Citizenship

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

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

Greece’s passport is obtained by naturalisation after 7 years of living in the country.  The first step is a residence permit. Wealthy foreigners can get it by investing at least €250,000 in real estate and business options. There is no government initiative like Greece citizenship by investment, but foreigners participating in the Greece Golden Visa Program obtain the passport by naturalisation on general terms.

Julia Loko

Greece allows its citizens to have dual citizenship. This means one can keep their current passport while also becoming a citizen of Greece.  3 ways are common for those who want to get a Greek passport: descent, naturalisation, and military service. To simplify the process of getting Greek citizenship, wealthy people often choose to obtain the Greece Golden Visa first. Having obtained it, they become eligible to apply for citizenship after residing in the country for 7 years.

Julia Loko

Investors with St Kitts and Nevis or Dominica citizenship visit at least 140 countries freely. The first passport has more visa-free destinations than the second one. But Dominica citizens can enter China for up to 30 days without visas, and it's a rare opportunity. Discover the CBI programs of St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica and compare their conditions.

Lyle Julien

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 4 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

People usually refer to the Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment Program when mentioning the Vanuatu Golden Visa. Under this program, one can obtain citizenship in 2—4 months. It would cost $130,000 for an individual to get a Vanuatu passport and $180,000 for a family of four. Another option is to get a permanent residence permit by proving assets of $350,000.

Lyle Julien

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

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

St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis citizens visit up to 140+ countries visa-free. Therefore, foreigners often obtain the countries' passports by investing in travelling freely. Investors make a non-refundable contribution to a state fund and buy properties or government bonds. After a few months, they get Caribbean passports and enter the Schengen Area and the UK visa-free. Also, investors claim visitor visas to the US.

Lyle Julien

St Kitts and Nevis recognises dual and multiple citizenships and offers several ways to get a second passport. They include naturalisation, descent, marriage, and participation in the investment program. Learn about the methods, time, and expenses required for getting dual citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis.

Lyle Julien

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship allows increased global mobility and possibility to obtain a 10-year visa to the US. It also helps expand business opportunities and optimise taxes. High-net-worth individuals can become citizens of St Kitts and Nevis by investment, and the minimum investment starts at $250,000.

Lyle Julien

Dual citizenship is permitted in Antigua and Barbuda and is explicitly guaranteed by the country’s 1981 Constitution. This means individuals can hold an Antigua and Barbuda passport while retaining citizenship in other countries. One of the most popular ways to acquire citizenship is through an investment of at least $230,000. There are four available options: a contribution to the National Development Fund, a real estate purchase, a business investment, or a donation to a higher education institution. Below, we outline the requirements for future citizens, how the application process can be expedited, and whether renouncing current citizenships is necessary.

Lyle Julien

Foreigners can obtain Antigua and Barbuda passports by birth, marriage, naturalisation, or affiliation. Wealthy people can acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment, sometimes referred to as “Golden Visas.” The minimum investment required is $230,000, and the procedure takes at least 6 months. Among the benefits of the Antigua and Barbuda passport are visa-free travel to over 150 countries and the opportunity to optimise taxes.

Lyle Julien

Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis are countries with the most advanced economies in the Caribbean. Many entrepreneurs get second passports of these states to develop their international businesses. Wealthy people obtain citizenship for worldwide visa-free trips. Find out about the conditions of the government programs for wealthy people who invest in Grenada and St Kitts and Nevis’s economies.

Lyle Julien

Government citizenship programs for investors operate in both countries. Their passports allow participants to visit 140+ states visa‑free. The programs differ in the conditions: investment options, costs and timeframes. Explore the second citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda or St Lucia and choose the most convenient option.

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

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica are two of the five Caribbean countries that offer to obtain their citizenships by investing. Investors become Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda citizens for visa-free travelling and the development of their international businesses. The Caribbean passport allows visa-free visits to at least 140 states, including the Schengen Area and the UK. Investors’ family members get second passports with them.

Lyle Julien

Antigua and Barbuda offers one of the most attractive Golden Visa programs, providing a pathway to citizenship by investment starting at $230,000.  This pathway to a second passport is appealing to investors seeking global mobility, tax advantages, and the chance to contribute to the development of this Caribbean nation. In this article, we explain what the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa is and its eligibility criteria.

Lyle Julien

The Nauru citizenship by investment programme allows foreigners to obtain a second passport in as little as 3 months. Until December 31st, 2026, the minimum contribution is $90,000 for a single applicant. The programme offers such advantages as no residency requirements, a fully remote process, and broad family inclusion. Nauru citizenship is best viewed as ‘insurance’ citizenship for internationally mobile entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. While it offers limited additional visa-free travel, its main value lies in providing a backup jurisdiction, supporting contingency planning, and, for some, aligning with a sustainability-focused narrative.

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 August 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

The Caribbean citizenship by investment threshold is only the starting point. Once all fees are included, the total cost for a single applicant can increase by around $15,000 to nearly $90,000, depending on the country and investment route. Cost alone, however, does not determine the right programme. Family composition, investment structure, capital recovery, mobility priorities, tax considerations, and long-term plans all influence which option offers the strongest fit. This article compares the costs of all five Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes across different routes and family sizes, alongside the key benefits and risks of each.

Lyle Julien

Grenadian citizens can travel without a visa to 162 countries, including the Schengen Area states, the UK, China, and Australia. They are also eligible for an E-2 business visa to the USA, which allows them to work or open a company there. Foreigners can get Grenada citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, naturalisation, or faster — by investment. The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme offers potential applicants a chance to become citizens for a minimum contribution of $235,000.

Lyle Julien

Nigerian citizens can obtain a second passport through citizenship by investment programmes, with minimum investment thresholds starting at $90,000. A second passport can provide visa-free access to up to 140 countries, compared to around 40 destinations available to Nigerian passport holders. It can also support asset diversification, facilitate international business activities, and provide a long-term backup plan for investors and their families. With around 200 millionaires leaving Nigeria in 2025{{source: Source: The Punch — [Capital flight: Nigeria to lose 200 millionaires in 2025](https://punchng.com/capital-flight-nigeria-to-lose-200-millionaires-in-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)}}, demand for second citizenship remains strong among wealthy Nigerians seeking greater international mobility and wealth protection. This guide explains how citizenship by investment works, how Nigerians can obtain a second passport, and which programmes offer the best opportunities.

Lyle Julien

The US allows its citizens to have dual citizenship{{source: Source: US government — [USA dual citizenship](https://www.usa.gov/dual-citizenship)}}. A second passport can expand travel freedom, support relocation, and provide a backup plan. Still, dual citizenship depends on the laws of the second country. Americans also remain subject to US tax and reporting obligations. This guide explains how dual citizenship works for US citizens, which countries allow it, and what to consider before applying.

Vladlena Baranova

People 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 programme 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

Malta citizenship offers the opportunity to live, work, study, and build a business abroad. Besides, citizenship gives cosmopolitans freedom to travel without visas. A foreigner can become a Maltese citizen by naturalisation, marriage, descent, or merit.

Robert Outerbridge

A second citizenship can work as a practical Plan B: an extra place to live or relocate if plans change. Citizenship by investment programmes in Africa and Oceania start at $90,000 and can grant citizenship in as little as 2 months, with access to an oceanfront lifestyle. For stronger global mobility and a longer programme track record, applicants may consider more established but higher-cost options in the Caribbean. This guide compares the cheapest citizenship by investment programmes in 2026, their costs, timelines, and factors beyond the headline investment amount.

Mohamed Zakaria

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

The easiest countries to get citizenship in 2026 — by investment, descent, marriage, or naturalisation — let qualified applicants secure a second passport in as little as 2—3 months. The fastest options are citizenship by investment programmes in Vanuatu, Nauru, and São Tomé and Príncipe, while Caribbean programmes may offer stronger global mobility and broader family benefits. This guide ranks 17 countries by speed, cost, and eligibility.

Albert Ioffe

Holding multiple citizenships provides a person with a number of benefits, such as freedom of travel, the ability to choose the more advanced healthcare system, and wider educational opportunities.  However, there are some cons to holding two passports, too.

Vladlena Baranova

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

Citizenship by investment, CBI, programmes, often dubbed golden passports, offer individuals the opportunity to obtain a second passport in exchange for financial investments.  Golden passports are not to be confused with Golden Visas, which are programmes that allow foreigners to obtain a residency permit for investment in a country’s economy. Learn more about the best options to become a citizen or a resident of another country by investment.

Albert Ioffe

Malta offers citizenship by naturalisation to individuals who create a meaningful impact on the country. This approach emphasises innovation, entrepreneurship, research, culture, and philanthropy. Each request is reviewed individually by the Community Malta Agency, and eligibility depends on the substance of the applicant’s engagement with Malta rather than any fixed financial threshold. This guide explains how the process works, the areas of contribution that are typically considered, and practical insights into navigating the procedural and documentation requirements.

Anna Semenyuk

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

In 2023, children born to foreign mothers made up 22% of all newborns in Portugal. This is nearly 19,000 babies — the highest number in the country’s history. Foreigners choose Portugal for childbirth and living due to the high level of healthcare, climate, safety, and education in European schools and universities. Children of foreigners are eligible for Portugal citizenship under certain conditions. For example, if the parents obtained a residence permit by investment and lived in the country for a year.

Eymi Castro

Portugal offers residence by investment known as the Golden Visa, but it does not automatically grant citizenship. However, after holding residence for 10 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 182 countries, a high quality of life at relatively low prices, a warm climate, comfortable conditions for expats, and a high safety level.

Eymi Castro

St Kitts and Nevis passport renewal usually takes around 2 months. From April 2026, investors need to complete biometric enrolment, which requires a fee of $2,500 and must be arranged through an Authorised Agent. This guide explains when to renew a St Kitts and Nevis passport, what documents are required, how biometric enrolment works, how much the process costs, and how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport.

Lyle Julien

There are several ways to obtain Montenegro citizenship. They include marriage to a citizen of Montenegro and holding a status of a permanent resident of the country. The citizenship by investment programme closed in December 2022.

Vladlena Baranova

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

Foreigners looking to obtain citizenship in Malta have several routes to choose from. Malta citizenship by naturalisation is the most popular and time-based pathway requiring 5 years of residence, stable ties, and proven integration in Malta. The alternative route is citizenship by merit. It relies on exceptional contributions linked to Malta and a discretionary assessment, not a fixed timeline.

Anna Semenyuk

Italy recognises multiple citizenship, so an Italian citizen does not usually lose Italian nationality only because they hold another citizenship. The route to Italian citizenship depends on the applicant's basis for applying. Naturalisation, marriage, descent, and service to the Italian state follow different rules. Citizenship by descent is now narrower than many older guides suggest. After Decree-Law 36/2025, converted by Law 74/2025, applicants born abroad who hold another citizenship are not treated as Italian automatically unless a statutory exception applies.

Anna Semenyuk

Italian citizens can travel without visas to 172 countries in the world, as well as live and work in any EU state. Getting an Italian passport is possible through naturalisation, birthright, marriage, or ancestry. Golden Visa investors who have resided in Italy for 10 years can also apply for citizenship.

Vladlena Baranova

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

Let’s address common misconceptions related to EU citizenship: from the idea that one can buy a passport to the concept of a fictitious marriage.

Vladlena Baranova

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

Foreigners obtain Swedish passports by descent, marriage, or naturalisation. The path to citizenship by naturalisation takes at least 10 years: 5 with a temporary residence permit and 5 with permanent residency. Sweden allows its citizens to have two passports, so you don’t need to renounce your first citizenship.

Elena Ruda

The first things that come to mind about Iceland are volcanoes with unpronounceable names and glaciers. But that is not all. Iceland is also one of the safest and most environmentally friendly countries. Foreign nationals can get an Icelandic passport by descent, marriage or naturalisation. The latter path takes at least 7 years.

Elena Ruda