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Alternatives to investment
Naturalisation, marriage, special merit, descent and the fast passport for parents whose child is born in the country: 59 countries, every figure checked at the primary source. How many years of residence, how long you need to be married, how quickly you as a mother or father get a passport of your own and who may keep both passports.
Citizenship by investment takes months. The other routes take time, a close tie to a country, or a story your family wrote long ago. They are the oldest routes to a passport, and one of them is often closer than you think.
You live legally in the country for a number of years, speak the language at the required level and, where required, pass a test on the state and society. The period ranges from 6 months (Dominican Republic) to 10 years and more. What often decides it is not the number but how strictly a country counts your absences.
With a spouse from the country, 50 of the 59 countries shorten the period or open a separate route, in Spain down to 1 year of residence. Others, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, have no marriage route: spouses face the same period as everyone else.
Being born in the country makes your child a citizen. What counts for you is what comes next: in 6 countries your child shortens your own path to a passport, most of all in Brazil, with 1 year instead of 4 years until naturalisation. In the United States and Canada, by contrast, only the child gets the passport and the parents wait decades.
48 of the 59 countries can naturalise people whose citizenship is in the special interest of the state: top athletes, scientists, artists. It is a discretionary route with no entitlement, often with a shorter residence period or none at all. Honorary citizenship of a city, by contrast, confers no nationality, and honorary US citizenship is purely symbolic.
A parent, a grandparent or an earlier ancestor who held a country's passport can be enough. In 37 countries the claim reaches through the grandparents or further back, in 20 with no generational limit. Austria and Germany open the route to descendants of those persecuted under National Socialism.
Every list comes from the same table. Click “Show in the table” to filter and sort it to match.
Fastest naturalisation
Shortest residence period for foreigners without special ties.
Peru: 2 years for now; once the Reglamento for Ley 32421 is published, the period becomes 5 years.
Fastest route through marriage
Shortest period with a spouse from the country.
Fastest passport for parents
Years to a passport of your own when your child is born in the country.
Dual citizenship allowed37
No need to give up your existing citizenship.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela
No language test5
No language requirement in the naturalisation law.
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ireland, and Monaco
Descent with no generational limit20
The law does not limit the claim to parents or grandparents.
Australia, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, and United States
Birth in a country with birthright citizenship secures your child's passport. For you as a mother or father, the second question is the one that counts: where does your child open your own path to citizenship? In 6 countries your child gives you a right of residence or a shorter period, fastest in Brazil.
The figures are the years until the parents get their passport, as the competent authority applies the rules today. Where a court has ruled otherwise and the final word is still pending, that is noted next to the figure.
In these 6 countries, a child born there shortens your own period to naturalisation.
| # | Country | Years to the parents' passport | Child's status | Parents' residence | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Brazil | 1 yr instead of 4 yrs 1 year of indefinite residence with a Brazilian child (Art. 66 II Lei 13.445; Art. 235 I Decreto 9.199) | Brazilian by birth, unless the foreign parents are in the service of their country (Art. 12 I a Constitution) | Residence permit for family reunion for anyone with a Brazilian child (Art. 37 II Lei 13.445; Art. 153 III Decreto 9.199) | Able to communicate in Portuguese, full legal capacity, no criminal conviction; no civics test; at most 3 months abroad a year Sources
Born in Brazil: a passport for your child, residence for the parents · Brazil: citizenship by naturalisation |
| 2. | Mexico | 2 yrs instead of 5 yrs 2 years of residence immediately before applying instead of 5 (Art. 20 I b Ley de Nacionalidad) | Mexican by birth, whatever the parents' nationality (Art. 30 A I Constitution) | Residencia Permanente straight away because you have a Mexican child born in Mexico (Art. 54 Fr. VI Ley de Migración) | Foreign Ministry exam on Spanish and on Mexican history and culture (Art. 19 III); absences totalling more than 6 months in the 2 years interrupt residence (Art. 21); declaration of renunciation to Mexico (Art. 17, 19 II) Sources
Giving birth in Mexico: a passport for your child, permanent residence for you · Mexico: from Residente Permanente to a Mexican passport |
| 3. | Bolivia | 2 yrs instead of 3 yrs 2 years of continuous legal residence instead of more than 3 if you have Bolivian children (Art. 142 II no. 1 Constitution; Art. 21 DS 4828) | Bolivian by birth, except children of foreign diplomatic mission staff (Art. 141 Constitution) | Ordinary legal residence under the migration law; the advantage through the child applies at naturalisation | Exam on Bolivian culture and history from age 12, no language test; police certificates including INTERPOL; with temporary residence at most 90 days' absence a year Sources
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| 4. | Argentina | 2 yrs pending before the Corte Suprema The migration authority applies DNU 366/2025: 2 continuous years without a single departure. Under Ley 346 with Art. 3 f Decreto 3213/84, parents of a child born in Argentina face no minimum period; the Cámara Nacional Electoral declared the DNU void on 30 June 2026, and the Corte Suprema will decide on the government's appeal | Argentine by birth, except children of foreign diplomats (Art. 1 no. 1 Ley 346) | Under Ley 25.871 Art. 22, immediate Residencia Permanente for parents of Argentine children; DNU 366/2025 replaces it with a temporary family residence of up to 3 years (Art. 23 ñ) | Of age, lawful income, no criminal record; no language or civics test Sources
Giving birth in Argentina: what has changed for foreign parents · Naturalisation in Argentina after the reform: two years, no trips abroad |
| 5. | Ecuador | 3 yrs instead of about 5 yrs 3 years from the grant of the Residencia Permanente (Art. 71 no. 1 LOMH) | Ecuadorian by birth in the country (Art. 7 no. 1 Constitution) | Residencia Permanente straight away as a first-degree relative of an Ecuadorian (Art. 63 no. 4 LOMH), without the usual 21 months of temporary residence | For residence, the applicant proves means of support of at least one basic wage (SBU), plus USD 250 a month for each additional person (Art. 19 lit. n Acuerdo Ministerial 70/2024). For the passport: spoken and written Spanish, an exam on Ecuador's history, geography and culture, an interview, at most 180 days' absence a year (Art. 72 LOMH) Sources
Birthright citizenship countries: where your child gets a passport at birth |
| 6. | Uruguay | 3 yrs instead of 5 yrs Ciudadanía legal after 3 years of habitual residence with a family established in Uruguay instead of 5 (Art. 75 A Constitution) | Natural citizen (ciudadano natural) by birth in the country (Art. 74 Constitution) | Residencia permanente through the child alone: parents of Uruguayans only prove the family relationship (Art. 33 A Ley 18.250) | Good character; capital, property or a profession in the country; understanding and expressing yourself in Spanish, with no formal test; no absence of more than 6 months in a row, or the period starts again; Uruguay grants Ciudadanía legal, with political rights 3 years after the Carta Sources
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Here your child becomes a citizen at birth, while your own period stays the regular one. In the United States and Canada, a child can only open a right of residence for its parents once it is an adult.
| Country | Years to the parents' passport | Child's status | Parents' residence | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | 2 yrs until Ley 32421 takes effect, then 5 yrs No reduction for parents, but a short standard period: 2 years (Ley 26574) until Ley 32421 takes effect with its Reglamento; then 5 years | Peruvian by birth, whatever the parents' nationality (Art. 2 Ley 26574; likewise Art. 7 a Ley 32421) | Not verifiable at the primary source | Knowledge test with 20 questions on the constitution, history and geography, Spanish, income of 10 UIT, resident status Sources
Peru: one of the shortest routes to a South American passport |
| Honduras | 3 yrs No reduction for parents: more than 3 continuous years; 1 year for Central Americans, 2 for Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth (Art. 24 Constitution) | Honduran by birth, except children of diplomats (Art. 23 no. 1 Constitution) | Not verifiable at the primary source | Prior renunciation of your existing citizenship, unless a dual citizenship treaty applies Sources
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| Paraguay | 3 yrs 3 years of Radicación, as for all foreigners; no shorter route for parents (Art. 148 Constitution) | Paraguayan by birth, with no condition on the parents (Art. 146 no. 1 Constitution) | No separate permit for parents of Paraguayan children: the route runs through the Residencia Temporal (up to 2 years, renewable) to the Residencia Permanente | Of age, a profession or trade in the country, good conduct; exam in Spanish or Guaraní and on Paraguay's history and geography (Art. 46 Acordada 464/2007) Sources
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| El Salvador | 5 yrs No reduction for parents: 5 years of residence; 1 year for Spaniards and Spanish Americans by origin (Art. 92 Constitution) | Salvadoran by birth, with no condition (Art. 90 no. 1 Constitution) | Residencia Temporal “para acompañar” for foreigners with Salvadoran relatives, without a work permit; Residencia Definitiva after 3 years of temporary residence | Your home country must allow dual citizenship (certificate from its embassy); a declaration of financial support for the accompanying residence Sources
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| Guatemala | 5 yrs No reduction for parents: 5 years immediately before applying or 10 years in total (Art. 33, 34 Decreto 1613) | Guatemalan by origin, except children of diplomats (Art. 144 Constitution) | Not verifiable at the primary source | Spanish exam and civics on the geography and history of Central America and on the constitution; renunciation of your existing citizenship Sources
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| Panama | 5 yrs Two foreign parents need 5 consecutive years of residence; 3 years only if the other parent or the spouse is Panamanian (Art. 10 Constitution) | Panamanian by birth, with no condition (Art. 9 no. 1 Constitution) | A separate permit for foreign parents of Panamanian children once the child is at least 5 years old: 2 years of provisional residence, then Residencia Permanente (Decreto Ejecutivo 583 of 2012) | Spanish, an exam on Panama's geography, history and political organisation, express renunciation of your existing citizenship Sources
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| Costa Rica | 7 yrs No reduction for parents: 7 years of official residence; 5 for Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth (Art. 14 Constitution) | Costa Rican by birth if a parent registers the child while it is a minor or the child does so itself by age 25 (Art. 13 no. 3 Constitution) | Not verifiable at the primary source | Speaking, reading and writing Spanish, an exam on Costa Rica's history and values, a profession or income; renunciation unless a treaty applies Sources
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| Venezuela | 10 yrs No reduction for parents: 10 years of continuous residence; 5 for nationals of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Latin America and the Caribbean (Art. 33 Constitution) | Venezuelan by birth, with no condition (Art. 32 no. 1 Constitution) | Not verifiable at the primary source | Domicile and continuous residence in the country; no renunciation of your existing citizenship (Art. 25 Ley de Nacionalidad y Ciudadanía) Sources
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| Canada | 21 yrs At the earliest about 21 years after the birth, and only if the programme reopens: sponsorship from 18, then 1,095 days as a permanent resident | Canadian by birth, except children of foreign diplomats when neither parent is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (s. 3 Citizenship Act) | No right of residence through the birth; the child can only sponsor its parents from 18 (s. 130 IRPR), and the Parents and Grandparents Program is not currently accepting new applications; the Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years at a time without permanent residence | English or French at CLB 4 and the citizenship test, each from age 18 to 54 Sources
Born in Canada: a Canadian passport for your child · Canadian citizenship for Germans |
| United States | 26 yrs At the earliest about 26 years after the birth: a Green Card from the child's 21st birthday, then 5 years as a permanent resident | US citizen by birth, even if the parents' stay is unlawful or temporary (14th Amendment; Supreme Court, Trump v. Barbara, 30 June 2026) | No right of residence for the parents through the birth; the child can only sponsor its parents as immediate relatives from 21 (INA 201(b)(2)(A)(i)) | English and civics test at the USCIS interview Sources
Baby born in the USA: US citizenship after the Supreme Court ruling · USA: from green card holder to US citizen |
Every figure comes from the law or the competent authority, checked on November 11, 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed there, the field stays open. Click a column heading to sort, click a country to see its conditions and sources.
Dual citizenship here means each country's rule for its new citizens. Whether you keep your existing passport is up to your home country: German citizens have been able to keep both since 27 June 2024 (more on this), while Austrians and Swiss citizens follow their own rules.
59 countries
| Guides | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 yrs | no | yes | parents | no | no | no | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Naturalisation in Argentina after the reform: two years, no trips abroad · Giving birth in Argentina: what has changed for foreign parents | |||||||||
| 4 yrs | no | conditional | unlimited | partly | yes | yes | yes | ||
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| 10 yrs | 6 yrs | no | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Austrian citizenship for descendants of persecuted families | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 5 yrs | conditional | parents | yes | no | yes | yes | ||
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| 3 yrs | 2 yrs | yes | parents | no | yes | yes | yes | ||
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| 4 yrs | 1 yr | yes | parents | yes | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Brazil: citizenship by naturalisation · Born in Brazil: a passport for your child, residence for the parents | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | no | great-grandparents | yes | no | yes | limited | ||
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| 3 yrs | no | yes | unlimited | partly | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Canadian citizenship for Germans · Born in Canada: a Canadian passport for your child | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 2 yrs | conditional | grandparents | no | no | yes | yes | ||
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| 5 yrs | 2 yrs | conditional | parents | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Colombian citizenship: from visa to passport | |||||||||
| 7 yrs | 2 yrs | conditional | parents | yes | yes | yes | limited | Article | |
Learn more: Costa Rica: citizenship through residence | |||||||||
| 8 yrs | 4 yrs | no | unlimited | partly | yes | yes | limited | ||
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| 8 yrs | 3 yrs | no | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Cyprus: your route to a Cypriot passport | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | discretion | no | grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
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| 9 yrs | 6 yrs | no | parents | yes | yes | no | yes | ||
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| 6 mths | 6 mths | conditional | unlimited | partly | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Dominican Republic: Caribbean naturalisation, after six months with property | |||||||||
| 3 yrs | 2 yrs | yes | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Birthright citizenship countries: where your child gets a passport at birth | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 2 yrs | yes | unlimited | open | open | yes | limited | ||
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| 8 yrs | no | no | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia: citizenship for descendants | |||||||||
| 8 yrs | 5 yrs | no | parents | yes | no | no | yes | ||
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| 5 yrs | 4 yrs | conditional | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
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| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | conditional | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Dual citizenship for Germans: you can keep both passports · Born abroad: how your child gets German citizenship too | |||||||||
| 6 yrs | 5 yrs | no | grandparents | partly | no | open | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Ghana: citizenship and the Right of Abode for the African diaspora | |||||||||
| 7 yrs | 3 yrs | conditional | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Greek citizenship by descent | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | open | yes | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | limited | ||
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| 3 yrs | discretion | yes | unlimited | open | open | yes | limited | ||
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| 8 yrs | 3 yrs | no | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Hungarian citizenship: simplified naturalisation for descendants | |||||||||
| 7 yrs | 4 yrs | no | parents | yes | no | no | yes | ||
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| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | conditional | grandparents | no | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Ireland: naturalisation and the Irish passport · An Irish passport through your grandparents: the Foreign Births Register | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 2 yrs | conditional | grandparents | yes | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Italian citizenship by descent: what still works after the reform | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 3 yrs | no | parents | partly | no | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Japanese citizenship: naturalisation in Japan and the dual citizenship question | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | no | no | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | limited | Article | |
Learn more: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia: citizenship for descendants | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 5 yrs | no | parents | yes | yes | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Liechtenstein citizenship: one of Europe's rarest passports and how to get it | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 7 yrs | no | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia: citizenship for descendants | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | no minimum | conditional | unlimited | yes | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Citizenship by marriage: where the spouse route is fastest | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 5 yrs | no | unlimited | partly | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Malta: naturalisation through residence | |||||||||
| 6 yrs | 4 yrs | no | parents | partly | no | yes | open | Article | |
Learn more: Mauritius: citizenship, permanent residence and what awaits investors | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 2 yrs | yes | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Mexico: from Residente Permanente to a Mexican passport · Giving birth in Mexico: a passport for your child, permanent residence for you | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 20 yrs | no | parents | no | no | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Monegasque citizenship: why it is so rare and what Monaco gives you instead | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | conditional | unlimited | yes | yes | yes | limited | Article | |
Learn more: Citizenship in Curaçao: the Dutch passport from the Caribbean | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | no | conditional | parents | partly | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: New Zealand citizenship: the route for Germans to the other side of the world | |||||||||
| 8 yrs | 5 yrs | no | parents | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
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| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | yes | parents | yes | yes | no | no | Article | |
Learn more: Panama: naturalisation for Germans | |||||||||
| 3 yrs | no | yes | parents | yes | yes | yes | limited | Article | |
Learn more: Paraguay: from residence to citizenship | |||||||||
| 2 yrs | 2 yrs | yes | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Peru: one of the shortest routes to a South American passport | |||||||||
| 8 yrs | 4 yrs | no | unlimited | yes | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Polish citizenship by descent: the passport your family never gave up | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 3 yrs | conditional | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Portugal: naturalisation after the reform | |||||||||
| 25 yrs | 5 yrs | no | parents | partly | no | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: Qatari citizenship: why it is almost out of reach and which Gulf route remains | |||||||||
| 8 yrs | 5 yrs | no | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Romanian citizenship by descent: the route through your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 5 yrs | no | great-grandparents | yes | yes | yes | yes | ||
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| 10 yrs | 3 yrs | no | 4 generations | yes | no | yes | limited | ||
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| 10 yrs | 1 yr | conditional | grandparents | yes | yes | yes | limited | Article | |
Learn more: Spain: naturalisation for Germans · Spain: citizenship for the descendants of exiles and Sephardic Jews | |||||||||
| 8 yrs | 7 yrs | no | parents | yes | yes | no | yes | ||
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| 10 yrs | 5 yrs | conditional | parents | yes | yes | no | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Switzerland: naturalisation for Germans · Swiss with a second passport: the rules for dual nationals | |||||||||
| 30 yrs | 7 yrs | no | parents | partly | no | yes | no | Article | |
Learn more: UAE passport: can foreigners get one at all? | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | conditional | grandparents | partly | yes | no | yes | Article | |
Learn more: United Kingdom: the road to British citizenship | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | 3 yrs | yes | unlimited | partly | yes | no | yes | Article | |
Learn more: USA: from green card holder to US citizen · Baby born in the USA: US citizenship after the Supreme Court ruling | |||||||||
| 5 yrs | no | yes | grandparents | partly | no | yes | yes | Article | |
Learn more: Uruguay: citizenship through residence | |||||||||
| 10 yrs | 5 yrs | yes | parents | open | open | no | yes | ||
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No country matches this selection.
Naturalisation is the route without investment, and in the end it often brings the stronger passport. But it takes years and demands genuine residence, the language and patience. Citizenship by investment closes that gap: you hold a second passport within months and keep building your residence route at your own pace.
If you pursue both routes, you neither wait nor give anything up. The investment passport protects you today; naturalisation or descent brings you the passport of the country you call home tomorrow.
Without investment, the shortest route runs through residence in Latin America and the Caribbean: naturalisation after just 6 months (Dominican Republic) if you own property or your own business there. But easy also means few absence rules, no strict language test and dual citizenship allowed. More in The fastest routes to naturalisation and The easiest citizenship to get.
37 of the 59 countries in the table do not require new citizens to give up their existing citizenship, and a further 11 only with exceptions. Countries that require renunciation include Austria, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Estonia, Japan and the Gulf states. German citizens have kept their German passport since 27 June 2024, even when they naturalise abroad.
In none of the 59 countries in the table does citizenship follow automatically from the wedding. You file an application or make a declaration, usually after a minimum period of marriage and residence. You will find the periods for each country in the table and in Citizenship by marriage.
Not at birth, but often much sooner. In 6 countries a child born there shortens its parents' period, most of all in Brazil, with 1 year instead of 4 years until a passport of their own. In the United States and Canada only the child gets the passport; the parents can only immigrate later through their adult child. More in Birth tourism and Planning a birth abroad.
One parent with the citizenship is usually enough. In 37 countries the claim reaches through the grandparents or further back, for example in Ireland through the Foreign Births Register, and in Poland and Hungary with no fixed limit. Start with Citizenship by descent.
Only where the law treats it as genuine naturalisation, for example naturalisation for special merit in the interest of the state. Honorary citizenship of a city confers no nationality, and honorary US citizenship is purely symbolic, with no rights and no passport.
Yes, and it is often the best strategy. The investment passport protects you within months while naturalisation runs alongside. CBI and naturalisation explains how the two fit together, and you will find the programmes under Programmes.
Which route suits your family, your residence and your timeline?
In a consultation you work out which route suits you and in which order you reach your second passport fastest.
Book a consultationYou have worked hard to build a life full of possibilities. Now it is about expanding them, for you and for your family. Talk to Daniel Taborek about your budget, your family and the route to your second citizenship. Find out which passport should enrich your future.
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