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These are the most common questions asked by many people regarding citizenships & passports as part of their Plan B, or even sometimes as Plan A:
“What is the fastest residency to citizenship?”
“What country gives the fastest citizenship?”
“Which European country is the easiest to get citizenship?”
There are hundreds of articles online claiming to provide you the right advice in terms of fast and easy citizenships. They rank countries in terms of fastest citizenship without considering the language barriers, or perhaps not everyone has ancestral ties to Portugal, Luxembourg, Greece or Italy. I have been looking for a quick, fast and less painful path to a citizenship and found out the hard way that there is a lot of detail which is not published online which applicants need to consider before making an informed decision. I’ve listed them below:
1) Many countries require language and cultural exams before applying for citizenship. I found this challenging for countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, and Bulgaria unless you already know a bit about the language – it would seem unrealistic.
2) Many countries have strict residency requirements before becoming eligible for citizenship. For example, Italy requires 10 year residency before being eligible for citizenship if you do not have ancestral ties to the country. The UK is 6 years residency, Spain is 10 years and Greece is 7 years with continued residency.
3) Many countries will consider you a tax resident after residing in that jurisdiction for as long as it requires to become a citizen – which could be a disadvantage to some applicants.
4) Many of the rankings of the easiest and fastest citizenships are misleading or have incorrect information (i.e. without considering other important factors)
5) Many of the countries that are easy and fast, such as buying your citizenship and passport through a donation or investment are very small islands where most applicants would not want to reside in full time.
If someone is looking for a truly powerful passport without the need to learn another language, or reside in another country, there was literally only one choice up to May 2025. This was Malta, through its fast-track citizenship program allowing applicants to obtain a full EU member passport within 12-14 months without residing in the country OR any language or cultural exam. This was the most popular program for Americans who were looking for fast and easy citizenship. After the EU courts shut down the Malta citizenship program, and Malta updated it’s program to a merit based system, there are no more EU passport programs available without at least a language exam or residency. The 2nd best option in the EU for citizenship without the requirement to reside full time in the country was Portugal. With a 5-year citizenship pathway it was the fastest, most flexible pathway EU citizenship program through it’s ‘Golden Visa initiative. Unfortunately, that may be coming to end soon with the new parliament bill tabled on June 25th 2025 by the Portuguese government to extend the citizenship eligibility to 10 years (similar timeline as citizenship in Spain, Italy, and Bulgaria). It is now planned to be decided by the Portuguese parliament in September 2025 but many experts believe due to the unconstitutional points of the new regulations, this process could be dragged out until the end of 2025.
Considering the current regulations as of this summer in 2025, there are only 5 countries which have the most flexible citizenship programs in the world – excluding the Caribbean islands which we have written a separate article about and would not fall in this category but are still very quick and easy options for professionals & families looking for hassle free dual citizenship: The 2025 Caribbean passport comparison guide
1) Panama
2) Portugal (if applying before the new regulations before end of 2025)
3) Canada
4) Urugay
5) New Zealand
We have ranked these passports in terms of the following 10 most important criteria:
|
Canada |
Portugal |
Panama |
Uruguay |
New Zealand |
|
|
Time to citizenship |
3 years |
5 years (***changing to 10 years by end of 2025) |
5 years |
3 years (non-single applicants) |
4 years |
|
Citizenship Exam requirements |
20 question multiple choice on history (English or French – can be exempt) |
A2 Level proficiency Certificate in Portuguese |
Cultural exam |
Interview in Spanish |
Informal interview in certain cases – to asses English communication |
|
Mandatory Residency requirements to citizenship |
3 years |
45 days in 5 years (only under the Golden Visa program) |
1 day every 2 years |
No absence of 6 months (i.e. twice a year visit required) |
4 out of 6 years |
|
Cost to become permanent resident |
CAD$250,000 |
€500,000 |
US$300,000 (or US$200,000 for Americans and Friendly Nations countries) |
US$85,000 |
US$3,022,500 |
|
Is the cost an investment or unrecoverable fees? |
Unlikely. Investment in Startup business |
Investment Fund |
Real estate |
Unrecoverable fees |
Venture capital fund (**real estate development option with twice the original figure) |
|
Additional countries for with residency access as a holder of this citizenship |
No |
27 EU countries |
6 Latin American countries through reciprocal agreements |
No |
Australia |
|
Access to countries for visa free travel |
184 countries including USA |
188 |
+140 countries |
156 countries |
187 countries |
|
Personal income tax |
High (but option to become non-resident after citizenship) |
Medium (specific tax regimes for specific regions or occupation possible) |
100% tax free for all globally sourced income |
7% flat tax regime for foreign income |
Medium (can be come non-resident after PR) |
|
Political stability |
High Stability |
Good Stability |
Medium Stability |
Relatively stable in the region |
Extremely Stable (the highest ranking amongst all 5 countries) |
|
Global Reputation |
Extremely High |
Extremely High |
Relatively good (besides the Panama papers from 9 years ago) |
Decent – but relatively unknown country in the global citizenship space which can also be an advantage |
Extremely High (the highest ranking amongst all 5 countries) |
• Canada has the fastest citizenship pathway amongst all the G7 countries (compared to France, USA, Italy, Japan, UK, and Germany) allowing applicants to become eligible in 3 years of residency
• The exact citizenship requirements are 3 years out of 5 years residency, non-consecutive.
• The Startup Visa Business immigration program allows applicants from overseas to apply for direct PR to Canada with their dependent spouse and children under the age of 22. It allows the family to enter Canada as a Permanent Resident after 3.5 years or obtain an optional 3-year open-work permit to stay inside the country. The amount of time the applicant spends inside Canada before their Permanent Residency can give them credit of 1 year from the 3 year citizenship eligibility criteria (i.e. 2 years to citizenship instead of 3).
• The Canadian citizenship requires a police check, proof of language (English or French) unless studied in an English curriculum educational program, and proof of residency through tax filings in Canada
• Canada is rarely in the top 5 list of any 'fast citizenship' ranking, as it is always misunderstood or not in the media as much promoted by other investment migration and citizenship by investment firms.
• Portugal's Golden Visa program allows applicants to obtain EU citizenship after 5 years without living full-time in the country, requiring only 7 days in the first year and 14 days every 2 years thereafter
• Despite speculation about its termination in 2024, the Portugal Golden Visa hasn't ended. While real estate purchases and capital transfers no longer qualify, several attractive investment options are still available
• The current eligible investment options are: €500,000 in qualified investment funds (most popular), €250,000 donation to arts/cultural preservation (€200,000 in low-density areas), €500,000 company investment with 5 job creation, or 10 job creation with no minimum capital requirement
• Portuguese citizenship grants access to all 27 EU countries for living and working, plus visa-free travel to 188 countries worldwide. The Portuguese passport is considered one of the most powerful globally
• You need A2-level Portuguese or 150-hour certified course completion for citizenship, making it more accessible than many EU countries requiring higher language proficiency
• The program faces significant processing delays currently, with applications taking 16-24 months for interview appointments and another 10-14 months for final approval due to system restructuring
• Portugal offers territorial taxation for non-residents, meaning only Portuguese-sourced income is taxed. Investment fund dividends are not taxed for non-residents
• Panama offers one of the fastest Golden Visa processing times globally, with the entire residency process completed in approximately 80 days including property purchase
• The program provides 100% tax-free status on all globally sourced income for residents, making it extremely attractive for high-net-worth individuals seeking tax optimization
• No language, education, or work experience requirements are needed for residency. For citizenship after 5 years, only basic Spanish cultural knowledge is required through a simple 10-page booklet test
• The residency requires visiting Panama only once every 2 years to maintain status, making it one of the most flexible programs globally in terms of physical presence requirements
• Family inclusion is exceptionally generous: children up to age 25 (if single and financially dependent) and parents of any age can be included in the same application. Multiple family members can share the US$300,000 investment requirement
• Panama passport provides visa-free access to over 140 countries and E2 treaty status with the USA, allowing Panamanian citizens to apply for US investor visas
• Real estate investments typically generate 6-7.2% annual rental returns, and the property can be sold or switched during the 5-year holding period as long as minimum investment thresholds are maintained
• Uruguay recently removed country of birth/origin from passports, making it ideal for individuals from certain countries seeking a "clean" second identity for privacy reasons
• The program requires no minimum investment amount - only proof of integration through basic ties like bank accounts, health insurance, club memberships, or utility bills
• Citizenship timeline is 3 years for married individuals or those with family ties in Uruguay, and 5 years for single applicants - among the fastest in South America
• Uruguay offers a unique territorial tax system with no taxation on foreign-sourced income. New tax residents can choose between an 11-year tax exemption on foreign income or pay only 7% flat tax on it
• The country has no inheritance tax, no global wealth tax, and doesn't exchange financial information with other countries, providing significant privacy benefits
• Physical presence requirements are minimal: avoid being absent for more than 6 consecutive months in any year. No requirement to live full-time in the country
• The process requires 2 Uruguayan witnesses over age 25 (not family members) who can attest to your integration, and the entire citizenship process takes 9-12 months once eligibility criteria are met
• Uruguay provides visa-free access to 156 countries and has reciprocal agreements allowing residents to live in 6 other Latin American countries
• As of April 1, 2025, New Zealand has updated its Active Investor Plus visa program to attract more foreign investment. The revised program introduces two investment categories—Growth investments with varying residency requirements
• Applicants who invest NZD$5 million must spend 21 days a year in New Zealand to maintain their residency, while those who invest NZD$10 million must reside 105 days, offering flexibility for high-net-worth investors
• New Zealand has one of the world's most stable political systems and highest global reputation rankings, consistently rated among the least corrupt countries globally
• The investor residency becomes permanent after 4 years and never expires, with no future residency requirements - providing true lifetime security
• For the first time, the visa allows investments in commercial property and property development projects, expanding investment options beyond traditional equity investments
• New Zealand citizenship provides automatic residency rights in Australia through the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, effectively giving access to two countries with one citizenship
• The country offers potential non-resident tax status after obtaining permanent residency, allowing investors to minimize global tax exposure while maintaining residency rights
• English language requirements have been simplified - native English speakers from qualifying countries are exempt, while others need only IELTS 5.0 equivalent
• Processing times are relatively fast at 6-8 months for investor residency applications, and the visa allows immediate inclusion of children under age 24
• New Zealand passport provides visa-free access to 187 countries, ranking among the top 10 most powerful passports globally
• Malta (merit based citizenship program plus €750,000 donation)
• UK (coming soon residency investment program)
• Argentina (coming soon CBI program)
• Maldives CBI program (launched in 2025 starting at US$250,000 and higher for higher end luxury real estate)
The landscape of citizenship by investment and residency programs has evolved dramatically in 2025. With increased due diligence requirements, enhanced sustainability focus, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, choosing the right pathway requires careful analysis of your specific circumstances, timeline, and long-term goals.
For Speed-Focused Applicants: While Caribbean programs like Vanuatu offer citizenship in 2-3 months, our analysis reveals that Panama (80 days to residency) and Uruguay (9-12 months to citizenship) provide the fastest pathways to substantive, globally respected citizenships without the limitations of small island nations or political pressures being placed by the US state department and EU region for the plain sight CBI programs.
For EU Access: Portugal remains the most viable option despite pending changes, but applicants must act before potential regulatory modifications. The €500,000 investment fund route provides the most predictable pathway to EU citizenship with minimal physical presence requirements. However the new regulations will potentially extend the citizenship pathway to 10 years, but applicants can ‘lock-in’ the existing citizenship regulations by applying before the end of 2025 when the rules are passed by parliament.
For Tax Optimization: Panama's 100% tax-free status on global income and Uruguay's territorial taxation system with 11-year exemption options stand out as the most advantageous. These programs offer significant wealth optimization opportunities compared to higher-tax jurisdictions.
For Family Inclusion: Panama's exceptional generosity (children to age 25, parents any age, shared investment) and Canada's comprehensive family coverage make them ideal for multi-generational planning.
For Investment Security: New Zealand and Canada offer the highest political stability ratings and permanent residency that never expires, providing true long-term security. Portugal's investment funds provide liquidity at maturity, while Panama's real estate generates 6-7.2% annual returns.
Most citizenship rankings fail to account for the total cost of ownership. Our analysis reveals:
• Processing delays: Portugal's current 26-38 month total timeline significantly impacts opportunity costs
• Tax implications: High-tax residency requirements can offset investment returns
• Language barriers: A2-level Portuguese requirements add 6-12 months and additional costs
• Compliance costs: Annual renewals, legal fees, and reporting requirements vary dramatically
The industry is experiencing rapid transformation with new programs launching, including potential US investment residency programs. Early applicants to established programs like Panama and Uruguay may benefit from grandfathering before inevitable tightening of requirements.
European programs continue to dominate global rankings, but processing delays and increasing restrictions make non-EU alternatives increasingly attractive for time-sensitive applicants.
Why Professional Guidance is Essential
The citizenship by investment landscape has become increasingly complex. Enhanced due diligence requirements and evolving regulations mean that self-directed applications often face delays, rejections, or unexpected complications that professional guidance can prevent.
Our clients benefit from:
• Exclusive pre-approved projects in Portugal and Panama reducing processing times by 3-6 months
• Direct government relationships enabling faster approvals and problem resolution
• Multi-jurisdiction expertise allowing optimization across tax, immigration, and estate planning
• End-to-end management from initial consultation through citizenship ceremony
The window for the most attractive programs is narrowing. Portugal's potential changes, Panama's growing popularity potentially leading to quota systems, and Uruguay's emerging recognition as a privacy haven suggest that early action provides maximum advantage.
Ready to secure your family's global future? Here's how we can help:
📞 Schedule Your Free Strategy Consultation Contact our citizenship planning specialists for a confidential assessment of your options: Message us on WhatsaApp and Answer a few questions to schedule a call to contact our office.
🎯 Request Your Customized Citizenship Roadmap Receive a personalized analysis comparing all viable options based on your:
• Timeline requirements
• Investment capacity
• Tax optimization goals
• Family composition
• Business interests
💼 Access Exclusive Investment Opportunities Our partnership network provides access to:
• Pre-approved Portugal investment funds with proven track records
• Prime Panama real estate with guaranteed rental yields
• Uruguay integration packages with established witness networks
• New Zealand investment partnerships meeting all requirements
Don't leave your global mobility to chance. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
Contact us today to begin your journey to global citizenship. Your future self will thank you for taking action while the most advantageous programs remain available.
This analysis is based on current regulations as of July 2025. Immigration laws change frequently, and individual circumstances vary. Professional legal and tax advice is recommended but not mandatory for all international mobility planning.
