advisor before proceeding.

Why don't more countries accept crypto directly?

Most governments lack the regulatory framework and technical infrastructure to handle the price volatility and custody of digital assets. Using licensed and regulated agents as intermediaries allows them to benefit from crypto-derived investment while mitigating these risks.