St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, July 5, 2026 – The Government of Antigua and Barbuda wishes to clarify recent media reporting concerning remarks made by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne on the country’s visa-free access to the European Union.
After direct confirmation with the Prime Minister, the Government states clearly that recent claims suggesting that Antigua and Barbuda is expected to lose visa-free access to the European Union by the end of 2026 are inaccurate and constitute a misleading interpretation of the Prime Minister’s original remarks.
The Prime Minister’s previous comments did not indicate that the European Union has decided to remove visa-free access for Antiguan and Barbudan citizens. Rather, they were intended to make clear to the public, investors, and relevant stakeholders that, in the context of evolving global regulatory standards and international travel security requirements, the Government is actively and proactively engaging with European partners to protect the long-term travel rights of Antiguan and Barbudan citizens, safeguard the reputation of the national passport, and continue strengthening the compliance standards of the Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Government emphasizes that its current engagement with relevant European institutions forms part of a long-term and routine compliance dialogue. The core objective is to address concerns through cooperative mechanisms, not to reduce the existing international travel convenience enjoyed by Antiguan and Barbudan citizens. The discussions are primarily focused on strengthening due diligence, enhancing information sharing, improving travel security management, and, where appropriate, exploring feasible technical solutions, including electronic travel authorization mechanisms.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has always maintained, and will continue to maintain, communication with European authorities and international partners in a constructive, transparent, and responsible manner. The Government’s objective is very clear: to preserve the visa-free travel convenience enjoyed by Antiguan and Barbudan citizens while continuing to meet the highest international compliance standards, and to ensure the long-term value and international credibility of the national passport.
Therefore, any attempt to interpret the Prime Minister’s remarks as an “admission that Antigua and Barbuda is about to lose visa-free access to the European Union” is inconsistent with the facts and ignores the diplomatic and compliance work currently being advanced by the Government. Describing an ongoing policy communication and cooperation process as a predetermined negative outcome is inaccurate and irresponsible.
Antigua and Barbuda has long maintained friendly relations with the European Union and European partners, with a strong foundation of cooperation in people-to-people exchanges, development cooperation, security governance, and institutional development. The Government believes that any policy discussions concerning travel facilitation and border management should be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, transparent communication, and constructive consultation.
Prime Minister Browne has consistently made clear that Antigua and Barbuda will firmly defend its national interests, protect the value of its passport, and continue to operate a robust, transparent, and well-regulated Citizenship by Investment Programme. The Programme has long made important contributions to national development, public investment, infrastructure development, and economic resilience. The Government will not allow it to be unfairly misunderstood as a result of one-sided, selective, or sensational reporting.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme has always operated within a framework of rigorous due diligence and international cooperation. The Government will continue to improve the Programme in line with changes in the global regulatory environment, strengthen applicant screening, risk management, and cross-border information cooperation, and remain committed to working with international partners in good faith, transparency, and responsibility.
The Government urges media outlets, commentators, and relevant stakeholders to uphold the principles of accuracy, prudence, and responsibility when reporting on issues related to EU visa-free access and the Citizenship by Investment Programme, and to avoid spreading misleading information that may create unnecessary uncertainty for citizens, investors, and international partners.
The Government’s position is clear: Antigua and Barbuda has not been informed that its visa-free access to the European Union will be removed by the end of 2026. On the contrary, the Government is actively taking diplomatic and compliance measures to ensure that the country continues to meet international standards, preserve the reputation of its passport, and protect the long-term interests of its citizens and investors.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will continue to regard compliance as the lifeline of the Citizenship by Investment Programme. By continuously improving due diligence procedures, strengthening international cooperation, and enhancing regulatory transparency, the Government will further consolidate the international value of the national passport and uphold Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation as a responsible international partner.
