Advertisement

Dominica Seeks Economic Safeguards as EU Pressures Caribbean Nations to End Citizenship Programmes

From our correspondent

ROSEAU, Dominica, October 28, 2026 — The government of Dominica is seeking assurances that its economy will not be adversely affected by European Union demands for Caribbean countries to discontinue their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes.

The issue has become a priority for Dominica and several other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), following indications that the European Union wants the programmes phased out by June 2028.

According to the Dominican government, countries that fail to comply could risk losing visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area for their citizens.

The European position follows changes to its visa suspension regulations, which allow the operation of citizenship programmes for foreign investors to be considered when assessing whether a country’s visa-free travel privileges should be maintained.

For Dominica, the consequences of ending the programme could extend well beyond immigration policy.

Revenue generated through the sale of citizenship to qualifying foreign investors has become an important source of financing for government projects, including infrastructure development, disaster recovery and initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to withstand hurricanes and other natural disasters.

The government maintains that these funds have also contributed to employment and economic activity while reducing the need to finance certain development projects through conventional borrowing or additional taxation.

Officials are therefore seeking a transition arrangement that would give Dominica sufficient time to develop alternative revenue sources without disrupting public finances or delaying essential projects.

At the regional level, OECS governments are pursuing closer cooperation through the proposed Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA).

The planned authority would introduce stronger regional supervision, improve background checks on applicants and establish more uniform standards for countries operating citizenship programmes.

Caribbean governments hope these reforms will demonstrate their willingness to address European concerns about the integrity and security of investor citizenship schemes.

However, regulatory improvements alone may not resolve the disagreement if the European Union maintains that the programmes must ultimately be discontinued.

Dominica and its regional partners are consequently seeking discussions on possible financial and technical assistance to help their economies adjust to a future with reduced or no CBI revenue.

Such assistance could support economic diversification and the development of alternative industries capable of generating employment, investment and government income.

The Dominican government has indicated that negotiations with European officials will continue, with particular attention being given to the economic vulnerability of small island developing states.

Dominica is expected to provide a further response to the European Union by November 12, 2026.

In the meantime, the government says it will continue informing the public about developments in the discussions and the potential implications for the country’s economic future.

###

###

ADVERTISEMENT

Dominica Seeks Economic Safeguards as EU Pressures Caribbean Nations to End Citizenship Programmes

Dominica Seeks Economic Safeguards as EU Pressures Caribbean Nations to End Citizenship Programmes

Related Posts

About

Editorial Desk

Quick Links