We never imagined Germany could feel unsafe. Yet when the government approved a draft reform of military service in August 2025, that sense of certainty began to fade.
The law was passed on December 5th, 2025, but we did not wait for the final vote. Once the direction became clear, we moved to secure a second citizenship to restore a sense of security. With Immigrant Invest, the process took just 2.5 months.
Now we have peace of mind, knowing that our children have options and will be safe, whatever the future brings.
Arnold and Franziska
Couple from Germany
Clients’ names and photos have been changed
'What if military service stops being a choice?'
The question came late in the evening, in the quiet stretch of the day when the house finally exhaled. Arnold stood by the kitchen window, phone in hand. Franziska sat at the table with their younger son, 14, checking homework. Their eldest, 18, was upstairs, half in the world of adulthood and half still a child.
Germany’s draft military legislation filled the screen[1]. Not conscription, not officially: voluntary service, but with careful wording and contingency built in. Arnold read the same paragraph twice.
'What if it stops being a choice? ' he said.
Franziska looked up. The question needed no explanation: their eldest was already of age, their younger son was not far behind.
Both in their late 40s, Arnold and Franziska were settled, pragmatic, and used to planning ahead. Arnold, an engineer, was trained to anticipate failure points before they became real. Franziska ran a wellness studio built on the idea that stability is designed, not hoped for. If the rules tightened further, they wanted their sons to have options beyond a single political decision.
Arnold and Franziska did not wait for the final vote, knowing that with decisions like these, planning does not begin on the day a law is passed. Instead, the couple quickly agreed on one thing: second citizenship outside the EU. They were responding not to an immediate threat, but to uncertainty and how quickly a voluntary system can tighten when the political climate shifts.
Turning uncertainty into a clear plan
Arnold and Franziska had heard of citizenship by investment programs before, mostly in Caribbean countries. Once they began researching seriously, the simplicity vanished. Programs blurred together, and the amount of information felt overwhelming.
To sort things out, Arnold and Franziska contacted several consulting agencies, but some replies felt rushed, while others were overly confident. Few focused on the issue Arnold cared about most, risk, even though the investor’s main concern was avoiding a rushed decision that might lead to problems later.
Arnold,
Obtained São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship for his family
Immigrant Invest took a different approach: their response was calm, clear, and tailored to our situation. There were no generic brochures and no artificial urgency; instead, they invited us to talk the issue through properly. It was a real conversation, built on listening.
During the consultation, the manager focused far more on understanding than on selling. They asked about our priorities, how we balanced speed against the long-term stability of a program, whether our eldest son was already legally independent, and other practical considerations.
Only after that did the investment programs expert present two realistic paths.
One of the options that the family was offered was familiar and proven: Vanuatu, a program with a long track record and fast processing. The other was newly established: the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment program.
In the end, São Tomé and Príncipe made sense for the following reasons:
- Low cost. It is the cheapest option, more than twice as affordable as the most affordable Caribbean program and $40,000 cheaper than Vanuatu.
- Fast processing. Citizenship is granted in just over 2 months.
- No personal visits. The application is processed remotely, and investors do not need to visit the country at any stage.
- Location. São Tomé and Príncipe is closer to Germany and more favourably located than Vanuatu.
São Tomé and Príncipe vs. Vanuatu: comparison of program’s features
Country
São Tomé and Príncipe
Investment for a family of 4
$95,000
Obtaining time
2+ months
Personal visit
Not required
Country
Vanuatu
Investment for a family of 4
$165,000+
Obtaining time
2+ months
Personal visit
Required to submit biometrics
Country
Investment for a family of 4
Obtaining time
Personal visit
São Tomé and Príncipe
$95,000
2+ months
Not required
Vanuatu
$165,000+
2+ months
Required to submit biometrics
During the consultation, Immigrant Invest addressed the program’s newness head-on. They explained the legal safeguards, the Due Diligence process, the investment structure, and how risks were mitigated at each stage.
'That honesty, ' Arnold said, 'was what convinced us. They didn’t pretend one option was perfect. They explained who each citizenship program was right for.'
By the end of the call, the decision felt like a plan.
Process designed to reduce stress
The application process began in autumn 2025 and lasted 2.5 months, with Arnold acting as the primary applicant. For him and Franziska, the weeks that followed were surprisingly calm, as Immigrant Invest supported them at every stage.
The total cost amounted to $105,000.
See how Arnold and Franziska’s journey to second citizenship unfolded.
October 30th, 2025
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest conducted an initial background check to ensure there were no factors that could prevent Arnold from participating in the program. The check was successful, and Immigrant Invest signed a service agreement with him to formalise further cooperation.
Immigrant Invest conducted an initial background check to ensure there were no factors that could prevent Arnold from participating in the program. The check was successful, and Immigrant Invest signed a service agreement with him to formalise further cooperation.
+ 2 weeks, $2,000
Document collection and application submission
An Immigrant Invest lawyer was assigned to guide the applicants through the document collection process and prepare the citizenship application. The list of required documents included:
- application forms;
- copies of passports;
- copies of birth certificates;
- passport-sized photos;
- police clearance certificates;
- proof of source of funds;
- bank reference letter;
- medical examination report;
- proof of marital status;
- affidavit of financial dependence for a dependant over 18.
At this stage, Arnold paid $2,000 for document preparation.
An Immigrant Invest lawyer was assigned to guide the applicants through the document collection process and prepare the citizenship application. The list of required documents included:
- application forms;
- copies of passports;
- copies of birth certificates;
- passport-sized photos;
- police clearance certificates;
- proof of source of funds;
- bank reference letter;
- medical examination report;
- proof of marital status;
- affidavit of financial dependence for a dependant over 18.
At this stage, Arnold paid $2,000 for document preparation.
+ 1 day, $5,000
Application submission
Once the documents were prepared, the lawyers submitted them to the CIU by email.
Arnold paid an application invoice of $5,000.
Once the documents were prepared, the lawyers submitted them to the CIU by email.
Arnold paid an application invoice of $5,000.
+ 5 weeks
Due Diligence
The authorities carried out a full Due Diligence review to verify Arnold’s background and eligibility. They then prepared an official recommendation and submitted it to the Ministry and the Cabinet for consideration. The Cabinet made the final decision on the application.
The authorities carried out a full Due Diligence review to verify Arnold’s background and eligibility. They then prepared an official recommendation and submitted it to the Ministry and the Cabinet for consideration. The Cabinet made the final decision on the application.
+ 1 day
Approval
The CIU issued an official decision in the form of an Approval Letter and sent it to Immigrant Invest, who then informed Arnold.
The CIU issued an official decision in the form of an Approval Letter and sent it to Immigrant Invest, who then informed Arnold.
+ 2 week, $98,000
Fulfilment of investment
After approval, Arnold completed the $95,000 investment and paid the mandatory government fees:
- $350 per applicant — passport fee;
- $250 per applicant — Certificate of Registration fee;
- $150 per applicant — national ID card fee.
Arnold then submitted proof of payment, Oath of Allegiance forms, and passport application forms.
The CIU initiated the issuance of the Certificate of Registration, national ID card, and São Tomé and Príncipe passports.
After approval, Arnold completed the $95,000 investment and paid the mandatory government fees:
- $350 per applicant — passport fee;
- $250 per applicant — Certificate of Registration fee;
- $150 per applicant — national ID card fee.
Arnold then submitted proof of payment, Oath of Allegiance forms, and passport application forms.
The CIU initiated the issuance of the Certificate of Registration, national ID card, and São Tomé and Príncipe passports.
January 12th, 2026
Citizenship issuance
Once all formalities were completed, the CIU transferred the original documents, including the Certificate of Registration, national ID card, and passport, to Immigrant Invest for delivery.
The family received the documents by courier.
Once all formalities were completed, the CIU transferred the original documents, including the Certificate of Registration, national ID card, and passport, to Immigrant Invest for delivery.
The family received the documents by courier.
Real meaning of São Tomé and Príncipe passports
There was no dramatic celebration, just a quiet evening at home. Franziska placed the passports on the table. Arnold sat down across from her. For a moment, neither spoke. Their eldest son glanced at the documents, curious but understated. Their younger one asked what country it was.
'Somewhere you may never need, ' Arnold said. 'But it’s there for you.'
Only then did Franziska feel the tension leave her shoulders.
The family had not left Germany or abandoned their lives. They had simply ensured that their children’s futures were not bound to a single political decision, thanks to São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment.
You too can secure a plan B through one of the most affordable citizenship programmes in the world. Immigrant Invest is here to help you.
Source
- Source: The Federal Government of Germany website: Military service is being modernised
