A recent poll of more than 500 participants—comprising advanced members, senior members, and regular subscribers—asked which citizenships should be avoided at all costs. Four passports were evaluated: Argentina, the United States, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Respondents weighed factors such as renunciation difficulty, tax obligations, compulsory military service, and the risk of revocation.
Citizenship concerns
Argentina
- Renunciation: Argentine law does not allow citizens to renounce their nationality, potentially trapping individuals in a jurisdiction that could adopt future “citizenship‑based taxation.”
- Tax risk: If Argentina were to follow the U.S. model of taxing worldwide income, holders would have limited options to escape the liability.
United States
- Citizenship‑based taxation: The U.S. taxes all citizens on global income, regardless of residence, which many view as a major drawback.
- Perceived pressure to renounce: Some influencers encourage renunciation, but the poll highlighted that many participants see continued value in retaining the passport.
Turkey
- Military service implications: While Turkish citizens can pay a fee to avoid active duty, their children may still be subject to conscription obligations.
- Foreign naturalization restrictions: Certain countries may refuse naturalization to individuals who have performed foreign military service, even if only by payment.
United Kingdom
- Potential revocation: Recent cases have shown that birthright citizenship can be terminated under specific circumstances, raising concerns about the stability of the status.
- Advantages: Despite the revocation risk, a British passport offers extensive visa‑free travel, strong consular support, and access to overseas territories that can facilitate residency planning.
Poll results
| Rank | Citizenship | Percentage of respondents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 58 % |
| 2 | Turkey | ~20 % (tied with Argentina) |
| 3 | Argentina | ~20 % (tied with Turkey) |
| 4 | United Kingdom | Remaining share |
The majority (58 %) identified the U.S. passport as the most problematic, primarily due to its worldwide tax regime. Turkey and Argentina were close second and third, respectively, while the British passport was viewed as the least risky, though not without caveats.
Community feedback
- Renunciation as a strength: Some participants argued that Argentina’s inability to renounce could be advantageous if the country does not pursue aggressive tax enforcement.
- Tax considerations: Others highlighted the U.S. inheritance tax as a significant deterrent.
- Revocation concerns: Comments emphasized that a citizenship that can be easily revoked—whether in the U.K. or elsewhere—poses a fundamental risk.
- Visa‑free access: The British passport was praised for its extensive visa‑free travel network and the ease of moving to lower‑tax British overseas territories.
Practical takeaways
- Assess tax exposure: For individuals with global assets, a citizenship that imposes worldwide taxation (e.g., the U.S.) may increase compliance costs and reporting burdens.
- Consider military obligations: Prospective Turkish citizens should evaluate the impact of conscription on themselves and future generations, especially if they plan to reside in countries that restrict naturalization for those with foreign military ties.
- Stability of status: The possibility of revoking birthright citizenship—illustrated by recent UK cases—should be factored into long‑term planning.
- Travel and consular benefits: A passport that offers broad visa‑free access and strong diplomatic support, such as the British passport, can provide practical advantages for frequent travelers and expatriates.
When weighing citizenship options, individuals should balance tax obligations, military service requirements, and the durability of the legal status against the mobility and consular benefits each passport provides.
