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.
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:
⚠ 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.
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.
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:
⚠ 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.
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 country's investment thresholds are competitive, starting at $230,000 USD for the National Development Fund (NDF) contribution route.
30–60 day processing, flexible but policy-fluid
Vanuatu's Development Support Program (DSP) is one of the fastest CBI programs globally, with some approvals processing in as little as 30–60 days. Vanuatu does not have a common-law partner category enshrined in its program rules, but the country's legal framework is relatively flexible. Applicants have successfully included de facto partners by:
⚠ Policy Alert: Because Vanuatu's program rules evolve frequently, always verify current policy directly with the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) or a licensed agent before proceeding.
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.
If direct CBI isn't available to you as an unmarried couple, Residency by Investment (RBI) in Europe is the most reliable and legally secure alternative. Most European Golden Visa programs explicitly recognize de facto partnerships.
How the major European RBI programs handle common-law partners ↓
Portugal
The gold standard for unmarried couples
Program overview
Portugal's Golden Visa is one of the most common-law-friendly programs in the world.
Documentation required
Spain
Legal recognition via Parejas de Hecho
Program overview
Spain offers Non-Lucrative Visa and Golden Visa. Parejas de Hecho puts unmarried partners on equal footing with spouses.
Key consideration
More bureaucratic than Portugal, but the legal pathway is well-established across regions.
Register at a consulate before relocating to simplify the process.
Greece
Golden Visa with flexible family definitions
Program overview
Greece recognizes de facto partners under European human rights interpretations for "family life." Common-law partners with genuine stable relationships are regularly accepted.
Why Greece stands out
| Factor | CBI Programs (Caribbean/Vanuatu) | RBI Programs (Europe) |
|---|---|---|
| Common-law partner recognition | Limited — Grenada and Antigua only | Broadly recognized (Portugal, Spain, Greece) |
| Time to second passport | Immediate (3–6 months) | 5–10 years via naturalization |
| Investment threshold | $100,000–$250,000+ | €250,000–€500,000+ |
| 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 |
The short answer is: it depends on the country and how well you can document your relationship.
If you are applying through Grenada or Antigua, yes — it is possible to include a long-term unmarried partner as a dependent, but you will need substantial documentation (see below). If you are applying through St. Kitts, Dominica, or St. Lucia, you cannot include an unmarried partner under any circumstances without a formal marriage certificate.
For European RBI programs, unmarried partners are widely accommodated. Portugal, in particular, has a clearly defined legal mechanism for recognizing common-law unions, making it the most secure option for couples who are not married.
Regardless of which program you pursue, the following documentation checklist is essential for establishing a legitimate common-law relationship for CBI or RBI purposes:
For the majority of Caribbean CBI programs — specifically St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and St. Lucia — yes, a marriage certificate is effectively mandatory if you want to include a partner in your application at spousal rates and legal status.
For Grenada and Antigua, it is not strictly mandatory, but the review is case-by-case, and the outcome cannot be guaranteed without one.
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.
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.
Contact us for a free dependency mapping, documentation audit, and compliance strategy tailored to your household structure and 2026 immigration requirements.