Citizenship for Russians in 2026: Vanuatu, São Tomé or Turkey
Citizenship for Russians in 2026 is still available, although the Caribbean route is closed: Grenada and Dominica do not accept applications from citizens of Russia and Belarus. There are currently three working programmes. Vanuatu from $130,000, São Tomé and Príncipe from $90,000, and Turkey from $400,000 in real estate. Below is a breakdown of prices, timelines, and the strength of each passport.
A Second Passport for Russians After the Closure of the Caribbean
Just a few years ago, Caribbean programmes were the market standard. Remote processing, a clear document package, and a passport with a broad visa-free list made them the first choice for most applicants.
In spring 2022, the Caribbean countries suspended the acceptance of applications from citizens of Russia and Belarus, and in 2023 they agreed on common rules for vetting applicants. For this audience, the route effectively closed.
Demand for second citizenship, however, has persisted. The reasons clients come for a consultation with are recurring:
— diversification of assets and capital protection;
— access to the international banking system;
— a backup plan for the family in case of instability in the region;
— freedom of movement without visa queues.
Three programmes currently serve these tasks. Two of them are structured as a contribution to a national fund, and the third as a property purchase.
Programme parameters:
Vanuatu — minimum amount from $130,000, investment format — contribution to a national fund, application review 2–3 months.
São Tomé and Príncipe — from $90,000 + $5,000 fee, contribution to a national fund, 2–3 months per regulation, in practice longer.
Turkey — from $400,000, real estate, timeline depends on the property valuation and checks.
Vanuatu Citizenship: Price, Timelines, and Visa-Free Access
The Vanuatu programme has been on the market for a long time and today remains the most popular among citizens of Russia and Belarus. Its main advantages are related to the procedure.
Fully remote processing. There is no need to come to the country either at the application stage or to receive the passport.
Short timeline. Application review takes from 2 to 3 months, after which the applicant receives the passport.
Simple document package. In volume, it is comparable to the package for a Schengen visa.
Price. The contribution to the national fund for a single applicant is from $130,000. For a family of four, the amount is higher, around $165,000–180,000 depending on the composition of the application and fees. In one of the participation options, about $50,000 of this amount is expected to be returned after 5 years; the return conditions depend on the chosen option and are fixed before filing.
Visa-free access. According to the Henley Passport Index (https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index), the Vanuatu passport opens visa-free entry or a visa on arrival to approximately 90 countries. The European Union has cancelled the visa-free regime for Vanuatu citizens, so a visa is required for travel to the Schengen area. This point is important when choosing a programme, and we will return to it below.
São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship: The Most Affordable Programme
São Tomé and Príncipe is located in West Africa. The citizenship-by-investment programme was launched in August 2025, and today it is the most affordable option among those in force.
Price. The contribution for a single applicant is $90,000, for a family of up to four people $95,000. A $5,000 application fee is added to each amount.
For whom. The programme is chosen as a diversification tool and a backup plan. Second citizenship opens access to the international banking system and removes some of the restrictions associated with a Russian passport.
What to consider. The programme is young, and some procedures are still being set up. The review period under the regulation is 2–3 months, but in practice it can be longer. The conditions for including relatives in the application are also being clarified: under the current version, it includes children up to 30 years old and parents over 55, but these parameters are being adjusted.
Visa-free access. The visa-free list for the São Tomé and Príncipe passport is noticeably shorter than for Vanuatu and Turkey. Therefore, the value of the programme lies in the very fact of second citizenship, and mobility is better covered by a separate instrument.
Turkish Citizenship through Real Estate from $400,000
The Turkish passport is the strongest available today to citizens of Russia and Belarus. According to the Henley Passport Index 2026, it provides visa-free entry to 113 destinations.
How the programme differs. Vanuatu and São Tomé involve a contribution to a national fund. Turkey offers citizenship through the purchase of real estate.
Amount. The minimum investment is $400,000. It can be invested in one property or in several, if their total price reaches the threshold.
Holding period. By law, the property cannot be sold for 3 years from the date of purchase. After this period, the real estate can be sold and the invested funds returned to the extent that the market allows at the time of sale.
Income during the holding period. While the property is in ownership, it can be rented out. That is why the Turkish programme is viewed as a combination of status and a working asset.
Second Passport and Schengen: The Combination with the Greek Golden Visa
Some clients come with a specific request: free entry to the countries of the Schengen Agreement is needed. Neither Vanuatu nor São Tomé closes this issue.
A workable solution in this case is built in two steps:
- Obtaining citizenship of Vanuatu or São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Obtaining a residence permit in Europe, most often the Greek Golden Visa.
The Greek Golden Visa is obtained through the purchase of real estate, in Athens from €250,000. The holder of Greek residency moves freely within the Schengen area. Separately, it is worth taking into account the announced 15% tax on the purchase of housing for individuals from non-EU countries, with a target effective date of 1 July 2027.
Many clients choose such a combination: the second passport handles the tasks of banking access and a backup plan, while Greek residency is responsible for Europe.
How to Choose a Citizenship-by-Investment Programme
The choice comes down to the task that the second passport must solve. A short guide:
— Minimum budget and a backup plan for the family. São Tomé and Príncipe from $90,000.
— A proven procedure, speed, and remote processing. Vanuatu from $130,000.
— The strongest passport and investment in an asset. Turkey from $400,000 in real estate.
— Free entry to Schengen. A combination of a second passport with the Greek Golden Visa.
Before filing, it is worth checking three things in advance: the exact amount for the actual composition of the family, the age of the children and parents planned to be included in the application, and the conditions for the return of funds, if they are stated in the chosen programme. All three parameters differ from programme to programme and change more often than the base thresholds.
These three programmes are covered in detail by Tatiana, Nevestate’s citizenship-by-investment specialist. In the video: why the Caribbean closed, the price and timelines of Vanuatu, the conditions of São Tomé and Príncipe, Turkish citizenship through real estate, and the combination of a second passport with the Greek Golden Visa. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs9vPRD1C88
