Getting a second passport in 2026 can be legally done through a variety of channels. These include descent, investment, marriage, and naturalization. Each method has different requirements, and eligibility.
Our guide explores the available avenues for acquiring a second passport, the countries where this can be done, the benefits of having another passport, and the usual timelines and costs for acquisition.
Global Citizen Solutions offers second passport services for foreign nationals who want to explore a second citizenship. Our experts will review your background and offer guidance accordingly.
How to Get a Second Passport: Key Takeaways
What does “second passport” mean?
A second passport can be defined in two ways. First, it is a passport issued by a country where you hold a second nationality that you acquired by descent, naturalization, marriage, or an investment migration route. It provides you with a different set of travel rights, visa-free access, and residence entitlements, because it comes with a different citizenship attached.
Having two passports in the first context means that individuals can enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship, such as owning property abroad, living overseas, voting in an additional election, optimizing their taxes, and acquiring a plan B for themselves and their family.
The second definition of a second passport is an extra passport book issued by a country you’re already a citizen of. It’s the same nationality and the same rights, just a second document. Countries issue these on a demonstrated-need basis rather than on request. For example, the US State Department grants a second book to travelers who already hold a valid one and meet set requirements, such as when a destination would deny a visa or entry because of stamps showing travel to certain countries.
Benefits of a Second Passport
- Expanded travel access: A second passport can provide access to a great deal more countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival than an original passport, depending on the access it grants. Our Global Intelligence Unit’s Global Passport Index ranks passports based on their strength and international mobility.
- Stability and a Plan B: Having access to two jurisdictions broadens horizons and allows individuals and families the option of relocating at any time.
- Retirement options: Two passports mean at least two options for retirement. This can make retirement more cost-effective as individuals can relocate to a country with a lower cost of living or a better tax environment.
- Tax optimization: A second citizenship allows individuals to structure their taxes more optimally across jurisdictions. Additionally, many countries have tax treaties with one another to avoid double taxation.
- Increased quality of life: Being a passport holder of a country entitles an individual to access the social services of that country. Many European countries have universal healthcare systems, like Portugal, that all citizens can access at low or no cost. Additionally, individuals can access a nation with far higher standards of education and far lower levels of crime.
How to Get a Second Passport
There are six ways for individuals to acquire a second passport and second citizenship. Note that the relevant pathway for you will depend on ancestry, residence, family ties, investment, and national law.
1. Citizenship by Birth
Citizenship by birth, also known as jus soli or right of soil, is the process of acquiring citizenship in a country because an individual was born there. Some countries, like Canada and Mexico, provide unrestricted birthright citizenship, making them options for birth tourism.
2. Citizenship by Descent
Citizenship by descent (CBD) allows individuals who were not born in a country to acquire citizenship because of a parent, or sometimes a grandparent, who was born in the country. Each country that allows the practice will have slightly different eligibility requirements for generation limits, registration, and documentation. This practice is based on the principle of jus sanguinis or the right of blood.
3. Citizenship by Investment
Citizenship by investment (CBI) makes individuals eligible to apply for citizenship in a country in exchange for a significant, qualifying investment. Each country that offers CBI will have a different set of investment options and minimum investment thresholds.
4. Citizenship by Naturalization
Citizenship by naturalization is the process of obtaining citizenship by living in and integrating into a country. There are two ways in: By holding legal residence, accumulating a set number of years, and then applying, or through a discretionary route that shortens or bypasses the residence requirement entirely, typically for marriage or economic contribution. Ordinary residence timelines vary by country, from two years in Argentina to ten years in Namibia.
5. Citizenship by Marriage
Citizenship by marriage can make an individual eligible to apply for citizenship after a shortened naturalization window. For example, the normal naturalization timeframe in Spain is ten years, but this is reduced to one year when married to a Spanish citizen.
6. Citizenship by Exception
Citizenship by exception is a particularly rare method of obtaining a second passport, and the only one that isn’t a program you can apply to. It is a discretionary power the state holds where governments may waive the ordinary naturalization requirements for individuals whose admission serves the national interest. The decision rests with the government, not the applicant.
Second Passport Routes Comparison Table
| Route | Basis of eligibility | Timeline | Indicative cost | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | Born in the country (jus soli) | At birth | Government and document fees | Cannot be acquired later in life |
| Descent | Parent or grandparent who was a citizen (jus sanguinis) | Six months to three years | Government, document, and professional fees | Requires documented lineage; generation limits are tightening |
| Investment | Qualifying investment or contribution | Two to 18 months | From ~$90,000*; Caribbean programs $200,000–$250,000 | Highest cash requirements; program terms change by decree |
| Naturalization | Legal residence accumulated over time | Two to 10 years of residence | Immigration and living costs across the residence period | Requires relocating; language and civics tests are standard |
| Marriage | Marriage to a citizen, on a shortened residence clock | Shortened window | Government, document, and professional fees | Usually still requires residence; depends on a subsisting marriage |
| Exception | State discretion, where admission serves the national interest | None | None | No right to apply; outcome is never guaranteed |
5 of the Best Countries to get a Second Passport by Naturalization
1. Portugal
Portugal’s new naturalization law has lengthened under new 2026 reforms, but it remains one of the more accessible EU citizenship routes. You can apply for permanent residency in Portugal after five years of legal residence. After ten years of residence in total (seven years for citizens of EU member states and Portuguese-speaking countries), you may become eligible for Portuguese citizenship according to the revised nationality law Decree No. 48/XVII)..
The country has a low physical presence requirement for Golden Visa holders (only seven days in the first year and 14 days every two years after that), and dual citizenship is permitted for all applicants, as long as their original citizenship allows it.
Applicants can acquire legal residency through several visas, including the Portugal D7 Visa, Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, or Portugal Golden Visa. A2-level Portuguese, a clean criminal record, and a civic/culture test are required to qualify for naturalization in Portugal.
2. Spain
Spain offers a yten-year pathway to citizenship and a second passport through naturalization. Applicants must demonstrate legal, continuous residence in Spain before applying. It is worth noting that Spain does not generally allow dual citizenship for naturalizing foreign nationals unless they’re from specific countries with historic ties. However, exceptions are made for Spain-France reciprocal dual-citizenship agreement, nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal.
Those interested can choose from several visa options, including the Spain Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Spain Non-Lucrative Visa, and the Spain Digital Nomad Visa. Applicants will need to pass an A2- level Spanish language exam and the CCSE cultural knowledge exam.
3. Malta
Malta requires applicants to live in the country for 4 out of the last 6 years, and for a continuous 12-month period prior to application. Malta also allows dual citizenship.
The nation offers many programs and visas for expats, including the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP), Malta Retirement Program (MRP), and the Malta Digital Nomad Visa. Applicants will need to pass an oral exam in either English or Maltese, demonstrating conversational understanding.
4. Greece
Greece provides a 7-year pathway to citizenship by naturalization that can be reduced to three years for EU citizens, spouses of Greeks, or refugees who meet the associated requirements. Applicants must also take the Certificate of Knowledge Adequacy for Naturalization, which assesses language and knowledge.
The country is immigration-friendly, offering several visas for those interested in residency, including the Greece Golden Visa, Greece Passive Income Visa (FIP), and the Greece Digital Nomad Visa. Dual citizenship is permitted in Greece.
5. Argentina
The Argentine passport enables access to over 160 countries, including the EU and the UK, and it requires a naturalization timeframe of just two years of continuous and legal residency, making it one of the shortest pathways in the world.
The country has accessible options for immigration, including the Argentina Rentista Visa and the Argentina Investor Visa. Dual citizenship is allowed, and applicants must meet other naturalization requirements, such as showing knowledge of the Spanish language and integration into society.
6 Best Countries to get a Second Passport by Descent
1. Cyprus
Cypriot Citizenship by Descent allows individuals with a grandparent or parent who never renounced their citizenship to apply for CBD. Eligibility varies by the applicant’s and ancestor’s dates of birth, the parents’ citizenship status, and the applicable registration form. The processing time for this program is approximately 6 to 12 months, and there is no residency requirement.
2. Greece
Greek Citizenship by Descent allows individuals with a parent, grandparent, or sometimes even great-grandparent, to acquire CBD. Note that the descent cases depend on documented lineage and municipal registration. The processing time is approximately 12 to 24 months, and there is no residency requirement.
3. Spain
Spanish Citizenship by Descent is available to people born to a Spanish parent. Individuals whose parents were originally Spanish and born in Spain may also be eligible to acquire citizenship without a residence requirement.
However, the broader Democratic Memory Law pathway for eligible children and grandchildren of originally Spanish nationals closed to new applications on 22 October 2025. Applications submitted by the deadline can continue to be processed, but grandchildren who did not apply in time do not automatically qualify through descent and may instead need to complete one year of legal residence in Spain. The processing time for this program varies according to the route, consulate, and complexity of the applicant’s records.
4. Portugal
Portuguese Citizenship by Descent allows individuals with a parent or a grandparent born in the country to apply for CBD. Note that the grandparent must be an original Portuguese citizen who did not lose Portuguese nationality, and the applicant must demonstrate a connection to the Portuguese community, currently recognized through knowledge of Portuguese. Processing times range from several months for parental applications to several years for grandparents. There is no residency requirement for the program.
5. Italy
Italian Citizenship by Descent has undergone some restructuring and now restricts citizenship by descent to a strict two-generation limit. Foreign nationals are eligible only if they have a parent or grandparent who holds (or held at death) only Italian citizenship or an Italian parent who lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after becoming Italian and before the applicant’s birth or adoption. The processing time ranges from 24 to 36 months, with parental applications taking less time. There are no residency requirements for the program.
6. Malta
Maltese Citizenship by Descent allows individuals with a parent or a grandparent born in the country to apply for CBD. Eligibility also depends on the citizenship chain, dates of birth, historical nationality rules, and registration of intermediate generations. Additionally, there are no residency requirements.
9 Best Countries to get a Second Passport by Investment
| Country | Starting cost | Visa-free / ETA / VOA | Processing time | Physical presence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | $230,000 | 162 | ~6 months | 5 days in first 5 years |
| Dominica | $200,000 | 161 | 6–9 months | None |
| Grenada | $235,000 | 154 | ~6 months | None |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | 167 | 4–6 months | Not stated |
| St. Lucia | $240,000 | 155 | 12–18 months | None |
| Turkey | $400,000 (real estate) | 136 | 6–12 months | None |
| Nauru | $90,000* | 119 | 3–6 months | Not stated |
| Vanuatu | $130,000 | 118 | 2–3 months | None |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | $90,000 | 99 | ~2 months | None |
1. Antigua and Barbuda
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $230,000, allows visa-free, ETA or visa-on-arrival access to 162 countries, including the Schengen Area, and has a processing time of roughly six months.
Investors must spend five days within the first five calendar years after registration in the country to maintain their citizenship. Additionally, there are no language or cultural tests to qualify for the program.
2. Dominica
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $200,000, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 161 countries, including the Schengen Area and Singapore, and has a processing time of roughly six to nine months.
Investors can include their spouse, children, parents, and grandparents who meet dependency and age requirements in their application, although this increases the minimum investment. The entire process is conducted remotely and must go through an authorized agent, and there are no residency, language, or cultural requirements.
3. Grenada
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $235,000, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 154 countries, including the UK and the EU, and has a processing time of roughly six months.
Since Grenada has an existing E-treaty with the US, Grenadians can apply for the US E-2 Visa, which is a residency by investment program, provided they have lived in Grenada for at least three years. Additionally, there are no worldwide income taxes, wealth, capital gains, or inheritance taxes in the country for tax residents. There are also no physical presence requirements to maintain citizenship.
4. St. Kitts and Nevis
The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $250,000, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 167 countries, which is the most of any Caribbean country, and has a processing time of roughly four to six months.
The program is the oldest of its kind in the world, having been launched in 1984. Spouses, children, and parents are all eligible to join the main investor. However, this does increase the cost of the investment.
5. St. Lucia
The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $240,000, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 155 countries, including Schengen states, and has a processing time of roughly twelve to eighteen months.
Applicants can include their spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings who meet age and dependency requirements in their applications, although the minimum cost will increase. There are no residency requirements for the program, and it is conducted remotely.
6. Turkey
The Turkey Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $400,000 for real estate investments, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 136 countries, and has a processing time of roughly six to twelve months.
Family members that can be included are spouse, children, and disabled dependents. Additionally, there are no residency requirements, language tests, or minimum stay requirements, and dual citizenship is allowed.
7. Nauru
The Nauru Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $90,000 until 31 December 2026, after which it returns to its original $115,000 cost. It allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 119 countries and has a processing time of roughly three to six months, making it one of the fastest as well.
Investors can include their spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and even siblings in their application. This will increase the cost; however, additional dependents over 16 only add $2,000 to the starting investment, and siblings attract an additional $15,000 contribution.
8. Vanuatu
The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $130,000, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 118 countries, and has a processing time of roughly two to three months.
In the Global Citizenship Programs Report 2026 by our Global Intelligence Unit (GIU), Vanuatu is recognized as the global leader in tax optimization. The country’s tax system is designed to maximize the net economic value of citizenship for globally mobile individuals and offers what the report describes as the “cleanest fiscal proposition” for investors.
The program has other benefits, like allowing spouses, children, and parents to be included in an investor’s application. Plus, there are no presence or language requirements, and the process can be completed remotely.
Note: The EU ended Vanuatu’s visa exemption, and the UK imposed a visa requirement in July 2023.
9. São Tomé and Príncipe
The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $90,000, allows visa-free, ETA, or visa-on-arrival access to 99 countries, and has a processing time of roughly two months. Applicants can expect to complete the process in 4 to 10 weeks.
The nation allows dual citizenship and does not impose any residency or language requirements on applicants. In addition, the entire application process can be completed remotely.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
