Tools
Arton Index
Industry benchmark of Global Citizen Programs.
WHY BENCHMARKING IS IMPORTANT
At Arton we are in constant contact with high net worth individuals, and we are privileged to see how their needs and considerations evolve. These relationships help us streamline and focus on what is important to our clients. It is a challenge to simplify complexity, but this is what we excel at. We empower our clients to find the right fit with ease. Now you have all the tools in your hands.
COMPOSITE INDEX
Although mobility remains important, it is no longer the only driver for a second residence or citizenship. Each Global Citizen program offers a unique set of benefits. We have distilled these benefits into five key pillars – the benchmarks against which you can evaluate each program based on your needs and goals.
cost
The investment you are willing to make.
speed
Time to citizenship, including time to residence.
mobility
Number of countries you may visit visa-free or visa-on-arrival.
quality of life
Based on external Quality of Life indices.
simplicity
Some programs are simpler and more straightforward than others.
2023 Arton Index scores are:
Dominica
Dominica is a top-scorer in Simplicity and cost-effectiveness among the Caribbean programs. It has lower mobility than some peers but remains one of the most competitive options in terms of total outlay.
Arton Index score: 81
Cost | Speed | Global mobility | Quality of life | Simplicity | Arton Index score | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (30) | (20) | (20) | (10) | (20) | (100) | ||
 Antigua & Barbuda | 75 | 90 | 80 | 60 | 88 | 80 | ▲ |
 Bulgaria | 80 | 65 | 80 | 75 | 85 | 78 | ▼ |
 Quebec, Canada | 65 | 50 | 90 | 95 | 60 | 69 | ▲ |
 Cyprus | 30 | 95 | 90 | 85 | 70 | 69 | ▼ |
 Dominica | 90 | 85 | 60 | 55 | 95 | 81 | ▲ |
 Grenada | 80 | 90 | 65 | 60 | 90 | 79 | ▲ |
 Malta | 60 | 75 | 95 | 95 | 90 | 80 | ▼ |
 Montenegro | 70 | 85 | 75 | 70 | 85 | 77 | ▼ |
 Portugal | 70 | 60 | 85 | 90 | 65 | 72 | ▲ |
 Saint Lucia | 85 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 85 | 79 | ▲ |
 St. Kitts & Nevis | 80 | 80 | 75 | 65 | 90 | 80 | ▼ |
 United Kingdom | 40 | 35 | 95 | 90 | 30 | 53 | ▲ |
 United States of America | 45 | 40 | 95 | 95 | 35 | 57 | ▼ |
Arton Index figures are reviewed periodically and updated when material changes occur.
Overview
The Arton Index is a comparative tool measuring programs for residence and citizenship from the perspective of the investor. It is built around indicators grouped into five categories: Cost, Speed, Global Mobility, Quality of Life and Simplicity. These reflect the key factors high net worth individuals consider when choosing the program that best fits their needs.
Key findings
- Caribbean programs such as Dominica and Grenada perform strongly thanks to highly competitive costs and improved global mobility.
- Bulgaria and Malta remain among Europe’s most compelling offerings from the investor perspective.
- The U.K. and the USA rank lower on the index principally due to duration and complexity, but they still remain among the most attractive final destinations for investors and their families.
Methodology
The index measures how appealing global residence and citizenship programs are to high net worth individuals. Each of the five pillars has a specific weight in the composite score:
- Cost (30%) – required investment, government fees and financing costs for a representative family profile.
- Speed (20%) – duration of the application process and total time required to qualify for citizenship.
- Global Mobility (20%) – visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to key financial centers and the total number of destinations reachable.
- Quality of Life (10%) – based on external indices that rank countries on factors such as safety, infrastructure, health and education.
- Simplicity (20%) – complexity of procedures, documentation, residence requirements and program stability.
Scores are normalized on a 0–100 scale so that programs can be compared on a like-for-like basis, whether they are residence-to-citizenship pathways or direct citizenship programs.
The five pillars in detail
Cost
Cost is often the first filter for most investors. It captures not only the main investment route, but also government fees and financing or contribution options applicable to a typical family. Programs that deliver strong benefits at lower capital outlay achieve higher scores.
Speed
Speed reflects how quickly investors and their families can obtain residence and ultimately citizenship. Legislated processing times, fast-track routes and practical experience with processing backlogs all influence this pillar.
Global Mobility
Global Mobility assesses the power of a passport. It looks at visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to key financial centers and socio-cultural hubs, as well as the overall number of destinations that become accessible through the program.
Quality of Life
Quality of Life is based on external indices that track economic strength, political stability, security, education, healthcare, environment and infrastructure. Investors often weigh this pillar heavily when they plan where their family will live, study and work.
Simplicity
Simplicity measures how straightforward it is to navigate a given program. Clear rules, streamlined documentation, predictable timelines and stable policy frameworks generate higher scores. Complex programs with frequent changes or heavy residence requirements score lower.
Background
Each year, thousands of families choose to invest in their future through residence and citizenship by investment programs. As more countries enter the space and existing programs evolve, investors need a structured way to compare options. The Arton Index provides that benchmark, enabling a transparent and investor-centric view of how each program performs.
For industry stakeholders, the index highlights where programs are competitive, where they lag and how legislative or policy changes may affect their positioning. For investors, it offers a clear snapshot of the trade-offs across cost, speed, mobility, quality of life and simplicity.