Many people want to get citizenship in a country for various reasons. Some want the freedom that comes with it, some just like the idea of being able to say they are a citizen of a certain nation. For many others, it is about safety and security in their lives. Whatever your reason for wanting citizenship in another country is, you can find out if you qualify by checking out this list.
What You Will Find in This Article?
- Top 5 Ways of Getting Citizenship
- Ways To Get Citizenship: Comparison Table
- The Easiest Countries To Get Citizenship: Residency by Investment Route
- Easiest Countries To Get Citizenship by Investment
- Countries That Offer Citizenship by Birth
- Easy Countries To Get Citizenship by Descent
- Countries With the Easiest Citizenship By Naturalization
- Naturalization Timeframe in Different Countries
- Income Visas
- Are There Any Countries Offering Citizenship for Free?
Top 5 Ways of Getting Citizenship
Let’s begin with the types of citizenship. The following are the types of citizenship you can obtain:
1. Citizenship by Investment
Some countries offer citizenship by investment. The amount may vary from country to country depending on various factors like the type of investment, the number of applicants, etc. On the other hand, some golden visa countries offer residency by investment.
2. Citizenship by Birthplace (Citizenship by Birth)
You are a citizen by birth if you were born in the country. This is regardless of your parents’ citizenship. For example, if you’re born in Brazil, then you’ll be a Brazilian citizen too. Canada is the same.
3. Citizenship by Descent
If at least one parent is a national of that nation or a child born abroad to a national of that nation, then one may be able to get citizenship by descent. Citizenship by descent is also applicable to ancestors.
4. Citizenship Through Naturalization
You can apply for naturalization to get citizenship if you fulfill certain requirements or qualifications, and if it is possible in that country. It means applying for citizenship on the basis of your own will after satisfying some legal conditions. In other words, you want to become a citizen of that country of your own will.
5. Citizenship by Marriage
Some countries also allow citizenship by marriage if you follow the legal requirements. Mostly, it requires several years of residency in the country and language tests.
Ways To Get Citizenship: Comparison Table
| Citizenship Routes Comparison (2025) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Route | Base | Stay Requirement | Language & Culture Test |
| Through Ancestry | Blood relatives | No | Depends on the country |
| Naturalization | Living in the country for a period | Yes | Yes |
| Marriage | Registered marriage | Yes | Depends on the country |
| Investment | Investments | Depends on the country | Depends on the country |
The Easiest Countries To Get Citizenship: Residency by Investment Route
Before discovering easiest country the easiest country to get citizenship or many easiest countries that grant, we will review many countries that allow you to obtain residency by investment. Golden Visas by Greece and Portugal are great examples.
1. Portugal Residency by Investment
Portugal offers residency to individuals who invest in real estate, qualifying Portugal Golden Visa funds, donation, or capital transfer. The most preferred routes are €500,000 fund investment for capital preservation and €200,000 donation in low-density areas for affordability.
As one of the easiest countries to get citizenship as an American, Portugal received 567 US investors in 2023, accounting for a 162.5% increase. This reflects the program’s long-term trust and popularity in the US.
When you get your Golden Visa, you’ll get the right to live in Portugal. However, you have the option of living somewhere else and visiting Portugal only for seven days per year. A basic Portuguese language test is also applicable when you apply for the Portuguese Residency by Investment Program.
General Requirements
- You’ve kept your investment in Portugal for five years
- You’ve met the minimum stay requirements
- Your criminal record is clean
- You have no outstanding tax payments in Portugal
2. UAE Residency by Investment
You can apply for a UAE Golden Visa if you are an investor, an entrepreneur, a scientist, a qualified professional, or have exceptional talents. This way, you can get a long-term residence visa from the UAE.
Since 2019, the UAE Golden Visa has been active, and since 2022, with the reduced investment amount of AED 2 million ($545,000), you can apply for this visa to get a 10-year Golden Visa from the UAE by purchasing real estate in the UAE.
Another option is to get a 2-year residence visa by investing AED 750,000 ($204,000) in real estate.
General Requirements
- As an investor, you need to be over 18 years old
- You are expected to be capable of proving the legality of your income
- You will show that you have no criminal record
- Your health report is also needed without any socially dangerous diseases, such as HIV or tuberculosis
- Your spouse also needs to meet similar requirements
- If you have your children as your dependents, make sure they are unmarried, under 25 years old, and meet the same health standards
3. Greece Golden Visa
As one of the Golden Visa countries, Greece permits real estate investment for residency. To be eligible for the program, you need to purchase a property for at least €250,000. The property must be from the conversion of commercial properties into residential use or the restoration of registered buildings. There are also other investment amounts for real estate purchase in Greece: €400,000 for rural areas and €800,000 for larger cities.
Once granted, Greece Golden Visa in 2025 gives you a 5-year residency, and as long as you keep your investment, you can renew your Golden Visa.
4. Italy Golden Visa
Also known as the Italian Investor Visa, the Italian Golden Visa was launched in 2017. The program allows you to get Italian residency by making a minimum investment of €250,000 in an Italian start-up. Other investment options include:
- €500,000 investment in an Italian limited company
- €2 million investment in Italian government bonds
- €1 million donations to a philanthropic initiative in Italy
Initially, it gives a 2-year residency, but you can renew it three times as long as you meet the requirements.
Hungary offers the lowest fund investment route in Europe for non-EU citizens through its Golden Visa program. You can invest in a real estate fund of around €250,000; it is the only available investment option apart from the €1 million Non-refundable Public Trust donation.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the Hungarian Residency by Investment program, you can get 10 years of residency, which can be renewed for an additional 10 years.
6. Bulgaria Golden Visa
Bulgaria Golden Visa program has only one investment path: €512,000 fund investment. It offers permanent residency through investment. The funds must be approved by the Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission, and each main applicant should undergo a pre-approval process before investing.
You can also be eligible for Bulgarian citizenship after 5 years. However, it requires you to revoke your first citizenship.
7. Cyprus Golden Visa
Among the other EU countries, Cyprus introduced a Golden Visa program in 2020 after the termination of its citizenship by investment program. According to the legal framework of Cyprus Golden Visa program, it provides a permanent residency via investment.
You are required to make a minimum investment amount of €300,000 for real estate purchase, business, or fund investment.
8. Latvia Golden Visa
Latvia’s Golden Visa program is the cheapest residency option in Europe with a minimum €50,000 business investment. Other investment options include:
- Invest €100,000 in a Latvian company with more than 50 employees
- Purchase a real estate worth at least €250,000, worth
- place a deposit of €280,000 in a Latvian bank for a fixed term of five years.
- purchasing at least €250,000 worth of Latvian government bonds.
If you complete the application process successfully, you can receive a 5-year residency permit.
Easiest Countries To Get Citizenship by Investment
The following are some citizenship by investment countries (also the easiest countries to get citizenship by investment):
1. Malta Citizenship by Investment
As one of the best English-speaking countries, Malta offers an easy and straightforward way to obtain European Union citizenship through Malta’s Individual Investor Program, or MIIP. The program allows you to get Maltese citizenship through donation and investment.
If you have lived in the country for 36 months, you’ll be required to contribute €600,000; and if you have lived there for 12 months, the contribution amount is €750,000. Furthermore, a real estate investment worth €700,000 or a property lease for a minimum yearly rent of €16,000 will be required for Malta citizenship by investment.
General Requirements
- You’re over the age of 18
- Your criminal record is clean
- You’re able to meet the investment and donation requirements
- You have an international health insurance policy
- You can provide biometric data
- You meet the minimum stay requirement
2. Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
You can acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by making a one-time donation to the country’s national development fund of a minimum of $230,000. Another option is investing $400,000 in a government-approved real estate project. You’ll need to keep the investment for five years.
An Antigua and Barbuda passport offers you visa-free travel in 153 nations across the world, being one of the easiest passports to get. Antigua and Barbuda are among the easiest countries to get citizenship by investment.
General Requirements
- You’re over the age of 18
- Your criminal record is clean
- You’re able to meet the investment and donation requirements
- Your health is in good condition
- You meet the minimum stay requirement
- You’re willing to take the oath of allegiance
3. St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Under Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program, you have to make an investment of over $400,000 or $800,000 in a government-approved real estate project. If you opt for the 400,000 route, you’ll be required to keep the investment for seven years. This period is five years for the $800,000 method.
Another option is to donate to the St. Kitts and Nevis Sustainable Growth Fund, valued at a minimum of $250,000. This is non-refundable.
General Requirements
- You’re over the age of 18, and you have a clean criminal record
- You’re able to meet the investment requirements
- You can prove the source of your funds
4. Turkey Citizenship by Investment
Turkey is one of the countries that offers citizenship easily. If you’re interested in Turkish citizenship by investment, one popular option is real estate acquisition in the country. The minimum amount is $400,000. The process is quick, and you may expect to get your citizenship in less than six months.
- You’re over the age of 18
- You have a clean criminal record
- You’ve made a qualifying investment
- You’ve never stayed in Turkey illegally
5. Dominica Citizenship by Investment
With a $200,000 minimum investment amount, you can contribute to Dominica’s economy and apply for Dominica Citizenship by Investment. Besides the donation investment option, you can also invest $200,000 and buy shares of approved real estate projects to get the Dominica passport, both for yourself and for your family.
General Requirements
- It is expected to be 18 years old or older to apply for this CBI program
- You need to prove that you have enough funds to make the required investment and show proof of the legal source of your funds
- Showing a clean criminal record is also needed
- Making a minimum $200,000 non-refundable contribution to the Economic Development Fund of USD as a single applicant, as well as a contribution to the Economic Development Fund, is another requirement.
6. Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
It is one of the easiest and most efficient CBI programs. You can obtain Vanuatu citizenship by investment and have visa-free travel to 94 countries, a dual nationality option, and Vanuatu passport eligibility for your family.
General Requirements
- Due diligence, including background checks
- If you are including your family in your applications, the requirements for your family, including your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents
- There are no minimum stay requirements to process your application
7. Grenada Citizenship by Investment
It is a governmental initiative that allows investors and their families to obtain Grenadian citizenship through investment. You can choose between two main avenues: either investing in government-approved real estate projects or contributing to Grenada’s development through the National Transformation Fund.
The Grenadian passport allows citizens to travel visa-free or visa-free upon arrival in 143 countries.
General Requirements
- Investment thresholds need to be met to meet the specified investment amounts
- A clean criminal report is required, including a comprehensive police background check from your home country
- Poof of your funds with the legal sources
- Medical clearance showing your and your dependents’ examination to prove you are free from any contagious disease
8. St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment
It is an attractive option considering the CBI programs. You can apply for St Lucia Citizenship with a minimum $240,000 investment or other options that suit your expectations.
General Requirements
- Delivering identification documents, including copies of your passport and national identification cards
- Your criminal background verification
- Financial solvency documentation to prove your authenticated financial records
Get Your Golden Visa: How We Can Help
Get Golden Visa helps you secure residency and citizenship through investment programs. We guide you on the best options, whether it’s property, government funds, or other investment routes.
We have advised 67,000+ prospective investors from 47 nationalities, including the US, UK, China, India, Russia, and more. Our expertise has helped attract over €840M in foreign direct investment to various countries.
With a global presence in 11 cities, our team supports you at every step, answers your questions, and makes the entire process simple and stress-free.
Contact Form
Countries That Offer Citizenship by Birth
Countries that offer citizenship by birth stand out as the easiest countries to get citizenship without investment. All you need to do is prove that you were born in that specific country (if it allows you to do so). You can consider this citizenship option as a free way to get a second passport. Accordingly, the most common countries include Portugal, Spain, Greece, Latvia, and Malta, which allow you to get citizenship in Europe for free.
A perfect example for this: If you are born in the United States, you’re eligible to become a citizen of the US. However, children born to diplomats and other recognized government employees from other countries will not be granted US citizenship even if they are born on American territory.
Below are some other countries that offer citizenship by birth easily:
- Argentina
- Barbados
- Fiji
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Panama
- Uruguay
Easy Countries To Get Citizenship by Descent
Besides citizenship by birth, many countries have citizenship by descent programs that allow applicants who are born outside of the country to obtain a passport. The following are the countries where you can get easy citizenship by descent:
1. Italy Citizenship by Descent
Italian citizenship by descent is one of the easiest to obtain. You may be eligible for citizenship if you have Italian heritage. To acquire citizenship, you must have an ancestor who was a citizen of Italy on March 17th, 1861 or was born in the country after that.
The restriction is that the lineage must not be broken. It means that no ancestor has revoked their nationality or acquired citizenship of another country prior to their next in line being born.
2. Poland Citizenship by Descent
Similar to Italy, Poland citizenship by descent also requires you to have an ancestor born in the country post-1900. If you have an ancestor meeting the criteria, you may be eligible for citizenship. Moreover, your lineage must be unbroken for Poland to recognize you.
3. Hungary Citizenship by Descent
In 2011, the Hungarian nationality law was passed. If your family meets the eligibility criteria, you may be eligible to obtain citizenship by descent from Hungary.
According to the law, you may be eligible if you have an ancestor born in the country before 1920 or between 1941 and 1945. Furthermore, the law also covers areas that used to be a part of Hungary but are now countries like Romania and Slovakia. You must show how that lineage is unbroken and must speak basic Hungarian.
Countries With the Easiest Citizenship By Naturalization
Below you will see the list of the easiest countries to get citizenship by residency:
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Romania
- Portugal
- Luxembourg
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Israel
- Greece
- Germany
- Armenia
The wait for naturalization depends on the country and circumstances. For some countries, the wait is merely two years, whereas for others it can take ten years. Many countries provide shorter residency qualification time frames for certain groups, including adopted children, spouses, refugees, etc.
Two-Year Residence Requirement
The following are the countries that hold two-year residence requirements:
- Argentina
- Peru
Three-Year Residence Requirement
The following are the countries that hold three-year residence requirements:
- Poland
- Paraguay
- Israel
- Serbia
- Honduras
- Ecuador
- Canada
Four-Year Residence Requirement
Below are the countries that have four-year residence requirements:
- Ethiopia
- Brazil
Countries With a Five-Year Residence Requirement
The following countries have a five-year residence requirement for citizenship:
- Ireland
- Chile
- Albania
- Belgium
- Barbados
- Australia
Naturalization Timeframe in Different Countries
| Naturalization Timeframes for Citizenship (2025) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalization Period | Countries | ||
| Countries with a Five-Year Residence Requirement | |||
| 5 Years | Ireland, Chile, Albania, Belgium, Barbados, Australia | ||
| 5+ Years | Belgium, Canada, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, USA | ||
| 10+ Years | Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland | ||
| 15+ Years | Andorra, Austria, China, Palau, Liechtenstein, UAE | ||
| 20+ Years | Bahrain, Bhutan, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria | ||
Income Visas
A lot of countries provide residency if you are able to prove an income that will meet your living expenses. The income may come from an offshore business, investment, or a pension.
Residency visas have different restrictions and requirements. For instance:
- If you are a freelancer earning a minimum of €800 monthly, you may be eligible to obtain a Freiberufler visa that allows you the residency rights to reside and be employed in Germany.
- If you have an annual income of €28,800, you could be eligible for residency in Spain. The non-lucrative visa is valid for a year, and after five years, you can apply for permanent residency in the country.
- D7 Passive income visa of Portugal implies that an annual income of €8,460 is enough.
- If you want residency in Nicaragua, you need to show a monthly income of $750 and $150 for each dependent for a residency visa.
Are There Any Countries Offering Citizenship for Free?
No country truly offers citizenship completely “for free” in the sense of giving it away without any requirements, conditions, or costs. However, there are some countries where it is relatively easy or low-cost to obtain citizenship under certain conditions. These include citizenship by descent, birth, and naturalization.
For instance, you can get free citizenship in Portugal, Greece, or Hungary by birth or descent. The fastest routes for naturalization include Paraguay and Uruguay: Citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions on Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship
What countries are easy to get citizenship in?
In general, Caribbean countries are considered to be easy countries to get citizenship. They usually offer citizenship in three to six months, on the condition that you make the qualifying investment and meet the other criteria.
Which EU country offers citizenship easily?
If you’re willing to invest, Malta is one of the easiest countries on the citizenship by investment list. The amount of the investment depends on your residency status, which is either 12 months or 36 months. Apart from the investment, you’re also required to donate. If you are wondering what is the easiest passport to get, Malta is one of the countries in the EU.
Does my country of citizenship affect my second or third citizenship?
In general, no. However, if your country of citizenship doesn’t allow dual citizenship, this could be a problem. This is why it’s important to seek legal assistance before you commit yourself to a citizenship by investment program and make any investment.
Do citizenship-by-investment countries require a stay in the country?
If the program you’re applying to is a direct citizenship program, you don’t have to stay in the country. You make your application and get your passport in three to six months. However, if it’s a residency by investment program, you’ll usually need to meet a minimum stay requirement. This is seven days on average for Portugal, while it’s just one day for Spain.
Are there any free citizenship countries?
If you’re looking to get citizenship for free, you can check the naturalization route. It allows you to seek citizenship in a country after you’ve lived there for a period, which is usually a minimum of five years.
How many citizenships can you have?
The answer to how many citizenships you can have depends on your home country and preferences. For some people, two passports will suffice. But for some, three passports can work better. This depends on your business and lifestyle needs. If you’re doing business in EU countries, you can benefit from an EU passport, which will allow you to travel visa-free.
What are the benefits of citizenship by investment?
Visa-free-on-arrival access to multiple destinations is the main benefit of citizenship by investment programs. St Kitts and Nevis are among the strongest passports of the CBI programs in the Caribbean, getting visa-free travel to around 157 countries, including Schengen Area countries in Europe.
What are the next steps in Citizenship by Investment?
After following the steps to apply for the citizenship by investment program you choose, you can start preparing the necessary documentation. The preparation you will make includes banking environment, educational opportunities, financial risk, global markets, language requirements, the legal system of the CBI country, location, migration investment amount, residence requirement, political stability, or visa-travel options as benefits.
