Citizenship

Turkiye citizenship offers the advantages of travelling to 120+ countries visa-free and the opportunity to pursue an E-2 business visa to the United States — all alongside moving to a country with a mild climate, gorgeous sea, and diverse culture.  Foreigners can obtain these benefits and get a Turkish passport by investing at least $400,000 in the country’s economy. The process of obtaining citizenship typically takes at least 8 months, with the potential for investment returns within three years. Read on to learn how one can get Turkiye citizenship by investment, who is eligible, and how this program differs from others.

Vladlena Baranova

Acquiring citizenship by investment is one of the paths available for foreigners in Antigua and Barbuda. The threshold to participate in the citizenship by investment program is $230,000, and the investor does not have to move to Antigua and Barbuda or renounce the existing citizenship. Becoming a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda will give you and your family the right to travel visa-free to over 150 countries, including the Schengen Area and the UK.

Lyle Julien

The St Kitts and Nevis CBI Program is a government initiative that allows individuals to obtain citizenship by investment. It was established to attract foreigners to the country and promote economic development. The program offers several investment options with a minimum financial requirement of $250,000. The investor and their family members obtain citizenship in 6+ months from the application date. However, under the Public Benefit Option, the expected processing time is around 4 months, provided all documents are submitted correctly and Due Diligence is completed without delays. Find out more about how to participate in a CBI Program and become a St Kitts and Nevis citizen.

Lyle Julien

The benefits of second citizenship depend on the country in which one obtains a passport.  For instance, Caribbean citizenship allows travel without visas to more than 100 countries, creation of a plan B abroad, and access to a more beneficial taxation system. Second citizenship can also have certain disadvantages. For example, in the United States, individuals with multiple nationalities may face restrictions on holding security clearance or specific government jobs, particularly those involving sensitive national security positions.

Vladlena Baranova

Some countries are ready to give you citizenship by investment in as little as two months. Others will make you wait for 7­—10 years. It’s difficult to determine which country is the easiest to get citizenship in, as each one has its own peculiarities. However, we have compiled a list of countries with the fastest citizenship by investment, along with additional information on each option.

Albert Ioffe

To obtain a second passport, an individual can get married, confirm a familial relation to a citizen of the country, or undergo the naturalisation process. An alternative option is to acquire citizenship by investment. Two countries, Vanuatu and São Tomé and Príncipe, offer the fastest citizenship-by-investment program, with passports issued in just 2 months. The simplest programs are found in the Caribbean, featuring short processing times and no requirement for physical residency.

Albert Ioffe

Some countries have Citizenship by Investment, CBI, programs that open doors to new opportunities in exchange for investment. CBI programs are considered the fastest, safest, and easiest way to obtain a second passport. Its applicants receive the same rights as native citizens. People pursue second citizenship for various reasons, such as greater global mobility, enhanced business opportunities, or securing a safe haven. We selected 10 countries that offer the best conditions to get citizenship by investment.

Albert Ioffe

Saint Lucia citizenship can be obtained in several ways. Citizenship by birth is granted to children born in the country or abroad to St Lucia citizens. To obtain citizenship by registration, an applicant must have ties to St Lucia, such as being married to or adopted by a St Lucian. The quickest and simplest way to become a St Lucia citizen is to participate in the citizenship by investment program.

Lyle Julien

Vanuatu is a tropical island state in the South Pacific where a second passport can be obtained not only by birth or long-term residence, but also by investment. The country first introduced citizenship by investment in the 1990s\[1\], establishing Vanuatu as one of the pioneers of this type of program. Nowadays, Vanuatu offers several options for investors, including contributions to the state fund and investments in the Cocoa Sustainable Development Fund.

Lyle Julien

The country has one of the fastest citizenship by investment programs, with approvals in 2+ months, and one of the most affordable, starting with $130,000 for a single applicant. Vanuatu passport holders enjoy visa-free access to around 100 countries, a zero-tax regime and the option to establish International Business Companies exempt from tax for up to 20 years. Common questions about Vanuatu’s citizenship program were discussed with Zlata Erlach, Head of the Austrian office at Immigrant Invest.

Zlata Erlach

Vanuatu passport renewal is a mandatory legal obligation under the Passport Act for all Vanuatu citizens. Holders of a Vanuatu passport obtained through citizenship by investment or any other route must renew their passport every 10 years.  The renewal process can be completed at any Vanuatu consulate worldwide without visiting Vanuatu.

Lyle Julien

Portugal offers a residency by investment known as the Golden Visa, but it does not automatically grant citizenship. However, after holding residency for 5 years, individuals may become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation. Portuguese citizens enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as visa-free access to over 170 countries, a high quality of life at relatively low prices, a warm climate, comfortable conditions for expats, and a high safety level.

Eymi Castro

In April 2025, Malta’s citizenship framework changed fundamentally. The country replaced citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment model with a merit-based approach. Maltese citizenship now rewards contribution and genuine integration rather than passive capital. It is aimed at individuals who create tangible value for the country through business activity, innovation, research, culture, or philanthropy aligned with national priorities. This guide explains how the new framework works, who can realistically qualify, and what determines success under the post-2025 rules.

Anna Semenyuk

Global migration is at an all-time high. In 2025, more than six million people received permanent status in OECD countries. At the same time, wealthy individuals face fewer investment routes as many programmes close and tax rules become stricter.  As a result, interest is shifting toward simpler and more affordable citizenship options. São Tomé and Príncipe offers the lowest-cost citizenship by investment in the world, starting at $90,000. This is well below Vanuatu’s $130,000 and Caribbean programmes that begin at $200,000.

Lyle Julien

Dual citizenship liberalisation, military service debates, and rising geopolitical tension have become key triggers for Germans to look abroad. The June 2024 reform allowing dual citizenship without renunciation the German one removed a major barrier. As a result, citizenship by investment programmes have become a realistic option for Germans seeking long-term security.

Zlata Erlach

One of the significant advantages of holding a Hungarian passport is the ability to travel to numerous countries without the need for a visa. As of February 2026, Hungary citizens have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 countries and territories. This global mobility places the Hungarian passport at 33rd place in the world in the Immigrant Invest Freedom of Travel ranking. This article provides a comprehensive list of visa-free countries and the duration of stay allowed for Hungarian passport holders.

Zlata Erlach

There are officially 4.4 million stateless people worldwide\[1\]. For a small group with sufficient resources, citizenship-by-investment and Golden Visa programs offer a potential way to secure a passport and full legal identity. São Tomé and Príncipe and Grenada are among the few CBI programs that accept stateless applicants, with minimum investments of $90,000 and $250,000. São Tomé and Príncipe takes about 2 months, while Grenada takes around 8 months but offers a stronger passport and extra benefits.

Vladlena Baranova

In Berlin, a new refrain is heard more often: “Then just go to St Kitts.” It refers to a luxury apartment priced at around $325,000. For that sum, a buyer does not only acquire a property in the sun, but can also qualify for the passport of the island state of St Kitts and Nevis. This guide examines why St Kitts and Nevis is gaining attention among Germans and outlines the key features of its citizenship by investment programme.

Avril Blanchette

To become a citizen of an EU country, one can follow three paths: descent, naturalisation, and naturalisation after making an investment. Obtaining an EU country's citizenship can take 3 to 10 years, depending on the specific state and circumstances, as well as on the applicant's situation. 

Albert Ioffe

The Vanuatu passport cost comprises the investment itself and additional expenses.  The minimum sum under the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program is $130,000 contributed to a state fund as a single investor. There is a CNO Future Fund Option, costing at least $157,000.  Additional expenses add up at least $15,000—17,000.

Lyle Julien

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment is issued for life. In confirmation, the investor receives two documents: a naturalisation certificate and a passport. The naturalisation certificate is valid for life. On this basis, applicants change their passports. The process of renewing a passport takes up to 2 months and costs $1,055. Find out what to do if the passport has expired or it’s necessary to change the name on the document.

Lyle Julien

Grenada recognises dual citizenship. This means that foreigners can obtain Grenada passports and keep their first nationality — and enjoy the benefits of multiple citizenship. Citizens of Grenada can travel visa-free to 140+ countries in the world, including the Schengen states. They can also obtain a 10-year visa to the USA. Besides, nationals of the country enjoy a sparing taxation system and can easily open accounts in European banks. The investment path to a Grenada passport takes at least 8 months and requires a contribution of at least $235,000.

Lyle Julien

Wealthy people often get second passports for visa-free travelling. Caribbean citizenship is famous for its wide range of visa-free destinations, and Caribbean Citizenship by investment, or CBI programs — for their cost and fast-track procedures. Two of the five Caribbean CBI programs operate in St Kitts and Nevis and in Antigua and Barbuda. Learn about conditions for obtaining citizenship by investment, how to compare passports of Antigua and Barbuda with St Kitts and Nevis’s, and choose the most convenient citizenship by investment program.

Lyle Julien

Citizenship by investment allows individuals to obtain a second passport by making a qualifying contribution to a country's economy. Grenada’s citizenship program is among the most popular and cost-effective options, offering a straightforward path to a second passport.  Investors can either contribute $235,000 to the National Transformation Fund or purchase real estate worth at least $270,000 to secure Grenadian citizenship. Within a few months, applicants gain the valued freedom of global mobility. The investor and their family can travel to more than 140 countries without visas.

Lyle Julien

Most often citizenship of the European Union, EU, is obtained by naturalisation. You need to obtain a resident status and live in the country for several years. In some EU countries, there are investment residence permit programs that simplify the path to citizenship. In Malta, cosmopolitans can obtain citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment after 1 or 3 years of residence.

Albert Ioffe

Newborn children acquire citizenship either by "right of blood" or "right of soil". In the first case, it is based on the citizenship of the parents, and in the second case, it depends on the country of birth. In some countries both these principles apply. We explain these concepts in detail.

Vladlena Baranova

Investors can get a second passport if they spend at least $270,000 on Grenada government-approved real estate.  The property can be used as a vacation residency or place of living. An investor can also rent the property out. The holiday season in Grenada lasts all year round: 500,000 tourists visit the country every year. They stay in hotels or rent villas. Find out more about Grenada real estate citizenship: what benefits there are for investors, except liquid assets and Caribbean citizenship.

Elena Ruda

The Georgian passport offers visa-free travel to 137 countries and prominent business opportunities. The country is also among the safest in the world. Common ways to obtain Georgia citizenship are birth, naturalisation, marriage, and investment. For the latter, an investor contributes at least $100,000 and becomes a citizen in 10 years.

Elena Ruda

49% of all countries allow dual citizenship: the US, Caribbean states, Türkiye, and many others. With dual citizenship, one can choose better living conditions, receive social benefits, and have more opportunities to travel. Careful planning is essential when obtaining dual citizenship; it's important to verify whether the home country permits it to avoid losing the original citizenship. Continue reading to learn which countries offer dual citizenship and what is the easiest way to obtain one more nationality.

Vladlena Baranova

It is not possible to obtain New Zealand citizenship by investment, but there are investment residence permit programs in the country. Under their terms, applicants invest from 3 million New Zealand dollars in the country's economy. We will tell you why the status of a resident of New Zealand is attractive and whether you need to move to the country in order to obtain citizenship.

Elena Ruda

Maltese citizens can travel to 187 countries without visas. It puts Malta citizenship in the 10 most powerful in the global passport index. Cosmopolitans have an opportunity to get Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. Learn about the conditions applicants must meet to become Maltese citizens and other benefits of the country's passport.

Julia Loko

Hungarian citizenship provides the right to work and reside in any EU country, access to high-quality healthcare and education, and the freedom to travel without visas to more than 170 countries worldwide. This makes the Hungarian passport one of the most desirable. Explore all the ways to obtain Hungarian citizenship, from investment programs to options like naturalisation, repatriation, marriage or family ties. Each path has its characteristics, requirements, and steps that must be completed to become a full citizen of the country.

Zlata Erlach

Caribbean citizenship by investment is available not only to individuals but also to families. Spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings can apply together.  The participation of multiple family members doesn't necessarily mean higher costs, as some countries offer highly favourable options specifically for families. This article explains who can obtain Caribbean citizenship alongside the main investor and how inheritance and family reunification work in these programs.

Lyle Julien

There are several ways to obtain Montenegro citizenship. They include marriage to a citizen of Montenegro, holding a status of a permanent resident of the country or participating in the citizenship by investment program. The latter requires the least time and is available to anyone willing to provide enough funds. However, this option won’t be available for a long time – the program closes in December 2022.

Igor Buglo

Investors obtain Malta citizenship by naturalisation. Firstly, they get a residence permit and then apply for citizenship after one or three years. The minimum investment amount is €690,000. Malta passport holders can travel to more than 160 countries without visas. Foreigners become full-fledged Malta citizens if they pass a strict Eligibility Test. Dual citizenship has been accepted in Malta since 2000.

Julia Loko

Citizenship by investment is granted to foreign investors who make a significant contribution to a country's economy. This is a relatively fast way of obtaining a second passport.  18 jurisdictions offer citizenship by investment. Each has its own eligibility requirements and rules. The key is to choose the best option based on individual needs and preferences.

Lyle Julien

Cosmopolitans with St Kitts and Nevis citizenship enjoy visa-free access to most destinations worldwide, have an opportunity to obtain a long-term visa to the United States, and get other benefits. Along with the rights, there are also obligations. For example, to comply with the rules of the citizenship program if the foreigner became a St Kitts and Nevis citizen by investment.  Learn more about the opportunities a St Kitts and Nevis passport gives to its holders and how an investor can maintain the status of a citizen.

Lyle Julien

If an immigrant does not have enough money to stay in the country, they can ask for help from a sponsor. The sponsor guarantees the government that the immigrant will receive financial support during their stay. Sponsors can be family members, friends, companies, or anyone else. Sponsors have certain responsibilities. First and foremost, their financial situation must allow them to help the immigrant while still being able to provide for themselves.

Vladlena Baranova

Estonia's digital infrastructure and thriving startup ecosystem make it an attractive destination for expatriates seeking convenience and opportunity. Individuals can acquire Estonian citizenship through birth or naturalisation. For the latter, a foreigner needs to reside in the country for 10 years. This path is also open to investors looking to establish roots in Estonia.

Elena Ruda

The "cosmopolitan" term comes from two Greek words: "cosmos", the universe and "polites", a citizen. Therefore, a cosmopolitan is a citizen of the world who recognizes the entire planet as their homeland rather than a single country.

Elena Ruda

A Turkish passport offers a variety of benefits, including travelling to 113 countries visa-free and receiving long-term visas to the USA and Schengen states. There’s a way to obtain Turkish citizenship by an investment of $400,000+. Investors can choose one of five options: real estate purchase, business investments, bank deposit, and purchase of government bonds or units in an investment fund. The whole process takes 6—8 months.

Vladlena Baranova

Malta citizenship offers the opportunity to live, work, study, and build a European business. Besides, citizenship gives cosmopolitans a new quality of life: freedom to travel without visas and to live in a European country.  A foreigner can become a Maltese citizen by naturalisation, marriage, descent, or family reunification. The Maltese Government also attracts wealthy people willing to invest in the country’s economy with a simplified naturalisation path taking 1 or 3 years instead of the usual 5 years of permanent living on the island.

Julia Loko

Dominica is one of the countries in the Caribbean that offers second citizenship for real estate investment. Most wealthy people applying to Immigrant Invest to participate in the Dominica program think it is about buying villas and apartments. However, the program limits the cost and choice of objects.

Elena Ruda

The minimum requirement under the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is $250,000 for a non-refundable contribution and $325,000 for real estate purchase. Obtaining period is at least 6 months.  St Kitts and Nevis passport cost depends on the chosen investment option and the number of family members included in the application. The total expenses for a single applicant, including investment and fees, start at $260,661.

Zlata Erlach

An Italian passport allows its holders to travel visa-free to 188 countries around the world, as well as work, live and study in any country in the European Union. Italy recognises dual and multiple citizenship, which means that foreigners can become Italian citizens without renouncing their first nationality and enjoy the benefits of both passports. Even though Italy does not offer citizenship by investment, the Italy Golden Visa opens up a path towards obtaining it within ten years.

Igor Buglo

No vampires remain in Romania — only about 300 castles they used to live in. Mediaeval fortifications aside, Romania boasts an attractive passport that will be even stronger once the country joins the Schengen Area in April 2024. Impressive travel freedom, low cost of living, and acres of pristine nature — what’s not to like? Beware of scam agents, though; sadly, Romania is notorious in this regard. The fraudulent documents the scammers issue could land one into trouble, like getting banned from the EU for life. Here's everything you need to know about the legal ways to get Romanian citizenship.

Elena Ruda

Monaco’s population is only 37,000 people but includes residents from 125 countries. No wonder — the Principality is a major financial hub and a luxury holiday destination. However, the paths to citizenship are limited; nonetheless, they exist. Here’s everything you need to know about getting a Monegasque passport.

Elena Ruda

Employment, studies at a university or family roots are the most common grounds for obtaining a residence permit and, eventually, a passport in Croatia. A foreigner obtains the country’s citizenship by naturalisation in at least 8 years. With Croatia citizenship, one can enter 170 states visa-free, including the EU members, Japan, and the UK, move to Croatia, and enjoy access to European healthcare and education.

Elena Ruda