Wealthy Britons step up citizenship shopping to thwart Brexit

The Alfama neighbourhood in Lisbon. Portugal is among the countries which offer visa-free access to the EU. — AFP

THE number of British entrepreneurs looking to "buy" citizenship from countries offering visa-free access to the European Union has risen sharply, investment migration firms say, as prospects of a post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and the bloc darken.

Investment immigration firm Astons said it had seen a 50% and 30% year-on-year increase in interest from clients seeking Cypriot or Greek citizenship respectively this quarter, less than four months before British passport-holders are likely to lose their rights to freedom of movement across the EU.