A quick overview of the fastest routes to a second passport, their costs, timelines, and key considerations.
Ultra‑fast citizenships (under a month)
Program
Approx. Cost
Timeframe
Notable Features
CPL / EcoAS (often marketed as a “green” or “blue” passport)
< USD 100 k
25‑30 days
Biometric or non‑biometric options; preferred by high‑net‑worth individuals for its “citizenship by exception” route, which offers more privacy and negotiation flexibility than standard citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) schemes.
Why “citizenship by exception” matters – The process is set up with a separate legal mechanism that aligns with Western data‑protection standards, making it more discreet for investors who wish to keep their original nationality hidden.
African programmes
Country
Cost (USD)
Typical Processing Time
Comments
Sierra Leone
≈ 140 k
Not specified (slow)
Low demand; price appears out‑of‑sync with market; limited utility.
São Tomé and Príncipe
≈ 90 k (single applicant) / ≈ 95 k (family of 4)
Not specified (faster than many)
Offers a CPL (citizenship by exception) route; provides limited visa‑free travel; suitable for those seeking additional residencies.
Botswana
75‑90 k (plus service fees, effectively ~100 k)
Not specified
Strong safety and political stability; passport ranking is low, so travel freedom is limited. Best suited for those who need a secure base rather than extensive visa‑free access.
Real‑estate‑linked CBI; relatively smooth due‑diligence; grants visa‑free access to many countries, though travelers may face extra questioning when entering Schengen zones.
Other Caribbean options (five in total)
200‑250 k
Similar to Grenada
Generally comparable to Grenada; most investors prefer real‑estate routes over donation‑based schemes.
Middle‑East programmes
Country
Cost (USD)
Typical Processing Time
Remarks
Turkey
500 k (bank deposit) or property purchase (price varies)
Up to 2 years (property route)
Property purchase is not tightly coupled to citizenship; applicants may lose the passport despite completing the investment. Recent regulatory tightening makes the program risky.
Egypt
≈ 300 k (property)
12‑18 months
Property is linked to the citizenship process, but applicants must provide five years of travel history—a privacy concern for many investors.
Miscellaneous, low‑demand programmes
Country
Cost (USD)
Comments
Jordan
≈ 1 M
Very high price for a passport with limited travel benefits.
El Salvador
≈ 1 M
Similarly overpriced; few takers.
EU options (focus on minimal physical presence)
Program
Cost (USD)
Residency Requirement
Time to Citizenship
Highlights
Malta (Citizenship by Investment)
≈ 1.5 M
1 year (theoretical)
Up to 2 years (program now closed)
Previously the fastest EU route; no longer available to new applicants.
Portugal Golden Visa
325 k (investment)
7 days per year of physical presence
5 years (naturalisation)
Investment is returned with ~€50 k profit; no need to become a tax resident; the only current EU pathway offering flexible residency and eventual citizenship.
Latvia (residency‑first)
Not disclosed
15 days of physical presence to obtain residency
Citizenship after meeting residency and other criteria (details not provided)
Suitable for a niche group; less popular than Portugal.
Why Portugal stands out
Financial return: After five years the initial €325 k investment is reimbursed, plus an additional €50 k profit.
Low physical‑presence burden: Only seven days per year are required, allowing investors to maintain primary residence elsewhere.
Currency diversification: Funds are moved into euros, offering stability compared with USD‑based assets.
Practical considerations when choosing a programme
Privacy vs. cost: Citizenship‑by‑exception routes (e.g., CPL/EcoAS) tend to be cheaper and more discreet than traditional CBI schemes.
Travel freedom: African passports (Botswana, São Tomé and Príncipe) provide limited visa‑free access; Caribbean passports offer broader travel options but may trigger extra scrutiny in the Schengen area.
Investment linkage: Programs that tie the investment directly to the citizenship (Grenada, Egypt) reduce the risk of losing the passport after the money is spent.
Regulatory stability: Recent political pressure in Turkey suggests that investor‑based citizenships can be abruptly altered or halted.
Time horizon: If a rapid passport is essential, CPL/EcoAS (under a month) or the Caribbean real‑estate routes (4‑6 months) are the quickest. EU citizenships require longer commitments (5 years for Portugal).
Bottom line: For investors prioritising speed, privacy, and a solid legal framework, the CPL/EcoAS option and the Portugal Golden Visa are the most compelling. Caribbean real‑estate programmes provide a middle ground with moderate timelines and decent travel benefits, while African and Middle‑East options may suit niche needs such as safety or specific residency goals. Always assess the total cost—including service fees—and the likelihood of obtaining the passport before committing funds.
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