Living In El Salvador: Pros And Cons You Need To Know
El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, has taken the world by storm. His efforts to crush organized crime (the maras) all across the country have...
5 min read
Mikkel Thorup : September 24, 2024
Imagine that your home country enters a state of instability, with the government threatening to seize your assets and chasing after those who disagree with the establishment. I know it may sound like an extreme, doomsday-like scenario, but to be fair, haven’t you witnessed this lately?
The 2019/2020 restrictions and mass censorship have been a wake-up call for many—so much so that Americans are acquiring second passports en masse. This should be some food for thought. U.S. citizens are looking for options abroad, even though America is supposedly a beacon of prosperity and liberty. But wait, because there’s more to cover.
Not only are ultra-high-net-worth individuals pursuing second citizenship, but freedom-seekers of all types are beginning to understand the need to secure a solid Plan-B. And if you follow my content and read my newsletter, you might already know how important having a Plan-B is. A second passport is what I often call ‘political insurance.’
In this article, you will learn what countries offer dual citizenship. This thorough list will help you decide where to pursue a second passport, ensuring it aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
Note that dual citizenship rules vary from country to country, so make sure you work with a trusted expat consultant and legal advisors before acquiring a second citizenship.
Before diving into all the countries listed here, it’s important to clarify what dual citizenship is. Also known as dual nationality, this concept refers to the possibility a country gives its citizens to hold another country’s passport. For example, you might be American, born and raised in the U.S., but hold an Italian passport by descent. These two countries, by law, permit dual citizenship. Now, what are the benefits of dual citizenship? Here are some of them:
Increased Travel Freedom: An extra passport may grant you access to countries your home nation’s passport doesn’t;
Tax Planning: A second passport allows you to legally live in a different country, thus opening the door for a different tax regime that may help you save on taxes;
Streamlined Property Ownership: Some countries in the world facilitate property ownership to their own citizens before doing so with foreigners;
Education Opportunities: While in certain countries, foreign nationals may have to pay extra for the same education, as a local, you (and sometimes your kids) tend to benefit from lower prices;
The pathways to dual citizenship are numerous and vary from country to country. The most common is probably naturalization, which requires foreign residents to live in the country for a number of years and show good moral character. However, other options include marriage, ancestry or even investment. For more detailed content on dual citizenship, its benefits and how to acquire it, check out this article.
The New World—or Western Hemisphere, if you will—is filled with countries allowing dual citizenship for locals and foreign nationals. Perhaps you have seen cases of foreigners who decide to give birth in the U.S. to secure U.S. citizenship by birth for their kids. Something similar happens with Canada.
As a fervent proponent of birth tourism, I have already opted for two different countries for our kids; my second kid was born in Brazil, while my third kid was born in Chile. Below is a comprehensive list of the countries in the Western Hemisphere that permit dual citizenship.
It’s important to note that every country has its own dual citizenship rules, which are not homogeneous. For example, Paraguay only has a dual citizenship treaty with Spain, while countries like Brazil allow dual citizenship under certain circumstances. It’s always recommended to check the legislation and see the particularity of each country.
I support birth tourism and have firsthand experience. My second child was born in Brazil, and my third in Chile, giving me insight into securing citizenship in these countries
United States
Canada
Mexico
Guatemala
Belize
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
Colombia
Venezuela
Guyana
Brazil
Ecuador
Peru
Bolivia
Chile
Argentina
Uruguay
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Grenada
Barbados
Saint Vicent and the Grenadines
Dominica
Jamaica
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Aruba
Bonaire
Curaçao
Related content: Rising Costs: Five Caribbean Citizenship Programs Increase Investment Minimums
Access to the Schengen Area and the EU, along with strong diplomatic ties, makes Europe, despite its challenges, a top tourist destination with some of the world's most powerful passports
The Old Continent is undergoing hard times, with astronomical taxation, skyrocketing inflation and a rising lack of safety. However, not only does it remain a popular tourist destination, especially in countries like France, Italy and Spain, but it also offers some of the strongest passports out there. Access to Schengen and the EU are massive perks, along with good diplomatic relations most European nations have with other nations around the globe.
If you’re from Canada, the United States, New Zealand or Australia, like most of my clients, you might be eligible for citizenship by descent in your ancestors’ home country:
United Kingdom
Ireland
France
Belgium
Netherlands
Germany
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Italy
Spain
Greece
Portugal
Malta
Slovenia
Serbia
Albania
Montenegro
Bulgaria
Poland
Hungary
Czech Republic
Romania
Latvia
Russia
Denmark
Sweden
Norway
Iceland
Finland
Although most countries in Asia do not allow dual citizenship, some passports, like those from Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, offer significant mobility
Dual citizenship options in Asia are limited, as most countries only allow for ownership of their own passport. However, there are interesting passports that, though not allowing dual citizenship, offer great mobility, such as those in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. However, other countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, traditionally restrictive, have come up with some laws allowing the diaspora to hold dual citizenship.
Below is the list of Asian countries allowing dual citizenship:
Pakistan
Philippines
Bangladesh
Syria
Lebanon
Turkey
Cambodia
Armenia
Africa, with its rich cultural heritage and opportunities, offers dual citizenship options in certain countries despite facing various challenges
Africa is large and offers a rich cultural heritage and various opportunities for those looking to obtain dual citizenship. Although the continent is experiencing its share of challenges, some countries also offer dual citizenship opportunities for expats and the diaspora.
Below is the list of African countries allowing dual citizenship:
Ghana
Egypt
Sierra Leone
Nigeria
Liberia
South Africa
Kenya
Zambia
Malawi
Seychelles
Mauritius
Cape Verde
Though often focused on Australia and New Zealand, Oceania includes smaller countries with relaxed lifestyles and potential expat investment opportunities, some offering dual citizenship
As one of the most remote continents on Earth, many think only about the two major countries: Australia and New Zealand. However, not only are there other small countries where their few residents enjoy a very relaxed lifestyle, but some may offer expats interesting investment opportunities.
Below is the list of countries allowing dual citizenship in Oceania:
Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea
Whether through marriage, investment, ancestry, or naturalization, choose what suits you best. Do your due diligence and, most importantly, act now— a second passport can ensure your freedom of movement
While we’ve made every effort to make this list as thorough as possible at the time of this writing, there might be other countries that allow dual citizenship, as many of these rules are in a constant state of flux. Similarly, citizenship laws may change over time, and remember that walls are going up every day to keep everybody a tax slave to their home countries. If you want to pursue a second passport, by all means, go for it. The sooner you start working on acquiring a passport, the sooner you will be able to gain enhanced mobility and other benefits like tax and financial planning.
Whether by descent, marriage, investment or naturalization, see what suits you best, do your due diligence and most importantly, act. Securing your freedom of movement is a critical part of your Plan-B, so don’t put it off, or you will regret it. If you want to see how we can help you get a second passport, check the important letter we have written for you and fill out the form.
If you want the best intel from the expat world, including profitable offshore opportunities, little-known tax-saving strategies, and hard-won insights on immigration, passports, and Plan-B residencies, all delivered to your inbox every single week, then join our daily correspondence, EMS Pulse™. Currently enjoyed by over 84,000 expats and expat-hopefuls worldwide. Fill in the form below to join our newsletter free:
Written by Mikkel Thorup
Mikkel Thorup is the world’s most sought-after expat consultant. He focuses on helping high-net-worth private clients to legally mitigate tax liabilities, obtain a second residency and citizenship, and assemble a portfolio of foreign investments including international real estate, timber plantations, agricultural land and other hard-money tangible assets. Mikkel is the Founder and CEO at Expat Money®, a private consulting firm started in 2017. He hosts the popular weekly podcast, the Expat Money Show, and wrote the definitive #1-Best Selling book Expat Secrets - How To Pay Zero Taxes, Live Overseas And Make Giant Piles Of Money, and his second book: Expats Guide On Moving To Mexico.
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