Second Passport for Americans: The Complete 2026 Guide

Americans looking to obtain a second passport have four main options: citizenship by investment (CBI), citizenship by descent, residency leading to citizenship through a Golden Visa programme, or naturalisation after living abroad for the required period.

Each route has different eligibility requirements, costs and processing times. Some applicants may qualify for citizenship through their family history, while others may need to make a qualifying investment or establish residence in another country.

Understanding how these options work, who qualifies and what each route involves is important for determining which programme is most suitable for an applicant's needs.

Harvey Law Group has advised clients on citizenship and residency matters for more than 34 years. During this time, interest in second citizenship has grown beyond wealthy investors to include business owners, retirees and families looking for greater flexibility in where they can live, work or travel.

For Americans considering these options, one important consideration is that US law permits dual citizenship. This means an American can acquire another nationality without automatically losing their US citizenship. However, deciding which citizenship option to pursue requires an understanding of the eligibility requirements, costs and long-term implications of each option.

Key takeaways

1. Americans can obtain a second citizenship through investment, descent, residence leading to citizenship or naturalisation. Each route has different eligibility requirements, costs and timelines.
2. Five Caribbean countries offer citizenship by investment, with minimum contributions starting at USD 200,000 in Dominica. Processing can take as little as 3 to 9 months, and most programmes do not require applicants to live in the country.
3. Americans with Italian, Irish, German, Greek or Portuguese ancestry may qualify for citizenship without making an investment. However, eligibility depends on the relevant nationality laws, and applicants may need extensive family records to establish their claim.
4. Caribbean passports offer less visa-free travel access than a US passport. For American applicants, the benefits of Caribbean citizenship may therefore lie in other rights and opportunities.
5. Acquiring another citizenship does not remove US tax reporting obligations, including worldwide income reporting and applicable FBAR and FATCA requirements.
6. Cost is only one consideration when choosing a second citizenship. Applicants should also assess eligibility, processing times, family circumstances and the rights provided by the new citizenship.

Why Americans are pursuing second passports in record numbers right now

Interest in second citizenship has grown considerably among Americans in recent years, with more individuals and families exploring the possibility of obtaining another nationality. For many, the plan is not necessarily to leave the United States, but to have another option available should their circumstances or plans change.

There are several reasons why Americans may consider obtaining a second passport. US citizens can usually spend up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa, which can be restrictive for those who regularly travel to Europe for business or to visit family. Others may be looking to expand their business overseas, provide more education opportunities for their children or retire in a country with more affordable healthcare.

Although their reasons may differ, the common objective is to have greater flexibility over where they and their families can live, work or travel in the future.

What are the main pathways to a second passport for Americans?

Americans considering a second passport have several routes available, depending on their family background, financial circumstances and willingness to live abroad. Understanding the requirements of each route can help applicants identify which options they may qualify for before beginning the application process.

Citizenship by investment: the fastest route for those with capital

Citizenship by investment (CBI) allows eligible applicants to obtain citizenship through making a qualifying government contribution or approved investment. Five Caribbean countries offer these programmes: Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Most Caribbean CBI programmes do not require applicants to relocate or maintain permanent residence in the country, making them an attractive option for Americans who wish to obtain another citizenship without living abroad.

When comparing CBI programmes, applicants should look beyond the minimum investment. Each country has its own eligibility requirements, due diligence procedures and rules determining which family members can be included in an application. The rights attached to citizenship also differ, particularly regarding visa-free travel, residence and access to other countries.

Applicants should consider how they intend to use their second citizenship. For example, someone seeking greater international mobility may have different priorities from a family looking for an alternative country of residence or a business owner considering future opportunities abroad. Any relevant treaty arrangements should also be examined carefully, as holding citizenship does not automatically guarantee eligibility for immigration benefits in another country.

Citizenship by descent: free if your family lineage qualifies

Americans with Italian, Irish, German, Portuguese, Greek or Polish ancestry may be eligible to obtain citizenship through their family history without making a qualifying investment.

Citizenship by descent is based on jus sanguinis, under which nationality may be passed from a parent or ancestor to their descendants. The requirements differ between countries, including how far back an applicant can trace their ancestry and whether citizenship was retained and passed down through each generation.

Applicants will usually need to provide official records establishing their family history. These may include birth and marriage certificates, naturalisation records and other documents confirming that citizenship was passed down in accordance with the relevant nationality laws.

Having an ancestor from a particular country does not automatically establish eligibility. Applicants must establish an unbroken chain of citizenship through each relevant generation, where required by the country's nationality laws. For example, if an ancestor acquired US citizenship before passing their original nationality to their child, this may have interrupted the chain and affected the eligibility of subsequent generations. Applicants should therefore have their family history reviewed before beginning the application process.

Residency-to-citizenship and naturalization: the long game

Americans may also obtain citizenship through naturalisation after establishing legal residence in another country and satisfying its nationality requirements. European Golden Visa programmes, including those offered by Portugal, Greece and Italy, provide residence through qualifying investments, with the possibility of applying for citizenship later if the relevant conditions are met.

Obtaining a residence permit does not automatically lead to citizenship. Applicants must meet the country's naturalisation requirements, which may include a minimum period of legal residence, physical presence, language proficiency and other conditions.

Americans who do not wish to make an investment may instead qualify for residence through employment, family connections or other immigration routes. Countries such as France and Germany also provide pathways to naturalisation after a qualifying period of residence, subject to their respective nationality laws.

Portugal's nationality rules have changed, including the period of residence required before applying for citizenship. Americans considering the Portugal Golden Visa should confirm the legislation in force and any applicable transitional provisions before relying on a particular citizenship timeline.

Top citizenship by investment programs worth considering in 2026 for Americans

Caribbean CBI programs: the fastest and most accessible entry point

The five established Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes offer Americans the opportunity to obtain a second citizenship without having to relocate permanently. Most have no physical residence requirements, although Antigua and Barbuda requires successful applicants to spend at least five days in the country within the first five years of citizenship.

These programmes also allow qualifying family members to be included in an application, subject to each country's eligibility requirements. Processing can take less than a year, although timelines depend on the programme, the applicant's background and any additional due diligence required.

The minimum contributions are based on published government requirements. Applicants should also budget for government processing fees, due diligence, authorised agent fees and passport costs, where applicable.

The minimum contribution alone does not determine which programme is most suitable. Applicants should also consider the eligibility of family members, due diligence requirements, travel benefits and any restrictions that could affect how they intend to use their new citizenship.

Beyond the Caribbean: other active programs in 2026

Outside the Caribbean, countries such as Türkiye, Vanuatu and São Tomé and Príncipe also offer citizenship by investment programmes. Each has different investment requirements, eligibility conditions and processing times, giving applicants additional options to consider.

The investment amounts and processing times are based on published programme requirements and available 2026 information. Applicants should confirm the current investment thresholds, additional government fees and eligibility conditions before proceeding, as these may change.

Malta is no longer an option for citizenship through investment following the April 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found its investor citizenship scheme contrary to EU law. Applicants considering European citizenship should instead examine the available residence and naturalisation routes, which have their own eligibility and residence requirements.

How does a second passport actually affect your travel freedom?

The US passport remains one of the strongest passports for international travel, providing access to approximately 179 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. By comparison, Caribbean citizenship by investment passports offer access to fewer destinations, including Grenada with approximately 147, Dominica with 145 and Saint Lucia with 143.

For Americans, obtaining Caribbean citizenship is therefore unlikely to provide a significant improvement in visa-free travel. However, these programmes may offer other benefits, including the right to live in another country and additional options for family members.

European citizenship can offer broader travel and residence rights. Passports issued by EU member states such as Germany, France, Ireland and Greece provide visa-free access to approximately 182 to 186 destinations. EU citizenship also allows individuals to live and work in other EU member states, subject to applicable EU rules.

However, obtaining European citizenship through naturalisation requires a longer commitment. Applicants must satisfy the relevant residence and nationality requirements, which may take five to ten years or longer depending on the country and their circumstances.

Americans considering a second passport should therefore look beyond the number of visa-free destinations. The right to live abroad, opportunities for family members and other immigration benefits may be more relevant than passport rankings alone. Factors such as taxation, safety, cost of living and education may also influence their decision.

For those interested in comparing countries beyond their visa-free travel benefits, Harvey Law Group's I-Passport Index provides further information on factors such as taxation, safety, education and cost of living.

What US legal obligations stay with you after getting a second passport?

Worldwide income is still taxable: FATCA, FBAR, and Form 8938

US citizens remain subject to US taxation on their worldwide income, regardless of where they live or whether they hold another nationality. Obtaining a second passport does not remove any existing tax obligations or the requirement to file US tax returns where applicable.

Certain provisions, including the Foreign Tax Credit and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, may help reduce double taxation for Americans living abroad. However, eligibility depends on the individual's circumstances, and these provisions do not automatically remove their US tax filing obligations.

Americans with foreign financial accounts or assets may also have additional reporting requirements under the Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). Form 8938 may be required where specified foreign financial assets exceed the applicable reporting thresholds, which vary according to filing status and whether the individual lives in the United States or abroad.

FBAR and FATCA reporting requirements are separate, and an individual may need to comply with both and acquiring another citizenship does not remove these obligations. Americans considering renouncing their US citizenship should also understand the legal and tax consequences, including any applicable exit tax, before proceeding.

Travel and consular rules as a dual national

Americans who hold another nationality must continue to use their US passport when entering and leaving the United States. They may also be required to use their other passport when entering or leaving the country of their second nationality.

Dual citizenship can also affect access to US consular assistance abroad. When an American is in a country where they also hold citizenship, the local authorities may treat them as a national of that country. This can limit the assistance that US embassies and consulates are able to provide, particularly in matters involving local laws or legal proceedings.

These requirements should be considered when deciding how a second citizenship will be used, especially by Americans who intend to spend extended periods living or travelling in their other country of nationality.

How to find the right second passport program and take the first step

Why the program comparison matters more than the cheapest option

The minimum investment is often one of the first things people will consider when looking into second citizenship. However, the amount required is only one part of the decision. Applicants should also consider their family circumstances, existing nationality, financial position, business interests and how they intend to use their new citizenship.

For example, a programme with a lower investment requirement may not allow certain family members to be included or provide the travel and residence rights the applicant is looking for. Others may have additional due diligence requirements or restrictions that affect eligibility.

Before choosing a programme, applicants should understand which routes they qualify for and compare the rights, costs and requirements of each. This can help avoid committing to an investment that does not meet their needs.

Harvey Law Group: 34 years of matching Americans to the right pathway

With more than 34 years of experience in investment immigration and 19 offices worldwide, Harvey Law Group advises individuals and families on citizenship and residence options across multiple jurisdictions.

Our lawyers can review an applicant's circumstances and assess the available routes, including Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes in Dominica, Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, as well as European residence programmes in Portugal, Greece and Italy.

For Americans with qualifying family ancestry, we can also advise on citizenship by descent, including reviewing family records and establishing whether nationality may have been passed down through previous generations.

Our approach is to establish which options are legally available before advising on the application process, supporting documentation and investment requirements.

The framework that guides a sound decision

The most suitable option for a second citizenship will depend on the applicant's circumstances, eligibility and long-term plans.

For Americans who want to obtain citizenship without relocating abroad, Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes may be an option. Minimum contributions start at USD 200,000, with some programmes offering processing times of less than nine months, subject to government approval and due diligence.

Those with qualifying ancestry in countries such as Italy, Ireland, Germany, Portugal or Greece may be eligible for citizenship by descent without making an investment. However, applicants must establish that they meet the relevant nationality requirements, including proving their family connections and, where required, an unbroken chain of citizenship.

For Americans intending to relocate to Europe, obtaining residence through investment, employment or another immigration route may provide a route to citizenship through naturalisation. This requires applicants to satisfy the country's residence and nationality requirements, which can take several years.

Whichever route an applicant chooses, obtaining another nationality does not automatically remove their existing US tax and reporting obligations.

A second citizenship can provide Americans and their families with additional opportunities to live, work or travel abroad. However, the rights and benefits differ between countries, and not every programme will be suitable for every applicant.

For those considering their options, Harvey Law Group can assist with reviewing eligibility, explaining the available citizenship and residence routes and advising on the requirements involved. Applicants are welcome to contact our team to discuss their circumstances before proceeding with an application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a second passport let me stop filing US taxes and FBAR/FATCA reports?

No. US citizens remain subject to US taxation on their worldwide income, regardless of where they live or whether they hold another nationality. Obtaining a second passport does not remove existing tax filing obligations or foreign financial account reporting requirements under FBAR and FATCA, where applicable.

These obligations generally continue for as long as the individual remains a US citizen. Renouncing US citizenship is a separate legal process that may involve additional tax reporting requirements and potential expatriation tax liabilities. Americans considering this option should obtain professional tax and legal advice before proceeding.

If I have ancestry from Italy, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Greece, or Poland, does that mean I automatically qualify for citizenship by descent?

No. Having ancestry from one of these countries does not automatically establish eligibility for citizenship by descent. Each country has its own nationality laws governing how citizenship can be passed from one generation to the next.

Applicants may need to establish an unbroken chain of citizenship through their family history, supported by birth certificates, marriage records and naturalisation documents. If an ancestor lost or renounced their original nationality before passing it to the next generation, this may affect the applicant's eligibility. The relevant family history and nationality requirements should therefore be reviewed before submitting an application.