Dual citizenship opens up numerous opportunities and advantages that can significantly enhance your quality of life and broaden your horizons. The first thing to note is the freedom of movement. Holders of a second passport can visit countries with minimal formalities or without visas, which may be restricted for citizens of their first country. This is especially valuable for people whose work or lifestyle involves frequent travel.
Furthermore, dual citizenship provides additional economic and business opportunities. It simplifies conducting business, accessing international investments, and banking services. You can work in the country of your second citizenship without needing a permit and, in some cases, benefit from a more favorable tax regime.
Another important advantage of dual citizenship relates to access to education. Many countries offer their citizens educational benefits, including discounts on university tuition or even free education. Additionally, having a second passport opens access to more scholarships, grants, and international exchange programs.
Equally significant is the security aspect. Second citizenship becomes a true “Plan B” in cases of political instability, economic crises, or other emergencies in your first country. It provides the ability to relocate to another country and receive consular protection abroad.
Dual citizenship can also grant you access to social security and healthcare systems. In some countries, citizens can benefit from free or subsidized medical care, receive pensions, and social benefits that are not available to foreigners.
For many people, dual citizenship is crucial for preserving cultural identity and family ties. It helps maintain connections with one’s historical homeland, preserve language and culture, and simplifies the relocation of close relatives.
Finally, an additional passport makes your life more convenient regarding legal and everyday matters. You can own property in the country of your second citizenship without restrictions, inherit assets, and expedite necessary documentation. All these advantages make dual citizenship not just a symbol of freedom but also a practical tool for enhancing quality of life.
Comparison of citizenship-by-investment programs
Below is a brief comparative analysis of the most attractive citizenship through investment programs in different parts of the world. The following countries will be considered: Cyprus, Malta, Germany, Bulgaria, the USA, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, Singapore, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and several other jurisdictions.
| Country | Required Investment Amount | What the Investor Receives After Program Implementation | Dual Citizenship |
| Cyprus | Purchase of real estate €300,000 (+19% VAT). Annual income must be at least €50,000. | Permanent residency in Cyprus | Allowed, but requires 7 years of residence on the island |
| Malta | Invest €700,000 in real estate for 5 years. Additionally, donate €750,000 to the state fund. | Citizenship processing takes 14-15 months. Malta passport allows living and working in any EU country without restrictions. | Allowed. No need to renounce previous citizenship. |
| Andorra | Investment of €600,000 | Processing time 3-4 months. Residency is granted for 2 years, then extended for 2 years, then for 3 years, and finally a 10-year card is issued. Along with Monaco, Andorra is one of the best European countries for tax purposes. | Dual citizenship is not allowed. |
| Turkey | Purchase of real estate for $400,000. | Investor and family members receive full citizenship. Despite the relatively low value of the Turkish passport for freedom of movement, it offers certain advantages for business immigration to the USA (E-2 visa). | Dual citizenship is permitted. Name changes to Turkish are possible. |
| Egypt | Purchase of real estate for $300,000 (keep property for 5 years) or a non−interest bank deposit of $500,000 for three years. | Investor and family members receive Egyptian citizenship. | Dual citizenship is allowed. |
| USA – EB-5 visa | $800,000 – Investments must be risky and create jobs (private projects; the return of investments is not guaranteed or insured by the state). | Investor receives residency in the USA, after two years receives permanent residency. After 5 years of living in the USA, one can apply for citizenship. | Dual citizenship is not prohibited. |
| Canada (Quebec Province) | After application approval, invest CAD 1,000,000 under the guarantee of the Canadian government for 5 years without interest + donate CAD 200,000 to Canada non-repayable. | Investor and family receive permanent residency in Canada; after three years – Canadian citizenship and passport. The program has a requirement: the investor must have basic knowledge of French. | Yes, after 3 years of living in Canada (not necessarily in Quebec). |
| Chile | Business registration and investment from $15,000. A viable business plan is required. | Investor visa/temporary residency in Chile. After 1 year of residence, permanent residency can be obtained. | Dual citizenship is allowed. To apply, one must live in the country for 5 years. |
| El Salvador | Required to donate $1,000,000. Donation must be made in cryptocurrency (bitcoins or stablecoins). | Investor and family members (spouses and minor children) receive citizenship within 2-3 months. The Salvadoran passport allows visa-free access to Schengen. | Dual citizenship is allowed. |
| Cambodia | Required to invest 1,250,000,000 riels (about $311,000) in an approved project or donate 1,000,000,000 riels (about $249,000). | Investor and family members receive citizenship and passport of the Kingdom of Cambodia. | Dual citizenship is permitted. |
| Singapore | Only for large investors. Must invest SGD 10 million (≈ $7.4 million) in Singapore for five years. | Investor and family members receive permanent residency in Singapore; after 2 years of residence, citizenship can be obtained. | No, obtaining Singapore citizenship requires renouncing all previous citizenships. |
| Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia | From $200,000 to $400,000 depending on the chosen investment option. | Processing time is 4-6 months. Investor and family members receive citizenship and passports allowing visa-free access to the UK, Ireland, and all European countries (Schengen). | Dual citizenship is permitted. |
| Vanuatu | Cost: $130,000 – 1 applicant, $130,000, $150,000 – family couple, $165,000 – family of three with a child under 18, $180,000 – family of four (plus fees for a licensed immigration agent). | Processing time is about 2-4 months. Investor and family members receive citizenship. The Vanuatu passport provides visa-free access to many countries, but unfortunately, the visa-free Schengen has been closed. | Dual citizenship is allowed. |
| Dominican Republic | Purchase of real estate for $200,000. | Investor and family members receive residency, and after 2 years of living on the island, they can apply for citizenship. | Dual citizenship is allowed, but the passport has limited value. A visa is required for Schengen countries and other so-called “first world” countries. |
Conclusion
As we can see from the information provided above, both for large investors and for mid-sized investors, there is a considerable selection of investment programs worldwide. They allow obtaining not only temporary or permanent residency but in some cases even citizenship and a passport through accelerated processes.
