Exhibit 5.1

SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

Citigroup Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

ONE MANHATTAN WEST

NEW YORK, NY 10001

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

February 12, 2026

FIRM/AFFILIATE

OFFICES

BOSTON

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PALO ALTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WILMINGTON

ABU DHABI

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

FRANKFURT

HONG KONG

LONDON

MUNICH

PARIS

SÃO PAULO

SEOUL

SINGAPORE

TOKYO

TORONTO

Re:

Citigroup Inc.—Sale of 1,000,000 Depositary Shares,

Each Representing a 1/25th Interest in a Share of

6.500% Fixed Rate Reset Noncumulative Preferred Stock, Series JJ

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special United States counsel to Citigroup Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the public offering by the Company of 1,000,000 depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”), representing an aggregate of 40,000 shares (the “Preferred Shares”) of the Company’s 6.500% Fixed Rate Reset Noncumulative Preferred Stock, Series JJ, par value $1.00 and $25,000 liquidation preference amount per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The Preferred Shares are to be deposited by the Company with Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare Trust”), acting jointly as depositary (collectively in such capacity, the “Depositary”), pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, dated February 12, 2026 (the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, the Depositary, the other parties thereto and the holders from time to time of receipts issued under the Deposit Agreement to evidence the Depositary Shares. On February 5, 2026, the Company entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representative of the underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of the Depositary Shares.

This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

(a) the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-270327) of the Company relating to preferred stock, depositary shares and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on March 7, 2023 under the Securities Act allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), including the information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations (such registration statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

Citigroup Inc.

February 12, 2026

Page 2

(b) the prospectus, dated March 7, 2023 (the “Base Prospectus”), which forms a part of and is included in the Registration Statement;

(c) the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated February 5, 2026 (together with the Base Prospectus, the “Preliminary Prospectus”), relating to the offering of the Depositary Shares, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

(d) the prospectus supplement, dated February 5, 2026 (together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”), relating to the offering of the Depositary Shares, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

(e) an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement;

(f) an executed copy of the Deposit Agreement;

(g) an executed certificate evidencing the Preferred Shares registered in the name of Computershare Trust (the “Preferred Stock Certificate”);

(h) an executed Receipt registered in the name of Cede & Co., relating to the Depositary Shares (the “Receipt”);

(i) the Certificate of Designations, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware designating the Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 11, 2026 and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;

(j) an executed copy of a certificate of Karen Wang, Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”);

(k) a copy of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of February 11, 2026 (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate as being in effect on the date of the resolutions referred to below and as of the date hereof;

(l) a copy of the Company’s By-Laws, as amended and in effect as of the date hereof (the “By-Laws”), certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate as being in effect on the date of the resolutions referred to below and as of the date hereof; and

(m) copies of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted on April 29, 2025 and certain resolutions of the Preferred Stock Committee thereof, adopted on February 5, 2026, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate.

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February 12, 2026

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We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. With respect to our opinion set forth in paragraph 1 below, we have assumed that the Company received the consideration for the Depositary Shares set forth in the Underwriting Agreement and the applicable board and committee resolutions. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials, including the facts and conclusions set forth in the Secretary’s Certificate and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the factual representations and warranties set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the DGCL and (ii) the laws of the State of New York (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on-Law”).

As used herein, “Organizational Documents” means those documents listed in paragraphs (k) and (l) above.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Preferred Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and, when the Preferred Stock Certificate is duly executed and delivered to and deposited with the Depositary in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Depositary Shares issuable upon deposit of the Preferred Stock Certificate are delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. The Depositary Shares, when evidenced by the Receipt issued under the Deposit Agreement against deposit of the underlying Preferred Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will entitle the registered holder thereof to the rights specified in such Receipt and in the Deposit Agreement.

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following assumptions and qualifications:

(a) we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and governmental orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

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February 12, 2026

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(b) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of (i) the compliance or non-compliance of any party to the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement with any laws, rules or regulations applicable to such party or (ii) the legal status or legal capacity of any party to the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement;

(c) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

(d) we do not express any opinion whether the execution or delivery of the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement by the Company, or the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any covenant, restriction or provision with respect to financial ratios or tests or any aspect of the financial condition or results of operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

(e) the opinions stated herein are limited to the agreements and documents specifically identified in the opinions contained herein (the “Specified Documents”) without regard to any agreement or other document referenced in any such Specified Document (including agreements or other documents incorporated by reference or attached or annexed thereto) and without regard to any other agreement or document relating to any such Specified Document;

(f) we have assumed that the certificate evidencing the Depositary Shares has been signed by one of the authorized officers of the transfer agent and registrar for the Preferred Stock and registered by such transfer agent and registrar and conforms to the Preferred Stock Certificate; and

(g) we have assumed that the Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares has been signed by one of the authorized officers of the depositary, transfer agent and registrar for the Depositary Shares and registered by such depositary, transfer agent and registrar.

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have also assumed that:

(a) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares: (i) constituted or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to those agreements or instruments expressed to be governed

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February 12, 2026

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by the laws of the State of New York which are listed in Part II of the Registration Statement or the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024), (iii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject, or (iv) violated or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law);

(b) the Company’s issuance of the Preferred Shares does not and will not (i) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, violate any statute to which the Company or such issuance is subject, (ii) constitute a violation of, or a breach under, or require the consent or approval of any other person under, any agreement or instrument binding on the Company (except that we do not make this assumption with respect to the Organizational Documents or those agreements or instruments expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York which are listed in Part II of the Registration Statement or the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, although we have assumed compliance with any covenant, restriction or provision with respect to financial ratios or tests or any aspect of the financial condition or results of operations of the Company contained in such agreements or instruments) or (iii) contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or its property is subject;

(c) the Company’s authorized capital stock is as set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Certificate of Designations and we have relied solely on the certified copies thereof issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and have not made any other inquiries or investigations; and

(d) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement or the Deposit Agreement nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the Preferred Shares, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

This opinion letter shall be interpreted in accordance with customary practice of United States lawyers who regularly give opinions in transactions of this type.

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K being filed on the date hereof, and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion letter is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

DSY

CITIGROUP INC 8-K