The European Union has formally asked Antigua and Barbuda to phase out its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme by June 1, 2028, citing new rules that allow visa-free travel arrangements to be suspended for countries operating such schemes.

The request was made in a letter dated June 25 from European Commissioner Magnus Brunner to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

According to the Antigua and Barbuda Government, the EU’s position stems from a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism that came into effect on December 31, 2025. 

Under the new framework, simply operating a CBI programme can trigger the suspension of visa-free access to the European Union, regardless of how the programme is managed.

The European Commission has proposed a 24-month transition period and asked Antigua and Barbuda to introduce additional safeguards by September 2026, including stricter vetting procedures for all applicants and the continued exclusion of individuals subject to EU sanctions.

The Commission is expected to assess Antigua and Barbuda’s response in a report due in December 2026.

Browne said the request was anticipated, noting that he had already informed the public that discussions with the European Union were underway.

He also pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda is not the only country affected. 

Similar letters have been sent to Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia, all of which operate citizenship-by-investment programmes.

Despite the EU’s request, Browne said his government has no intention of abandoning the programme without a viable alternative source of revenue.

He described the CBI programme as a critical source of non-tax income that has financed hospitals, schools, infrastructure projects and disaster recovery efforts, arguing that ending it without guaranteed replacement funding would seriously harm the country’s economy.

The government said it will continue discussions with the European Commission while maintaining that any transition away from the programme must be accompanied by concrete and measurable financial support to offset the loss of CBI revenue.

As part of its ongoing engagement with the EU, Antigua and Barbuda said it will continue excluding individuals subject to EU restrictive measures, strengthen due diligence procedures for all applicants and consider any additional security measures required to meet European standards.

The government said it will continue working through diplomatic channels, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), to protect the country’s interests as negotiations continue.