How to get dual citizenship: complete guide (2026)

Getting dual citizenship is one of the most powerful moves you can make for global mobility, tax planning, and generational security. The fastest route is a citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, where countries like Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, and St Kitts grant full citizenship in exchange for a qualifying economic contribution. Processing takes as little as 90 days. For those targeting Europe, Malta offers a merit-based discretionary route, while Greece provides citizenship after seven years of residency through its Golden Visa. This guide breaks down exactly how to get dual citizenship in 2026, country by country, with verified costs, timelines, and eligibility requirements.

Which countries accept dual citizenship through investment?

Several sovereign nations actively grant citizenship to foreign investors. Caribbean nations lead in speed and accessibility, while select European countries offer residency-to-citizenship pathways that eventually deliver a second passport.

The most established CBI programmes operate in the Caribbean, where Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia all permit dual citizenship with no requirement to renounce your existing nationality. In Europe, Malta historically offered a direct investment route to citizenship, though its MEIN programme was suspended in April 2025 by the European Court of Justice. Greece and Portugal provide residency programmes that lead to citizenship after several years of legal residence.

Each country structures its programme differently. Some require a non-refundable donation to a national fund, others accept real estate purchases, and a few combine both options. The table below compares the leading programmes side by side.

St Kitts runs the oldest CBI programme in the world, established in 1984, giving it the longest track record of any investment citizenship scheme. Grenada stands apart because its passport provides access to the US E-2 treaty investor visa, a significant advantage for those targeting the American market.

How to get Dominica citizenship by investment

Dominica offers the most affordable direct citizenship programme in the world at USD 200,000, with processing completed in six to nine months. There is no residency requirement, no interview, and no travel obligation before or after approval.

The application process begins with selecting a licensed agent who submits your documentation to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). You must pass enhanced due diligence checks, provide a clean criminal record, and demonstrate legitimate source of funds. The USD 200,000 contribution goes to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) for a single applicant, with additional fees for dependants.

Dominica also offers a real estate option where applicants purchase approved property. The real estate must be held for a minimum period, after which it can be resold. Dominica does not require you to renounce any existing citizenship, making it a clean dual citizenship acquisition. The passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.

How to get Grenada citizenship by investment

Grenada citizenship costs USD 235,000 through the National Transformation Fund or USD 270,000 plus USD 50,000 in government fees through the real estate route. Processing takes approximately six months, and the Grenada passport is the only Caribbean CBI passport with access to the US E-2 treaty investor visa.

The E-2 advantage makes Grenada uniquely valuable for entrepreneurs and investors who want to live and operate a business in the United States. After obtaining Grenada citizenship, you can apply for an E-2 visa, which is renewable indefinitely as long as the underlying business remains active. This creates a practical pathway to long-term US residency without the cost or wait times of the EB-5 programme, which requires USD 800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area.

Grenada's due diligence process is thorough. Applicants must provide comprehensive financial documentation, undergo background checks through international databases, and demonstrate that investment funds are legitimately sourced. The real estate option requires purchasing from a pre-approved development, with a minimum hold period before resale is permitted. Family members, including siblings and dependent parents, can be included on the same application.

How to get Antigua citizenship by investment

Antigua and Barbuda grants citizenship for USD 230,000 through the National Development Fund or USD 300,000 through approved real estate. Processing takes approximately six months, and the programme includes a unique residency requirement of five days within the first five years.

Antigua's programme is particularly attractive for families. The NDF contribution covers a family of four at the base rate, making it cost-effective compared to programmes that charge substantial per-dependant fees. The real estate route requires a minimum USD 300,000 investment in an approved project, with a five-year hold period before the property can be resold.

The Antigua passport provides visa-free access to over 150 countries, including the UK and Schengen Area. Antigua does not impose income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax on its citizens, which adds a layer of financial planning value beyond mobility. The five-day residency obligation within the first five years is the only physical presence requirement, making this one of the most flexible citizenship programmes available.

How to get Malta citizenship in 2026

Malta's direct citizenship by investment programme (MEIN) was suspended in April 2025 following a ruling by the European Court of Justice. Malta now operates a merit-based discretionary route to citizenship, alongside its active Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) for residency.

The MPRP requires a government contribution of EUR 28,000 to EUR 58,000 depending on whether you rent or buy property, plus a property commitment of EUR 300,000 to EUR 350,000 in purchase value or equivalent rental. Processing takes four to six months. This grants permanent residency in Malta with access to the Schengen Area, but it does not grant citizenship directly.

For those who want a Maltese passport, the path is now discretionary and merit-based. Malta assesses applicants on genuine connection, contribution to the country, and integration. This is not a guaranteed programme with fixed investment thresholds. Applicants with MPRP residency who build genuine ties to Malta over time may be considered, but there are no published timelines or minimum investments for this discretionary route.

How to apply for dual citizenship: step-by-step process

The application process follows a consistent structure across most CBI programmes: engage an authorised agent, compile documentation, submit the application, undergo due diligence, receive approval, make the qualifying investment, and collect your passport.

1. Select a licensed agent or advisory firm. Most CBI programmes require applicants to work with a government-authorised agent. Direct applications are typically not accepted.
2. Compile personal documentation. This includes certified copies of passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements, professional references, and police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for more than one year.
3. Source of funds documentation. You must demonstrate that your investment capital comes from legitimate sources. Tax returns, business accounts, property sale records, or inheritance documentation all qualify.
4. Submit the application. Your agent files the application with the relevant citizenship unit. Application fees are due at this stage and are typically non-refundable.
5. Due diligence review. The government conducts background checks using international databases, Interpol records, and third-party due diligence firms. This is the most time-intensive phase.
6. Approval and investment. Upon approval, you make the qualifying contribution or complete the real estate purchase. Funds are held in escrow until approval in most programmes.
7. Passport issuance. Once the investment is confirmed, your citizenship certificate and passport are issued. Some programmes offer courier delivery; others require collection in person or through your agent.

The due diligence phase is where most delays occur. Applicants with complex business structures, multiple nationalities, or connections to high-risk jurisdictions should expect longer processing. Preparing thorough documentation from the outset is the single most effective way to accelerate your application.

How to get US and UK citizenship: investment routes compared

The United States offers the EB-5 immigrant investor programme, which requires USD 800,000 invested in a Targeted Employment Area or USD 1,050,000 in a standard area. Processing times are lengthy and depend on your country of birth. The EB-5 grants a conditional green card, not immediate citizenship. Naturalisation requires five years of permanent residency after the green card is approved.

The United Kingdom closed its Tier 1 Investor visa in February 2022 and has not introduced a replacement investment immigration route. There is currently no way to obtain UK citizenship or residency through investment alone. The UK Innovator Founder visa exists for entrepreneurs with endorsed business plans, but it is not an investment migration programme in the traditional sense.

For investors who want access to the US market without the EB-5 cost and timeline, the Grenada CBI plus E-2 combination is a widely used alternative. You obtain Grenada citizenship in approximately six months, then apply for the E-2 visa to live and work in the United States.

How to get Greece citizenship through investment

Greece does not offer direct citizenship by investment. Instead, Greece operates a Golden Visa programme that grants residency permits to property investors. Citizenship becomes available after seven years of legal residence, provided you meet language and integration requirements.

The Greece Golden Visa uses a tiered pricing structure based on location. Properties in Athens centre, Mykonos, and Santorini require a minimum investment of EUR 800,000. Emerging areas outside major tourist zones require EUR 400,000. Commercial property conversions to residential use qualify at EUR 250,000, as do heritage building restorations. All properties must be a minimum of 120 square metres in Tier 1 and Tier 2 zones. Transfer tax is approximately 3.09% of the purchase price.

Processing for the Golden Visa takes approximately three months. The residency permit is renewable and grants access to the entire Schengen Area. After seven years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for Greek citizenship, which grants a passport with visa-free access to 185 countries. Greece permits dual citizenship, so you will not need to renounce your existing nationality.

Choosing the right dual citizenship programme

The best programme depends on your priorities: speed, cost, visa-free access, tax planning, or access to a specific country like the United States. Caribbean programmes win on speed and simplicity. European residency programmes win on passport strength but require patience.

If your primary goal is speed, St Lucia processes applications in approximately 90 days. If cost is the deciding factor, Dominica at USD 200,000 is the most affordable direct citizenship option. If you need US access, Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI with E-2 treaty eligibility. If you want the strongest passport, Greece and Malta (through residency) offer access to 185 visa-free countries and full EU rights.

Tax considerations also matter. Caribbean nations generally do not impose income tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax on citizens who are not resident. European residency, by contrast, may trigger tax obligations depending on where you spend your time. Professional tax advice is essential before committing to any programme, particularly if you hold assets or income streams in multiple jurisdictions.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Programme terms, investment thresholds, and processing times are subject to change. Always consult a qualified immigration adviser before making investment decisions. Information verified as of March 2026.