Citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) programmes differ in whether new citizens may be called up for military service. The phrase “no military obligation” can refer either to the absence of an armed force altogether or to the lack of compulsory conscription. Below is the 2026 country‑by‑country status.
How the Claim Is Interpreted
- No armed forces – the state has dissolved its army, navy and air force.
- No conscription – a standing force exists, but service is purely voluntary.
Most Caribbean and Pacific CBI programmes fall into the second category; a few have eliminated their armed forces entirely.
Dominica – No Military Since 1981
- No standing army, navy or air force since 1981.
- Security is provided by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, its Special Service Unit, and a Coast Guard.
- No conscription.
Grenada – No Standing Army
- No army after the 1983 U.S.‑led intervention.
- Security handled by the Royal Grenada Police Force, its Special Services Unit and Coast Guard.
- No conscription.
St Kitts and Nevis – Small Voluntary Defence Force
- Defence Force (SKNDF) of 150‑300 personnel (infantry regiment + coast guard).
- Recruitment is voluntary; minimum age 18.
- No conscription; new CBI citizens have no service obligation.
Antigua and Barbuda – Similar Voluntary Force
- Defence Force of roughly 240‑245 personnel (regiment, coast guard, support units).
- All service is by recruitment, not conscription.
- No mandatory military service for citizens or CBI applicants.
Vanuatu – Paramilitary Police Unit
- No traditional army, navy or air force since independence (1980).
- Vanuatu Mobile Force: ~300 volunteer members operating under police command.
- No conscription; often listed with countries lacking a meaningful standing military.
São Tomé and Príncipe – New CBI Programme with Statutory Exemption
- Citizenship‑by‑investment launched August 2025; donation starts at USD 90,000 to the National Transformation Fund.
- Armed Forces (FASTP) of ~300 personnel (army, coast guard, presidential guard) are all volunteers.
- Decreto‑Lei n.º 07/2025 explicitly exempts CBI citizens and their dependents from compulsory military service.
Turkey – Conscription Applies, but Most Investors Are Exempt
- Law No. 7179 mandates male citizens to serve from age 20 to 41.
- Conscription attaches automatically to any new citizen, including CBI recipients.
- Article 43 provides an automatic exemption for males who are 22 years or older at naturalisation, treating them as having completed service.
- For men under 22:
- Service can be deferred until age 37.
- Paid exemption (“Bedelli Askerlik”) allows completion of ~28 days of training for a fee of 280,000–300,000 TRY (adjusted semi‑annually). A lower‑cost foreign‑currency track exists for citizens residing abroad ≥ 3 years.
- Women are not subject to conscription.
Regional Security System (RSS) – Collective Defence for Caribbean Nations
- St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are members.
- The RSS provides shared defence, allowing member states to maintain minimal or no independent forces.
Practical Implications for CBI Applicants
- Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Vanuatu, and São Tomé & Príncipe – No risk of future conscription or reserve obligations, regardless of age. São Tomé & Príncipe offers the strongest guarantee by embedding the exemption in its CBI legislation.
- Turkey – Legal conscription obligation exists for all male citizens. The age‑22 exemption means most investors (typically over 22) are automatically exempt; younger male applicants must consider deferral or paid exemption options.
- European examples such as Cyprus retain conscription, highlighting that the issue varies beyond the Caribbean and Turkey.
Note: Military service laws and CBI programme terms can change. Applicants should verify current regulations with the relevant authorities or a licensed advisor before proceeding.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
