Vanuatu vs El Salvador: both Bitcoin-native, one is accessible.
This is the rare comparison where both sides are genuinely built for Bitcoiners. El Salvador's Freedom Passport is the citizenship of the Bitcoin country, at a roughly $1,000,000 contribution. Vanuatu is the fast, accessible Bitcoin second citizenship at about $145,000. 21 CBI is a licensed agent of the Freedom Passport, and cbi.vu sells Vanuatu, so this is an honest comparison of two real options from the same firm.
One-seventh the cost, for the same Bitcoin posture.
The roughly seven-to-one cost ratio is the whole story of who each program is for. El Salvador is a $1,000,000 statement; Vanuatu is a $145,000 tool. Both are legitimate, and 21 CBI can handle either. Run the Vanuatu numbers on the calculator.
Both treat Bitcoin as the starting point, not a problem.
Most of this site compares Vanuatu to programs that were not designed with Bitcoiners in mind. El Salvador is the exception. It made Bitcoin legal tender, and the Freedom Passport is a contribution-in-Bitcoin program by design, which is about as Bitcoin-native as a citizenship can be. So on the question of "will they understand my Bitcoin," both pass.
Vanuatu is not a Bitcoin-legal-tender country, but cbi.vu runs the Vanuatu file in a Bitcoin-native way regardless: on-chain source-of-funds reconstruction is the normal starting point, and selected 21 CBI invoices may settle in BTC, Lightning, or USDT by prior arrangement after compliance clearance. The difference between the two is not whether they take Bitcoin seriously; it is price, speed, and what you are buying.
A statement, or a tool.
The accessible Bitcoin passport.
For the Bitcoiner who wants a fast, clean, lower-cost second citizenship and jurisdictional redundancy, with zero personal income tax and a file built for on-chain wealth. $145,000, 30 to 60 days. This is what cbi.vu sells, in depth.
The Bitcoin-country statement.
For the Bitcoiner who specifically wants citizenship of the country that made Bitcoin legal tender, and is making a roughly $1,000,000 commitment to it. A premium choice with meaning beyond mobility. 21 CBI is a licensed agent and can service that file.
Which Bitcoin passport fits your file.
Choose Vanuatu if you want the practical, accessible Bitcoin second citizenship: roughly one-seventh the cost, fast, established, zero personal income tax, and Bitcoin-native in how the file is handled. This is cbi.vu's program.
Choose the El Salvador Freedom Passport if you specifically want citizenship of the Bitcoin country and the roughly $1,000,000 commitment is right for you. 21 CBI is a licensed agent of the Freedom Passport and can handle it; the first call can scope which of the two fits.
Choose São Tomé if budget is the binding constraint. At $90,000 it is the cheaper way in than either, handled through 21 CBI.
The honest answers.
What is the El Salvador Freedom Passport?
El Salvador's citizenship route under The Bitcoin Office of El Salvador, granting citizenship for a contribution of around $1,000,000 in Bitcoin or USDT. It is the most explicitly Bitcoin-native citizenship program in the world, and 21 CBI is a licensed agent of it. A premium, high-commitment program.
How much cheaper is Vanuatu than El Salvador?
Substantially. Vanuatu is about $145,000 all-in; the Freedom Passport is around $1,000,000, roughly seven times the cost. Different buyers: Vanuatu is the fast, accessible route; El Salvador is a premium statement of commitment to the Bitcoin country.
Are both Vanuatu and El Salvador Bitcoin-friendly?
Yes. El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender and its program is contribution-in-Bitcoin by design. Vanuatu is not a Bitcoin-legal-tender country, but cbi.vu handles the file in a Bitcoin-native way: on-chain source of funds as the normal starting point, and selected 21 CBI invoices settling in BTC, Lightning, or USDT by prior arrangement after compliance clearance.
Which is faster, Vanuatu or El Salvador?
Vanuatu is the faster, more established CBI process: 30 to 60 days from a clean file. The Freedom Passport is a newer program chosen for the commitment and Bitcoin-country alignment, not primarily for speed. If a fast, predictable timeline is your priority, Vanuatu is the answer.
Should a Bitcoiner choose Vanuatu or El Salvador?
For most Bitcoiners, Vanuatu: roughly one-seventh the cost, fast, established, zero income tax, Bitcoin-native handling. The Freedom Passport is for the buyer who specifically wants citizenship of the Bitcoin country at a $1,000,000 commitment. 21 CBI is a licensed agent of it; cbi.vu sells Vanuatu, the accessible Bitcoin second citizenship.
Price the accessible Bitcoin passport.
Run your numbers on the live Vanuatu calculator, read the 16-page Vanuatu Brief, or book a confidential file-read with Adam, who can scope Vanuatu or the El Salvador Freedom Passport against your file. Two real Bitcoin options, one firm, the math on the page.