Obtaining citizenship without enduring long and complex naturalization procedures is possible through fast-track programs. However, these often come at a high cost. A country's political environment also plays a key role in shaping its stance on this form of 鈥渆xpress citizenship.鈥� Here's what you need to know if you're looking to acquire a second passport in less than a year.
Countries that offer 鈥渆xpress citizenship鈥� through investment
Golden Visas and other investment-based schemes offer one of the fastest paths to citizenship. These programs, however, are exclusively designed for wealthy individuals.
Since 2023, the Turkish government has actively courted affluent foreign investors. President Erdogan has made repeated visits abroad鈥攅specially to Gulf states and the United States鈥攑romoting Turkey as a low-burden business environment. He promises tax-free foreign income, a 鈥減owerful鈥� passport, and a streamlined application process. Turkish citizenship can be obtained within 3 to 4 months for a minimum real estate investment of $400,000.
Vanuatu also positions itself as a tax-friendly jurisdiction, offering citizenship within 3 to 6 months in exchange for a minimum investment of $130,000.
In the Caribbean, several countries compete in this space: Saint Lucia and Dominica, from聽$100,000; Antigua and Barbuda, from聽$130,000; Grenada, from聽$150,000; and Saint Kitts and Nevis, from聽$250,000. These programs typically grant citizenship within 6 to 9 months. Egypt offers a similar program under the same financial conditions as Saint Kitts and Nevis.
By contrast, some European countries have more demanding requirements; for example, Malta (15 to 19 months), with a minimum contribution of $690,000, and Austria (12 to 36 months), with a minimum investment of $4 million.
Despite the appeal to investors, these programs often generate public backlash. Many citizens question the real economic benefits and highlight the risks: citizenship granted with no meaningful connection to the country, little or no residency obligation, rising property prices, and environmental pressures.
Other countries with a fast-track process for citizenship
Not all fast-track routes to citizenship require a major financial investment. In some countries, alternative pathways offer accelerated access at a significantly lower cost.
Spain
In principle, acquiring Spanish citizenship requires a minimum of 10 years of legal residency. However, some individuals qualify for an expedited process: the requirement drops to 5 years for recognized refugees and to just 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or for individuals of Sephardic Jewish descent.
Germany
A major political shift occurred in June 2024, when Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic government introduced an accelerated naturalization program to attract non-European talent. Under the new framework, 鈥渆xceptionally integrated鈥� individuals could apply for German citizenship after just three years of residency.
The initiative, however, drew strong criticism from conservative parties. Following their return to power in the February elections, the new government鈥攍ed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz鈥攁nnounced plans to repeal the program. Merz has committed to drafting a new citizenship reform and ending the fast-track pathway introduced by his predecessor.
There is some relief for those who applied under the former rules: their applications will continue to be processed as planned. The expedited route also remains available for foreign nationals married to German citizens, provided they have resided in Germany for at least three years and have been legally married for at least two.
Italy
On March 13, the Italian government announced a national referendum鈥攕cheduled for June 8鈥�9鈥攖o consider easing citizenship requirements. The initiative does not come from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration, which remains firmly opposed to reducing the current 10-year residency requirement. Instead, it was driven by opposition parties that favor lowering the requirement to 5 years. Backed by over 500,000 signatures, the campaign surpassed the legal threshold necessary to trigger a referendum.
In addition to shortening the residency period, the proposal includes granting automatic citizenship to minors born in Italy to foreign parents. Under current law, these children are not Italian citizens and must wait until age 18 to apply for citizenship.
In response, the government moved to tighten citizenship rules. On March 28, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a 鈥渃itizenship package鈥� limiting eligibility to individuals with Italian ancestry鈥攕pecifically, children and grandchildren of Italian citizens. The stated aim is to curb what the government calls a growing 鈥減assport market.鈥�
As of now, the two main pathways to accelerated naturalization in Italy are service to the Italian state鈥攊ntended for聽foreign nationals who have served in the Italian military or worked for an Italian institution (they may apply for citizenship after 3 years of residence)鈥攁nd marriage to an Italian citizen, targeting foreigners married to an Italian for at least 2 years who may also apply after 2 years of residence.
In both cases, applicants are subject to detailed background checks to ensure they meet all legal and security requirements.
South American countries
Argentina offers one of the most accessible naturalization pathways in the region. Eligible foreigners may apply for citizenship after just two consecutive years of legal residence, whether permanent or temporary. Additional relaxations apply to those with family ties鈥攕uch as marriage to an Argentine citizen or having children born in the country.
Uruguay grants citizenship after five years of permanent residence. The period is reduced to three years for individuals married to a Uruguayan citizen or for those born in Uruguay.
In Peru, the standard requirement is five years of legal residence. This is shortened to two years for foreigners married to a Peruvian citizen. Foreign-born children who grow up in Peru are granted citizenship automatically upon turning 18.
Ecuador allows permanent residents to apply for citizenship after three years of continuous residency.
Paraguay provides a notably streamlined process: foreigners may apply for permanent residency after just two years of temporary residence. Once permanent status is granted, they become immediately eligible to apply for citizenship.
Canada
Despite recent moves to tighten its immigration policy, Canada remains a top destination for newcomers. Permanent residents are eligible to apply for citizenship after spending at least three years in the country within a five-year period. In rare cases, applications may be expedited, with processing completed in as little as eight months.
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