Obtaining a strong passport is a challenging but achievable task. There are several paths toward this goal, each with its own features.
Citizenship by Birth and Naturalisation
In most cases, citizenship is granted by birth: either by right of blood (if the parents are citizens of the country) or by right of soil (simply being born on that country’s territory). The right of soil is primarily applied in countries that historically sought to attract immigrants and increase their population. Today, this principle exists in the USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and others.
Another option is to prove eligibility for citizenship by descent, or through repatriation, if your ancestors were previously citizens. However, these routes are highly specific and not suitable for everyone.
A more realistic way to obtain another country’s passport is naturalization. This involves legally residing in the country for a defined period (domicile) and demonstrating assimilation — knowledge of the language, traditions, customs, and laws.
The downside of naturalisation is that it requires significant time and permanent residence in the country, which usually implies a change of tax residency. Typically, the domicile period ranges from 5 to 10 years, and in some countries even longer. For example:
- Portugal: 5 years (though there are plans to extend this period),
- Spain: 10 years,
- UAE: 30 years, provided certain conditions are met.
Some countries offer fast-track naturalisation. For instance, most countries have simplified routes for spouses of local citizens. In Germany, the standard domicile requirement is 5 years, but it may be reduced to 3 years for individuals with C1-level language proficiency, or for foreigners with exceptional achievements in work or study and proven integration into society.
Citizenship by Investment Programs
Some countries run “golden passport” programmes, where foreigners can acquire citizenship through investments in real estate, state funds, or key economic sectors.
These programs differ significantly from standard naturalisation: there is no need to live in the country, wait for years, or learn the language and laws. Citizenship is not tied to ancestry and can often be obtained in as little as 3–6 months for the main applicant and family members, provided the investment requirements are met.
Examples include Turkey, Egypt, Vanuatu, Nauru, and several Caribbean states. In the past, certain EU countries — such as Cyprus and Malta — also offered such programmes, but these have since been closed. An EU passport remains highly desirable, granting visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone and the right to live and work in any EU country.
One of the fastest and most affordable investment citizenship options is offered by Vanuatu. Processing takes 1–3 months, with minimum contributions starting from $130,000. Vanuatu citizens enjoy visa-free access to more than 90 countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong.
Caribbean programmes remain among the most popular and efficient. Citizenship in Grenada, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, or Saint Kitts & Nevis can be obtained within 4–8 months through either real estate purchase or a non-refundable contribution to state funds. Entry thresholds begin at $200,000.
Another option exists in El Salvador, where citizenship can be obtained for investments of $1 million, or the equivalent in Bitcoin. The program is capped at 1,000 applicants per year and is designed to attract investment into IT, high-tech, and crypto industries.
Passports obtained through investment may not be the absolute strongest globally, but they still provide a wide range of advantages: additional visa-free destinations, favorable conditions for doing business, and tax optimization opportunities.
