Myths About a Second Passport: What’s Real and What’s Not?

In recent years, interest in acquiring second citizenship has significantly increased. Many people aim to obtain a second passport for visa-free travel, as a “backup plan” in case of instability, for tax optimization, or new business opportunities. However, the topic of dual citizenship is surrounded by numerous rumors and misconceptions. Some believe that a second passport is available only to select millionaires, while others think that buying an apartment abroad immediately grants EU citizenship. Such myths about a second passport confuse people and prevent them from objectively assessing the situation.

Below, we’ll examine the various ways to obtain second citizenship—from repatriation based on ancestry to investment and naturalization—and debunk common myths. You’ll discover what a second passport really offers and what is simply an exaggeration. At the end of the article, you’ll find useful tips for those looking to choose the best program or strategy on the path to a second citizenship.

Main Ways to Obtain Second Citizenship

There are several pathways to acquiring second citizenship, depending on your personal situation and goals. Let’s look at the main ways people obtain a second passport.

Citizenship by Descent (Repatriation “Through Roots”)

One of the most straightforward routes is obtaining citizenship by descent, meaning based on ancestry or ethnic roots. If you have ancestors from another country, many states allow you to acquire their citizenship through a simplified process. For example, Poland issues a “Pole’s Card” to descendants of Poles, which after one year of residence can lead to citizenship. Hungary grants citizenship to ethnic Hungarians who can prove Hungarian ancestry and have basic language proficiency. Israel accepts all Jews and their close relatives under the Law of Return: if you confirm Jewish ancestry, you can acquire Israeli citizenship almost automatically.

However, obtaining a passport through ancestry isn’t as easy as it might seem. You must gather numerous documents proving your connection to ancestors from that country: birth certificates, parish records, archival extracts. Often, personal visits to government archives or embassies are required. Additionally, some countries impose extra requirements such as language knowledge or integration. In Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland, applicants often have to pass language tests or interviews in the local language. The process may take many months; even after submitting documents, waiting for a decision can take a year or longer. For instance, in Bulgaria, after a successful interview, the applicant waits at least eight months for the citizenship decree, and that’s after all the paperwork preparation. Typically, repatriants must personally visit the country: it’s impossible to get a passport purely remotely—you’ll have to attend interviews, take oaths, provide fingerprints, etc. No one will mail you a ready passport, and promises to “do everything remotely” are usually fraudulent.

Conclusion: Citizenship by descent is a real and legal route, but it requires patience and effort. You’ll need to prove your connection to your ancestral homeland and sometimes demonstrate knowledge of its language and culture. Nevertheless, for those with the right ancestry, this is one of the most accessible ways to obtain a second passport, often without significant financial costs.

Citizenship by Investment (“Golden Passport” Programs)

Another popular path is participating in citizenship-by-investment programs, sometimes informally referred to as “buying citizenship.” The essence is that foreigners are invited to contribute a substantial sum to the country’s economy (either as a donation or investments in real estate, business, or government bonds) in exchange for relatively quick citizenship. The best-known are Caribbean programs—Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis offer second citizenship in return for investments starting around $100,000–150,000. Typically, this is a non-refundable contribution to a government fund or the purchase of real estate in an approved project. The process is fast—about 6 to 8 months—and doesn’t require relocation or language knowledge. Caribbean passports are attractive because they grant visa-free access to more than 140 countries, including all Schengen states and the UK. Additionally, some of these countries have agreements with the U.S.: for instance, Grenadian citizens can apply for an E-2 business visa in the U.S., while citizens of other islands are more easily issued B1/B2 tourist visas.

Outside the Caribbean, several other countries offer citizenship-by-investment. Since 2017, Turkey has run such a program: investing from $400,000 in real estate or other assets can secure Turkish citizenship within 6–8 months. Malta (an EU member) offers EU citizenship through naturalization for exceptional services: under the latest version of the program, applicants must contribute at least €600,000–750,000 and live in the country for one or three years as a resident before applying for citizenship. This route is more complex and expensive but ultimately results in an EU passport with full rights to live and work in any EU country. In 2020, Cyprus also had a popular program, but its “golden passport” scheme was shut down following scandals. Vanuatu also sells citizenship for around $130,000, and the procedure takes only about a month.

It’s crucial to understand that “investment citizenship” is a fully legal, state-run process in countries that officially offer it. It’s not an under-the-table citizenship black market but a transparent process established in law. Yes, it requires significant funds, but it’s not solely reserved for billionaires. Many affluent mid-level entrepreneurs can afford it: the minimum investment thresholds in some countries make the process accessible to a reasonably wide pool of investors. Often, real estate can be resold after a few years, recovering some of the investment, making the option more appealing. The main goal of these programs for governments is to attract capital and talented individuals, so second citizenship via investment is not exclusively “for the super-rich” in the sense of multi-billion fortunes. Nonetheless, the sums involved are still substantial, and choosing an investment program should be approached carefully. It’s also worth noting that since 2022, Caribbean nations have temporarily suspended applications from Russian citizens under pressure from U.S. and EU sanctions. Therefore, for Russians, this route has become complicated: the primary direct investment options available are mainly Turkey and, less commonly, Egypt and Vanuatu. Many Russians have shifted focus to repatriation programs (Israeli citizenship, passports from Eastern European countries based on ancestry, etc.).

Naturalization Through Residence (Residence Permit → Permanent Residence → Citizenship)

A classic route to citizenship is naturalization—that is, long-term residence in a country followed by acquiring a passport under general rules. Typically, the process looks like this: you obtain a residence permit (based on work, study, investment, or other grounds), live there for several years, then obtain permanent residency, and only afterward, meeting certain conditions, you can apply for citizenship. Many European countries offer this opportunity to foreigners, although requirements vary. For example, Portugal is known for one of the most lenient policies: you can apply for citizenship after five years of residence (and you don’t even need to live there permanently—just maintain legal residency status) plus only a basic knowledge of Portuguese is required. Spain, on the other hand, generally demands ten years of continuous residence and renunciation of previous citizenship (with exceptions for former colonies, for whom the period is two years). Greece requires seven years of residence and a language and history exam. In many EU countries, applicants for citizenship must prove integration: knowledge of the national language at a certain level, proof of housing and income, absence of a criminal record, etc.

A special case is “golden visas”—residence-by-investment programs. Countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece offer them: an investor contributes a set amount (usually in real estate, from €250,000–500,000) and first receives a residence permit, without immediate rights to vote or hold a passport. However, after a few years (depending on minimum stay requirements, language knowledge, etc.), a residence permit holder can pursue naturalization. It’s important to understand the distinction: buying real estate does not automatically grant citizenship but merely opens the door to permanent residence and eventual citizenship. For example, buying a property in Spain worth €500,000 grants the right to live there (residence permit), but there’s no automatic passport—you can only apply after ten years of residence, passing a Spanish language exam, and demonstrating integration. Thus, citizenship cannot simply be “bought” by investing in real estate without fulfilling the other requirements. Even in countries without direct investment citizenship, wealthy foreigners may first obtain residence permits and, after several years, acquire citizenship under general rules. Many obtain EU citizenship this way: first living in the country as residents, and later, by becoming citizens (e.g., of Portugal or Spain), they automatically gain full EU citizenship rights.

All in all, naturalization is a reliable but lengthy path. It suits those genuinely planning to move and live abroad. Its advantage is that financial requirements can be low (it’s enough to find a job or enroll in university abroad), and after several years of integration, you become fully settled in the country. The downside is that you have to wait for the passport for quite a while and maintain your status, follow immigration rules, and possibly renounce your original citizenship (if required by the new country). Many choose this path for EU citizenship for themselves and their children, recognizing that it’s an investment of time and effort.

Myths About Second Passports: What’s True and What’s Not?

Now that we’ve explored the main routes to obtaining second citizenship, let’s look at the most common myths around this topic and see what’s true and what’s just fiction.

Myth #1: “A second passport is only for the very wealthy.”

That’s not true. Certainly, there are investment programs requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a passport. But there are other routes. Many people obtain citizenship by descent or through naturalization, without million-dollar investments. For instance, if you can prove your roots in an Eastern European country or Israel, the process may cost only modest sums (document collection, translation, legalization). Likewise, naturalization through work or study mainly requires time and a willingness to relocate rather than vast financial resources.

Conclusion: A second passport is not only for billionaires. Everything depends on your personal situation and chosen country.

Myth #2: “Buying property abroad automatically gets you a passport.”

This is the most common myth. Many believe that purchasing real estate abroad automatically comes with a passport. In reality, this is untrue. In most cases, buying property grants only a residence permit (residency), which is not equal to citizenship. To turn residency into a passport, you must live in the country for several years, learn the language, pass integration tests, prove income, and only then apply for citizenship.

For example, in Spain, purchasing a property for €500,000 gives you a residence permit without the right to work and with minimal physical presence requirements. You can apply for a passport only after ten years of living in the country and meeting various requirements. No one issues a passport simply because you bought a property and then left to go back home.

Conclusion: Buying property is just the first step. There’s often a long journey to citizenship afterward.

Myth #3: “A second passport solves all tax problems.”

Some people believe that a second passport is a universal magic wand for avoiding taxes. In reality, it’s not that simple. In most cases, tax residency depends not on your passport but on where you actually live (number of days in the country) and where your center of life is located. Even if you acquire citizenship in another country, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re no longer a tax resident of your first country. You have to formally terminate your tax residency or physically relocate.

Moreover, many countries exchange tax information. For example, under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), banks and tax authorities automatically report citizens’ accounts to other countries. Thus, a second passport will not hide your assets if you keep living in your original citizenship country. In some jurisdictions (e.g., the U.S.), citizenship itself determines taxation, so leaving the country isn’t enough—you must renounce citizenship to stop paying taxes.

Conclusion: A second passport alone doesn’t exempt you from taxes. It gives you flexibility in choosing where to live and pay taxes, but it’s not an automatic “escape” from tax burdens.

Myth #4: “A second passport guarantees visa-free access to every country.”

Another widespread misconception is that a second passport opens doors everywhere in the world. In fact, no truly universal passport exists. Even the strongest passports, like Germany’s or Japan’s, grant visa-free access to around 190 countries, but not every single one.

Caribbean passports allow visa-free travel to the Schengen area but do not grant rights to live or work in the EU long-term. Even if you hold a Caribbean passport, you’ll still need to apply for a residence permit to move to the European Union. Also, remember that visa-free access can be revoked, especially for countries under sanctions or with unstable political situations.

Conclusion: A second passport greatly expands your freedom of movement but does not guarantee total visa-free travel worldwide.

Myth #5: “You can get a second passport quickly and without personal involvement.”

Many agencies promise, “We’ll do everything for you, no personal visits or queues required.” Often this is untrue or only half-true. Only a very limited number of investment programs allow citizenship to be processed entirely remotely (and even then, mainly in certain Caribbean countries). But even there, you often still need biometric data, interviews, or an oath ceremony.

It’s certainly impossible to get citizenship purely remotely via ancestry or naturalization—those almost always require personal visits, interviews, and submission of original documents. Programs that offer everything “without personal involvement,” especially regarding EU citizenship, are almost certainly scams.

Conclusion: Be prepared to participate in the process. A second passport can’t simply be “bought online in two clicks.”

Why Do People Want a Second Passport?

Obtaining second citizenship provides many real benefits:
- visa-free travel to dozens of countries;
- an alternative “backup plan” in case of political or economic turmoil in your home country;
- easier access to business and banking services in other jurisdictions;
- asset protection;
- better prospects for children—study, work, or relocation abroad;
- tax planning (but only with proper tax residency arrangements).

However, to benefit from these advantages, you must proceed legally and carefully research the requirements of your chosen country.

Conclusion: Is Getting a Second Passport Worth It?

A second citizenship is not a luxury but a tool to expand personal freedom and opportunities. But choosing the country, the path to obtaining it, and all legal nuances requires maximum attention, especially given tightening regulations in Europe and worldwide.

Before taking steps toward a second passport, you should ask yourself:
- What are your goals?
- Are you ready to live abroad, or do you simply want a backup option?
- Are you prepared to learn a new language and integrate?
- What budget are you willing to allocate?
- Are you comfortable with the waiting time?

For some, citizenship by descent is the best choice. For others, investment programs or naturalization through residence make more sense. The key is not to believe myths and always verify information through official sources or reliable professionals.