Second passport

In plain words

A second passport is the citizenship of another country in addition to your current one. It gives freedom of movement, a fallback option for the family, access to new opportunities in business and taxes, and simply more choice about where to live and where to travel without visas.

It can be obtained by three main routes: through investment (fast, but for money — CBI, and a Golden Visa followed by naturalisation), by descent (repatriation, free, but you need ancestors and documents) or through naturalisation (slow, after years of actual residence). Which route is yours depends on your goal, budget, timeline and whether you have the roots.

Importantly, a second passport can usually be obtained while keeping the first: most programmes and countries allow dual citizenship. But not all — a number of states do not recognise a second citizenship, and that is checked first. Remember too: a passport does not automatically change your tax residence.

Why a second passport is useful

Routes to a second passport

How to obtain a second passport

1. 01Define the goal and budget
2. 02Choose the route (investment/descent/naturalisation)
3. 03Check and file preparation
4. 04Investment or application
5. 05Passport

What you need to know

• Three routes: investment, descent, naturalisation
• The first passport can usually be kept
• Some countries do not recognise a second citizenship
• A passport does not change tax residence by itself
• The choice of route depends on the goal, budget and timeline

Common mistakes

• ✕Not checking whether your country recognises dual citizenship
• ✕Expecting a passport to change your taxes automatically
• ✕Choosing a route without regard to your real goal
• ✕Missing the duty to notify
• ✕Chasing price without looking at visa-free access and reputation

Read next