4 Countries That Let You Use Crypto for Citizenship or Residency

Akash Kumar

• August 6, 2025
• ⋅
• 3 min read

A growing number of nations are accepting digital assets as legal ways to obtain citizenship or permanent residency, in addition to using them as investments, as the global adoption of cryptocurrencies picks up speed. The world is gradually allowing crypto-funded migration, regardless of whether you’re a digital nomad seeking international access or a Bitcoin millionaire seeking tax-friendly shores.

Here are four nations where you can start over with cryptocurrency:

1. Vanuatu: Immediate Bitcoin Citizenship

In terms of citizenship, this island nation in the South Pacific is among the most progressive. By donating $130,000 worth of Bitcoin or other recognized cryptocurrencies through authorized agents, applicants can become citizens of Vanuatu in a matter of weeks through the Vanuatu Development Support Program.

In addition to allowing visa-free travel to more than 100 countries, Vanuatu is a popular destination for cryptocurrency holders seeking financial privacy because it does not impose personal income taxes.

2. Passport via Crypto Donation for Antigua and Barbuda

The Caribbean country’s Citizenship by Investment Program accepts USDT, Ethereum, and Bitcoin. To be eligible, applicants must invest in real estate or donate to the National Development Fund. The policy debates surrounding the introduction of a national digital currency also demonstrate Antigua’s pro-crypto position.

You can enter more than 150 countries, including the UK and the Schengen Zone, without a visa if you have an Antiguan passport.

3. Portugal: Tax Benefits, Crypto Freedom, and Golden Visa

Although Portugal’s Golden Visa program does not directly accept cryptocurrency, you can still qualify by investing in real estate or a business and converting digital assets into euros. Additionally, it exempts people from paying taxes on cryptocurrency gains, which attracts holders of digital assets.

The visa opens the door to permanent residency or citizenship within five years of being granted and permits unrestricted travel throughout the Schengen Area of Europe.

4. Crypto Investors Are Welcome in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is leading the way in integrating cryptocurrency into governance, real estate, and finance, especially in Dubai. The nation offers long-term Golden Visas to high-net-worth individuals and tech entrepreneurs, including those who made their fortune through cryptocurrency, even though it lacks a formal “crypto citizenship” policy.

Web3 projects, blockchain developers, and international founders have been drawn to Dubai by its tax-free income policies and crypto-friendly regulations.

Crypto-based residency and citizenship options are not futuristic; they are already available as countries vie for digital wealth. To guarantee compliance and due diligence, however, speak with legal professionals before acting. In a literal sense, your cryptocurrency could be your passport.

Also read: Why Bitcoin’s Scarcity Makes Now the Perfect Time to Buy