EU and Eastern Caribbean talks on citizenship by investment: what two government statements confirm

The July joint statement

On 10 July 2026 the Heads of Government of the participating Eastern Caribbean States, including St Kitts & Nevis, issued a joint statement hosted by a participating Eastern Caribbean government’s press office. It says they “reviewed the recent communication from the European Commission” and considered the implications of the EU’s revised visa suspension mechanism. In the statement the leaders:

• reaffirmed their partnership with the EU and their commitment to security, transparency and integrity in CBI programmes;
• described the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) as “a major advancement in regional governance and oversight”;
• said “any transition affecting a significant source of national development financing must be accompanied by a comprehensive framework”; and
• agreed to seek a high-level mission to Brussels and a coordinated diplomatic programme with EU institutions and member states.

The September meeting in New York

On 24 September 2026 a participating Eastern Caribbean government’s press office said regional leaders and officials met the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration at the EU Mission to the United Nations in New York. It said the discussion “centred on the future of citizenship by investment programmes following the European Commission’s request that Eastern Caribbean countries operating such programmes phase them out by June 2028”. The leaders asked for continued dialogue on “a transition path forward”.

What is and is not on the record

• The EU’s legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2025/2441. It adds operating an investor citizenship scheme to the grounds on which the EU may suspend visa-free travel. It does not suspend any country by itself.
• On 21 October 2026 we found no EU-published text of the June 2028 request. The date above comes from a participating Eastern Caribbean government’s press office.
• Neither statement announces a suspension of visa-free travel or the closure of any programme.

What this does not mean

This is a summary of two government statements and one EU regulation, not a forecast of what the EU or any government will decide. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice.