Citizenship

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

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 \[saFreeSummary:pt\] 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

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

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 June 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

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

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

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

A Luxembourg passport is a way to a strong financial sector, high standards of living, welfare benefits, and freedom of travel with access to 172 countries visa-free. There are several paths to Luxembourgish nationality, including naturalisation after legally living in the country for 5 years and marriage to a Luxembourg national. The best thing is you don’t have to climb up your family tree searching for a Luxembourgish great-grandmother — anyone can become a Luxembourg citizen. Find out how in this article.

Elena Ruda

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

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

Norway, a country of polar lights and majestic fjords, is known as one of the best countries to live in. It is safe, prosperous, and politically stable. So, it is no wonder expats choose to move there and obtain the country’s citizenship. Adult foreigners have 3 options to get a Norwegian passport: marriage, notification, or naturalisation. To ease the path to a passport by naturalisation, one can obtain a residence permit for self-employed persons with a company in Norway.

Elena Ruda

EU citizenship by descent can be granted based on proof that your ancestors were citizens of an EU country.  In this article, we discuss who and in which EU countries can obtain citizenship by descent.

Vladlena Baranova

Foreigners are invited to obtain citizenship by investment in North Macedonia for a minimal contribution of €200,000. While, in theory, it could be an excellent option for investors to secure a passport in an EU candidate member state, there is a big question if that option is actually valid. Since 2021, when it was introduced, no single investor obtained a passport with a contribution. Another way to invest is to contribute €400,000 to developing a new business in North Macedonia and create at least 10 jobs. Learn more about the CBI program terms and secure alternatives.

Elena Ruda

If a foreigner officially lives in the country for a long time, they can become its citizen. For example, you can come to Australia on a student visa and apply for citizenship after four years. What conditions must be met in order to become a naturalized citizen, and how to go through the path of integration into a new society in the easiest way — learn from the examples of different countries.

Vladlena Baranova

The principle of obtaining citizenship “by right of blood” applies in the European Union. This means that a child born in the EU receives their parents’ citizenship. The “right of soil" or automatically granting citizenship of the country of birth also applies in some countries, albeit, with restrictions. In Europe, the easiest way to obtain citizenship by right of soil is in Portugal.

Vladlena Baranova

The cheapest and fastest way to obtain citizenship is offered to investors in five Caribbean countries and Vanuatu. To get a passport in Vanuatu, a foreigner must contribute at least $130,000, while in the Caribbean, the minimum sum is $200,000. Let’s discuss the reasons for applying for a passport from one of the Caribbean island nations or Vanuatu.

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

The Nauru citizenship by investment programme allows foreigners to obtain a second passport in as little as 3 months. Until June 30th, 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.

Lyle Julien

In fiscal year 2025, 57% of US B-visa applications from Nigerian nationals were refused. For frequent travellers, investors, and internationally minded families, this is more than an inconvenience — it is a real limit on mobility and long-term planning. A second passport can remove many of these barriers. Nigerian citizens by birth may legally hold two, three, or more citizenships at the same time. This guide explains who can have dual citizenship in Nigeria, which routes to second citizenship are available, how the process works, and what pitfalls to avoid.

Lyle Julien

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

Argentina is known for its fast naturalisation process, allowing eligible residents to apply for citizenship after 2 years of legal residence. The government has also recently introduced a new citizenship by investment pathway, though the detailed rules and requirements are still being developed. Argentine citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 160 destinations, along with strong constitutional protections that make citizenship irrevocable.

Elena Ruda

Obtaining citizenship is divided into legal and "working" ways. Fraudsters offer to buy a passport in violation of the laws of several states at once. This is fraught with trouble from large fines and a ban on entry into the EU countries to criminal liability and compromising evidence, which is at their disposal. We will tell you how to get a passport without consequences and how not to accidentally entrust your money and reputation to scammers.

Vladlena Baranova

Countries issuing citizenship by investment do not grant it automatically: they need to check on the applicant to ensure they are not likely to bring trouble into the country, even if they can fulfil the conditions for investment. The main points of interest are usually the sufficiency and legality of income, criminal record, and civil status. All of the above must be confirmed by specific documents. Here is the list of documents needed for citizenship application.

Vladlena Baranova

Investors seeking to obtain Caribbean citizenship by investment may encounter fraudulent agents offering illegal discounts and financial schemes. These violations have already resulted in multiple application rejections and even citizenship revocation. Authorities are cracking down on these practices, reinforcing stricter controls to protect the integrity of the citizenship by investment programmes. Discover the tactics these agents use to deceive applicants and the legal ways to obtain Caribbean citizenship by investment.

Paul Lauber

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

Spain is included in the list of the top-5 countries for foreigners according to the HSBC Expat Explorer. Its strong economy, developed infrastructure and warm Mediterranean climate are attractive for foreigners. At the same time, the cost of living is lower than in other countries in Western Europe. We consider 6 ways of applying for Spanish citizenship: by investment, naturalization, choice, marriage, family reunification, and guardianship.

Lyle Julien

Cosmopolitans looking for European citizenship for their children may want to consider Spain: a Spanish passport grants its holder the right to live in the European Union, work and do business in any EU state, and travel visa-free to 172 countries. Discover who is eligible for Spain citizenship by birth and if it is sufficient to be born in Spain to acquire the country’s nationality.

Vladlena Baranova

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