The best alternative residency & citizenship programmes for Lebanese citizens
20 February 2020
As political unrest continues in Lebanon, there is a growing appetite amongst Lebanese citizens for the global mobility, financial security and personal safety provided by Residency-by-Investment (RBI) and Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programmes.
Despite the unrest, we are committed to providing Lebanon-based investors with the intimate and personalised service that Latitude's reputation is based upon.
From our new offices in Beirut, we offer investors our full suite of RBI & CBI solutions. Clients of Latitude Lebanon also benefit from the support of our global team, who provide streamlined administration and consultation services to all our clients 24 hours a day.
To help Lebanese citizens decide on their perfect programme, Latitude Lebanon's Managing Director, Marc Menard, has put together this helpful guide.
The most popular citizenship & residency programmes for Lebanese citizens
Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment programmes
Lebanese citizens can acquire a passport from one of five Caribbean countries in return for an investment starting at US$100,000.
Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment programmes are popular with Lebanese citizens because of the increased global mobility they offer for a relatively small investment.
For example, Grenada's Citizenship-by-Investment programme gives visa-free access to 140+ countries including the United Kingdom & China in return for an investment of US$150,000.
The stable political systems that are found throughout the Caribbean also provide Lebanese families with increased financial security and a safe second home should it be needed.
Five Caribbean countries currently offer Citizenship-by-Investment programmes:
Attractive features of the Caribbean programmes include:
- A booming tourism industry
- A safe and tranquil second home
- Affordable property investments
Lebanese citizens considering applying for alternative citizenship in the Caribbean must be able to meet the following requirements.
- Approximate minimum investment: US$100,000 (LBP 150,750,000)
- Be of outstanding character
- Hold no criminal record
View more information about the Citizenship-by-Investment programmes
Cyprus Citizenship-by-Investment programme
Lebanese citizens can acquire EU citizenship in Cyprus for an investment starting at €2million
At the opposite end of the scale to the Caribbean programmes is the Cyprus Citizenship-by-Investment programme.
In return for an investment of €2million, Lebanese citizens can be granted full citizenship in Cyprus and a powerful EU passport.
Benefits of citizenship in Cyprus include:
- The right to live and work anywhere in the European Union
- Visa-free access to over 170 countries
- Access to world leading educational and health institutions
- Low tax rates
Cyprus is an attractive location for Lebanese citizens because of its proximity to Lebanon. Lebanese citizens find it easy to assimilate Cyprus' diverse culture and warm climate.
Lebanese citizens considering applying for citizenship of Cyprus must be able to meet the following requirements.
- Approximate minimum investment: €2.150 million (approx LBP 3,515,700,000)
- Be of outstanding character
- Hold no criminal record
- Be over the age of 18
- Have health insurance
View more information about the Cyprus Citizenship-by-Investment programme
Greece Golden Visa Programme
Lebanese citizens can acquire residency in Greece for a investment starting at €250,000
Greece's Golden Visa Programme offers successful applicants residency in the country and visa-free access to the Schengen area.
The programme is the most affordable of its kind in Europe and offers shorter application times than Portugal's Golden Visa.
Applicants are not required to reside permanently in the country. However, many Lebanese citizens are attracted to live in Greece for reasons including:
- A stable political system
- A steady economy
- Familiar climate
- Good transport links with Europe and the Middle East
- Safety for the family
If the applicant does make Greece their permanent home, the Golden Visa Programme offers a pathway to Greek and European Union citizenship after seven years.
Lebanese citizens considering applying for Greece's Golden Visa must be able to meet the following requirements.
- Approximate minimum investment: €250,000 (approx LBP 416,000,000)
- Be of outstanding character
- Hold no criminal record
More programmes that may suit Lebanese citizens
Other RBI programmes worth considering include:
Malta residency: live in the beautiful island of Malta and travel visa-free throughout the Schengen area with a minimum investment of €250,000 (approx. LBP 432,700,000)
Malta citizenship: an alternative to the Cyprus programme, citizenship in Malta also offers all the benefits of an EU passport with the minimum investment starting at €1million.
Vanuatu citizenship: Increase you global mobility and benefit from low taxation with a passport from the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. Investment starts at US$130,000.
Marc Menard, leading the Lebanon team
Marc Menard has spent many years connecting Lebanese citizens with suitable residency & citizenship programmes
Marc Menard, a senior member of the Latitude team since 2017, will be leading the Latitude Lebanon team.
Marc has spent many years living in Beirut. His fluency in both English and French makes him ideally positioned to advise Lebanese clients looking to enjoy the advantages of visa-free travel, enhanced mobility, safety, security and access to world-class education.
Latitude Lebanon contact details
Marc Menard, IMCM
Managing Director | Latitude Lebanon (RIF Trust) SAL Offshore
Beirut Souks, Block M, 4th Floor, Weygand Street, Beirut Central District, Down Town, PO Box 11-2961 Beirut, Lebanon
M: +961 76 834 632
T: +961 (0)1 956 481