Best Countries for Dual Citizenship & Second Passport in 2024 (2024)

There is an increasing need to travel across today’s modern and uncertain world. As instability breaks out in certain regions of the globe, the need to secure shelter in a safe environment and guarantee an escape plan is more prominent than ever. The only real way to solve this issue is through global mobility, the ability to easily travel between countries without any concerns, achievable only by holding dual citizenship.

Becoming a dual citizen of two nations means travelling visa-free to a wider range of socially and politically stable countries, legal protections, and a higher quality of life. The vast majority of countries allow dual citizenship. However, some do not and in these cases, an applicant must abdicate their original citizenship to become a citizen. It is important to verify one’s country’s status before seeking a Second Passport.

Having double citizenship is essential not only for keeping a Plan B, but also for other matters. For instance, investors can take advantage of holding a second, more powerful passport to diversify their portfolios and ensure their assets’ protection.
Stabler and solid countries also tend to be world-leading nations, which often boast strong, reliable infrastructure, visible in their economy, healthcare, and education systems. The Best Countries for Dual Citizenship are located in Europe, with some offering official Residency by Investment and Golden Visa programmes, which is the first step to Citizenship, and a second passport.

What is Dual Citizenship?

A person becomes a dual citizen when they hold two or more passports and citizenship certificates issued by unrelated nations. The more common options for acquiring dual citizenship are descent, naturalisation, marriage, and investment.

While most countries allow their nationals to have a second citizenship in another country, and even if it is always beneficial to hold another passport, there are always other aspects to consider. For instance, many countries will request an oath of allegiance from an applicant seeking to become a citizen, which may sometimes result in conflicting duties with their country of origin. At the same time, it also implies full, legal rights in a different country, which often includes the right to vote. Acquiring dual citizenship always requires the counsel of an attorney-at-law.

Types of Dual Citizenship

Most people hold only one citizenship, usually received by blood (jus sanguinis) or land (jus solis). However, there are several ways of obtaining a second citizenship. The following are among the most common options, though whether they are recognised varies from country to country.

Dual Citizenship by Descent is a sufficiently common option to be considered, especially for citizens within the Anglosphere. It occurs when a country allows more than one generation to claim the ancestors’ citizenship. Portugal recognises up until the third generation to claim their citizenship.

Another option, also extremely popular with expat communities, is dual citizenship by naturalisation. After staying and living legally in a country for a specific period of time, an applicant can request Citizenship. In Portugal, an expat may apply for Portuguese nationality after lawfully residing in the country for 5 years.

Dual Citizenship may also be possible through marriage. While some countries do not accept it, a considerable number of others do accept marriage as grounds for granting citizenship after a defined number of years of living in the country.

None of the previous options are within one’s control. No one can change their origins and living for 5 years or more abroad may not be a viable option. Acquiring a second nationality by marriage may not even be accepted by the intended country.

Dual Citizenship by Investment remains the best option since an individual has full control regarding which country to invest in order to gain citizenship. Many countries across the world provide investment immigration programmes, which set the stage for foreign investors to become Citizens.

They are commonly found in Europe, where the best countries for Dual Citizenship are, including Portugal with the D2 Visa, a Residency by Investment programme. Investment immigration programmes connect high-profile investors with the countries directly, enabling them to make a set investment in the economy in exchange for lawful status in the country. Investment immigration programmes are the ultimate option for investors looking for permanent residency and dual citizenship.

Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship?

More than 100 countries worldwide allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship and enable foreign nationals to gain their passports. Most of these are in Europe and the Americas, though there are nations that allow dual citizenship on every continent. Check below the updated list of countries that allow a second nationality. While the countries on the list accept dual citizenship, some of them may have strict rules about the process. Further research is always advisable.

Some countries actively oppose dual citizenship and starting their process to gain nationality means abdicating the original citizenship. Check below the updated list with the nations that do not allow second citizenship.

» The updated list of countries that allow and don't allow Dual Citizenship was produced by Portugal Homes after a compilation of open-source studies. Not all recognised countries/territories are listed here. Do not hesitate to contact us if you feel that any of our information is out of date «

Portuguese Dual Citizenship

Portugal is the best European country to pursue dual (or multiple) citizenships. Since the country allows dual citizenship, all individuals seeking to have the Portuguese passport will not have to abdicate their original nationality.

Considering Portugal is part of the European Union, its citizens are also EU citizens, able to bask in all the Union’s freedoms, and are also entitled to move, live, and work in any country within the Schengen Zone, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Portugal also boasts one of the strongest passports in the world, ranking 4th in the 2024 Global Passport Index, enabling visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to a staggering amount of 175 countries out of 193 recognised by the United Nations.

Holding the Portuguese passport is extremely useful and a must for individuals seeking a secure, and stable country. In 2023, Portugal ranked 7th in the Global Peace Index, highlighting the country’s commitment to safety and peacefulness.

The Path to Dual Citizenship: The Portugal D2 Visa

The Portugal D2 Visa is a Residency by Investment programme new alternative solution to the Portugal Golden Visa. Its main objective is to captivate foreign investment and channel it into the economy through the opening or operation of a business in the country. In exchange, Portugal grants Residency status, which is the first step toward Citizenship in the EU. It also provides a series of other benefits, including the ability to travel visa-free across the Schengen Zone, and access to the country’s universal healthcare and public education systems, among many others.

The Portugal D2 Visa accepts applications from third-country nationals if a series of criteria are met, including a qualifiable business. To facilitate your Dual Citizenship pursuit, Portugal Homes and its team of experts have crafted investment-driven options for the D2 Visa programme, including a one-time investment in Mátria at 280K.

Our Portugal D2 Visa investment options will enable you to become a Resident in Portugal in as soon as 3 months and become a Dual Citizen with the Portuguese passport in 5 years. Get in touch with us today and find out more about this exciting new opportunity!