Yes, It's possible! Unmarried couples and de facto partners can qualify for citizenship or residency by investment in several countries, but the path depends heavily on which program you choose. Some Caribbean CBI programs strictly require a marriage certificate, while others accept common-law relationships with proper documentation. Residency-by-investment (RBI) programs in Europe, on the other hand, are generally far more accommodating of de facto partnerships.
This guide breaks down every realistic option available to common-law partners in 2026, what documentation you'll need, and how to choose the right path for your situation.
⚠ Disclaimer
Immigration laws and financial requirements can change anytime, and this article is not intended as legal or financial advice. Before making any decision, please feel free to contact the High Net Worth Immigration team for a free consultation.
What Is a Common-Law Partner in the Context of CBI?
In citizenship and residency by investment programs, a common-law partner (also called a de facto partner or unmarried partner) typically refers to a person who:
- 01. Has lived with the main applicant in a shared household for a continuous period (usually 1 to 3 years)
- 02. Is in a genuine, committed, and exclusive relationship with the applicant
- 03. Is not legally married to the applicant but can demonstrate the relationship through documented evidence
⚠ Structural Challenge: Immigration law varies by country. Some nations have no legal framework for recognizing common-law unions, making it structurally impossible to include an unmarried partner under a "spouse" category. Others have modernized their programs to explicitly accommodate de facto partners.
Direct CBI Programs That Accept Common-Law Partners (2026)
Most Caribbean CBI programs are built around the legal definition of a spouse, which requires a formal marriage certificate. However, a few programs have provisions that can work in your favor.
Grenada : The Most Flexible Caribbean Option
US E-2 treaty access + recognized common-law pathway
Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Program is widely regarded as one of the most flexible Caribbean programs for non-traditional family structures. Under Grenada's program rules:
- • A common-law partner may be included as a dependent if the relationship can be substantiated through documentation
- • The general threshold is two or more years of continuous cohabitation
- • A sworn affidavit from the couple, corroborated by third-party affidavits (friends, family, employers), is typically required
- • Supporting financial documents, such as joint bank statements and shared utility bills, are essential
⚠ Important: Grenada does not guarantee acceptance of a common-law partner application. Each case is reviewed on its individual merits by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Engaging an authorized agent or licensed immigration attorney dramatically improves approval odds.
Antigua and Barbuda : Possible, But More Restrictive
Officially recognized, but requires extensive proof
Antigua and Barbuda's CBI program does have a category for "common-law partners" in its official documentation, but in practice:
- • The program strongly prefers legally married spouses
- • Common-law partner applications require evidence of at least three years of cohabitation
- • The documentation burden is higher than in Grenada
- • Processing agents report inconsistent outcomes for this category
The country's investment thresholds are competitive, starting at $230,000 USD for the National Development Fund (NDF) contribution route.
Whatever your situation, book a completely free and confidential meeting today. High Net Worth Immigration brings 15+ years of experience helping clients secure second passports, residency, and cross-border asset protection.
Sao Tome and Principe : Africa's Emerging CBI with De Facto Flexibility
Rapid processing and explicit inclusion of unmarried partners
Sao Tome and Principe's Economic Citizenship Program is rapidly emerging as one of the most flexible CBI options available. While many established programs strictly require a marriage certificate, Sao Tome explicitly allows for the inclusion of de facto (unmarried) partners in the application. Applicants successfully include their partners by:
- • Submitting a formal Statutory Declaration of De Facto Relationship, sworn before a notary public, detailing the history and exclusivity of the partnership
- • Providing comprehensive cohabitation evidence, such as joint bank statements, shared residential leases, and joint utility bills, to substantiate the declaration
⚠ Policy Alert: As a newer jurisdiction in the CBI space, Sao Tome's regulatory framework and due diligence standards are actively evolving. Always verify current documentation requirements directly with the national CBI unit or an authorized agent before proceeding.
Countries That Do NOT Recognize Common-Law Partners for Direct CBI
The following programs either explicitly require a marriage certificate or have no documented pathway for de facto partners as of 2026:
| Country | CBI Program | Common-Law Partner Accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) | No - legal marriage required |
| Dominica | Citizenship by Investment | No - marriage certificate mandatory |
| St. Lucia | National Economic Fund (NEF) | No - spouse must be legally married |
| Turkey | Citizenship by Investment | No - formal marriage only |
| Jordan | Citizenship by Investment | No |
If your target destination is St. Kitts, Dominica, or St. Lucia specifically, the only viable option for an unmarried couple is to legally marry before submitting the application.
CBI vs. RBI for Common-Law Partners: A Quick Comparison
| Factor | CBI Programs (Caribbean) | RBI Programs (Europe) |
|---|---|---|
| Common-law partner recognition | Limited - Grenada, Antigua, Sao Tome and principe only | Broadly recognized (Portugal, Spain, Greece) |
| Time to second passport | Immediate (3 to 6 months) | 5 to 10 years via naturalization |
| Investment threshold | $100,000 to $250,000+ | €250,000 to €800,000+ |
| Physical residence required | No | Minimal (Portugal: 7 days/year) |
| Visa-free travel (passport) | Caribbean nations + specific treaties | Full EU access + Schengen |
| Documentation burden for partners | High (case-by-case) | Moderate (legal framework exists) |
| Legal certainty for unmarried couples | Low to moderate | High |
Whatever your situation, book a completely free and confidential meeting today. High Net Worth Immigration brings 15+ years of experience helping clients secure second passports, residency, and cross-border asset protection.
Can I Include My Girlfriend or Boyfriend in My CBI Application?
What Documents Are Needed for a Common-Law Partner Citizenship Application?
Regardless of which program you pursue, the following documentation checklist is essential for establishing a legitimate common-law relationship for CBI or RBI purposes:
Proof of Cohabitation
- • Joint residential lease agreements or shared mortgage/property ownership documents
- • Utility bills (electricity, gas, internet) showing both names at the same address
- • Official correspondence addressed to both parties at the same address
- • Joint insurance policies (health, home, vehicle)
Proof of Financial Interdependence
- • Joint bank account statements (minimum 2 years; 3 years preferred)
- • Shared investment or retirement accounts
- • Evidence of shared financial responsibilities (shared loan agreements, joint tax filings where legally applicable)
Sworn Affidavits
- • Notarized affidavit signed by both partners attesting to the relationship
- • Third-party affidavits from family members, close friends, or colleagues who can verify the duration and nature of the relationship
Additional Supporting Evidence
- • Photographs documenting the relationship over time (with dates and captions)
- • Travel records showing joint travel history
- • Evidence of shared children or co-parenting arrangements (if applicable)
- • Correspondence between partners showing the duration of the relationship
Is a Marriage Certificate Mandatory for Citizenship by Investment?
For European RBI programs, a marriage certificate is not required provided you can demonstrate a registered or documented common-law union under the relevant legal framework.
What You Should Know Before Applying in 2026 as a Common-Law Couple
- Immigration law changes faster than most applicants expect. Ireland permanently closed its Immigrant Investor Programme in 2023. Portugal restructured its Golden Visa to exclude most real estate options. St. Kitts raised its investment threshold significantly. Programs that are open today may not be open tomorrow, and programs that do not currently recognize common-law partners may update their rules. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant Citizenship by Investment Unit or licensed agent before committing capital.
- An authorized agent is must. CBI and RBI applications are complex legal proceedings. For common-law partner applications specifically, the documentation strategy and how it is presented to the reviewing authority can be the difference between approval and rejection. Work with an agent or immigration attorney who has a documented track record with non-traditional family applications.
- Consider legalizing your relationship first. In many jurisdictions, it is legally possible to register a common-law union or domestic partnership at a civil registry, even without a full marriage. This registration, when recognized by the target country's legal system, dramatically simplifies the CBI/RBI application. Consult a local attorney in both your home country and target country to explore this option.
- Budget for a longer timeline if going the RBI route. An RBI program will not give you a passport on day one. The citizenship timeline in Europe ranges from 5 years (Portugal) to 10 years (Spain). However, the legal security, EU market access, and quality of the final outcome - a full EU passport - often make this the more valuable long-term investment.
- Be transparent and thorough. CBI and RBI authorities are experienced at identifying weak or fraudulent applications. Do not understate the duration of your relationship or overstate the nature of your documentation. A complete, honest, and well-organized application reviewed by an experienced agent is far more effective than an inflated one.
Whatever program you choose, start the documentation process early, engage a licensed immigration advisor, and verify current program rules before committing any investment capital. The rules governing these programs change frequently, and staying informed is the single most important step any investor can take.
Vicky Katsarova is a global citizenship and residency-by-investment expert with 15+ years of experience helping investors and families secure second passports, second residencies, and Plan B solutions worldwide. She founded High Net Worth Immigration in 2010 after living across Bulgaria, Abu Dhabi, and Canada - a personal immigration journey that shapes how she serves clients today.
Member of the Uglobal Writers Council · Contributor to UNIQUE Private Jet Magazine · Featured in CIVITAS POST's "Leading Women" & Women's Journal
