Best Birthright Citizenship Countries in 2025

A passport can be a powerful advantage in life. 

In a world where borders define opportunities, citizenship controls your access to places, professions and protections.

Citizenship typically follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), but a select group of nations uphold jus soli (right of the soil), granting citizenship to anyone born on their territory, regardless of their parents.

Some are born with the right citizenship. Others plan it.

For globally minded parents, unconditional birthright citizenship can be one of the strategic gifts they can give their children. It’s a deliberate act of foresight, offering their child a lifelong asset with no investment required.

But it’s not a decision to take lightly. Choosing where to give birth involves weighing a country’s stability, healthcare, legal systems and the real-world benefits of its citizenship.

It’s a significant undertaking that requires meticulous planning as it’s fraught with logistical, financial, and personal complexities.

In this guide, the Nomad Capitalist team reveals the top countries where birthright citizenship remains a smart, viable choice in 2025 – and why it might be the legal move your family needs.

Why Consider Birthright Citizenship?

If you’re looking to diversify your family’s passport portfolio, then birthright citizenship can be a strategic tool.

If you’re already looking at second citizenship through investment, why not double up? Some countries offer both investment programs and birthright citizenship. That means you can secure citizenship for yourself through investment, and your children can assume it automatically. 

The benefits stack up quickly. Your kids can gain access to local schools, better healthcare and the same legal rights as native-born citizens from day one. That’s peace of mind money can’t always buy. 

In the long term, they’ll grow up with more global mobility, tax flexibility and options that most people only dream of.

This is about legacy. It’s about making sure your children don’t just inherit your assets but your access. A birthright passport gives them a head start. It unlocks opportunities for education, business, lifestyle and security – all without the usual red tape.

Plus, in many cases, getting birthright citizenship for your children can also make it easier for you as parents to gain a new citizenship through naturalisation. Timelines are often shorter, and the process is easier if your child is already a citizen of the country you’re set on. 

However, realising these benefits requires careful planning. 

Successfully managing residencies, foreign healthcare systems, birth registration in a foreign language and arranging accommodation demands planning.

Which Countries Have Birthright Citizenship in 2025?

Birthright citizenship, or jus soli (right of the soil), means that if your child is born in a country that offers it, they’re granted automatic citizenship.

No excessive bureaucracy or paperwork, just straightforward passport-by-birth, regardless of their parents.

Right now, over 25 countries offer birthright citizenship, so you’ve certainly got options. 

Most are in the Americas, but not all. Some nations in Africa, Oceania, Asia and even parts of Europe offer passports through birth.

Here are some of the best options and why you should care.

Canada

Canada offers unconditional birthright citizenship. If your child is born on Canadian soil, they’re granted citizenship – simple as that.

Canada’s passport is one of the strongest in the world. This immediate access brings the benefits of Canada’s highly regarded healthcare and education systems, excellent global mobility and the economic stability associated with its G7 membership. 

So, being born Canadian opens a lot of doors.

For nomad capitalists, giving your child a Tier A passport at birth is hard to beat – especially if you’ve already got a foot in the door through business or property.

Mexico

Venturing south, Mexico also offers automatic citizenship to anyone born in the country.

It’s Latin America’s second-largest economy, and citizenship gives you access to the entire Mercosur bloc. And Mexico doesn’t tax non-residents’ foreign income – something to think about for the long-term benefits.

United States

Crossing the border again leads us to the United States, where birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment, persists despite ongoing political debate and legal challenges aimed at restricting it.

The US passport is one of the most powerful. But it comes at a price – namely, lifelong tax obligations, even if your child never lives there again.

Use this option with caution, as holding a US passport can be a double-edged sword. It’s good for mobility, employment and business opportunities in the US, but bad for long-term tax planning. We’d generally recommend looking elsewhere.

Brazil

Brazil is a birthright citizenship country. Quite simply, anyone born there is granted citizenship and considered Brazilian.

By being born in the country, you get a strong passport and access to a growing economy and region. Brazilian citizens can live and work across much of South America without any restrictions.

Brazil grants parents of Brazilian-born children immediate eligibility for permanent residency, which could lead to citizenship after just one year of residency.

Argentina

Shifting our focus southward, Argentina offers a persuasive proposition, particularly notable for the advantages it confers on the newborn and on the parents.

Argentine citizens can live and work in any Mercosur nation. Plus, Argentina has no language requirement for naturalisation, even for adults.

The country is cheap, culturally rich and offers some good residency options for expats. Birthright here is a golden ticket to South America.

Parents of an Argentine-born child can get immediate permanent residency and can bypass the standard two-year residency requirement for naturalisation.

Dominica

Moving to the Caribbean Sea, the island nation of Dominica provides a strong mix of a citizenship-by-investment program and birthright citizenship.

Bring your child into the world in Dominica, and they get a Caribbean passport with solid visa-free access around the globe – if at least one parent has Dominican citizenship or legal status.

Alternatively, you can get citizenship through investment, and then future children born on the island get it automatically.

There is also no tax on foreign earned income, inheritance or capital gains tax here.

Grenada

In addition to birthright citizenship, another benefit of Grenada is that it’s one of the few countries whose citizens can apply for a US E-2 Investor Visa. 

So, if you have your sights on America, this could be a sound move.

You could always invest in citizenship now, plant a flag and have kids who will become citizens later.

Grenada has a territorial tax system in which foreign income isn’t taxed, and no capital gains, inheritance or wealth taxes‌ are imposed – though you may encounter some levies such as property transfer tax or stamp duties.

El Salvador

Moving into Central America, El Salvador also offers automatic birthright citizenship.

It’s the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, a bold move that may pay off in the long term.

If you’re in the crypto space, this is one to watch. Being born Salvadoran might be more valuable than people realise.

Peru

Heading south again along the Pacific, Peru provides birthright citizenship rooted in a more traditional, resource-based economy.

A direct benefit of being born here is that citizens can live and work throughout the Mercosur bloc.

Think of it as a regional move. A Peru-born child has easy access to opportunities across the continent.

Costa Rica

Further north in Central America, Costa Rica is another Latin gem that still practises jus soli. 

It’s politically stable, ecologically progressive and tax-friendly for residents with foreign income.

Costa Rica is a retirement hotspot. Combine that with birthright citizenship, and you get a future-proof plan. 

Saint Lucia

Returning to the Caribbean, Saint Lucia offers birthright citizenship, plus it has a renowned citizenship-by-investment program.

It’s a great passport to have – the country doesn’t tax foreign income and offers an appealing lifestyle.

You can get second citizenship now through investment, and your kids get it for free if they’re born on the island. 

Belize

For people looking for an English-speaking Caribbean nation with residency benefits, Belize offers exactly what you need, along with birthright citizenship.

If you’re looking for a laid-back Caribbean lifestyle without the usual red tape, Belize offers a low-cost path to building a lasting family legacy.

Even better, Belize generally doesn’t tax foreign-sourced income. It also offers the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program, which provides generous tax exemptions for eligible expats over 40.

On top of all that, there are no capital gains or inheritance taxes here – making it an attractive option for long-term financial planning.

Uruguay

Moving back to South America, Uruguay offers birthright citizenship in one of South America’s most stable economies. 

In Uruguay, you’re not just getting a passport. You’re buying long-term access to a peaceful, well-managed country. And your kids get that from day one.

Only income earned within Uruguay is typically taxed. New residents may also benefit from a potential 10-year tax holiday on foreign dividends and interest.

Tanzania

Yes, even in Africa, there are options. Tanzania grants birthright citizenship – kind of.

It doesn’t offer birthright citizenship in the unrestricted sense. Children born in Tanzania are granted citizenship if, at the time of their birth, one of his parents is or was a citizen of United Republic of Tanzania.

Think jus sanguinis rather than jus soli. Still, the region is growing fast, so Tanzanian citizenship could become an advantage as Africa rises economically. This is more of a long-term option, but don’t overlook Africa if you want to plant flags before others catch on.

Pakistan

Pakistan technically offers conditional birthright citizenship, which can lead to good access to South Asian markets.

Many wouldn’t consider travelling to Pakistan to give birth as the smartest option. For the right family situation, it could be a good fit, but be aware that Pakistan’s policy is conditional and inconsistently applied, especially for non-resident or undocumented parents.

Portugal (Limited)

Portugal doesn’t offer traditional jus soli, but it’s worth a mention. Children born in Portugal can now become citizens if their parents have held legal residency for one year.

Portugal is part of the European Union, which means the child can work, live and travel freely across 28 member states. 

You could combine this with a golden visa or other residency routes for easy access to Europe. It’s not pure birthright citizenship, but for smart planners, it’s just as effective.

Will US Birthright Citizenship End Under Trump?

President Donald Trump has a history of wanting to end birthright citizenship in the US. Now that he’s back in office, he’s wasting no time in trying. 

However, the reality is that it isn’t something he can do by himself. 

Birthright citizenship is written into the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. That means any real change would need to go through Congress and be ratified by each of the states. 

It’s a major legal mountain to climb.

Yes, the Supreme Court is conservative-leaning, and he’s pushing hard. But courts have already blocked his initial attempts, calling them unconstitutional. 

Bottom line? For now, US birthright citizenship is still on the table. But it’s a reminder that relying on any one country, even the US, for citizenship can be risky. Always have a Plan B.

Birthright Citizenship Countries: FAQs

Potential Benefits of a Passport by Birth

Birthright citizenship is one of the last ‘free’ ways to get a second passport. 

For nomads thinking generationally birthright citizenship can be a powerful tool. Marry it with residency or citizenship by investment, and you’re setting up your kids and grandkids with options most people don’t even know exist.

However, it’s far from an easy process. You can’t just jet off to a country shortly before giving birth. 

Beyond the healthcare and birthing considerations, you’ll also need to consider your residency options. Then there are taxes, finding a place to live, and managing work or your business.

It’s a lot to plan. Still, the potential benefits of a second passport by birth could quickly outweigh the challenges, especially when you consider that birthright citizenship helps you jump the lengthy queue on naturalisation timelines and skip the hefty investment price tag. 

Of course, you’ll need help planning this properly. That’s where Nomad Capitalist comes in. 

We’ve helped over 2,000 high-net-worth individuals ‘go where they’re treated best’ by moving their business offshore, relocating to a tax-friendly country, or pursuing a second citizenship.

Our clients are paired with experts in tax, investment strategy, asset protection and immigration to create and execute a holistic plan as unique as their goals. If you’re considering your options around birthright citizenship, we can help. Just get in touch.