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Many people would like to have the citizenship of a foreign country, which opens up incredible opportunities for travel around the world, tax and economic benefits. Of course, programs for obtaining a second passport are often so complicated, difficult to implement and require a lot of time that there is no desire to start troubles. It’s good that many popular countries are interested in attracting investors to their economy, so they put citizenship “for sale”. In essence, you need to make investments in the economy or support the real estate market (purchase housing, office, warehouse, land, etc.). This situation is mutually beneficial for both countries: you get a coveted second passport and the opportunity to receive income from investments, and the country’s economy – a new manufactured product (service) or money capital and, of course, solid taxes.
Who benefits from the citizenship of another country:
- businessmen to ensure the security of their assets and diversify their activities;
- investors to generate income in developed countries;
- travelers who want to move freely around the world;
- promising personnel who want to make a good career in a European or other country under a contract;
- wealthy sections of society, as a guarantee of social and political asylum in the event of the development of hostilities in the territory of primary citizenship.
Full citizenship of the country also allows you to obtain a residence permit. Consider the differences in the conditions for the official purchase of a passport in 10 countries.
10 Austria
For two decades, the country has a program for the rapid acquisition of citizenship by wealthy non-residents. Having made significant investments in the economy, already after 1-1,5 years a person can get it even without knowledge of the German language and permanent residence in the territory. What is meant by substantial investment? Neither more nor less, but as much as 23 million US dollars. And then the authorities guarantee that your acquisition of citizenship will not become public knowledge – this is enshrined in the law on the protection of private life. The possibility of acquiring Austrian citizenship for money has been fixed since 1985.
9. Cyprus
Warm and comfortable climate, resort areas and the sea are not the only reasons why people want to officially become citizens of Cyprus. They also have the opportunity to move freely through the territory of the states bound by the Schengen Agreement. That is why one of the three largest islands in the Mediterranean is attractive for obtaining a second citizenship, and besides, it can be purchased for money. The country offers to buy real estate with a total value of 6 million euros or more. The investment period must be at least three years. Withdrawing money from non-current assets ahead of time can revoke citizenship. It takes only 3 months to obtain a passport after fulfilling all the conditions.
8. The Dominican Republic
Tourists from all over the world flock to the country surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Cote d’Azur with white sand is the dream of any wealthy businessman who would like to take a break from business several times a year without booking hotels and other conventions. To obtain citizenship, the investor himself and his entire family must pay the state from 100 thousand US dollars (for a family with 2 children – up to 20 thousand from above, and 50 thousand for each additional relative). After the receipt of funds, the application can be considered from six months to a year on average, after which a passport is issued, allowing you to safely move through the territories of more than 50 countries without the need for a visa.
7. Bulgaria
Citizenship is obtained by investors who have offered the economy about 1 million leva, which is equivalent to 512 thousand euros. Money is invested by purchasing government bonds for a period of 5 years, after which the right of permanent residence is given. A year later, in the status of permanent residence, a person must purchase bonds for the same amount and then be able to apply for citizenship. In it, he has the right to enter all direct family members (wife, minor children). Bonds are traded on world exchanges, which can also bring their owner a significant income. Therefore, the invested money in no case should be considered lost.
6. Grenada
This country allows, by investing in citizenship, to obtain a second passport not only for yourself, but also for family members. The advantage of registration is the ability to travel around the world without the need to open visas. After the required amount has been paid, the consideration of the application lasts about 3-4 months, which is much faster than in other countries offering similar conditions.
5. Montenegro
Since 2010, the Government of the country has been offering citizenship for investments in a large amount – half a million euros. But at the same time, it was not at all necessary to pass an exam on knowledge of the language, as well as permanently reside in the country. Over time, new conditions were added to these conditions: a legal source of income, a good business reputation, which forced the investor to undergo various checks. Recently, a new program has been developed, designed for intensive investment migration and attraction of promising personnel from abroad.
4. Latvia
The country has a special Law “On Citizenship” five years ago, which allows a non-resident to acquire a residence permit in exchange for investment in the economy (real estate in the amount of an average of 50 to 100 thousand lats, while the final amount depends on the region). Alternatively, you can invest in any credit institution (for the amount of about 200 thousand lats), in the fixed capital of any company in the country (from 25 thousand lats). But the number of applications for the purchase of a residence permit for money is limited – up to 900 per year. After obtaining a residence permit, a person passes a state test for knowledge of the language and history of the country, and also proves the fact of permanent residence in Latvia for five years.
3. Dominica
In 2016, the conditions for obtaining a second citizenship in this country were simplified. The minimum investment in the economy should be from 100 thousand US dollars in the form of a donation, or about 200 thousand for the purchase of real estate, which remains at the disposal of a non-resident. In the application, you can specify not only the investor, but also the spouse and children (an additional $20 is paid for dependents and minor children).
2. Antigua and Barbuda
The pleasant climate of the tropics attracts investors to obtain citizenship in this country. To do this, he needs to invest at least 250 thousand dollars in the National Development Fund. Alternatively, you can purchase a residential property in the amount of 400 thousand. A prerequisite is also to stay in the country for at least a week annually. After compliance with the conditions, a passport is issued in 4-6 months. About 129 countries are opening for visa-free access.
1. Malta
Here, the visa-free regime applies to 160 countries, including the Schengen Agreement, the European Union, and the States. Since 2013, a project has been considered that allows obtaining a second passport for a payment to the state in the amount of 650 thousand euros. Also in the application, you can indicate family members who receive discounts (additionally, you need to pay from 18 to 50 thousand). In this case, you are not invited to invest and receive income from the money sent to the economy – this is a simple sale of a “crust” for a fabulous amount.
If you look, most countries offer extremely unfavorable conditions for acquiring citizenship. Even for many wealthy people and entrepreneurs, such “tariffs” will seem unbearable for a long time. Well, whoever has the opportunity to buy a second passport in another country, he gets the right to freely move around many countries without opening a visa and other pleasant benefits.