It’s Harder to Get Citizenship in These Countries

In the late 1930s, there was one escape hatch from Nazi Germany that few people talked about. The program had the silent blessing of the United States government, which did not stand in the way of its existence. And it helped more than 100 Jews flee Eastern Europe for greener (and safer) pastures. 

What was it? A Haitian passport. 

In the days when Germany stamped “J” in the passports of Jews, any alternative was worth fighting for. Surprisingly, that alternative was from a poor country in the Caribbean Sea. 

Haiti’s government made their passport available for sale for the grand sum of 3,000 US dollars (a bit less than $50,000 today, adjusted for inflation). 

European Jews didn’t need to visit Haiti in order to become naturalized citizens; bundles of 100 signed passports were sent to Europe by the Haitian government to anyone who could pay the price. 

Today, of course, getting a second passport is a lot harder… and more expensive.

Why is it Harder to Get Citizenship Today?

Haiti was one of the world’s first modern economic citizenship programs, whereby investors — or cultural refugees — could make a one-time contribution to a foreign government in exchange for citizenship. 

Belize, Ireland, Vanuatu (according to some reports) and a handful of other countries have previously offered such programs, but no longer do. 

Grenada used to have a citizenship-by-investment program and has now brought it back. In fact, there are many great options for Caribbean citizenship by investment today.

Even as more residency and citizenship programs come online, the prices for these programs increase and the requirements become more stringent. 

I get emails practically every day from people in Africa, the Middle East and the CIS countries asking for help. And, no matter what happens in their economy, wealthy Chinese and Russians still have plenty of money to do immigration planning. 

As with many other things in our global community, citizenship is a valuable commodity in the middle of a bull market with no end in sight. It doesn’t help that developed countries like to play Whack-a-Mole with new programs that pop up. 

Small Caribbean countries have felt pressure from the United States and the OECD to crack down on who can get a passport from their countries. 

For example, a few years ago the US and Canadian governments lowered the boom on St. Kitts and Nevis by letting — wait for it — ONE Iranian into the country under their program in a year. 

With that in mind, let’s look at a few examples of countries that are making it harder to get citizenship.

Dominica

Dominica’s citizenship-by-investment program has seen some major price increases over the last decade. This is in part due to the fact that Dominica’s passport now offers visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen Area. 

Only a few years ago, the donation for a single applicant was $100,000. Now, the program requires a minimal investment of $200,000, in the form of either a donation or a real estate investment. 

Although this is a major increase, Dominica still offers one of the most affordable second citizenship options. So, if you’re interested in Dominica, now is the time to get started before the price raises even further.

Malta

Malta’s Citizenship-by-Investment program has ended, largely replaced by the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program.

While this was one of the most straightforward CBI options in the EU, it’s become more difficult to acquire Maltese citizenship. 

MEIN applicants must now invest a minimum of €600,000 with a 36-month residency period, or €750,000 for a reduced 12-month residency, along with a mandatory real estate investment and a donation to charity. 

The program also requires strict background checks and proof of substantial financial resources. 

Despite the fact that the requirements are tightening up, the program is still the best option of its kind within the EU, offering access to EU citizenship and one of the world’s strongest passports. However, due to increasing restrictions like this, those interested should act quickly before the opportunity becomes more limited. 

Hungary

For a while, Hungary was one of the most affordable ways to become a resident of Europe without starting a business. 

Unlike Portugal or Greece, where you can purchase a ‘Golden Visa’ with a quarter-million euro price tag, Hungary offered instant residency and future citizenship for far less. 

However, a Hungarian Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €250,000in investment certificates issued by real estate funds or a minimum investment of €500,000in residential property. This puts Hungarian residency on the same price scale as Greece. 

And speaking of golden visas, many countries, like Spain, have abandoned the option entirely. 

Latvia

The more sane of Europe’s economic residency options, Latvia used to be an impressive bargain for residency. 

While residency in Latvia requires ten years for citizenship, the payoff is great as a Latvian passport is one of the best in the world. However, the government more than doubled the Latvia Golden Visa investment requirements a few years ago, now requiring a €250,000 real estate purchase plus a €25,000 fee.

The fee before the price hike was only a few hundred bucks. The minimum term deposit is now €280,000.

Belgium

Belgium still offers an affordable way to move to Europe, if you’re willing to start an active business. 

The cost of setting up a business as an entrepreneur in Belgium is still cheap: 12,400 euros in paid up capital, or potentially even less if you have a business partner to go in with you. 

However, Belgium’s status as the easiest country to obtain residency in Europe ended several years ago. Until 2012, it was possible to obtain Belgian nationality after a mere three years of living there. You didn’t even have to spend all of your time in the country. 

Now, it takes at least five years to become a citizen of Belgium. That’s still a very reasonable timeline for a relatively well-managed, low-tax (for some) country with one of the best passports on earth. However, it goes to show how naturalisation timelines are almost universally getting longer, especially in desirable countries.

Austria

Becoming an Austrian citizen by making an investment in the country used to be a big topic, with the investment amounts involved sitting in the mid-seven figure range. 

However, the reality is that the option is all but off the table now.

There is information out there about being able to qualify for Austrian citizenship through a 10 million euro investment, plus some wining and dining of government officials. However, we regard this option as not applicable. 

Instead, you’ll need to look towards investment options like Malta’s to purchase an EU passport.

Singapore

We once reported from Singapore about the open secret among government officials: keep immigration numbers down. 

Obtaining temporary residence in Singapore through an Employment Pass has become more accessible for skilled professionals and business owners, but securing permanent residence is now a more challenging and lengthy process. 

Applicants must typically hold a work pass for at least six months before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence, and processing times can stretch up to two years or more, with many applicants facing rejection. 

To increase your chances, you’ll need to commit to spending significant time in Singapore, pay yourself a high salary and contribute to the economy through taxes and business growth. 

Becoming a Singaporean citizen could still take a decade, a far cry from the two years it used to take.

Uruguay

Uruguay still offers a relatively accessible path to citizenship, with naturalisation possible after three years for those immigrating with a family member, or five years for individuals. 

Its passport remains relatively strong, with increasing global mobility, though visa-free access to the US has yet to materialise. 

However, the process of becoming a naturalised citizen has grown more challenging. Stricter enforcement of residency requirements, with applicants needing to demonstrate deeper local ties are necessary. 

While Uruguay’s residency program remains affordable and allows foreigners to live comfortably, it has tightened restrictions. There are certainly easier residency options out there.

Dominican Republic

The passport of the Dominican Republic (not to be confused with the aforementioned Dominica) is becoming more expensive. The country’s residency programs offer a couple of routes to citizenship, although they’re not as fast as once promised. 

While it’s still possible to apply for citizenship after two years of residency with a pension or a $200,000 investment in real estate, many applicants report longer wait times. 

Programs like the Rentista Residence and the Residence for Retirees are aimed at those with consistent foreign income, offering permanent residency after a few years. Though the cost of acquiring a passport has risen, the DR remains a popular choice for its warm Caribbean climate, affordable living, and profitable real estate opportunities.

Gaining a New Citizenship is Harder, But Not Impossible

Here’s the bottom line: due to greater demand, internal politics, and changing political winds, getting residency and citizenship in another country is becoming more difficult in many cases. 

There are a few countries where it is getting easier to get on the citizenship bandwagon due to the currency crisis; Brazil, for example, has seen its real currency drop to new all-time lows, making the requisite investment there lower than before. 

But that doesn’t mean the citizenship process is any easier. As I’ve said before, where one door closes, another will open. There are plenty of good programs available TODAY for entrepreneurs and investors alike. However, the landscape is always changing and, as I’ve mentioned, prices are almost universally going up.

If you’re looking to obtain a second citizenship, my advice is to get started sooner than later. As with starting a business, you’ll want to budget a little extra time for the naturalisation timelines to account for bureaucracy. However, getting in under the current rules will likely benefit you versus waiting a year or two when things may have changed.