Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship 2023: Residency naturalization is cheaper. After a certain number of years, several nations grant citizenship and passports. Passports cost a few thousand dollars this way. Time is the biggest investment through such means as residency. There are a variety of factors that go into a person’s decision to settle in a second, third, or even fourth location and get citizenship there. In addition, there is a distinction between holding citizenship and being in possession of a passport. Being a citizen of a country confers the right to get a passport from that nation, but it does not guarantee that one already has a passport. Country-specific residence requirements are the catch.
Before applying for citizenship, most nations require you to be a permanent resident for five years and physically present for most of that period. Ancestry, Naturalization, Marriage, and Investment are the four methods to get second citizenship. This post will concentrate on nations with simpler and faster citizenship processes.
Recommended: How To Manage A Team Effectively: 14 Tips
Fastest and Easiest Country To Become A Citizen 2023
1. Ireland: Irish ancestry is the quickest route to get an Irish passport and citizenship. Simply apply for citizenship via the Foreign Birth Register. If you don’t have Irish heritage, you may become an Irish citizen by living in the country for four years over eight years, followed by one year.
You may naturalize after five years. Having an Irish spouse reduces this to three years. Irish citizenship grants EU and EEA residency. Ireland has 14 million active passports yet only four million people, demonstrating its popularity and convenience.
2. Armenia: Naturalization takes three years. First, invest in Armenia to get a resident permit. Real estate—your new home—and other qualified industries may be invested in. Attending the Armenian University qualifies one for residency.
If you keep your resident permit in Armenia for three years, you may seek for citizenship. These makes it easier for a foreigner to comfortably obtain a second citizenship in the country.
Recommended: Advantages and Disadvantages of Nationalization
3. Cyprus: Like many other nations, Cypriot citizenship entails achieving certain conditions and following certain actions. Cypriot citizenship is easier and quicker than other nations’. Cyprus has many citizenship-by-investment schemes. The Cyprus commitment Program (CIP) is the most well-known, requiring a large commitment in the nation, such as buying real estate, contributing financially, or investing in enterprises. Reviewing the newest rules is important since requirements and investment amounts may change. Cypriot citizenship is possible if you can establish Cypriot heritage.
To prove your familial connection to Cyprus, you must produce birth and marriage certificates. Citizenship may be granted after five years of lawful residence in Cyprus. You must prove legal residence in Cyprus and meet other residency criteria. The Cypriot government may give citizenship for outstanding services or achievements to the economy, culture, or society.
4. Spain: The Spain Golden Visa scheme requires a minimum €500,000 investment. Citizenship requires 10 years of residence and Spanish proficiency.
Requirements
You must have lived in Spain for at least 183 days each year for 10 years, retained your investment in Spain, and paid all Spanish taxes, also, You are expected to know Spanish culture and language.
5. Turkey: Turkey grants citizenship easily. Turkish citizenship via investing is often achieved through real estate purchases. Minimum is $400,000. Citizenship takes less than six months to be obtained. Some of the requirements necessary includes
a. You must be 18 years old,
b. You must have a clean criminal background,
c. You have to make a qualified investment, and
d. never unlawfully remain in Turkey.
Recommended: Strongest Military in Africa 2023 (With Pictures): Top 12 Most Powerful
6. Poland: Apply for a long-stay visa in your home country to get a temporary residence permit (and subsequently permanent residency) in Poland. Most Americans choose the business investor visa for temporary residence. To qualify, you must spend $100,000 (U.S.) and start a firm that earns at least 15,000 euros each year. This visa allows real estate investment. A limited liability corporation, limited partnership, limited joint-stock partnership, branch office, or sole proprietorship are further alternatives.
You’ll need titles, incorporation paperwork, the company’s balance sheet and profit and loss statement, and other documentation of your interests. Renewable temporary residence lasts three years. Naturalization requires five years of temporary residence and three years of permanent residency. Naturalization is possible after 10 years of temporary residence. Poland’s sole drawback for naturalization is the time required for temporary and permanent residence. However, this buys you an EU passport, one of the most sought-after travel papers.
7. Ecuador: With 15 temporary resident permits, Ecuador offers one of the greatest residence policies. The government welcomes foreigners and the procedure is simple. The most popular temporary resident visa, the Rentista, requires three times the Ecuadorian minimum earnings. US$1,275 per month in 2022. Ecuadorian residence and citizenship need a certain period of time in the nation.
Temporary residents may leave Ecuador for 90 days per year. If you want to convert to permanent residence, you must have been in Ecuador for at least 90 days during your 21–24-month temporary visa. You may become a permanent resident after 21 months. Permanent residents may leave Ecuador for 180 days in the first two years. After two years, you may leave without losing permanent residence. Apply for naturalization after three years of permanent residence. Before citizenship, five years of residence are necessary, along with official interviews, Spanish-language tests, and Ecuadorian history, geography, culture, and current events tests.
See also: Historical Development of Nigerian Constitution
8. Uruguay: Uruguay offers numerous ways to get permanent residence without a visa. The most frequent permanent residence visas are Rentista, Pensionado, and Jubilado. Pension, dividend, or rental income may secure residence.
Your lifestyle should determine the required revenue. Monthly $1,500 (U.S.) is adequate. After five years and six months in Uruguay, you may apply for citizenship. Dual citizenship is accepted. Spanish-language tests and interviews are necessary before citizenship.
9. Paraguay: Paraguay residency is quite simple. You may apply with the necessary paperwork without investing or proving income. A police record from your home country proving no criminal past, a certificate of good health, evidence of residency and income, and other usual conditions are required. Naturalization is possible after three years of permanent residence.
You cannot leave Paraguay for more than six months every year for three years. Showing national connection is part of naturalization. Buying property in Paraguay, having friends, learning Spanish, and visiting often assist. More evidence of your Paraguayan heritage is preferable. The nation Naturalization requires 3 years of residence. Spanish and Paraguayan history and culture tests and interviews are necessary.
See also: Advantages And Disadvantages Of a Mixed Economy
10. Portugal: Real estate, Portugal Golden Visa cash, donations, and capital transfers provide residence in Portugal. Golden Visa holders may reside in Portugal. You may live elsewhere and visit Portugal for seven days a year. A basic Portuguese language exam applies.
Requirements
a. You’ve invested in Portugal for five years
b. You’ve satisfied the minimum stay requirements
c. Your criminal background is clean
d. You have no outstanding tax obligations in Portugal
In conclusion, having dual citizenship enables individuals to have citizenship in two different countries. Dual citizenship is recognized by the majority of countries, including the United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It is theoretically against the law in Germany, Panama, and Singapore, yet it is nonetheless widely used in those countries.
